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Forum candidates back festivals but flag insurance and cost concerns for Fish Day and beer garden
Summary
Both Ward 3 candidates said they support downtown events such as Fish Day and the Upper Lake Park beer garden but raised questions about when festival costs should fall to organizers versus the city and identified insurance and staffing costs as operational issues.
Candidates at the March 13 forum expressed broad support for Port Washington’s signature events but differed on how much city resources organizers should absorb.
Incumbent Alderman Michael Gasper, who serves on the Fish Day board, said the city began billing the festival for overtime police and other on-duty costs and that festivals should pay their share. He said the city can continue to help with in-kind support such as picnic tables and permitting. Gasper also praised the beer garden series as a community asset but noted rising insurance requirements make it harder for small nonprofit clubs to participate: “That requires a 2 and a half million dollar insurance policy these days.”
Why it matters: Festivals and park events drive tourism and downtown activity but can create recurring staff, public-safety and insurance costs. How the city balances municipal support and event self-sufficiency shapes budgets and volunteer organization participation.
Details cited in the forum
- Fish Day billing: Gasper said the city began charging Fish Day for overtime for police and firefighters and that it is fair for festivals to pay for extra on-duty services. - Festival support: Gasper listed city-provided items such as picnic tables and garbage cans as low-cost ways the city supports events. - Beer garden insurance: Gasper said insurance costs have risen and that many small community groups cannot meet insurance requirements without the Friends of Park and Rec or other assistance.
Candidates’ positions
Schwalbe emphasized the need for transparency in festival finances and said he would want to see Fish Day’s books to understand revenue and cost flows before endorsing changes to how costs are allocated. Both said they value the events and want to preserve them while ensuring taxpayers are not paying all event-related overtime and similar charges.
No changes to festival policy or city ordinances were made at the forum.
