Media in Two Minutes
Concours d'Elegance at Radnor Hunt
Good idea, will it happen in Media?
Kudos to police superintendent, Mike Chitwood for his innovative thinking towards public safety. He's putting together an evaluation committee to review the feasibility of cell-phone sized video recording devices to be used by patrol officers.
Where's the Media 5 Mile Race Money?
People have been contacting me about this for a few weeks, but I don't know the answer. For the longest time it was thought this was a sanctioned Media Recreation Committee event, but apparently it's not. So exactly who is getting all the 10's of thousands of dollars this race generates? What are race expenses and who's on the payroll? Where's the 501c tax return for this group and why isn't is easily accessible?
Penncrest News Network
Media Bowl Penncrest vs Strath Haven
Wow, there was a lot hype leading up to this game on social media and even a neat intro teaser by havenfootball.net. Luckily, as a Penncrest alumni, the Lions went on to win a very exciting game at Louis Scott Stadium 27 to 21.
A Boutique Hotel is Media's only chance.
To this day, I still don't know why their isn't one bed and breakfast in Media. There's Sweetwater farm in Glen Mills and Alpenhof in Upper Providence, but nothing in the borough surprisingly.
As for the Hampton Inn that was proposed and zoned 8 years ago, it's not happening. Some are delighted in that news, others disappointed. But the question that comes up, what is Media really doing to facilitate an effort that would bring a hotel? A boutique hotel in downtown Media would work very well, which would probably struggle to have more than 12 rooms, but it's a possibility. Though I doubt there seriousness, there have been rumors from time-to-time of such a project.
Rose Tree Park - Movie Night this Fall
Come out Friday September 19th for Rose Tree Park's "Movie Under the Stars" show that will feature the Lego Movie. Bring blankets and chairs for seating. There will be concessions for sale. Showtime - 7:15 to 9pm. Reconsidered Home has a Blog Site:
Check out what's hot at Reconsidered Home via their new blog site. Their latest post, "How small is wow"
Atlantic City, Mayor to visit Media for speaking engagement
With Atlantic City making national news over the closing of four casinos and the economic challenge that poses, this speaking event by the city's mayor should be a very interesting presentation. Check out Dom Guardian as he comes to Media on Sept 17th for an event hosted by the Philadelphia Press Club. Doors open at 11:30am. Price: $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Please register in advance.State St. Surveillance cameras, not "video" cameras
Had it not been for the report in the Delcotimes last week, I'm not sure anyone would have known the borough was considering security cameras for State Street. There was ZERO about this on mediaborough.com, let alone public input that many people have complained has been lacking. Did Mayor McMahon just think he was going to do what ever he wanted, again? How about the numerous questions I raised this week on who, what and how this video will be handled?
I doubt anyone on borough council has the leadership to speak up about this issue and ask the tough questions that MANY people in this community have. They've not addressed anything about this, as social media on the matter has generated hundreds of comments. Speak up, Media borough council!
In the article McMahon speaks of what a great deal this, "McMahon said full scale equipment and installment for such a project could be about $100,000 to $150,000. In this case, the borough has an opportunity to obtain the equipment for an initial cost of $13,200 upfront, and another $18,200 after six months." I don't have much experience in security systems but this seems way to good to be true, with the article going on to say "McMahon felt the much reduced cost may relate to the companies’ interest in the Delaware County market." May relate? In what way?
Last time Mayor McMahon got us an "opportunity" we taxpayers wound up paying $20,000 for what we were told would be a prominent highlight on a national tv show. That never happened and instead we got was a Youtube video that any kid could have done for $300. What's worse, it was brought to the attention of Council President Brian Hall and Mayor McMahon that the company they were dealing was investigated and fined by the Florida Attorney General for fraud, they chose to proceed anyway.
Question ... I heard you can drop off anything that did not sell from the garage sale this weekend at the Media Friends school ? Do you know anything about this
ReplyDeleteYes, it's from 2 to 5pm at Media Friends School.
ReplyDeleteTedman
ReplyDeleteFollow the money
What do you mean when you say the "MEDIA FIVE MILER" is not run by MEDIA or by the MEDIA REC is this just a private event run to line peoples pockets? I thought the MEDIA FIVE MILER was to benefit MEDIA and the RESIDENTS.
How can a concerned resident and MEDIA tax payer find out who is getting all the entry fees and advertising money. Who is getting paid and who is "volunteering"
From the Media 5 Mile Race website:
Delete"please use info@media5milerace.com for all inquires"
I assume nobody has taken this basic step to find answers, otherwise their non-response would have been noted.
As an alternative to just asking them, a quick google comes up with this:
citizenaudit.org/264232784/
To summarize:
Income: ~$16,000
Expenses: ~$15,000
Payroll: $0
Nobody is getting paid. The five mile race is an all-unpaid-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Well I guess that settles it.
DeleteWonder how the citizen audit came up with $16,000 in income the cost to register with early bird discount is $30. $30 x 1400 runners is $42,000.
Add the sponsorship fees which can range anywhere from 2,500 to 100 dollar sponsorships and you probably pick up another $10,000.
So the race takes in around $40,000 to $50,000 ---- Why doesn't the race committee just post the 501 (c) (3) non-profit tax returns to make this as TRANSPARENT as possible. I think that would end the discussion once and for all.
BTW i do not believe that "0" payroll for one minute
http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2010_06_EO/26-4232784_990EZ_200912.pdf
DeleteWow
Deletethat copy and paste really settles it ---- Thanks for directing me to a tax return that is 5 years old. What don't 501 (c) (3) non profits have to file on a yearly basis or do they only file taxes every 5 years.
The more questions that are asked about where the MEDIA FIVE MILER money goes the more distractions and mis directions that are provided as answers makes me wonder even more about this.
Careful, now. Pretty soon you'll be wondering enough to actually email the five mile race people yourself. Do let us know what you find out.
DeleteI've emailed them - no response to date
DeleteTedman, as a volunteer for the race I get a t-shirt. Have you ever volunteered at this event?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know where all the funds go from the Iron Hill beer fest!
ReplyDeleteIron Hill beer fest 10K goes to the media youth center. My guess is Iron Hill keeps the rest.
ReplyDeleteSince your focusing your interest on a non-profit business - let's see the youth center, media theatre, mac, and every other non profit... oh that's right there is no requirement to do so. and of course the number crunchers here forgot a few items - like the costs of the event: vendors, police and borough overtime, awards, banners, shirts, ect. before contributions... have you considered picking up a phone and calling? but no conjecture and usually lies generate more slimy responses. just pitiful.
DeleteTheir website indicates much of the revenue is given away to local community groups including the fire company, the police association, the boroughs capital improvement fund, and even a scholarship to a borough resident. While I think it's probably more efficient for a private group to run the race (pun intended), increased transparency would be nice.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the above, the following groups received monies from the race:
ReplyDeleteThe Media Upper Providence Library
The Veterans Legacy Project
The Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County
Media Area Girls Softball
Media Area NAACP
Media Fair Trade Committee
Media Fellowship House
Media Food Bank
I volunteered this year and paid my own way in to run the race
Great response------- now why hasn't anyone put up a link to the 2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 tax returns to see where the money is going and who is getting PAID. A whole lot more than 16K was generated by this race.
DeleteBecause, since 2010, organizations with gross receipts less than $50,000 need only e-file the brief Form 990-N - which doesn't require any financial information.
DeleteThe 2009 form shows that the race 'generated' about $35,000 that year.
Since you're so desperate for answers, why don't you ask them yourself, rather than relying on others to do your research for you?
Iron Hill annual donation to the Media Youth Center is between $16,000- $20,000 per year. They pay their expenses and donate the balance to the MYC. Every year IH consistently delivers a great event for a good cause. They provide a full accounting of the event proceeds. I can't say that the 5 Miler race committee does since they are missing 5 years of returns. Imagine if the race was run by Recreation 100% of proceeds could be delivered to organizations that actually are in media.
ReplyDelete