Ellsworth-Kanopolis Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

114-1/2 N. Douglas

Ellsworth, KS  67439

 

A ranch rodeo is alive and well ... despite claims

            Ranch rodeo competition is still alive, in spite of reports from End of the Trails Ranch Rodeo Committee General Chairman Dennis Katzenmeier. The dates have been set for April 25-26, and the organization committing to the effort is the El-Kan Western Riders Association.

            "While Katzenmeier aired reports that the Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber of Commerce was killing the event by pulling administrative and monetary support, he failed to mention critical historical elements, which lead to the Chamber’s decision to no longer offer administrative support," Chamber President Amy Eck said.

For example, at the June 19, 2006, meeting, Ellsworth-Kanopolis Area Chamber of Commerce Director Nick Slechta was commissioned by the board of directors to write a letter to Katzenmeier expressing concerns about the Ranch Rodeo’s organizational capabilities and the questionable financial benefit for continued operation under the auspices of the Chamber. That letter also requested Katzenmeier to keep in contact with the chamber, especially when the Ranch Rodeo was nearing. However, there was no response and no representative at any meeting for a year, even though Katzenmeier was made aware of Chamber board meetings.

            A letter dated Dec. 6, 2007, to the Ranch Rodeo Committee, included a summary of income and expenses from 1999, when then-Chamber President Katzenmeier proposed the Ranch Rodeo as a fund-raiser, and the event began with the Chamber’s assistance. The records from earlier years were difficult for the Chamber director to discern; however, after reviewing financial statements and meeting minutes, Slechta was able to draft a letter to the committee.

            The letter, in part, stated: "The board of directors in the 1999-2003 time period did not look at the budget adjustments based on the plus and minus years and accepted the losses or gains in the general operating budget. There was nothing in the minutes to suggest any set asides as a result of a positive balance. The 2004 board decided not to follow that philosophy and made the decision to establish a savings account to earmark the $1,280 net gain for possible overruns in the future even though it could have been placed in the general fund as in the past. It was needed in 2006 when the rodeo experienced an $888 loss."

            Eck said, "The Chamber looks for events to sponsor that not only bring people to town but that also are not an economic drain on the Chamber. The Chamber must operate like any other downtown business – looking to cut the things that cost more money than volunteer time can cover and look for more positive venues. The Chamber has an obligation to its membership to make sure we’re using their money, which keeps the Chamber doors open, to the best of our abilities on sound business ventures. If after a period of time an event cannot make enough money for start-up the next year, then we needed to assess that event and see if it is something we are willing to put our time and effort in. We did not leave the Ranch Rodeo to dwindle and die. Our director was in contact with the El-Kan Western Riders in November before the board made its decision to cease as administrative and financial support for the Ranch Rodeo. And Mr. Katzenmeier was made aware of that before he began his reports to the contrary."

Eck also retorted Katzenmeier’s statement in a letter dated Jan. 11, 2008, from Katzenmeier to area supporters, "The Chamber never said, ‘the rodeo weekend had no economic impact on Ellsworth economy or its historic heritage.’ Any time an event brings around 250 to 500 people to town, you know they will either buy a lunch at a local restaurant or fuel when they leave. To say there is no economic impact on Ellsworth would be ridiculous."

            "If Mr. Katzenmeier had placed as much time and energy on finding another sponsor instead of demeaning the local chamber, he might have been surprised at how much support he would have found in the area for his event," Eck said.

At the Dec. 3 meeting, the Chamber board offered Katzenmeier support, while not administrative, of in-kind sponsorship in the amount of $500 if the Ranch Rodeo committee could reorganize. Since that committee has decided to not continue with the End of the Trails Ranch Rodeo, in a show of support for a ranch rodeo as a local event, the chamber board of directors at their monthly meeting Monday night approved a one-time $500 in-kind donation to the El-Kan Western Riders. Of course the Chamber will continue its administrative support – offered to all local events -- through news releases, web postings of the event and signage.

            "We wish the El-Kan Western Riders the best of luck and hope their group is able to mold their ranch rodeo into a profitable event that will continue to breathe life into Ellsworth’s future through its historic past," Eck said. "I just hope that any negative press Mr. Katzenmeier has promoted will not adversely affect the El-Kan Western Riders’ efforts."