PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH (Toledo News Now) - Perrysburg Township Trustees have issued a statement regarding management of the Perrysburg Heights Community Center and a recent music festival that was supposed to be a fundraiser for the center but instead lost money .
Trouble with the event could jeopardize the future of the community center, which gives kids a place to go after school.
The Trustees's statement reads:
On Thursday people from the Perrysburg Heights neighborhood gathered to make their voices heard on the issue.
Many pointed the finger of blame at Community Center treasurer and festival organizer Jason Craig.
The festival was supposed to be a fundraiser for the center but it turned out to be bust. There were problems with promoters and most of the headliners were a no-show. Ten thousand fans were expected; only 1,000 showed.
A group, led by the center's founder and former board member, says the festival was a financial disaster, and they're worried the center could lose its building lease with Perrysburg Township, along with its non-profit status.
"These actions would then create a domino effect, putting our culturally unique neighborhood in jeopardy of extinction," said Sanchez-Serdo.
On Thursday, neighborhood resident Anita Sanchez-Serdo was surrounded by others who feel the same way outside the entrance to the center.
Sanchez-Serdo says Craig hired Perrysburg Township Police and officers from other departments to provide security at the event, which was ultimately unnecessary. She claims that due to Craig's actions, the center is now stuck with a security bill somewhere between $25-50,000.
"I believe the whole board is doing what Jason tells them to do," said David Sanchez. "I believe they're under Jason's control and that is why I believe the whole board should be removed."
The group is asking Ohio Governor John Kasich and Attorney General Mike DeWine to investigate Craig and the rest of the board.
Craig did not return a phone call from Toledo News Now seeking comment.