Freedom Festival in potential jeopardy
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By Ben Crane
The Newman City Council heard from the Newman GOAL, or Give Our Area Life, at their regular Council meeting on Monday, citing concerns about planning of the annual Newman Freedom Festival.
“We do not want to take over the whole festival,” said GOAL member Heather Skinner.
GOAL is a group of Newman residents who plan various events for other residents including trunk-or-treat and the Christmas extravaganza. However, the group is small, and making plans for a whole festival is difficult for them.
“We cannot physically take it on,” GOAL President Felicity Albin said.
According to the group, the lack of a “point person,” or someone who leads the various groups, businesses, and sponsors in planning, has made plans for next year’s festival impossible. As of right now, there is only one thing scheduled: the tractor pull.
“[The festival is] not happening as of right now,” Albin said.
GOAL’s next meeting is on Nov. 19 in the community library and urged members of the public to attend to get planning for the festival sorted out.
On the other hand, GOAL has had their “Christmas Extravaganza” plans approved by the Council. The extravaganza is planned from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 7, with carriage rides from 3–5 p.m. and a Christmas parade at 5:30 p.m. The festivities end with a tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Roger Nuxoll reported to the Council that the water tower project is officially completed, ending the four-year process. Nuxoll reported that overall, the project finished under budget and all upgrades are expected to last years, if not decades. The Council approved a payment of $137,414.50.
He also reported that the water main project was completed by B&T Drainage and the Council approved a $216,733 payment.
Police Chief Dixie Brazelton reported that the new police squad car had been paid for and that it does have insurance. She should have it by the end of December or early January from Crestwood if all items are installed. The car will be fully finished by Spring with other technological installments planned to be made.
She also presented the approximately 400-page Newman Police policy and procedures handbook.
“We did not have one of these when I got here,” she said.
She also requested a full-size spare tire after getting a flat tire earlier this month. The cost of repairs was $29.03.
Finally, the Council approved Ordinance 2024-0-4, which simply states that “tiny homes” must be build like traditional homes, or on a foundation, with all required utilities.