Tuesday, December 8, Creston Owen, chairman of the newly formed Virginia Civil War Events Inc. presented his organization’s plan to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas. His organization, made up of volunteers, has a 9 day plan to draw tourism to the area. His primary goal is to bring people to Manassas and Prince William County and to keep them coming back. The events sound grand. Also speaking to the board were Ed Clark, superintendent of Manassas National Battlefield Park and Brendon Hanafin, the county’s director of historic preservation who both added background information.
Funding will be the county’s primary obstacle. Many popular programs have already shut down or throttled back to bare-bones operations because of fiscal hard times. According to the Washington Examiner:
Still, funding presents an issue, even this early in the process. The cost per year for the county’s support and the events is estimated at $95,000.
All of the county’s financial support would have to come from the transient occupancy tax, said Budget Director David Tyerar. The TOT is a levy on tourist facilities such as hotels, motels and boarding houses that offer rented guest rooms for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Three of every five cents go toward tourism-related items in the county.
Creston Owen made a wonderful presentation to the board. His enthusiasm, knowledge, historical background made me want to write him a check on the spot. I am convinced he could sell ice cubes to Eskimos. The county chair warned that money was very scarce.
What if Manassas ponies up and the county does not? What if the county gives hard earned county money to this group? How loud will the hue and cry be from groups that support the Senior Day Care Center or transportation for the seniors to go to the senior citizens centers (different from senior day care)? It seems like the county is between a rock and a hard place.
Here in Richmond, the local committee is salted with Confederate apologists and revisionist historians like, UR’s Ed Ayers. They are planning a series of apologies and group hugs by revisionist historians designed to show how truly remorseful they are for being born, White.
Rather than having a few token events, Virginia needs to develop a comprehensive and ongoing program that promotes Confederate era tourism, throughout every year. With a coordinated approach that ties into international tours of battlefields and provides organized battle re-enactments and festivals. along with green tourism events, like bike tours that trace J.E.B. Stuart’s ride around McClellan, then Virginia could easily add over one BILLION dollars to our annual tourism revenue.
If only the self anointed “elites” in Richmond could stop apologizing for being Southern and White.
Well, Mr. Owen sounds like he is headed in the right direction.
Here in Richmond, the local committee is salted with Confederate apologists and revisionist historians like, UR’s Ed Ayers. They are planning a series of apologies and group hugs by revisionist historians designed to show how truly remorseful they are for being born, White.
Rather than having a few token events, Virginia needs to develop a comprehensive and ongoing program that promotes Confederate era tourism, throughout every year. With a coordinated approach that ties into international tours of battlefields and provides organized battle re-enactments and festivals. along with green tourism events, like bike tours that trace J.E.B. Stuart’s ride around McClellan, then Virginia could easily add over one BILLION dollars to our annual tourism revenue.
If only the self anointed “elites” in Richmond could stop apologizing for being Southern and White.
I watched it on TV and the $95,000 is to the County group. Owen is asking for $250,000 more for his group. I agree that he could sell ice to Eskimos. I trust our Board does not need anymore ice and with $250,000 I doubt everyone will be volunteers.
So…. why do we celebrate war? I would suggest we celebrate peace and use the money for the people of Prince William County (or at least leave it in their pockets). I have grown weary of a Government that spends its time figuring out how to raise revenue only to give it away.
It’s not “County money” we are talking about, its our money. If the Sesquicentennial event is a really commercially viable enterprise, let the private sector pay for it. The fact that they want “our” money to pay for this event answers the question.
Interestingly there is an agenda item for Tuesday under memo of understanding with Owen’s group. Predictably, the link to the document shows it to be unavailable. Guess we won’t know what’s going on behind the scenes until Tuesday.
I am curious how many actual veterans are part of the planning process. I’ve always noticed that those who haven’t actually experienced war appear to be the most attracted to the celebration of war. To some people, war is just a romantic abstraction. To vets, not so much.
I am still confused by the money. Who wants what money? Has anyone figured that out yet? What is clueless talking about?
Opinion, I think you are making a very valid point. The older I get the more the Civil War upsets me. The absolute horror of Americans killing each other like that is just abhorrent.
—-It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.
Robert E. Lee —-
Mom, glad to see you are here. Good morning. I just got done reading the posts from the other blog back when the issue was addressed before the City Council. The presentations have seemed to be unavailable in recent weeks on the county site. hmmm
I found it very intereseting that Mr. Owen had implied to the City Council that the PWCBS was quite supportive of the efforts of the group. Yet, I didn’t hear that “support” from the Chairman this past week. Happily too I might add. I was really glad Corey told him we have serious budget issues.
Mr. Owen gave the sales pitch of the year last Tuesday. I found his presentation informative, but at the same time it left me with a lot of questions. At the end of it all it sounds like they have a plan albeit sketchy(imho), and they want to “facilitate” and “coordinate” the events so they don’t overlap, and great importance was put on getting the word out of the events. The county, state, and Park Service all are and will be promoting this event. There will stories in the media such as these that will promote the event. We as citizens can spread the word with emails and various social networking sites. The PWBOS does NOT need to give the group quarter of a million of taxpayer dollars for market of Mr. Owen’s group.
[…] William County Sesquicentennial Plans 12 12 2009 Here’s more info on the planning going on in […]
oops..marketing and promotion of Mr. Owen’s group.
What is said in public and what might be said elsewhere are 2 different things.
Seriously, what choice did the chair have after hearing from all the old people the past few weeks just trying to beg a ride to the senior center. He sure couldn’t pretend like we were rolling in dough. Want vs Need.
Mr. Owen made an excellent presentation. I would agree with him if we weren’t in a horrible economic downturn. We don’t know if there is a light at the end of this tunnel either.
If this event is so popular in Prince William County, why isn’t it supported by a volunteer group? If we have to pay people to make it happen, perhaps its not worth doing in the first place.
250K pays for a lot of bus rides.
I would like to know if these board members of the group have sunk $250,000 of their own money that they want from we the taxpayers of PWC for this pet project.
Moon, no Corey didn’t have much choice, but he said it none the less.
MH, the money being asked for is in the order of $250 grand from the county and more from the state and Feds (plus that already allocated by the city). It will all go to the 501C group being set up by Owen and company.
Lafayette, you’ve pretty much nailed it. It would appear that is another of those typical “inside baseball” dealings that occur in PWC. The odd thing is that judging by the tone of the initial discussion, it is not getting much traction in these tough financial times. We’ll see how it plays out Tuesday but I would guess that the ones we need to keep an eye on are Nohe, Caddigan and Jenkins.
As to the purpose for the funding, it seems to be a moving target. In his presentation (guess it pays to have connections, wish I got thirty minutes to discuss important land use issues) Owen indicated that the group would act in the role of a coordinator, ensuring that separate events weren’t scheduled at the same time in part to allow local “dignitaries” to attend and get face time at all of the “important” events. Although it is presented as a somewhat altruistic effort, my guess is it is little more than an opportunity for those “connected” individuals (read Chamber members) to play kingmaker amongst the participants and get tax-payer funded space to further their own interests and egos. All I can guarantee is that if my supervisor votes for this after de-funding the senior centers and senior transportation, he will be facing a primary challenge.
What was the $95k Clueless mentioned for? There have been so many different amounts of money mentioned I have lost track. I originally thought the pWc share was $250k, then i convinced myself I had to be mistaken.
Is any county agency running its own show?
My bad, thought that was clear, there is a county group that includes a variety of local and town groups as well as an effort by the National Parks. They have already been funded in the current budget and working on plans for quite some time. Owen’s effort is partially funded by the city and they are asking all levels for more dollars to superimpose themselves on the existing efforts.
Mom, will you be the challenger? And if so, can I be your campaign manager? 😉
I honestly don’t know how they could be able to sleep at night if they opt for to give that money away after depriving our seniors of transportation, etc.. Yes, I said give it away, because the money is out of the county’s hands and in the hands of a private organization. Would there really be oversight by the county…I suspect NOT.
It all depends on who irritates me more in the coming months, my supervisor or Corey. At present, Corey is giving me a greater rash, we’ll see what happens during this years budget discussions.
Mom-lol!!
I’ve just visited the National Parks Service’s website and they really have quite a bit of infomation about the Manassas Battlefield and the surrounding area. In my mind this is more proof that we don’t need to give this group money for marketing which is really what I felt a big part of the money was needed for while listening to Mr. Owen’s presentation. I checked out some of the links and it seems as though there was a celebration in 2008 marking the 147th Anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas(not Bull Run, we are in Virginia afterall). I would like to know how many came out for this event last year promoted by the NPS. Well, at any rate they pulled it off without the help of Owen, et. al.
duh, here’s the link
http://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm
I just watched the presentation. http://pwcgov.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=284 Owen mentioned that he plans to partner with the already established Sesquicentennial Committee. http://www.pwcgov.org default.aspx?topic=030039002180005555 So… why do we need another committee on top of the existing committee? Mr Owen shared that he is a volunteer. I appreciate his service. I also wonder why he doesn’t volunteer to work with the existing group?
Owen also shared that the 100K from Manassas and another Million is contingent on securing the County 250K. He plans to visit the feds next. We are talking 2-3 million to fund a group that duplicates an existing group all contingent on concurrent approval.
Corey Stewart asked some good questions. I hope they are more than show and he remains true to his conservative roots.
Correction to Sesquicentennial Committee (above).
http://www.pwcgov.org/default.aspx?topic=030039002180005555
Mom, you could be Godzilla and you could count on me for a primary vote.
1. I don’t know that commemorating a war is the same thing as celebrating war. We could be celebrating the fact that even though this country was at odds, it unified in the end. Also, I do think we are honoring the dead. MH, since you have family members who fought, can you weigh in on this?
2. Why can’t we put donation boxes in local businesses and other locations?
3. Why don’t the sups kick in some discretionary money? (Did they do that to bus the seniors? If so, why not?
4. Won’t the return on this investment be worth it?
@Moon-howler
Good morning, the first presentation last Tuesday was from the County and the CVB. They stated that they needed $95,000 per year to fund thier efforts. Mr. Owen’s group appears to be an additional group and they want $250,000.
PAP-celebrating/commemorating they are both marking a historical event. They are interchangable in my mind.
Well, all departments within the county have had cuts, and the discretionary money has not been cut any. Frankly, I think each supervisor could kick in some of that money for senior transportion, but let’s be real it’s not going to happen.
I don’t think commemorating is the same as celebrating. Commemorating is more serious and somber. I have mixed feelings. I wouldn’t want to celebrate it for sure but I would want to commemorate it. And yes, my great great grandfather served in the Civil War–Southall’s Battery, stationed in Yorktown. He was only in for about a year. He was fairly old at the time. [Southall’s Battery, Virginia Light
Artillery [a. k. a. Everett Artillery,
Albemarle Everett Artillery,]] There you go, Pinko.
I simply don’t see how the county can afford this want.
Well, Moon the both apply in my mind. Have you forgotten “perception is reality”? 🙂
We will have somber reinactments, fesitival like events and fancy balls. Some celebrations and some commerations.
Thanks for posting this link. I read what the powers and duties were, and NO where did it say a word about funding such activities.
I had no problem when the PWCBS contributed to student project like the one in Harper’s Ferry, of course they weren’t talking about $250K either. That is truly an educational project and involving students from the county.
Well, if you want to recall the horrors of war, the division the Civil War caused in this country, the personification of soldiers and civilians and deep thoughts alongside quotes and archival photos, I highly recommend my book : ) Part of the proceeds support historic preservation efforts. Buy 11 copies and you get a big discount! Wally Covington bought 11. Smart man!
http://www.poemsfromthebattlefield.com
And if you buy from me personally (don’t do it through Amazon), I will donate to the Sesquicentennial funding efforts.
How’s that for a bargain?
Which funding efforts? Do you mean to the county or to Mr. Owen’s group? I have many CW buffs in my family that might enjoy it.
I wonder if Wally will be giving your books for gifts to his fellow Supervisors. 🙂
I just couldn’t refuse that smart a$$ comment.
@Lafayette
Which would you like me to donate to, Lafayette? I’m not particular, so long as a real effort is being made.
I believe Wally was going to give copies to his fellows–or at least some of them. Poetic irony?
Order the books now and I will even sign and wrap them for Christmas! Or Kwanza. Or whatever you would like.
I want to know who the book recipients are going to be. [evil, very evil grin]
PAP
PAP-I really couldn’t say who to donate to at this time. I could only speculate. Personally, I would give to PWC Public Works and various other departments will be taking an active roll in the events taking place.
Good for Wally!
I wonder if the same conversations went on around Jamestown about the 400th anniversary, who is paying for what, who has control over what and how can we afford this. I wonder what they have to say now that it’s over — what was done right, what should have been done, but wasn’t.
I think if you live in an area that has a lot of history, and that history is about to experience a major anniversary, you have a responsibility to put forth the money to commemorate that history in the best way possible, and in as many ways as possible — not depending on one committee or one government agency to handle it.
I think Creston Owen and the people working with him should be commended for being proactive volunteers and setting this in motion with only 18 months to go. I think it’s unfair to compare this with the cuts that need to be made — this is something that has to be done, and done in a way that will reflect well around the world and put PWC and Manassas in a positive light. Give up a trip to the movies or eating out one fast food meal and send a small donation to Creston Owen’s group. It will add up.
And where will we get the $250k?
I don’t think anyone here voicing concerns would be unwilling to make a private donation.
I will even take Corey Stewart’s side for just a moment. How do you blithely write a check for $250k and then look Cathy Marshall in the face and tell her why the senior citizens center had to close for want of $150k. How do you look Greg Reynolds and those he is going to bat for in the eye and explain why seniors have no transportation to the Senior center.
Fair has nothing to do with it. Not having the money has everything to do with it.
I am only the moderator here and I am at the inquiry stage. I don’t have a finalized opinion. But I sure see the side of those who are concerned about duplication and financing. Why do we have several committees doing the same thing?
Jamestown has more clout than First Manassas anyway. First permanent English Settlement vs. First major battle of the Civil War? Not even close.
@CindyB
I absolutely agree with one minor exception… if this is such a good idea, let this group solicit donations from local businesses and the community at large. Note that business donations to this group are tax deductable (assuming it gets the 501 (c)3 status it applied for).
It’s not county money we are talking about, or BOCS money, it is our money. I expect the BOCS to make the “hard choices” regarding which public services need to be cut while focusing on safety and security. Since this falls into neither category, I don’t expect things like Senior Bus Service to be cut while spending our money to support Civil War buffs and tourists.
I recognize the potential economic benefit of this proposal; however, I also recognize the risk. If it is really a good idea, Let business validate that benefit by supporting it. Once it becomes a business investment, due dilligence will significantly increase as businesses won’t invest in anything they don’t believe will provide a return on their investment.
Cindy, the City has already committed your City tax dollars to Mr. Owen’s group. The county has NOT, as of yet anyways. You can think it’s unfair to Mr. Owen’s group all you want to compare the cuts, but you are wrong. Our citizens and county employees have had many services cut already, and will face more cuts in the year to come, and they should NOT have to fork over their tax dollars for this one time venture. I would much prefer to see my county tax dollars spent on the citizens of the county, not those just passing through for a history lesson.
I don’t discount Mr. Owen’s efforts at all. I do think they should be out here soliciting funds from the private sector and the business community. There’s no doubt that there’s potential to benefit economically, but there’s NO proof tht this will happen. The county may as well take a quick trip to Charlestown and play on slot machines.
I’ve just got done reading a booklet from the 150th Commeration in 1961, and I could help noticing at the bottom of many pages were little advertisements/sponsorships. The most interesting thing was see how many businesses from outside of PWC and Manassas were shown in the booklet and program. BTW-the program was 25cents and the booklet with the history was sold at the event for $2. I’m very pleased to say that my copy is in mint condition. I wonder how many other “local historians” might have a copy of this publication called 1ST MANASSAS(BULL RUN) and the war around it…
Note that the City of Manassas only approved the $100K if the County also contributed $250K. They are counting on City and County money to build a case for State money (1 Mil) and Federal money (TBD). It would appear the group has no funding at the moment (since no commercial sponsors are listed on their web site).
I would suggest they start their fund raising in the Business community before asking for any City, County, State, or Federal funding. If business won’t kick in, why should we?
I agree that this needs to start as a private effort. One of the problems with pinning their hopes on the County $$$ is that we don’t know if the state will kick in anything. The state is in worse shape than the County and I suspect that our delegates will have a tough row to hoe if they try to get this through as a budget amendment. If this is worthwhile business venture then private money will be available. It is easy to ask for government money. Private money will include real due dilligence and an actual business plan.
Business is ultimately who will profit from this venure. They might as well belly on up to the bar and start ponying up. We have no idea what our economy will look like in 2011. All predictions say next year will be even tougher than this year.
I would love to be able to say go for it to Creston Owen and his group. I just don’t think we can allocate that much money on the unknown. There are many variables. Perhaps I will change my mind. I still don’t think that the word ‘fair’ has anything to do with it.
Tyler, there is always revisionist history. Amazing how the war has changed just in the bast 30 plus years. NOT. I don’t know the cure for reinventing history.
The Civil War was what it was. And most of the people were just people just trying to survive in the world in which they lived. They weren’t any better or worse than people today. Keep your apologists down there. If something happened before I was of the age to do anything about it, then I don’t feel compelled to apologize.
The “wild card” is the growing Senior citizen population. Seniors vote. Should the BOCS be foolish enough to fund this project while not taking care of bus service (or any other number of Senior Citizen issues) we might see some new faces in 2011.
I hope someone has the foresight to start organizing this powerful demographic now. “We” can run this County if we wish to. Perhaps we need a few more Seniors on the BOCS to add a touch of wisdom and experience.
I agree with Moon-howler, it is history and we should talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly in the context of what was happening at the time. This anniversary should be about the American Civil War and where we have come since then. I do not think you should apologize for the Confederacy or say it was correct. The United States put a Civil War behind it and 150 years later have an African-American President. In my opinion, it is the story of the last 150 years that changed the world and made our Country the beacon of Freedom around the World.
In Rita Koman’s fine new book ” Manassas Mosiac, Creating A Community”,
it is noted (P.132) that “The First Manassas Corporation formed in March 1960
to support and plan a grand reenactment of the First Battle of Manassas,
set the pattern for the next four years of commemorations.” It was
headed by the late R. Jackson Ratcliffe.
Over 30,000 people attended the event at the Manassas Battlefield Park
in 1961 and it was considered a tremendous success despite seasonal
heat and humidity.
PR, I saw “The First Manassas Corporation” in the book and program I spoke of earlier. Do you happen to how long that corporation stayed incorporated? I’m asking because I’m very curious how long any new corporations/group will be around after the two commerations.
I’m not sure how an event could be called a “tremendous success” when the very basic needs of trash receptacles and port-a-potties weren’t around for guest to dispose of their waste. I will 30,000 in attendence in 1961 was a “tremendous turnout”, and not neccessarily a “success”. Several of my family members attended the event and they said the heat and humidity was bad, but no place to relieve yourself(without doing so in public) was the worst part of the two day event.
Remember the 125th Anniversary of First Manassas in 1986 that was
combined with the 75th Anniversary of the Manassas Peace Jubilee.
The “battle” took place in then open land near Westfield, Fairfax
County. Manassas played host to reenactors from Lafayette, La.
who set up camp on what was to become the Manassas Museum
Lawn – they arrived by train in full uniform and were greeted by
a crowd and the OHS band. (The men represented a regiment
from the Lafayette area who fought at Manassas in 1861).
Seniors most definately do vote and the senior population is growing faster than ever with the baby boomers coming upon their golden years. We have currently have two seniors on the board, and I don’t see/hear them fighting for their contemporaries. Not to mention all the other board members have parents that are seniors. I know these are tough economic times, but some of the seniors have lived here for decades and have/do pay taxes and they do deserve transportation to the senior centers. I really do fear that the senior centers will be next to be cut. I would think that ANY supervisor that would opt to give money to Mr. Owen’s group over funding senior transportation should/would NOT be sitting on the board after the next elections.