Tour of Missouri in jeopardy!

[Reesha]

I heard today via TeamAstana's twitter feed that Governor Jay Nixon has frozen the $1.5 million allotted for this year's Tour of Missouri. Based on the words of Lt. Governor Peter Kinder here, it sounds like he is not in support of this decision.

With the event shaping up to be the highest profile Tour of Missouri ever featuring: Astana, Quickstep, Garmin-Slipstream, Columbia-HTC, SaxoBank, Liquigas, Cervelo Test team (among others ) the race is bound to generate plenty of tourist revenue and interest in the state of Missouri!!!

For those of us who are Missouri residents or neighbors planning to watch... please let Governor Nixon know your thoughts on the matter.

He can be reached via e-mail at this website:

http://governor.mo.gov/contact/

or over the phone:
(573) 751-3222

(when I called his voicemail box was full, but I will try again!)

Thanks!

[TrekTheKaty]

This is not a small race--previous winner's include Contador and Hincapie. However, local politics are the problem. I can't say if using state funds is the correct thing to do--especially with the economy the way it is--but what about the small towns across Missouri that benefit from the riders/teams that spend money in their town? The race is in the beginning of Sept--that means they've turned reservations away because of reservations for the teams--who pays for that? What about the money already spent on posters, t-shirts and by the sponsors? We spent the night in Hermann last summer and heard great stories from the owner of the B&B that had racers staying with him the year before during the time trial. The fan turnout has been more than anybody ever expected.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...D?OpenDocument
"The Tour of Missouri has been a political hot potato since it started three years ago under Gov. Matt Blunt and has become one of Kinder's most visible projects.

But some of Kinder's critics have suggested the race shouldn't use state money. During last fall's election, then Rep. Sam Page, a Creve Coeur Democrat, was critical of the Tour for using job creation money from the Missouri Development Finance Board. Page lost the race for lieutenant governor to Kinder.

Kinder is expected to challenge Nixon in the governor's race in 2012, and relations between the two have been icy, adding fuel to the fire that some of the decisions being made about the Tour of Missouri — on both sides of the aisle — are political in nature."

This is from http://www.tourofmissouri.com

Friends,
By now, some of you may have heard rumors regarding Gov. Nixon freezing state funds for the 2009 Tour of Missouri. I would like to share with you the details that we currently have:
On Wednesday, at the close of business, I was informed by the Division of Tourism that the money set aside for the Tour of Missouri was frozen by Gov. Nixon’s administration. The state’s commitment for the 2009 Tour of Missouri was $1.5 million. Without these funds, which are available and approved by the Tourism Commission, the Tour of Missouri will cease to exist.
At this time, I have requested a special meeting of the Missouri Tourism Commission to evaluate our options and decide what our next step should be.
As you know, we are very close to putting the final touches on the race this year. Our sponsors have invested and we are on track with our fundraising goals. Teams from across the world, the same teams now racing in the Tour de France, have been invited to our state, and communities across Missouri are making great preparations for the race. Contracts have been signed by the state, cities, sponsors and vendors and cutting this funding will leave the state susceptible to wasteful litigation.
Right now, I am urging cycling fans across our great state, and around the world to contact Gov. Jay Nixon at 573-751-3222 and tell him to release the funding for the largest sporting event ever held in our state.
I am grateful for the supporters, sponsors, volunteers and spectators who in the past two years have helped generate nearly $60 million in economic impact for our state, and brought over 800,000 visitors to the race.
With your help, I truly believe we can ensure the survival and success of the 2009 Tour of Missouri.

[Tri Girl]

hmmm... that doesn't make sense. Lose $60 million to save $1.5 million. That doesn't add up.
I hope they have the race. It's a pretty big deal and means SO much to the local economy.

[Reesha]

It would indeed be very, very tragic if the Tour were to be canceled due to a mere spat between the Lt and the Chief.

I mean, what about the money already invested in the tour that will go to waste?

I would personally contribute money to keep the tour afloat.

This is very upsetting. This state could really benefit from an event on this scale.

[Reesha]

Just got an e-mail back from Mayor Slay (or one of his staff) that said:

"You're preaching to the choir!"

haha I'm kind of amused it wasn't more official sounding

[TrekTheKaty]

Thanks for posting this Reesha (of course, you have derailed my morning! ) MoBikeFed.org advises emailing this message, "I support the Tour of Missouri. Please continue funding for the Tour this year."

Guess I'll save my rant for Jay Nixon until later--maybe I'll mail a letter!

[Reesha]

Someone in the comments section of the P-D made a good point (even if it was paired with some other, not so good points). This year, the tour should fly. It would be disastrous to cancel it this late. If Nixon is bent on not using tax money for that, he should make it clear for 2010 so sponsors can make up those last 1.5 million dollars. But not this year!

I still can't believe how thickheaded this move is! I mean, if it is canceled this year it will die for years to come. If the show goes on this year it can continue on, but perhaps with private funding.

Personally, I have no problem with tax dollars going to such an event because it's a major economic stimulus.

Sigh

[TrekTheKaty]

It's also interesting that Team Astana acknowledged this--since, um, aren't they kinda busy in France?

I agree, Reesha. Let's talk about funding for next year, AFTER. They are supposed to go through Winghaven near my house. I'll be hugely disappointed if they let this this slip through their fingers. I hate politicians--and won't be voting for Jay Nixon! Let's hope he's miscalculated the public outcry this will cause--especially with everyone glued to their tv's watching LANCE!

[TrekTheKaty]

I'm also happy to pitch in! Maybe some of the guys would like to stay at my house! But seriously..........

[Reesha]

Got retweeted by TrekTravel on the subject of Tour of Missouri's possible cancellation That's another 402 followers!

I'd also like to think that my tweet to George Hincapie resulted in his Twitter support for the Tour of Missouri, even though he didn't retweet me I think he wanted to add in the link to www.savethetourofmissouri.com

[Deborajen]

"The Tour of Missouri has been a political hot potato since it started three years ago under Gov. Matt Blunt and has become one of Kinder's most visible projects.

But some of Kinder's critics have suggested the race shouldn't use state money. During last fall's election, then Rep. Sam Page, a Creve Coeur Democrat, was critical of the Tour for using job creation money from the Missouri Development Finance Board. Page lost the race for lieutenant governor to Kinder.

Don't use state funds for a huge tourism event like the Tour of Missouri?? Geez, Louise!! Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face! You'd think with our economy people would see the golden opportunity and not just be blinded by the thought of . . . OMG - BIKES ON THE ROAD!!

I do hope they have the race. I've got some extra vacation time and we don't want to spend a lot on traveling too far. This would be the perfect year to check out the Tour.

Deb

[Fredwina]

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1553798.html

[uforgot]

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1553798.html

This article goes into it more than any other I've seen. It seems to just boil down to the Governor and Lt. Governor not getting along. Hey, I'll show you! I'll take away your tour! Take THAT! sad sad sad

It's also apparent that some legislators don't understand how many people actually like cycling. I pasted a comment Jay Nixon (Gov. of MO) made.

Here's Nixon ribbing the tour at a Chamber of Commerce gathering on September 9, 2008 -- the same day the Tour was winding through Springfield.
In his closing remarks, the Governor-to-be thanks the packed house for attending his event:
"Thank you . . . 75 people on a beautiful day that could be out watching Belgians ride bicycles in your town . . . (laughter) . . . are here."

He doesn't even seem to care that it's a WORLD class event. Guess if it doesn't interest him, then it doesn't matter. Apparently he can't even see how the Host Towns will also be impacted. I live by St. James, (best Host City last year) and a friend over there told me that they have already spent big bucks on this thing, and now the entire town is ready to tap dance on his face. Her words. How can a Governor be so blind as to what's happening in his state? 1.5million is a drop in the bucket compared to the revenue it will bring IN to the state. Should be an interesting few days.

Reesha: Oops, I accidentally started an identical thread. Sorry! I deleted it. Your title was even better!

[uforgot]

As far as tax dollars go: How many state tax dollars go into stadiums in Missouri each year? I'm not really up on this, but I believe that Mo is one of the states that pumps it into professional sports. Anyone know about this?

[Reesha]

Regardless of political party, it really irks me when politicians have these petty spats with one another and as a result are making a grossly irresponsible decision. If it is indeed a personal slight to Kinder, I am ashamed of Gov. Nixon. How could he be so short-sighted? Why does everything have to be us vs. them?

Ugh!