03-19-2018, 08:56 PM
(03-19-2018, 07:25 PM)jordan2423 Wrote:(03-19-2018, 03:47 PM)chutten Wrote: As a wealth transfer from public institutions to private pockets, though. Generally that is frowned upon unless it has a public good (see related: roads).
Oktoberfest is an event where most if not all the money goes towards private pockets. So I don't get what your point is. I can't think of anything anywhere in any city where an event directly helps public institutions.
I guess the question is, how much money and other benefits does the Oktoberfest bring into the region vs this St. Patrick's Day party. Almost certainly no one benefits from this 1-day event on Ezra.
For example, Oktoberfest raises $1.5M a year for non-profit organization. Ezra event is $0.
Oktoberfest doesn't allow underage drinking, Ezra does.
Economic benefit of Oktoberfest is $22M+/year. Ezra, pretty much unknown, but most likely pretty close to $0. That $22M translates into jobs, btw. We're pretty much certain the only jobs created by the Ezra event is OT for emergency services in the area, plus work for people OUTSIDE the region, as we had to hire reinforcements from Peel region.
It's unlikely the Ezra St event would ever be made official. It's a time for under agers and young adults to drink illegally (and other stuff) on the streets and pass out. Making it official would probably kill the event all together, or at least make it very small.
I do believe that at some point, though, things are going to get to out of hand and it will be banned outright.
Amazing that our police guy Larkin thought they'd control it better this year...he's off on pretty much everything.