The Mark Peterson Memorial, Goose Fest Rodeo 2023, was a huge success. We had people come to Goose Fest who would not normally come, but they came to see the rodeo and to see what Goose Fest was all about. It brought in $26,653.60, which is being used to support the Middle River Legacy Center. Its goal or mission is to be self-sustaining for another year. Which this rodeo achieved. This also means no city taxpayer monies will be used to run this building. The Legacy building was able to pay its own way last year and will be able to do it this year as well. This is made possible with the help of the fundraising done by the Legacy Center committee, Rodeo committee, and all the supporters in this area and beyond.
The job of the Middle River City Council is to make decisions for the community which they feel ensures its financial security. The properties of the city need to be maintained and run as efficiently as possible. With the acquisition, voted on by the people, of the former school building, they are also tasked with figuring out ways to have that building pay its own way. The city budget was never constructed to handle the finances of a building that size.
The Middle River Legacy Center continues to bring added value to our community with the Airbnb, Gym memberships, (BGM) NWR Library hub, Open Door Fellowship Ministries, Sannes Coffee, Alura Sewing, Beito Snow removal, as well as hosting major events and places to rent for storage.
The Middle River City Council has come under fire in the last few months based on misinformation. This has come from members within the community, who feel that the council has misused its power to hold an event during Goose Fest. This event was held to honor Mark Peterson, increase the number of events for people to celebrate and to raise funds for the Legacy Center.
As stated in our history book, Foundations - A Chronicle of a Small Town (pg 185, 217) and as reported by one of its founding fathers, “Since I was in on the first meeting of an informal Community Club meeting where it was decided to have a Goose Festival, I can say the reason for having the event wa not to help the local businesses. Rather it was to give some recognition to Middle River related to our area that was informally known then as the Goose Capitol” (Curt Neumann). Goose Fest is a celebration for the community: welcoming hunters for season openers, and getting together with people from all surrounding areas, not just as a benefit for small business.
The misinformation is based on the premise that the Rodeo affected all other areas of the Goose Fest, including lower sales, yet no one has come forward with any data to support that. Some businesses and vendors did very well, others said sales were down. There were many factors at play including: *Date change for the last two years from traditional date *Road construction on #32 *Weather *Other festivals reported/observed lower turnout Complaints that have been raised are mystifying, due to the fact that the Baja Races were held every Goosefest Saturday afternoon, and run into evening hours for at least 2 races, overlapping the MRCT productions, concessions along with a beer garden were available, and the races were also heard throughout the town. None of these concerns were brought to light about the Baja races.
Why aren’t the Baja races being held on Legacy grounds? This and many more questions have been asked. The short answer for this one is that the Baja committee walked away from the table during negotiations. They felt that being asked for verification of net profit, to show that the contract was being honored, at 25% of net, per race, was not in their best interest.
Misinformation about the Rodeo and questions about the Baja have disrupted our community, and continue to be spread by members of our community for reasons beyond reason. How does this continued discord benefit our community? For those of you who say this building is dividing our town, I say, it is the people. She is still standing tall, proud and continuing to have purpose.
For any questions you have please reach out to the city council or city office. Data on Baja financials, The Legacy Center, city financials, as well as the Rodeo are available. Also if you have data that you would like to share please reach out or attend a city council meeting.
A proud member of the Middle River community, concerned citizen, and city council member, Deb Ness P.S. I’m so proud of my fellow council members, our city staff, and our mayor. He has not been in our community for long but is 110% invested in its success. Please remember that none of us are perfect and all need grace. But also remember that right is still right and wrong is still wrong.
