Supervisors: Ghost Walk doesn't die

To paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of the Carson City Ghost Walk's death have been greatly exaggerated.

Despite political infighting over who would produce the popular annual event this year, organizers say they expect the Ghost Walk to be as well-attended as ever when tours start up at 10 a.m. on Oct. 22.

New at the helm for 2011 will be Mary Bennett, who has been involved with the production for 17 years.

Bennett received a $12,000 boost Thursday from the Board of Supervisors to help her take over the event from the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau. Funds will come from the revolving fund of the Redevelopment Agency.

"This event is so special to Carson City," Bennett said after the meeting Thursday. "Candy Duncan (CCCVB executive director) and her staff have been so supportive and creative for so many years, I wanted to be able to keep that moving forward."

The Ghost Walk was created in the early 1990s by the bureau, and the agency has run it since then, but recent conflicts between the bureau's board of directors and some of the city's lodging properties over where room-tax dollars should be spent threatened to end its long run. As a result, the CCCVB board offered its support, but no money, for the 2011 Ghost Walk.

Before the event crumbled, however, Bennett stepped up and said she would take over production.

In response, Duncan said she and her staff would ease the transition by providing Bennett with lists of volunteer docents and guides, but she said that any time she or her staff spent on the Ghost Walk other than that would be on a "volunteer basis outside regular working hours."

At an August supervisors meeting, officials delayed voting on whether to provide the $12,000 requested by Bennett for the Ghost Walk, saying they weren't comfortable providing funds until they knew a transition plan had been prepared.

Several months ago, supervisors adopted a new direction for the Redevelopment Authority, so that event organizers who have traditionally depended on supplemental funds could wean their events into self-sufficiency.

Bennett presented her transition plan to the board Thursday outlining where the $12,000 would be spent this year.

Supervisor Molly Walt, who also serves on the CCCVB board, said she wanted to see the event continue as long as the bureau was not being billed for anything.

Mayor Bob Crowell spoke to the CCCVB's internal struggles.

"I think we all know what the elephant in the room is. My concern is that we don't use the Ghost Walk to give a whack at the elephant," Crowell said. "It's not just heads in beds, it's people in restaurants" and other places.

Supervisor Shelly Aldean said she was concerned that there was not enough time for the transition to take place so close to the event.

"I'd like to support this and see if (Bennett) can carry it off this year," Aldean said.

The board voted unanimously to provide the $12,000 for the Ghost Walk.

According to a poster advertising the event, the Ghost Walk is a theatrical 90-minute walking tour of Carson City's historic district, featuring costumed actors, ghost stories and home tours.

In addition, this year's tourists will be treated to a presentation by a group of paranormal specialists through a partnership with the Brewery Arts Center, Bennett said, and in another partnership, Firkin & Fox will provide a staging area in its parking lot, possibly coupled with a drink from its restaurant.

In other action Thursday, supervisors:

• Presented a proclamation to the Battle Born Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23.

• As the Liquor and Entertainment Board, adopted on second reading three ordinances amending the municipal code regarding business licenses.

• Accepted the 2011 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice grant in the amount of $19,646.

• Delayed approving the removal of taxes and penalties for Sierra Solar in the amount of $311,054 until the Assessor's Office receives a letter of guidance from the state's Department of Taxation.

• Approved, on a second reading, increases in fees for landfills, water, sewer and drainage. All go into effect on bills dated on or after Oct. 1

• Approved the purchase and exchange of land in the amount of $595,000 involving David Leid and Joost Land and Cattle Co.

• Approved a development agreement regarding a common open space known as the Schulz Ranch.

• Approved obtaining a 360-degree evaluation to use for the city manager during his January evaluation period.

• Adopted an ordinance increasing business license fees on electric services by 1 percent and natural gas by .5 percent effective Oct. 1.