Garlick brings Blues back before City

Jerry Garlick organizer of the blues in the lot festival was back before city commissioners at a special meeting held Aug 25, seeking for a second time permission to hold the annual event on public property.

At the city’s July meeting, Garlick told commissioners that he would not hold the event because he didn't want to assume the liability should someone during the concert bring alcohol on site in violation of the city’s ordinance prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on public property.

However, Garlick told commissioners at the special meeting that he had received numerous calls about the festival since attending the July meeting and that with the appropriate signage prohibiting alcohol and making the concert free, it should appeal to everyone.

Garlick also stated that monies received through sponsorships traditionally go toward paying for the bands, advertisement, and the stage.

However, he reasoned that since his request was to host the event on public property, he would commit to donating after expenses any profits received to the Apalachicola volunteer fire department first responder unit. Garlick asked the commission for permission to block off Avenue E between Commerce and Water Streets for the event under those conditions.

However, the commission deferred the matter until the September 8 regular meeting, where city attorney Pat Floyd will attend and render a legal opinion on use of public property by a for-profit company.

Historically, organizations such as the Florida Seafood Festival have used public property to stage the annual festival where both non-profits and for–profit vendors are setup to sell their wares.

Garlick said that he would hold the event on Saturday, October 17, should the commission grant him permission to block the streets at the upcoming Sept 8 meeting.