On December 7th the City council in Groves after tabling the issue twice met to discuss funding from Hotel/Motel taxes for the Grillin in Groves cook off for the 7th year. After providing prize money for the event for 6 years, this year it was refused. This effectively canceled the event, because if there is no prize money for the teams to compete for they will not attend. I did ask for an increase in prize money, but I have not had an increase in 6 years. I did this to keep up with the other events and to attract more teams so this event could grow. I was told there would be no problem with this.

Using Hotel/Motel taxes for prize money has been done in this city as well as other cities with great success. This money was designed to bring tourists to the city to stay in local motels, and spend money in local stores. As anyone that is remotely connected with my cook off can verify teams stay in area motels and spend money at the local stores for supplies used for the event. One council person has been against this event trying to stop it for 3 years even going so far as to abstain from voting to provide funds for personal reasons. While this will not affect me it will hurt the charities that receive money from this event. Since the inception of this cook off I have given over $17,000 to local charities, one of which, the same councilperson sits as a member on the board of directors. This year my charities were the Senior Citizens Center, and The Fetters Center.

This second organization helps to take care of special needs adults. This is a very worthwhile charity that has been called the “best kept secret in Jefferson County” because few people know of the very valuable service that is provided to the community. Since my event will no longer be held I would hope the Groves City Council will find some way to help fund this organization as it does with other organizations in Groves.

Larry Perio

6780 Jefferson
Groves Tex 77619
962 6060