Regulation is killing capitalism. So now I have to ask for help.

Well, folks, it has been my intention for this Tea Party to be as cost effective and LOW cost as possible. Unfortunately, our work with Lynchburg City Parks and Recreation Department has made that virtually impossible. Not only were we essentially forced to let City Stadium be our only option for assembly, but in addition we have had to secure $1,000,000 worth of insurance to even be able to rent the stadium. As you can imagine, that does not come on a small ticket.

I received approval of the permit for assembly on August 11, 2009. The permit for assembly is a permit that is submitted directly to the Lynchburg Police Department (LPD). It was sent to me as a photo-copied version of the permit I submitted, with the addition of the restrictions/modifications which state that if temporary closing of public right-of-way is requested, you must provide $1,000,000 worth of liability insurance. The location requested on the permit was to be at the base of 9th Street, which I was then informed had been changed by Lynchburg Parks and Recreation to be held at Riverfront Park, upon approval of the permit for assembly. So, at this point, insurance was not required, since no right-of-way would be closed in the event that we did use Riverfront Park. Keep up with the timeline and details here.

Riverfront Park was and is under major construction and is not safe or accessible for heavy pedestrian traffic or a gathering, so starting the week of August 21, I began making phone calls to Lynchburg Parks and Recreation (P&R) to find another spot. It took until September 1, when George Caylor began working on securing a spot in my behalf, before there was any response from P&R. At that time we requested the use of Riverside Park, or even possibly Miller Park, for the location. We were told it wouldn't work, and were given the opportunity to submit an application for the use of City Stadium, at a cost of $160, plus cost of $1,000,000 worth of required insurance. I'm not sure if the liability insurance clause on the permit for assembly is the same requirement as for the City Stadium application. Someone with some legal expertise could probably explain this better to or for me. Either way, insurance IS required for City Stadium. I have linked all documents to this blog if you'd like to view them.

On Tuesday, September 8, the City Stadium permit was approved. The same night I called LPD to inform them that the location had changed--just doing my part to be responsible. The following day, Wednesday, September 9, the representative from the LPD called me back to thank me for calling and to let me know he had already been informed that the location had changed and arrangements were made.

So that brings us to today. I don't know all the details, and as soon as I do, I will post them here, but Mr. Caylor was contacted by Mark Reiser from P&R. Mr. Reiser informed him that there may be a problem with the date of the 17th (event date), because police hadn't been hired yet for the event and the "guy" who arranges/schedules them was "out of town." This is AFTER the LPD and P&R knew the event date for nearly a month.

So, due to the circumstances of Lynchburg City not providing enough police (whatever that means) for the event, Ron Gillespie of the Lynchburg Sheriff's Department was contacted and immediately provided the police presence needed for the event. This was also done at an out-of-pocket cost.

Thus far, this event has reached the expense of beyond at least $700. So here is where I'm asking for your help. If every single person at this event was able or willing to donate at least $1-$5 dollars (or more depending on your circumstances) for fundraising, we would surpass the cost incurred, and would have a budget ready and waiting for the next event--and hopefully be better able to tackle the bureaucratic mess as well. There will be donation boxes at the event. All I can do is ask for your support, help, and trust in this matter. My intention is to be fully accountable for what is spent and where it goes. That is why I want you to know how the cost has been incurred thus far for our Tea Party.

Thank you for all you do for liberty,
Dana Hale