The guys from Paducah Moon finally got a copy of the contract between the American Quilter's Society and The Paducah McCracken County Convention Center Corporation (which is pretty much a part of the city's tourism arm)  - and it's a doozy. I understand that we need tourist-draws to this city - but this goes WAY too far. It's costing us in the millions to host this event, and I seriously don't think it does the average citizen of Paducah a damn bit of good. I've been a server for half my life - and they don't tip for shit. I hate the quilters - everyone I know does. The traffic is ridiculous that time of year, and don't even think about going to the mall or downtown. Speaking of, go listen to Produkt Plasemint's song about Hancocks on their myspace, it talks about the quilters and will crack you up.

But anyway - yes, all those patronizing politicians can sit there and pat us on the head and say we don't understand, that it costs money to make money for the good of our city - but look at this contract. The city isn't only not making shit - it's spending a fortune while the Schroeders, the owners of AQS and who some have said are close personal friends of the Mayor, are making almost a million bucks. Seriously.

And the City Council has the gall to say we can't afford to spend money on non-profits and charities. Or even the stuff they're supposed to pay for, like bettering the education system.

It makes me sick. I was so angry after I read this that my face was tingling. There are a million other ways to draw tourists to this city, ways that would be less expensive and honestly even make money and be cool - hell, I think the freaking Westminster Kennel Club show would move here if they got incentives like that. Not that dog shows are cool. But they're cooler than quilting.

I would like to know, from real people who live here, from local businesses, if they make any money off the quilt show. I'm not totally against giving SOME incentives to the quilt show, but lord - they money we're putting out to pay their $150,000 light bill and buy their almost $2 million dollar tent and they're paying the city like $5000? They need to pay the city more. They need to cover their own freaking bills. They need to buy their own goddamn chairs. (They asked for $800,000 for new tables and chairs.) Are you kidding me?

Is this business as usual or is it really like it's coming acoss - as the mayor and his friends ripping this city off BLIND? Because that's sure as hell what it feels like. You and I and our kids are going to be paying more taxes to pay for this shit - for the next 20 years.

I also heard the City of Paducah is trying to take over McCracken County, for the main reason of they are about $3 million in debt and the county has a $6 million surplus. Now, this is just what I'm hearing from insiders - I may be wrong on that. If it's true, well no wonder they're in debt - they're supporting the lavish country club lifestyle of our fat cat politicians and everyone they know. And now they want to take the county's money and spend that unwisely as well? Fuck. That.

So much dirty shit has gone down in this town, behind the scenes, for decades. And you may say that's every town, and I agree - I don't trust any of them. But I think ours is worse than most. I don't care if it's not illegal, or if some even think it's not unethical - I think it's wrong and I don't like it. There are a lot of things I hear about that are dirty that I won't touch with a ten-foot pole - though I might write them all down and send them to someone out west in case anything ever happens to me.

But this - this is right out in the open, it's verifiable, it's our politicians and tax dollars - this is shit the newspaper needs to be covering, and in any other town probably would be. And it's not. It won't, because it's owned by Paxton Media Group, the mayor's family. So it's up to Paducah Moon, me, and YOU to let people know what's going on here. I'm charging you with that - spread the word, ask for answers. Go to the city council meetings! The next one I believe is on FEb 23rd, since they're the last Tuesday of the month. It's at 5:30 upstairs in City Hall. The only door that's unlocked is the right door in the middle set facing the county courthouse. The time I went I was like, "Man, they sure don't make it easy to get in this bastard!"

We'll make plans, meet beforehand, and troop over there. I don't know who'll we'll get to be our spokesperson - if there's someone brave, eloquent, an upstanding city resident that's passionate but not likely to get fired up and call anyone a "fucking asshole" because I probably would, I would love you forever. I could do it, and I might, but I'll also admit that for one I'm a county resident (though I call Padcuah my home and spend almost 99% of my money in this city, I'm a 'resident' of Lone Oak) and besides that I'm an easily flustered, quickly angered, and kind of scared wuss. I guess ya'll could just ply me with tequila shots beforehand and push me up there. That might actually make Channel 2 finally worth watching.

The contract between AQS, and the Paducah-McCracken county convention center corporation is not the easiest public document to get a hold of. Those secrets are guarded tight, and they don’t make it easy for “regular folks” to get these documents. These documents are public, and The Paducah Moon has one fresh off the presses.

The contract states the City of Paducah will rent out the convention centers, and the “Big Tent” at a cost of $0.05 per sq. ft. That is over 111,721 sq. ft. of space at the price of $5,586.05

This will generate a profit rented out by AQS of $1,094,865.80 from Quilt show vendors.

Total “Big Tent” cost as of 2/5/2010 for the City of Paducah = $1,600,000.00 (In December, the estimated cost was $800,000).

Total AQS “Big Tent” profit = $392,000. AQS paid to city = $2,000. That’s right, we are buying a “Big Tent” for AQS at cost of over $1,600,000.00, and letting them rent it from us for $2,000. But wait, it gets better…

Here is a short list of other “incentives” that the City of Paducah will pay for and provide, or should we say, YOU, the tax payer will provide…

4 FREE telephone lines and one dedicated for faxes.

ALL set up, and tear down projects in EACH facility FREE. That’s right, the “Big Tent” alone will cost more than $200,000 to set up and tear down. They get this FREE at every location.

It can get pretty warm in a “Big Tent”, so YOU the taxpayer will also provide FREE electric to run the lights, and to make sure we pump massive amounts of cool air into the tent. Just so you understand, we will be paying to air condition a giant tent. We will also be paying for the heating/air electric for the Expo Center and Julian Carroll convention center.

Two FREE concession stands will also be paid for by YOU, the taxpayer during the three day quilt show.

The Atrium lobby area will be given to AQS for FREE. YOU, the taxpayer will also be providing all of the tables and chairs for this event. Two months ago, the convention board asked the city for over $800,000 to buy new tables and chairs for this event. It seems AQS would like nicer tables at this event, and of course we will provide the table skirts as well. At this point, it’s kind of like complaining the Free food you received from a food pantry was not your favorite brand.

Breakout classrooms – ALL thirteen rooms in the convention center will be provided for FREE. The electric and water will be provided by YOU, the taxpayer as well.

On a lighter note, the AQS will not be allowed to have hay, glitter, or confetti in the convention center or expo center. It does not however specifically mention this for the “Big Tent” so we hope the AQS can contain the impulse to throw hay and glitter all over our $1,600,000.00 Big Tent.

The Quilt show this year will cost the City of Paducah, YOU, several million dollars. But, look at the bright side, a whole lot of businesses who are not even locally owned (Hotel chains, restaurant chains, Hancocks, etc.) will make out like bandits. Plus, we will create over 2,000 part time low income jobs with zero job security and no benefits for citizens that live in Paducah.

Remember, Mayor Paxton and a majority of City Council members claim to have NO money to help our local church groups and non-profits make positive changes in our community. Now we understand why.

AQS needs our support more than our local fire fighters, police, and social service programs.

It’s obvious to us, that the AQS needs more than city funded welfare. We know every year you give with your tax dollars to this needy organization. If you can find it in your hearts to give a little more, please make a stamped addressed envelope to

American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290
Paducah, KY 42002-3290

I would encourage each and every one of you to send them a donation of one penny. Together, we can help these poor folks in a time of need.