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October 2008 |
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Casino Royale places bet on tourism |
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Friday, 27 June 2008 |
By SHAWN YORKS
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The Guymon City Council on Thursday night approved two items that were originally recommended for approval by the former Convention and Tourism Board and a separate request by Artist Incubation for next month's Casino Royale event at Pickle Creek Center.
At the Casino Royale, people can spend $100 to "buy in," and there will be blackjack and poker. With all the winnings, people can then buy art that's for sale by local artists.
The event is planned for 7 p.m. July 19 at Pickle Creek.
"It's a hundred-dollar ticket just to get in the door," said Marsha Strong, representing Artist Incubation. "There's no money other than the ticket. We are just going to give people chips, and then can use those as money later to buy art.
"We're going to have a title, so somebody's going to be the poker champion of Guymon."
And at $100 a pop, if only 100 tickets are sold, that's $10,000 worth of art, Strong said.
"It gets our artists excited because they're going to get a paycheck," she said. "It's really I think going to be the biggest thing we've ever done. If we do this thing right, we make it classy the first year, and we sell 300 tickets next year, that's $30,000 worth of art that moves in one night, that's huge."
Council member Randy Hinds had several questions about the event, including how it would benefit Guymon.
"Tell me how it helps the City of Guymon," Hinds asked.
"Well, it makes Guymon a destination for the people who want to come to this," Strong said. "It's a cultural event, something we don't have in Guymon. It helps the image of Guymon, helps it be a cool place to be that night."
The artists will receive 60 percent of the proceeds from their artwork that is sold.
Hinds also asked whether Bryon Test, a principle in Artist Incubation, would benefit from the sale of his art.
"If he puts his art in, he can (benefit)," Strong said. "It's just a matter of someone choosing his art over someone else's. He doesn't really have a lot of artwork in our gallery right now."
Hinds said that the principle of a not-for-profit corporation cannot benefit.
Strong said that everything Artist Incubation has been doing seems to be getting by an attorney the Center for Non-Profits for Oklahoma uses.
"That's fine, but still a principle cannot benefit," Hinds said. "So I guess I have a hard time recommending we give money to something that may not be operating properly. (The principles of an organization) cannot receive profits from that organization. You take Mr. Test out of it, then I don't see any problem."
City Attorney David Petty recommended consulting a tax attorney if there was any doubt.
Strong agreed to pull any of Test's artwork unless she can show proof he won't benefit.
In other action:
•The city approved $4,400 for the Northwest Oklahoma Junior Rodeo in August and $5,000 for the Fourth of July fireworks — the only legal public display of fireworks in Texas County this year. The council tabled 15 other items that had either been Approved or denied by the Convention and Tourism Board before it resigned en masse last month.
Council member Hinds and Mayor Stump wanted to let the new C&T Board — which has yet to be appointed by the city — to look at the other items.
Council member Dave O'Sullivan disagreed, saying that those who have applied have already made several presentations.
"It just seems like we're throwing a hot potato around," O'Sullivan said.
The motion passed by a 4-1 vote. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 28 June 2008 )
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 | | I have to say, I was so disappointed in the Pioneer Days parade this year. It just seemed to be one long commercial for businesses, hardly any floats that exhibited the theme, which was what? And any Tom, Dick,or Harry could drive his car in it. Where has the spirit of Pioneer Days gone? My dad was born north of Guymon in 1912, lived there his entire life, and died there in 1994. He was 81 years old. He was a true pioneer. He was a farmer who survived the dust bowl days. He saw so many things come to pass and he got to witness the evolution of all those wonderful things. He and so many like him are the kinds of people we need to honor with Pioneer Days. We should never forget our roots. People say that Guymon hasn't changed. Oh,yes it has!! No matter where I live, Guymon will always be home even though my parents have passed on. I am proud to say I am from Guymon. I enjoy coming home especially for Pioneer Days, but I hope next year it looks more like the Pioneer Days I grew up with. Pioneer Days is the one thing that shouldn't change and should always honor those who paved the way in the Panhandle. Tyra (Haar) Combs - Holcomb, Kansas | | | | | | |  |
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