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Tiki Central / General Tiki / Where are we with the Tiki Gardens Memorial fund?

Post #23163 by chris y on Sat, Feb 15, 2003 4:38 PM

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CY

Hi, this is chris y from tikigardens.com.
Earlier this week I sent an email to tangaroa, otto, tikigardener, kailuageoff
and several others in which I regrettably advised them that tikigardens.com would no longer be working with them in conjunction with raising a statue at the former site of Tiki Gardens. While tikicentral seems to be an idealist, escapist getaway where you can find kindred spirits with respect to great mug scores and a universal loathing for Jimmy Buffett, judging by the 70% default rate on pledges that mentality is apparently not conducive to undertaking a legitimate business endeavor. I don't know if that's being judgmental, but if you entered into a deal with someone and they only came up with 30% of the funding they had promised, you too would be seriously reticent about conducting any further business with them. As such we have respectfully declined to collaborate on further business dealings with groups or individuals who we had hoped would help see this project to fruition.
Pinellas County is expecting a presentation this thursday in which various groups have promised to donate a 12' tiki statue to be erected at the Tiki Gardens Beach Access. Wayne Coombs is expecting to be paid $5,000 for the construction of that 12' tiki statue once the county approves its construction. Incidental expenses will probably amount to anywhere from $2,000 to $3,500; current pledges total approximately $625. As (from the beginning) no one has stepped up and accepted responsibility, Floridata Capital Assets Group Inc, the company I work for that owns tikigardens.com and also holds the federal trademark for tiki gardens, has offered to pay for the construction of the statue in its entirety. Individual donors who have sent in funds would be given the option of being recognized for their contribution (most likely listed on the souvenir dedication/unveiling program), or having their pledge returned (no paypal pledges were ever deposited into the TGMF account, they are still in otto's paypal acct). Quite a few people made a committment to make this happen, but with dismal pledge collections and the project in jeopardy, nobody has come forward and said 'I made the committment, I can make this happen'. If anybody wants to do just that- including assuming the financial liability- we will defer and provide them with any and all collateral we've got to help make this project a reality. Until then, we have a presentation on Thursday that we intend to wow the county's socks off with no matter who ends up doing this project.
Thanks for your time. chris y

[ Edited by: chris y on 2003-02-15 17:43 ]