CITYVIEW - AUGUST 12, 1998
Outer-circle source
I am writing in response to the story "Bob's Name in Vain"
(July 29), but first I would like to extend my most sincere appreciation to your readers
who braved the weather to come out to support this year's Bob Marley Festival.
Especially the dozens of people who showed up early and waited patiently until the rain
finally stopped.
As for the story, I spoke to many people about
your article and they all laughed, saying, "Consider the source." But for
your readers who don't know Dave Grimm personally, I would like to introduce him and
respond to the accusations.
Dave Grimm was an enthusiastic volunteer the
first year the festival came to Des Moines. Mr. Grimm was very helpful.
Apparently, he didn't have a job at the time and had a lot of time to help with the
festival. He was so helpful that we paid him for his assistance.
The second year, Mr. Grimm was helpful again
but continually bad-mouthed other people involved in the festival. He told me if
Connie Derry continued to be involved, the next year he would not be. I thanked him
for all his help, wished him well on his future endeavors and again gave him some money.
Dave Grimm was never in the inner circle of the
festival, never knew what our revenues were and never knew what we paid out in expenses.
Any figures quoted by Mr. Grimm in this story are made up in his head. The
festival is not run entirely on free labor, and I wish Mr. Grimm would tell me where we
could get some of those cut-rate prices he spoke of.
As far as Ms. Wilson's participation in the
story, it is apparent she believed Mr. Grimm's tale. For every disgruntled band or
vendor Mr Grimm supplied, I could have supplied you with 10 names of bands or vendors who
are anxious to participate every year. It's a shame she never asked me for them.
Apparently, she was afraid that would have taken the edge off her story.
Ms. Derry and I are very proud of the festival
voted "Best Festival of the Year" by Cityview readers last year. As long
as the people of Des Moines enjoy the festival and continue to support it, we will work
hard to bring it to them.
Hopefully, some day we'll make the kind of
money Dave Grimm thinks we do.
Pat Costigan
Festival coordinator
Editor's note: The
story's main intent was to let our readers and especially the volunteers know the Bob
Marley Festival is a for-profit venture. And while Mr. Grimm's speculation about the
festival's profits may trouble organizers, neither Mr. Costigan nor Ms. Derry have been
forthcoming with figures.
Also, the Bob Marley Festival did not win in
any categories of our Best of Des Moines readers' poll in 1997 or 1998.
CITYVIEW
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