Posted on: Thursday, October 10, 2002

Toys for Tots events canceled by city fees

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kicking off a Toys for Tots campaign without the help of classic car enthusiasts and motorcycle riders is like Santa preparing for Christmas without his elves.

It just won't be the same, said Marine Staff Sgt. Ruben Villarreal, the state Toys for Tots coordinator.

But the 25th annual classic car caravan from Magic Island to the Waikiki Shell, scheduled Nov. 24, and the 28th Street Bikers United Toys for Tots parade from the Hawai'i Convention Center to Kapi'olani Park on the first Sunday in December have been canceled because organizers cannot afford the city's $6,000 fee.

City Managing Ben Lee said that because of budget cuts, the city can no longer waive fees for coning, special-duty officers and cleanup.

"This is going to leave us 4,500 toys short," Villarreal said of what he had expected to collect from the two events. "I'm disappointed because these are ongoing events that people look forward to.

"I just found out from the bike groups about the $6,000 charge for coning and other stuff that was normally waived," Villarreal said. "This is not only going to affect me, but other groups, too, because the car clubs also help the food bank."

Lee said that some 30 other community organizations that stage Christmas parades and other events without paying for coning fees, special-duty officers and cleanup will be affected by the budget cuts imposed by the City Council.

"In the past we've tried to support community service projects of nonprofit groups, especially at Christmastime, by providing traffic control, Safety Systems coning and cleanup," Lee said.

"But the council cut $1 million from our facilities maintenance budget. We told them this wasn't necessary, and it was going to impact parades and nonprofits."

Lee said the city can no longer afford to waive fees. The estimated cost of coning and traffic control for parades is about $3,000, he said.