First of all, Phil, (as a business owner) was simply being kind. He went out and purchased candy to give away, thinking this was the right thing to do. I will say, (obviously) I was standing right there and this gentleman was not being kind at all. If the Jaycees had done the right thing they would have solicited Phil to invite him to participate and perhaps he would have known there was a charge.
I used to be in the Jaycees, (back in the day) and this is NOT how we used to behave and or treat people. Even I had NO CLUE the Jaycees were charging to give away candy. Secondly, this is Phil's property, (as a renter). He's never been charged for a 3rd Friday event, that I'm aware of.
Times are a changing, that's for sure.
54 comments:
You can't be serious! Please tell me this didn't happen.
I am so confused.. how could a stranger stating he is a Jaycee go up to a business owner and ask for $50.00. I would have clocked him
But again, can anyone explain what is happening here... if I were a business owner and handed out candy
anonymous 6:56, You better believe it happened. Your welcome to go to Aqua and ask Phil for yourself.
The gentleman on the left looks genuinely puzzled. I will now make it a point to frequent this restaurant--he looks like a really nice guy!
This is not how we welcome new businesses to Salisbury.
I hadn't heard anything about this deal????? When did this become a fundraiser?
these bafoons look at you crazy when you're trying to get into your apt. "why are you here?" "where's your costume" "why are you behind my table"
um, because you set it up right in front of my door!
The Jaycees are now into extortion?
Since when does the city rent out the sidewalk to a group then that group says if you want to give out candy from your place of business, you have to pay us $50 to do so. What the hell is going on in this town. Since when does the city do this?
This guy runs two restaraunts across the Plaza from each other. He has every right to stand out and give candy! I can at my house without paying anyone! If I were an outsider and chose to pay to be there, I may choose that. This guy has already paid his rent!
Go, Phil!
Were they charging the trick or treaters too??
Why pay someone to give out free candy. Plus why would the city rent the downtown area to one group without letting the businesses know and ask them how they feel about it? Phil, not all of us is like this please hang in there change is coming by the name of Al B. map
That's terrible and sounds unlawful (but I'm not a lawyer).
This is something the Jaycees do, it a project call Treat Street, they raise money for other community projects. Please check everything out before jumping on them...
What do they mean they "rent" the Plaza from the city? Even if they do "rent" the Plaza (I'm not sure I know what this means) it's pretty darn tacky to ask for money from someone who is handing out candy to Trick or Treaters.
Actually, a number of local businesses generously donated money to help the Jaycees put on this event. The Jaycees purchase the candy with the donations and gather volunteers to hand it out. This is free to the public and provided a safe trick or treating environment for hundreds of local children. Has anyone contacted the Jaycees or is this just a one sided slam of a generous event?
they did the same thing up in Philli, they were called the Mob.
No wonder there are so few businesses downtown, and this kind of crap sure doesn't make anyone want to rush right down there and open up anything new either. Ireton has to be behind this kind of ignorant stuff.
Phil - hang in there.
I agree with 8:10 posting - soon there will be change.
Now as far as the Jaycees are concerned, I'm going to be making some queries with this organization and try and get to the bottom of this.
It is extortion to the highest degree - just like the Gambino family did to Perdue in NY City.
Come on people... extortion?
The Jaycees do not make money off this project.
They charge sponsoring groups to offset the enormous cost of the candy they give away every year. Lets find out the facts before you jump to conclusions. The Jaycees started this project because nobody else was doing anything. And the thanks you get is to get blasted by people who don't have the facts.
Joe... if you want to be a journalist.. act like one.
Real classy Jaycees, sounds like a money making venture to me.
From the Jaycee site-
"Q: How can I, my organization or my business sponsor a table at Treat Street?
A: Table sponsorships are available for $50 each. Sponsors receive signage at their table and at the registration area, and are included in pre-event publicity. Sponsors do not need to provide staffing for their table, but may do so if desired. This year’s sponsors include several “employee teams” who have chosen to raise sponsorship money through “casual Fridays,” candy sales or other fundraisers."
I just can't see nickel and diming a business to death. This is for the children plain and simple and if someone wants to hand out candy independantly they should be allowed because it's a good thing they are doing.
Has anyone identified the Jaycee as a member?
Geat way to attract new members to the Jaycees, really brilliant strategy fellas!
Look out Joe, He may charge you a $50.00 fee to take pictures lol, what a Jackass!! Joe Albero for mayor.
As a owner or a renter, you don't have a right to just set up shop on the sidewalk. That is city property, not private property. As well, if he was taking advantage of the exposure that was generated by the Jaycees, then he should pay in or offer some sort of donation. That's the same as someone setting up a table to sell or offer goods at Sunfest without paying the registration/reservation fee.
pure extortion and highly unethical,
just how much is it to rent the plaza, might wanna do it myself sometime and charge a toll to walk or drive through
Heyn Phil, I HOPE you told them where to stuff it! But if you paid, well you were just robbed. You rent 2 places on that mall, that;s all the rent you need to pay. I have no idea why a previous poster doesn't see the reality here!. Thanks for putting your whole heart at risk with 2 restaraunts and 20 minute metered parking downtown...
The project is run by the Jaycees. They charge businesses or individuals who choose to sponsor a table $50 for the purchase of candy for "Trick or Treat Street". This is a free alternative to children and a safe place for them to trick or treat. The project has been running for several years and is not a new thing on the Plaza. Joe if you are so "in the know" you should be aware of this project. I'm sure your Jaycee chapter did similar projects to benefit children in the community. Please don't try to spin this to suit your needs.
If you go to their web page is shows all the sponsorship oppurtunitys. This is a fundraiser for them. They purchase all of the candy to ensure safety and that there is no nuts in any of it. Seems fine to me. The renter leases the building not the sidewalk. No I am not a Jaycee. I just dont like seeing such a good org. bashed. If I was the business owner I would of been handing out flyers or discount coupons trying to get people in the doors.
Another vote buying project of Jim Ireton's. Rent the Plaza to the Jaycees for their Trick or Treat night for the kiddies. Don't bother to tell the property owners or anyone else what's going on.
Did the Jaycees need the money to pay the city rent? Or to offset costs of their community service? Or to fundraise while giving the kids a fun time?
This is probably a harmless arrangement turned bad because the mayor is ... Jim Ireton.
Stand your ground Phil. Love the food!
Sounds like Salisbury Jaycees are now members of the world's oldest profession.
Support Phil & his business and withdraw all support from Salisbury Jaycees.
On a happier note...Camden Ave. rocked Halloween again this year. I wondered if it would happen because many had removed decorations in anticipation of the storm. It was a great night. Thank you, Camden, for creating a Halloween destination for family fun. Parents everywhere with little trick or treaters and great neighbors ready to welcome them and fill their buckets. Thank your for another year of great fun.
Welcome to Salisbury folks. If it helps make Chicago such a great town why can't we do it here?
Every organization has one bad apple and or a bad day.
The event itself is a wonderful event. There were 600 kids that came to last years event and my guess is that it was even bigger this year.
So my hat is tipped to the Jaycees for providing such an event. Hopefully they can learn to handle these kind of situations with dignity and class the next go around.
I will add, another business owner towards the very end of the Plaza heard what was going on after seeing others set up booths. She took off for the store not realizing something was going on for Halloween, (like the rest of us business/property owners) and prepared to set up a booth. When I went down to their location there was nothing set up. My guess is that this same person told them they had to pay $50.00 and they actually closed their shop and left.
They say, "the more, the merrier". Oh, by the way, Phil DOES have a special license to serve outside his restaurant, so he does own that space. He also has the fences in space across the Plaza for his Deli as well. So telling him he can't use it or that he'd have to pay $50.00 for each location is ridiculous.
Perhaps next year we can all work together by being invited to participate first. Time will tell.
I volunteered at the event tonight and believe there are some things that need to be mentioned.
Phil was invited to sponsor the event, at Third Friday and in email but never replied back. He knew Treat Street was going on or did he just happen to have a bunch of candy on hand to hand out?
Just because Phil rents buildings downtown does not mean he rents the public sidewalk or the public road that Treat Street is held on. It is owned by the City and rented by the Jaycees.
Also it's not fair to the restaurants, like Mojo's, that did pay money to sponsor the event and hand out their advertisements. The sponsorship cost is only $50 and the candy is provided by the Jaycees.
The money raised from sponsorship and a lot of other additional fundraising go straight into Treat Street. The Jaycees do not make any money.
Treat Street is non-political. People of all political leanings, religion, background, and race get together to put on a event for no other reason but the good of the community. And the thanks they get is to get bashed by someone who wants special treatment.
I don't understand... They keep saying the $50 is to be a sponsor, but what if you don't want to be a sponsor? I've never heard of an event with forced sponsorship like this.
Well if they didn't want to get bashed, they should have made sure everyone know about it and the requirements.
Just sending an email, especially one that gets no response, is no guarantee it was even delivered, much less read.
And if it were not for Joe's post about it, I would never have known about any of it.
You may rent the plaza, which in itself sounds odd, but how the Jaycee's can think they can force business owners to pony up money to use property they have already paid or rented for, is beyond me.
Sorry, I'm with Joe on this one. Jaycee's should have shown more class and more tact in handling this.
Your 'good cause' has left a bad taste in everyone's mouth now.
Hey there this is Phil D From Plaza deli and Aqua Italian Restaurant....
Firstly I would like to state that I nore anyone one from our management team was ever personally contacted about last nights event. I for one do not sit online checking my emails all darn day . We found out at 3:27pm yesterday about this event via Facebook by one of our friends. And ran to the store to buy a a bunch of candy for the kids.... "IF" someone would of taken the time to walk into one my stores and invited me I would of GLADLY donated the $50.00.... That being said .... Does anyone from the City or This Jaycess realize that I lost thousands of dollars last night by the plaza being closed??? Between sales and labor and food cost does anyone get this ?
I am ALL for doing anything to help children and the Downtown... But maybe NEXT time being that you guys are only 3 blocks from me . You may want to personally walk into businesses and invite them ..
Oh and for the record.... Aqua is responsible for 10 ft out into the street/ sidewalk . I have to pay for that in my insurance ... So YES I do pay for that bit of the street !
For all those that support Aqua and Plaza Deli Thanks for coming in and we hope to see you in the future !
Dont forget to start booking your Holiday parties people... Dates are dropping like flies
God Bless
"Phil was invited to sponsor the event, at Third Friday and in email but never replied back. He knew Treat Street was going on or did he just happen to have a bunch of candy on hand to hand out?"
I going to guess that Phil wasn't aware that it was required to purchase a table for this event. I looked at the FAQ's on the Jaycees site and it don't say that in order to hand out candy you must purchase a sponsership. Maybe I missed it?
The prudent thing would have been to let the people without sponserships hand out candy for the night and then get with them later on in the week and explain the situation. Diplomacy goes a long way.
I would suggest Phil sue Mayor Ireton, the city council and the Jaycees for lost revenue.
7:55 a.m. - you nailed it!
Instead of treating someone like they are trying to "get over" on the Jaycees when they are trying to do something good, handle it with some diplomacy!
Events are a great thing, BUT if you don't get the business owners directly involved, it can hinder instead of help their businesses, just like Phil said.
Take note and use the feedback to make a better program next year.
I am disgusted with the Jaycees for being so little as to want to make money on little kids trick or treating! This is like thiefs in the night. Remember folks these are the same people who couldn't afford fireworks for a few years. Well I understand you need money to put on events however you have to insult the people that are trying to make our plaza work? and charge to give candy to little children ???Really??? Oh and I would expect Ireton to rent the plaza and go along with this cause he has no children (of course) so what the hell does he care about ours. I hope this does not run Aqua away cause their food is excellent! And as for the Jaycees, you are a disgrace to our town. Try to do your fundraisers so it does not impact children and businesses that are trying to make our plaza something special!
The Jaycees made no money on the event! The sponsorships offset the cost to run the project. They did not charge the over 600 kids that attended the FREE Halloween event.
Quit beating a dead horse. As someone stated work together to make a bigger and better event for next year...
It is great to have safe events where local kids and families can enjoy Halloween. Family fun is important to a great community. There must be a way for the Jaycees to use their energy and volunteerism to host a wonderful event without costing local businesses their customer base for the night. If planning for next year starts now, neighborhoods like Camden, organizations like the Jaycees, institutions like SU could all come together and have something better than ever next year. Maybe there is an opportunity for the Jaycees to get sponsorships for some of the neighborhoods that have embraced providing Halloween family fun. It is becoming increasingly hard for some in this economy to continue to support the number of kids who have come to love trick or treating in the same neighborhood year after year. I would love to hear about what the best places were last night from families who went out.
Ok the Jaycees didn't advertise this
Event very well. Why would the city make them rent the plaza in the first place. This event should be free to all that include the one giving candy out. Charging a non profit organization is just plain wrong. Way to go city.
You mean the Jaycee's wanted to charge Phil $50 for handing out free candy AND losing thousands of dollars of much needed revenue after spending and arm and a leg to get it open and create jobs?
Put Phil's business aside, and tell me how his employees who depend on tips to pay their bills benefited from this event?
I guess his employees were expected to sit on the plaza playing a harmonica with a hat for collecting pocket change to pay their bills.
When government knocks on the door to help, don't answer!
anonymous 11:15, The Mayor does NOT allow his Staff to inform me of anything, for starters.
I was NOT made aware of this event this year and the Jaycees organization admits they didn't inform me.
However, as I was heading to the store last night around 5:30 PM there was a flyer on my truck, GO FIGURE!
That being said, ALL of those photo ops and the times you see Jim Ireton on the news, I'm not invioted, nor am I in the know. I'll add, the press conference Ireton had on the alleged phone spoof, I wasn't invited to that either.
The guy is so afraid of his own shadow it isn't funny. So don't say I should be in the know. IF it has anything to do with Jim Ireton I'm kept out of the loop, unless I just happen to find out.
What's really shaming for our community is there has to be a "safe" place for our kids to trick or treat. True sign of the times I guess we can't even feel safe where we live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Touche 12:04!
As an owner of 2 restaurants they should have had to ask you for permission on setting tables in front of your Establishment..
This is not a fundraiser. They don't charge to give out candy. Safe, free candy for kids sponsored by supporting businesses...that's not extortion. Check your facts people. How do you expect them to ensure safe candy?
In your attempt to make this a political issue you failed to properly research the facts of this story. I have been involved with Chambers of Commerce and other non-profit groups for over 30 years and it is common to execute this type of municipal lease agreement. It aids in protecting the public, in this case, children.
I am usually an advocate of your attempt to right a wrong. But in this case you have done an enormous disservice to all parties involved. You have tainted an event that has done nothing but good for the public.. Is this what we should expect from you as a public official???
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