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Old Settlers Reunion organizers ask Jacksonville to close streets; council declines to alter signed contract
Summary
Organizers of the Old Settlers Reunion asked the Village of Jacksonville to close streets for the Aug. festival to prevent buses from crossing setup areas and allow a mechanical train attraction; council members said the Event Contract is signed and declined to modify it, urging better planning for future events.
Becky Petty, speaking for the Old Settlers Reunion Committee, asked the Village of Jacksonville council on Aug. 14 to close streets for the duration of this year’s festival, saying “the school does not want buses traveling Sixth Street with festival items set up and water and electric lines across the roadway.” Jennifer Bulstrom, also representing the committee, raised uncertainty about how to manage vehicle traffic when a mechanical train ride is set up.
Councilmember Rachel Gratz responded that the Event Contract has been the product of many meetings and is already signed and that council does not wish to modify it at this time. Gratz said the school and bus operators are free to select alternate routes or wait during festival setup. “Traffic can wait during the setup or choose to take an alternate route as they would in any traffic situation,” she said.
Councilmembers Butch Chapman and Jay Chapman said historically the roads have remained open during the festival. Councilmember Eric Clift said he respected the work of the council committee that negotiated the contract and would defer to that committee’s recommendation on any changes. Jennifer Bulstrom told council the Reunion Committee could choose to close the roads and forfeit their security deposit if they wished, but that committee members felt they were not receiving sufficient cooperation.
Petty said she and other volunteers are “very passionate about the festival” and urged the council to be more supportive in the future. Gratz acknowledged the committee’s efforts and said she plans to attend the event this year to better understand the needs and improve planning for future Event Contracts.
The council took no action to change the Event Contract at the meeting. The committee was given the option of closing streets at the risk of losing their deposit; council members said they would prefer to preserve the signed contract and address planning improvements for subsequent years.
