City Funds Requested to Promote Cancer Walk

Wildwood city representatives committed to co-hosting the third annual West County Walk for breast cancer awareness on May 7, but now indicate at tonight's city council work session they will discuss diverting $2,000 of city funds to the event after the organizer told them he is having difficulty securing sponsors.

The event's organizer, Scott Sloyer, of Eureka, is asking for city funding to pay West Newsmagazine for a remaining portion of the newspaper's promotional cost of the event.

"When these type of requests come up, it creates problems without there being an overall policy to guide decisions," said Joe Vujnich, director of Wildwood planning and parks.

He said a draft policy regarding city partnerships or hosting of special events, particularly on Town Center property, was first addressed by Planning/Economic Development/Parks (PEP) committee members in February. 

"There were quite a few comments, and a revised policy will be back with PEP committee members at their April 21 meeting, and then maybe to city council as early as May," said Vujnich.

In a March 28 memo to council members, Vujnich outlined that the city's hosting of the West County Walk event in the Town Center area was discussed and approved when PEP committee members established the department's budget during last fall. Wildwood has hosted the event for the past two years as well, but has not supplied any direct financial donations to date.

"Beyond limited staffing and the provision of certain materials and equipment, primarily tents and tables, the city had not provided a direct contribution to the event, rather depending on the organizer to obtain other sponsorships," stated Vujnich.

He said the event attracts about 1,000 participants each year to a 3-mile section on the city's trail system.

"We like venues that bring people to Wildwood, in fact the more the better," said Holly Ferris, president of the . "But the city needs to be consistent with its partnerships, both public and private, and to be smart about its return on the exposure."

In the past two years, $20 of the $25 entry fee collected from participants at the walk was provided to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. Vujnich said that this year's event entry fee of $25 will not entirely be dedicated to the Komen organization, however. He said the proceeds will be split between the Komen organization, the American Cancer Society and a "yet unnamed charity as well."

"The change (in proceeds) relates to participants' input the organizer received after last year's event about the Susan G. Komen for the Cure," said Vujnich. "Regardless of the recipients, the intent is to provide a large donation(s) to legitimate organizations to assist in addressing this national health issue."