Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/325356
Siesta Seen next budget, so he did not understand why she responded as she did to Shay on June 2. Shay also raised the point during the SKVA meeting that even though recycling is manda- tory for county businesses and homeowners, he never had been able to get an answer as to why "the Village has a pass on it." He asked Cece about that in a follow-up email, he said, but he had not received a response prior to the start of the SKVA meeting. FIREWORKS With July Fourth only about a month away, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce is in full fundraising mode to cover the cost of its 24th annual fireworks spectacular. Alana Tomasso, the 2014 event chairwoman, stressed in an interview this week that no grant or government funds help pay for the show. The approximately $35,000 cost is cov- ered solely by money the Siesta Chamber raises during special events and from selling VIP picnic tickets and, especially, sponsor- ship packages. The cost comes down to slightly more than $1,000 per minute for the 28-minute show, she noted; plus, the Chamber has to cover other expenses, such as renting tents for use at the VIP picnic it hosts that day at the beach. Chastanna Nieman, events and office man- ager for the Siesta Chamber, made some of those same points during the June 3 SKVA meeting. The funding "has to be generated by the community," she said. Further, "The Chamber does not make any money on [the July Fourth events]," To m a s s o p o i n t e d o u t . M a n y p e o - ple do not understand that, she added. As always, the Chamber is offering its VIP packages for $150. This year they include on-site parking at Siesta Public Beach; a catered dinner for two with beer, wine and soft drinks; live musical entertainment by Ted Stevens & the Doo-Shots; and a preferred viewing area for the fireworks celebration. "Some people buy [the packages] just for the parking," Tomasso noted. Nonetheless, "it's a really good time," she said of all the festivities. Co-chairs of the event this year are Brad Stewart of Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce has unveiled its logo for the 2014 Siesta Beach fireworks show on July Fourth. Image courtesy Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Sarasota News Leader June 6, 2014 Page 61