Lack of funding spells end for Solvay Field Days
A long time tradition in Solvay has been canceled. There will be no Solvay Field Days in the village this year. The mayor said there were very few donations and the city can't afford to foot the entire bill. Our Iris St. Meran has more.
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SOLVAY, N.Y. -- For years Woods Road resident Albert Denti had a front row seat to Solvay Field Days. He is lucky enough to live across the street and has fond memories.
Denti said, "It's the camaraderie, the people, the friends, pizza dough, the sausage, the peppers and onions. It's all a part of the atmosphere of the village of Solvay."
But Solvay's Mayor Kathy Marinelli said the village won't be hosting the longtime event this year. It was supposed to take place August 9-11. Planning started in January, but as of June 1, donations they were promised had not come in. The event costs $40,000 which is a price the village cannot afford.
"It's very hard. And I can't ask the taxpayers to put this $40,000 in the budget of their money and spend their money and then raise their taxes. It just can't happen," said Marinelli.
They rely heavily on donations and only a fraction of the promised ones have come in. In years past a big chunk of funding came from the state.
"We received $20,000 from Senator DeFrancisco,” Marinelli said. “Last year it came down to $10,000 with a letter stating there was no money in the state budget so we wouldn't be getting anything this year."
The mayor said she would like to have something for the community to enjoy. So she is considering planning a smaller event, perhaps a festival with the donations that have come in.
Denti said he appreciates the efforts of the village and hopes something can happen.
With governments pinching pennies he would like to see more effort from his community so Woods Road and this field will be filled with people in the years to come.
"We have to pass this thing on as tradition in the village of Solvay," said Denti.
Anyone looking to help out can donate toward a smaller event. Donations can be sent to the Village Hall at 1100 Woods Road, Solvay, New York, 13209. Checks can be made payable to Solvay Summer Festival and they will be accepting donations through July 8.