"Our Festival" organizers sued by carnival company

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Organizers of the recent “Our Festival” in Monticello are being sued for reimbursement of expenses by Robert Hulsey with Hulsey Amusements of Hot Springs.

Bart Gregory, candidate for Mayor of Monticello, and Michael Huneycutt, are both named in a small claims suit that is seeking $5,461.04 for reimbursement of expenses.

According to court documents filed with the 28th State District Court of Drew County, on August 26, Hulsey Amusements planned to set up carnival rides and attractions at “Our Festival”.

Along with the complaint that was filed against Gregory and Huneycutt, several pages of receipts were attached from various food and lodging charges and carnival employee salaries.

“We have all our receipts for traveling expenses to come set up at “Our Festival;” at the City Park in Monticello,” Hulsey stated in official court documents. “We have texts and messenger messages stating that we would be able to start setting up on Wednesday, and that we would need to be able to set up so we would be ready for state ride inspection on Friday. We were guaranteed since the beginning of July that everything would be taken care of, but it was not and we were not able to set up in the time we needed.”

“Our Festival” did take place at city park on Friday, August 26 and Saturday August 27 but there were no carnival rides or attractions.

Since court documents were served, Gregory took to social media blaming City officials, specifically Mayor Chase and Police Chief Jason Akers, citing “dirty politics” being the reason the suit was filed.

In response to the complaint made in small claims, case number SC-22-17, against me, Bart Gregory, concerning Mr. Robert Hulsey suing me for traveling expenses, I do not owe any money,” Gregory said in a statement to The Advance. “There was no contract with Mr. Hulsey and myself. I understood that the carnival and their food vending could be set up for free at the 2022 Our Town Festival. There had been an issue concerning the carnival needing a generator to run their rides. The Our Town Festival group asked for and received a donated generator for the carnival to use. The Our Town Festival group rented the McCloy area for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

I did not know there was an issue ‘till I was contacted on Thursday. It was explained that the carnival had not been able to park because of a football game. No time did anyone mention we were restricted when we rented the area from the city officials because there was a game. Our group had met with a city employee to get approval of our layout of vendors including the carnival.  I was at the park setting up for the event on Thursday. I never saw a school bus or an actual football game; therefore, I am not sure what the exact issue was that made Mr. Hulsey decide not to set up his carnival since it is not stated in the complaint.  The festival was the work of several people, including myself. Everyone took on the responsibility for different aspects of the event. I had focused mainly on fundraising and getting the word out about the event. I do not believe this situation had to have this outcome, but Mr. Hulsey made a choice to leave and not set up for the festival. I or anyone from our group, to my knowledge, told Mr. Hulsey he could not set up the rides.

He stated in his complaint "that everything would be taken care of, but was not" our group rented the area, our group located a generator for their use, we got approval from a city representative, and our group advertised they were coming. There's nothing more we could do. We do not have the power of the mayor.”

According to City Officials, no contact was made between any representatives from the “Our Festival” group to the City of Monticello until problems arose when Henley Drive was blocked and school officials were told to move their vehicles so that tents could be set up for the festival. This occurred while school was in session.

The City of Monticello has a reputation of working well with others utilizing city grounds, such as the recent MLK Foundation Unity in the Community event that went off without a hitch due in part to the comprehensive planning and cooperation of that organization, Mayor Paige Chase stated. “Since we encourage use of our facilities, it appears there needs to be some clarification as to the events at a recent festival held on August 26 and 27 so that organizers planning events in the future will not make the same mistakes.

To be clear, prior to the setting up of the festival, there was no communication of needs by the festival’s organizer to either the Mayor’s Office, the Monticello School District, which operates vital facilities near the park, or the Monticello Police Department.

The initial complaint the city received was on Wednesday, when complaints of Henley Drive, the road between the park and football field, was blocked with trucks and amusement rides. This is the area where visiting teams park and band students access the bandstand. There was a Monticello Junior High football game set for the next night and no communication was made by the organizer to the schools to utilize the school’s area. The city has a longstanding agreement with the school that this area is utilized by visiting teams, band related activities and safe access to the football field house.

A second call was received from school staff, who were asked to move their vehicles in school parking / boys and girls club areas so tents could be set up. School was in session and access to our children is of utmost importance in the event of any emergency and we respect the school’s position in this matter as to not relocate their parking lot or limit access to parents, students or staff.

While the City is regretful of the conflict, it is the responsibility of the organizer to reach out to the entities or owners of property they intent to utilize prior to the date of the event. As an organizer, if you are unsure, the Mayor’s Office is glad to meet with you and help you, as evidence of the countless events we hold every year that do not end up with such confusion. Organizers must include the City, or we cannot know what issues you may be facing or any corrective actions that may be necessary.”

The case brought against Gregory from Hulsey Amusements is the second of two pending cases Gregory currently has in District Court.