Lemoore Chamber of Commerce seeks new five-year funding plan from city council

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 Saturday, January 17, 2015 - 6:34pm

The Lemoore Chamber of Commerce will ask city councilmembers to consider renewing its five-year funding agreement to replace the one originally signed in 2010, which will end on June 30, 2015.  Funding for the proposed agreement is similar to the previous agreement, which calls for a total five-year package at $280,000.

The previous agreement was funded by the Lemoore Redevelopment Agency, but since the agency’s demise the chamber is asking that the city’s general fund help foot the bill. The agreement spells out exactly what the chamber provides to the city: economic development services, festivals, banquets, parades, concerts, training, and other mutually agreed upon activities.

The Council will also hear a report from Lemoore Police Chief Darrell Smith regarding the establishment of a Police Athletic League (PAL) a juvenile crime prevention program geared toward providing educational and athletic activities for high-risk kids from 8-18 years old. The agenda item was requested by Councilmember Eddie Neal, a longtime advocate of youth-oriented programs.

The goal of PAL is to surround at-risk kids with positive influences from responsible adults and police officers who volunteer their time for the non-profit agency. Its mission is to provide a safe environment for youth to reach their full potential utilizing athletics and other programs geared to improving the lives of participants.  Such programs promote self-confidence, self-esteem, civic engagement, academic achievement and help them to become better members of society, said Chief Smith.

Police Athletic Leagues are nationally-recognized programs that get young kids off the streets and into constructive situations. It was started in 1917 by New York city Police Lt. Ed Flynn who recognized that the youth hanging out on the street corners were craving structure and guidance.

Smith has worked with the Lemoore Recreation Department as to where a PAL could be located or implemented. A location might be in the Cinnamon Recreation Complex, but it could cost the city coffers up to $60,000 to move in.

 

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