Newport News City Council's $3 Million Gamble: A First-Class Festival or a Financial Fiasco

Editors Note. While we do understand the financial boost the event would provide to local businesses, the $3 million dollar price tag means the city would need to bring in at least 25,000 to break even. The problem with that number is, the downtown area wasn't designed for a major concert and can't hold that amount of people, not even half. Locals avoid the downtown area like the plague, lodging is limited and parking would be a mess however the predatory tow truck companies would likely benefit.

This is a perfect example of why the country is $35 trillion in the hole, wasteful spending by DEI clowns that have never held a job in the private sector in their lives and in Mayor Jone's case, still "wet behind the ears". Are these people stupid or just corrupt and attempting to scam more dollars out of taxpayers? 

Newport News Employee Compensation Analysis  

The poor decisions don't stop with years of wasteful spending on failed projects that never deliver what city leaders promise and even include criminal acts as with the cases of Vice Mayor Bethany and Councilman John Eley who were both caught stealing over $1k each from city credit cards (felonies) and allowed to simply repay the money with no criminal action taken (any of us would of been arrested and taken to trial).

Police would typically jump at the opportunity to make two felony arrests where the subjects admitted to the theft. In Virginia, taking property worth $1,000 or more makes it felony grand larceny.

The thieves were also allowed to keep their jobs and are direct proof these are the real sovereign citizens. 

As the year 2025 comes to a close, the Newport News City Council is setting its sights on a grand vision: a "first-class" festival for Memorial Day weekend. At its final meeting of the year this Tuesday, the council will vote on whether to allocate more than $3 million to the Port Warwick Foundation for organizing this event. If approved, this festival will showcase live performances, concerts, workshops, and presentations at various venues across the downtown area. 

The proposal includes a $30,000 donation for the non-profit foundation, which will be required to meet specific deadlines regarding the artist lineup and ticket sales to receive the funds. The specifics about the type of entertainment targeted for the festival remain vague. Mayor Phillip Jones hinted that it could resemble the entertainment seen at festivals previously hosted in Virginia Beach and Norfolk.

However, the question remains: Is the City Council making a wise investment, or is this a risky gamble with taxpayers' money?

Port Warwick Newport News, Virginia

The traditional model of concert financing involves concert promoters covering the costs while the city and police department are paid by the promoters to hold the event. In this situation, the roles are reversed. The City Council is proposing to foot the bill, raising concerns about potential financial risks and the burden on taxpayers.

Critics argue that this is indicative of a broader issue with government spending, with a tendency to gamble away other people's money on high-risk ventures. The City Council's proposal seems to fit this narrative, using taxpayers' money for an uncertain return.

Mayor Philip Jones, born in 1985, is a product of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) political landscape. Critics argue that he used his DEI credentials and support from other government officials to secure his position in a struggling city grappling with a murder rate more than three times the national average.

Given the city's challenges, critics question whether a $3 million festival is the best use of funds. Could the money be better spent addressing the city's crime rate, improving public services, or investing in long-term economic development projects?

As the City Council prepares to vote on this proposal, residents and taxpayers will be watching closely. The decision could have far-reaching implications, shaping the city's financial future and its reputation as a cultural destination.

Regardless, the City Council's proposal raises critical questions about public spending, accountability, and the role of government in promoting cultural events. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the stakes are high for Newport News and its residents. Whether this "first-class" festival will be a boon or a boondoggle remains to be seen.