SOUTHWEST FESTIVAL LOSES IN COURT

The headline is correct. Yesterday a story that did not make the news was a suit filed against the Southwest festival for cancelling the event last year. The suit was brought about by Citizens for Better Metro Government President Bob Heuglin who was suing to get reimbursed on behalf of the group for the cancellation of last year's festival.

Democrat insider Ray Crider heads up the Festival each year in a most unusual way. Details on that in a separate article that will concern Council Rep Bob Henderson and a few others. There are many things about the way the festival is run that violates law and/ or ethics.

In particular in 2009 Crider, as head of the Festival, sold booth space, and advertised that the festival would be held rain or shine. Many bought booth space and paid advertising with this in mind, however, the event was cancelled because of rain therefore refunds should be given correct?

Not in this case. When Crider was asked to refund the money since the event was cancelled against the advertised intent he refused thus creating the need for a lawsuit to be reimbursed. Interestingly enough the entire Festival board was there with the exception of Crider's daughter

Upon losing the case yesterday Crider did the right thing and immediately wrote a check for the full amount reimbursing the group on behalf of Bob Heuglin, however this may not be the end of the story.

This is the first in what will undoubtedly be many lawsuits requesting refunds.

In particular I am very curious to see if the Metro Council will now request a refund of the thousands of tax dollars we gave to the Festival for an event that never occurred.

Stay tuned this will get interesting.