TRURO - Truro Town Council wants some questions answered before it decides to throw more money at the Dutch Mason Blues Festival.
Council received a letter during Monday's monthly meeting from festival producer David DeWolfe asking for additional funding for the eighth annual edition of the event Aug. 10 to 12 at Truro Raceway.
Council annually commits $7,000 to the event.
"The way I'm reading this is they're looking for a lot more whether it be in-kind services or direct cash and there's a whole lot of questions," Coun. Raymond Tynes said. "If it makes a profit, does the town get its money back? There's a whole lot of questions that need to be asked before we put out taxpayer dollars."
It was the latest in a series of requests by DeWolfe to municipal governments looking for support. The Bible Hill Village Commission is currently reviewing the same request after its June meeting.
Controversy has surrounded the festival since February when co-producer Jeff Yuill told the Truro Daily News the future of the event was in doubt because of financial shortfalls. DeWolfe denied those claims, stating then most of the festival's suppliers had been, or were in the process of being paid.
This year's lineup will include The Georgia Satellites, James Cotton and the Sheepdogs among others.
"There has been too many changes taking place," Tynes said. "We've always dealt with the provincial exhibition and now, all of a sudden, I don't see their name there. I need to know whether this is a private enterprise, public enterprise and we need to see some accounting for the last four years."
Regreader, I know it's called due diligence. The point is, and after reading quite a few articles about town council, it is Tynes in particular who is always making these points. Now I would expect council to complete due diligence, but sometimes.....I think Tynes just likes to keep seeing his name in the paper always questioning funding this or that. Same as the article about the provincial exhibition asking for funding. Maybe he thinks this makes him look like his is looking out for the tax payers. I think he is looking like a whiner.