Bisbee Stair Climb Funds

Should the funds received from participants in the Bisbee Stairclimb be allocated to anything other than repairing the stairs? I take issue with the change in direction that has occurred. No "charity" event should be allowed to change the destination of the funds collected. The American Heart Association wouldn't be allowed to send funds to the American Cancer Society.

I agree. The Bisbee Save Our Stairs event is a cherished tradition. There certainly are many stairs left in Bisbee which are in need of repair. But, what I really have a problem with is that the event is still promoted as an event where the proceeds go to repairing our stairs and that is not the case. Therefore, I think that they should either go back to the original intention of the event or change the name of the event completely.

I suspect that enough public comment against what they are doing will change it back to what it use to be.

Last year the Stair Climb division of the Bisbee City Budget said funds would be used to repair historic stairs.
Two-three months later the Stairclimb people announced the funds would benefit fat kids.
So how will this year's city budget define the use of Stairclimb funds? Only city hall insiders will ever ever know.

That is a great question and one that should asked of the candidates and somebody in this administration.

There are 2 separate pots of money involved here. Save Our Stairs, Inc. raises all the money through the Great Stair Climb and other events, and it all goes into their Treasury. SOS then "donates" money to the City of Bisbee which we put in a special fund called the Save Our Stairs Fund. At no time does the City get it all. They donated $5,000 to the City this year and $15,000 last year. We are restricted to use the money the City receives to fixing stairs and surrounding infrastructure, in consultation with the SOS board. So, the city is highly restricted in its use of the funds.

The funds SOS has donated to other groups has come directly from their treasury, and the CIty has no control over that. Since this has caused a difference of interpretation in the contract between SOS and the City, the contract has been terminated and we are discussing a new agreement with them right now that will put less burden on the City.

This is a great event that I would hate to lose, but I suppose it's up to the community to decide how the money raised should be spent. Visiting SOS Board Members with your input would be a way to start the dialogue.

Regards,
Steve Pauken

The fact that this has been hijacked and not used as promised is disgraceful. Does anyone know what the climb cost us in services or other expenses?