MANSFIELD—The Miss Ohio
Scholarship Program could be moving to Zanesville.
Steven Oliveri, president of the Miss Ohio Board of Trustees, today said the City of Zanesville is among Zanesville entities that have made a written proposal to the Miss Ohio board to host the program in there.
“They are pitching us,” he said.
Oliveri said a decision could be made by the board as early as Oct. 13, its next scheduled board meeting.
The scholarship program is held in June each year at the Renaissance Theatre. It has been held in Mansfield 36 years.
Lee Tasseff, director of the Mansfield-Richland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said a meeting has been scheduled Friday with Mansfield local officials and supporters.
“It’s not a matter of public dollars. It’s a matter of private dollars. Part of the plan would be to call for people, supporters in the past, who would like to keep the program in Mansfield.
Tasseff said he asked that Mansfield be given a chance to counter whatever Zanesville pitches.
See Wednesday’s print and online editions for more on this story.
September 29, 2010
MANSFIELD -- The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program could move to Zanesville.
Steven Oliveri, president of the Miss Ohio Board of Trustees, Tuesday said Zanesville has submitted a written proposal to host the Miss Ohio program.
"They are pitching us," Oliveri said, declining to release any details about Zanesville's financialproposal.
Oliveri said the board could decide by its next meeting Oct. 13.
Now is the time for Mansfield supporters to rally to keep the program, Oliveri said, otherwise Miss Ohio could move in time for the 2011 June pageant.
The scholarship program has been in Mansfield for 36 years, usually at the Renaissance Theatre.
Lee Tasseff, director of the Mansfield-Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said a meeting has been scheduled Friday with Mansfield officials.
"It's not a matter of public dollars. It's a matter of private dollars. Part of the plan would be to call for people, supporters in the past, who would like to keep the program in Mansfield," Tasseff said.
Tasseff said he asked that Mansfield be given a chance to pitch its own offer.
"We don't know exactly what the proposal is to know what financial target needs to be hit," Tasseff said.
Mayor Don Culliver said he spoke with Oliveri recently.
"He said he has an offer from the Zanesville mayor and business leaders to see if they can move the pageant to Zanesville," Culliver said. "The bottom line is how much scholarship money is being offered. Mansfield offers a whole lot more than Zanesville, but if somebody offers money on the table, they have to listen.
"I'm hoping it doesn't leave. Miss Ohio has been a good partnership for Mansfield. I don't believe any other community will be as friendly and treat them as nice as we do."
Zanesville Mayor Howard Zwelling and Vicki King, director of the Muskingum County Convention Facilities Authority, confirmed their community's interest in the program.
"I've been talking to them about it for two or three years. I think Mansfield has done a good job of it and I'd like to have it for my community, too," Zwelling said.
According to Zwelling, the pageant could take place at the 1,776-seat Secrest Auditorium. The Renaissance Theatre seats 1,402.
"It's not as quaint as the Renaissance Theatre, but it's a magnificent theatre," Zwelling said.
Miss Ohio producer and board member John Kunkel manages Secrest Auditorium. He could not be reached for comment.
"We have never gone out and sought another city. I'm the first one to stand up and say 'I love Mansfield' ... It's hard to throw away 36 years, throw away the love," Oliveri said. "Does Mansfield love us? We think they do.
"Your city has always been extremely supportive. I told Mayor Culliver we're not interested in more money, we need more community help."
The City of Mansfield lodging tax contributes $10,000 annually to the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program. Newman Technology Inc. continues to donate $10,000 to the new titleholder each year.
Tasseff said the Miss Ohio program brings 3,000 people to the Renaissance Theatre each June during the four-night pageant.
"Everyone associated with the pageant rents about 200 hotel rooms for at least four nights, which results in a $176,000 impact," Tasseff said.
Oliveri said the program can operate anywhere in the state.
"This is tough economic times and we're trying to look out for our survival. Our audience was the smallest we've ever had (last June), the lowest ticket sales," Oliveri said.
Local supporter Jeff Angelini, who chairs the Miss Ohio Festival, said he has been involved in Miss Ohio for 15 years. Angelini is also the president of the Miss Mansfield Scholarship Program Board of Directors.
"I think it would be a huge disappointment for everyone in the community if it left, for everyone who has worked so hard, those who have worked for the contestants, the fundraising for scholarships," Angelini said. "There are many, many people behind the scenes who put their heart and soul into it."
Mansfield resident Laura Russell, director of the Miss Mansfield and Miss North Central preliminaries and the Miss Mansfield Outstanding Teen Scholarship Program, said she was apprised of this possible move last year.
"It really upsets me it may move. If it were going to a bigger theater in a bigger area where it would bring more people into it as a positive move I would be for it," Russell said. "I think it is a move backward. I really hope we will be able to counter any actual donations and we're not just moving down there for a soft, 'What they may do for us.'
"I don't think Zanesville is a proper move. I don't think that will be the venue for something of Miss Ohio caliber. I'm really proud how the Renaissance Theatre has redone their theatre. It really brings the Miss Ohio pageant where it needs to be."
Dana Sowers, of Mansfield, has volunteered for 26 years as a chaperone at Miss Ohio.
"If it would leave Mansfield you'd have a lot of heart-broken people," Sowers said. "If it leaves Mansfield, there will be a lot of upset people, including the people who donate to the program -- the banks, the restaurants and the home hostesses who open their homes to the contestants.''
Zanesville Times Recorder reporter Holy Richards contributed to this story.
September 30, 2010
MANSFIELD -- The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program is known for smiles and crowns, but a proposed relocation could come down to dollars and cents.
As Zanesville attempts to lure the pageant from Mansfield, local officials are working to keep the program, which could move before the 2011 June pageant.
Steven Oliveri, executive director of the Miss Ohio Board of Directors, has declined to release Zanesville's financial proposal. The board could make a decision by Oct. 13.
Lee Tasseff, director of the Mansfield-Richland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said a Friday meeting is planned with Mansfield officials and supporters in an effort to pitch a local offer.
Officials have hinted Mansfield, which has hosted the show for 36 years, isn't generating enough money for the program.
According to the nonprofit Miss Ohio organization's 2007 IRS Form 990, the latest available financial figures made public online at Guidestar, the program has three existing loans and owes $33,182 to Richland Bank; $22,000 to former executive director Jeri Waite; and $10,000 to Oliveri.
Wednesday, Oliveri said the nonprofit program's debt has been reduced since the 2007 report.
"We've been able to do very well in the last couple of years to make sure our debt is down, but it's not gone," Oliveri said. "With the economy, it's gone down slower than we want it to be. And who in this economy hasn't had this? We're feeling very fortunate. We're always looking for new financial opportunities."
Oliveri said he isn't permitted to release the program's latest debt or financial figures until the agency's accountant files them with the government.
"Our fiscal year 2009 ends (today)," he said.
Oliveri told Mayor Don Culliver the organization needs more financial support from the community.
"The organization has plenty of volunteers. We need people to come see our show, participate in our fundraisers ... if people aren't willing to do straight donations," he said.
Oliveri said the organization constantly has fundraisers, including the bowlathon and Monte Carlo Night.
"Whatever money we make, we retain the money to operate and give out money for scholarships, which last year (2009) was $42,300 at the state level. Through local (preliminary) programs around the state, last year we gave out $50,000," Oliveri said. "To put on Miss Ohio, for each one of the contestants there are seven people behind the scenes. We have about 180 volunteers."
The pageant recently added the Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen to bring in additional audience members and a younger crowd.
In May, Lexington resident Drena McCurdy, executive director of the Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen Program and vice president of the Miss Ohio board of directors, said the teen program is the organization's biggest fundraiser. It is also a feeder program to the Miss Ohio and Miss America programs.
"We're always looking for dollars to operate," Oliveri said. "We're always looking for new ideas for how we can raise money.
"We're no different than any other business, nonprofit or any other family who tightens their belt and looks for new opportunities."
The Miss Ohio program operates with expenses between $175,000 and $225,000, which includes money taken in from fundraisers and scholarship donations, he said.
Oliveri said June's Miss Ohio pageant was not televised in an effort to boost ticket sales, but the audience was the smallest to date. Tickets are $20 on preliminary nights, $40 on the final night.
"The more money we have, the more we can put toward scholarships," Oliveri said.
According to the 2007 federal statement, the program's expenses included $51,797 for production costs, $8,748 for program books, $3,497 for insurance, $2,811 for judges fees and expenses, and $2,709 to prepare Miss Ohio for her competition at Miss America. Preparation includes wardrobe, presentation skills, fitness training, travel expenses and image consulting.
