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Legal Services, Crucian Christmas Festival Do Budget Dance

The Crucian Christmas Festival Organization, the volunteer group that puts together a month of concerts, contests, expositions and parades every year, requested $485,000 for the upcoming year in budget hearings Friday.

The governor’s recommended budget for 2011 is $175,000 from the government’s General Fund, which would be a $25,000 reduction from last year. An appropriation of $275,000 has also been recommended from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund for a total budget recommendation from the governor of $450,000 — also a $25,000 reduction from the prior year’s total.

The organization listed anticipated expenses of $485,000, projecting $175,000 to pay to set up the festival village and pay for the stage performances. Another $60,000 is budgeted to cover stage operations, from lighting to sound booth; $30,000 for the Calypso Monarch competition; $27,500 for rentals, utilities and office supplies, $25,000 for security, $25,000 for Royalty, Travel and Lodging; 20,000 for portable restrooms; and an array of smaller expenses.

Davidson Charlemagne, the organization’s president, said actual allotments are very different from the amounts appropriated. For example, last year, $75,000 was appropriated, but $334,000 was actually allotted, he said. Uncertainty about the actual amount of funding and delays in being able to access it hamper planning efforts, he said. Sen. Craig Barshinger asked what time of year would be best for a first, preliminary disbursement.

"I think the best time would be to get the first half in the month of July," said organization member Omar Henry. Barshinger said receiving half the funding early was unlikely, but several senators agreed in principle that some early funding would help secure better acts at better prices and likely save money overall.

No votes were taken at the informational hearing.

The Office of Legal Services rounded off the day, requesting an appropriation of $993,000, 10.3 percent more than Gov. John deJongh Jr.’s budget recommendation of $900,000. DeJongh’s recommendation is identical to last year, but up considerably from $750,000 the year before last.

Legal Services provides free legal assistance in civil cases for those who cannot afford an attorney. It has 18 employees, nine of whom are attorneys. In 2009, Legal Services served 4,375 individuals and families in 2009, said Legal Services Executive Director Richard Austin.

Out of a hoped-for budget of $993,000, Legal Services projects spending $559,000 on salaries and wages, and another $242,000 in benefits, for 77 percent of its total expenses. Utilities are expected to cost $48,000, capital expenses $60,000 and the remainder will go to an array of other services and supplies.

Legal Services also receives federal funds, money from United Way and from Human Services. Last year, those funds brought Legal Services total budget up more than half a million dollars, to $1.5 million. That portion of the non-profit’s funding was not discussed Friday.

No votes were taken on legislation at Friday’s oversight hearing. Present were Barshinger, Sens. Wayne James, Carlton "Ital" Dowe, Terrence "Positive" Nelson and Sammuel Sanes. Absent were Sens. Louis Hill and Patrick Sprauve.

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