Ross Sets Date for 2012 Community Day, Acquires Sponsorship for Costs

Ross Township Commissioners voted 6-1 Monday to partner with West Penn Allegheny Health System to organize next summer's Community Day and fireworks display. 

The agreement grants the health system prominent naming rights on all advertising and exclusivity in the advertising of the Township's publication, the Ross Record, prohibiting competitors such as Ohio Valley Health System and the University of Pitsburgh Medical Center from participating. 

In exchange, the health system agreed to pay Ross Township $17,500 in three separate installments in January, May and September of 2012, according to the agreement. 

The $17,500 will cover more than half of the budgeted $25,000 in expenses for the event, according to a memorandum from Parks and Recreation Director Pete Geis. 

Commissioners canceled the annual Community Day celebration in 2010 because of budget constraints. Events for this year were removed from the budget, but ultimately were covered by advertising in the Ross Record, donations and sponsorships. 

The next Community Day is scheduled for Sept. 22, 2012, and will be part of the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the . 

Commission Chairman Dan Kinross voted against the proposal, citing a concern about not having seen a final draft of the contract.

Commissioner Lana Mazur was absent. Commissioner Grant Montgomery attended part of the meeting by phone but was not available to vote on this item. 

Township commissioners also agreed on dates for several of its other community events:

* The Easter Eggstravaganza is scheduled for March 31, 2012 with a budgeted expense of $1,000. 

* The is scheduled for July 1, 2012 with a budgeted expense of $12,500. 

The exact dates for the annual , to be held sometime in July 2012 at a cost of $3,500, are still to be determined.

The budgeted amounts, while reviewed by the commissioners at the time the dates for the events were voted on, have not yet been finalized in the 2012 budget. Commissioners plan to meet Monday, Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m. for their first budget meeting.