HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 10-14 MAA may lose city funding REVIEW MAA may lose
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by Scott Carlson
The Maplewood city council last
Thursday night gave the Maplewood
Athletic Association (MAA) notice that it
can expect its public funding to be phased
out during the next two to three years.
Despite the recommendation of City
Manager Michael Miller not to give the
association any money because of hard
budget times, the council appropriated
$6,500 for the MAA in 1976.That approval
was part of the council's adoption of the
annual city budget.
Councilman Burton Murdock and
Donald Wiegert said the association
should be put on notice own thait ts
an be
expected to start picking up i
"ball" soon.
Wiegert was opposed to total with-
drawal of pblic support. "I would like to
see it phased out," he said.
Miller pointed out appropriation of
$6,500 would represent a $2,500 increase.
But councilman Norman Anderson felt
the expenditure was justified."I think we
should keep it because you're even
helping the (police) liaison program,"
Anderson said.
He added, "Why worry about a little
money" when the athletic association
helps to keep kids busy and out of trouble?
Mayor Robert Bruton argued that the
$6,500 was not"insignificant compared to
some of the things we're putting in or
taking out (of the budget)."
"What other bu eget are yo hgoingntoo
increase by �
Anderson.
Anderson responded that AA
the AA
ended the year with about a$2,000 deficitM
and that$6,500 would help to cover that
loss. requested
The MAA had originally
$9,000 for 1976 spending.
Wiegert okayed the$6,500 appropriation
even though he noted there is a feeling in
the community that the program is
overdone. Wiegert said, "I don't
necessarily agree with that feeling."
But the councilman added, `
what has given me qualms about taking it
(the money) from budget. Not everyone
agrees with the program."
Wiegert suggested that the MAA might
want to emphasize its door-to-door
solicitations."I haven't been solicited for
three years," he said.
But Murdock later remarked, "It's
nothing but a hassle for those people to
collect money."