Letter to the Editor: (Standard Times submitted 11.21.2008) released to other news outlets | as PDF
As the president for the past two years of First Night New Bedford (FNNB), I was surprised to read in the paper that the 20 year old tradition of First Night “... is Out and City Celebrates! New Year's Eve is in...” and that “... Ms. Heald has moved from a partner in First Night to heading the New Year's Eve effort in the city... “
As to the legitimacy of this year's First Night effort; FNNB has had communication with City Council President Jane Gonsalves and, more recently, provided information as to our present status before this became a news event.
In addition, all monies donated this year will be returned in the event that the Zeiterion performance does not take place; further donations toward the Zeiterion performance would be greatly appreciated.
Depending on the amount of donations received, we would like to offer the performance at no charge.
Next, I must address the statements that First Night has not done anything for New Years Eve this year. In an effort to keep it alive, FNNB paid the annual fee to First Night International of $450, (which is always covered by us and never a city expense), applied for the New Bedford Cultural Council Grant, held a public recruitment meeting, signed up new FNNB committee members, signed on a new treasurer, contacted the fireworks company, obtained quotes and deadline information (which we are within) from the button company, made contact with several of our regular venues including the Whaling Museum, the YMCA, the First Unitarian Church in New Bedford, and the Z, reached out to artists and sponsors with the intent of producing a modified NY Eve event and hired some entertainers including, the local “Ornament Band”, a 13 piece Trans Siberian Orchestra Tribute Band to perform at the Zeiterion.
The Ornament Band was hired based on the Z's statement that they were available to FNNB (and they would not be booking anyone else), as well as projected revenue from button sales, and donations. The main source of donations received so far have come from our letter campaign which hit the streets on November 10; the Monday before Veterans' Day. The next business day letters were generated from the Mayor's office, on behalf of AHA! and because of that, some of the businesses that support FNNB every year became reluctant to support us after they received those letters. We were told that, “unless this is endorsed by the Mayor, we cannot support you.”
Based on recent press, “The Ornament Band” is concerned that they will not be performing at the Z and they have had a tremendous amount of interest generated by the PR they put out. Since they are a seasonal act they feel some of their audience would be disappointed if they missed their performance. If anyone is interested in previewing the entertainment, please feel free to visit our web site at: http://www.firstnightnb.org
Because of the newspaper articles a few more issues must be addressed. FNNB has not had a button design contest for few years. A year ago when First Night was struggling financially, as has happened before, the Mayor was approached in 2007 for help by the last years VP who was head of fund raising. The recommendation was made to revise our program to end at 9 PM, join forces with AHA! and make New Year's Eve the last AHA! night of the year. Many of our members objected to ending the evening before midnight and one long term member resigned because she felt so strongly about it. The mayor campaigned for the early ending time as a public safety concern although FN Boston has said that in Boston, First Night is the safest night of the year. Even though dissension existed within the FNNB committee, we did partner with AHA! and we produced an enjoyable event for the City.
A common misconception has often been that the City has put on the NY Eve events in New Bedford every year when in actuality it has always been put on by a committee of dedicated volunteers. I do ponder why an all volunteer, community based, civic organization is replaced with an alternative organization run by paid staff. FNNB had a well publicized (on air and in print) Community Recruitment meeting; anyone and everyone could have joined this all volunteer effort to refresh FNNB. I believe volunteer groups are vital to the health of a city, and if they become nonexistent, who would be left to step up and help carry out cultural programs like First Night when funding is gone?
I am saddened to think that FNNB has been replaced
because I feel tradition is important to any community not just New Bedford.
Tradition gives people hope and the feeling that even in unstable times, the
future will be OK. “First Night provides a strong vehicle to recreate the sense
of community most of our cities have lost, and offers the potential of strengthening
communal ties and of uniting people ... by the inclusion of the community in
the actual planning and production of the Celebration. It helps people rediscover
their city, learn about diverse cultures and get acquainted with old traditions.
First Night is an occasion to celebrate ourselves, ... the community, the arts,
spirit, creativity, diversity, and shared dreams and goals ... First Night's
stage is the city center where members of the suburban and urban communities
come together in festivity ... It derives it's strength from the human capacity
to make new beginnings. New beginnings bring hope. First Night sets in motion
our hopes for the future both individually and collectively as a community.”*
My hopes for this years New Years Eve event in New Bedford is that all of the people that have worked to put on a celebration can come together in harmony to create “something wonderful.”
I wish the Mayor, AHA!, and the City Celebrates! New Years Eve best wishes for this Holiday Season.
Susan Mathews (Encarnacao)
President of FNNB
*Taken from : The Four Pillars Of First Night® and the 10 Essential Qualities of a First Night® Celebration