After GoLocal Asks Questions, Newport Changes Course on Fundraising Tied to Mayor
GoLocalProv News Team
After GoLocal Asks Questions, Newport Changes Course on Fundraising Tied to Mayor
The group's solicitation, in part, was to support upcoming events, including one to be held at the hotel restaurant and bar that Mayor Charlie Holder manages.
Here is how the money was flowing, when GoLocal began to inquire about the ties between the group and Holder's office.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFirst, a committee that said that said it was fundraising to support Newport’s relationship with an Irish “sister city” had been asking supporters to send donations - directly to the Mayor’s office.
The “Newport Kinsale Twinning Committee,” which is in its 25th year, has recently been appealing to the community to help underwrite events taking place in Newport this April.
The sponsorships range from $250 to $1000; the group is not listed in either the state’s corporate database nor does it appear to be a registered non-profit.
One of the events on the calendar of the Kinsale “Twinning Committee” is slated to be hosted at one of the city’s newest hotels off Thames Street, the Gardiner House.
The Gardner House is managed by none other than Holder. Donors are asked for as much as $1,000 for the fundraiser at Mayor Holder's Gardner House.
In January, GoLocal was the first to report that the Gardiner House was brought before the city’s Board of License Commissioners for lacking a liquor license while under the management of Holder.
According to the "Twinning Committee’s" flyer, donations for scheduled upcoming events were being directed through Holder’s office, and the committee explicitly stated that contributions are “not tax deductible.”
GoLocal asked committee organizer Colleen McGrath if the organization was incorporated; if it was a non-profit; and was it appropriate for fundraising to be directed through the Mayor's office, for, in part, an event to be held at his employer.
According to McGrath's email asking supporters for donations, Holder himself serves on the Twinning Committee; "McGrath Clambakes" is listed as one of the participating event food vendors.
McGrath did not respond to questions on Tuesday.
The City of Newport, however, did.
City Changes Course After Questions
On Tuesday, City Communications Director Tom Shevlin responded to GoLocal's request for comment from Holder with the following statement:
"As you noted, the City administration initially agreed to serve in a custodial role for the Newport-Kinsale Twinning Committee in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Newport’s Sister City declaration. While the administration remains strongly supportive of our Sister City programs, upon further review, we have asked the organizers of this particular event to seek alternative arrangements for its sponsorship activities.
As you know, Newport is proud to host numerous Sister City-related events and programs each year. These efforts are largely supported by volunteers and community groups, with the City playing a supportive role whenever possible.
In this instance, it appears there may have been a misunderstanding between our team and the event organizers.
Accordingly, we’ve already taken steps to reimburse any and all funds received to date and will ensure that any future contributions are redirected appropriately."
Latest for Mayor, Hotel, and Questions of Ethics
As GoLocal reported in February:
The hotel managed by new Newport Mayor Charlie Holder - that was operating without a liquor license since December - came before the Board of License Commissioners again Wednesday night.
Holder, the Chair of the Board, did not recuse himself from the matter, and voted to have it withdrawn.
Holder seconded the motion - but the minutes published and distributed for the following City Council meeting stated, on the record, that another councilor did.
The meeting minutes were later corrected for the record.
