Four Corners Motorcycle Rally owner Johnny Valdez came to the July 15 Ignacio Town Board meeting with a proposal and a $5,000 check.

The Labor Day weekend rally has been identified with Ignacio for 23 years, Valdez said, and he wants that to continue. It has operated under different names and different management, most recently the Ignacio Chamber of Commerce.

"I have managed the rally for the chamber," he said. "After last year it was clear that there was a need for streamlined management and a new vision. The options were to sell it to an outsider, put it back in town (instead of Sky Ute Event Center), declare bankruptcy; or sell it to me as is with all the (rally) debts."

In his written proposal, he said, "The burden of misconception, rumors, and outright inaccurate statements are part of that 'as is' portion of the sale. I would like to dispel those by action and not words."

At their July 1 meeting, trustees discussed a proposal from Valdez to pay the town 5 percent of this year's gate receipts. Discussion then was that he wanted the town to charge the same fees to vendors as were being charged at the Event Center rally grounds.

In his July 15 presentation, Valdez said last year's rally at the Event Center took in around $87,000 from regular gate admissions. He handed over the $5,000 check to cover gate revenue up to $100,000 this year, and proposed 2 percent for gate revenue above $100,000.

"We are not asking for any special treatment and have tried to comply with all requests provided to us," Valdez said in his written proposal. "It is important to note that we are not required to pay sales tax on those funds received at the rally, but we are attempting to make every effort to help the town in any way we cah."

He continued, "No other entities doing similar events are required to provide such an effort or fee. For that reason, this action and usage fee is created and agreed for this one year to verify that it works for everyone involved."

Valdez told trustees, "I want to be able to have the rally here. I am invited everywhere, welcomed with open arms. I don't hear any of the garbage I do here. I didn't take this on because I thought it was cute or I'd make a ton of money. I like the camaraderie of the people. They are good people. The (Southern Ute Indian) tribe has given us a great opportunity to be back at the fairgrounds."

He asserted, "Make no mistake, we do have a contract signed" to rent the fairgrounds. In the July 1 town board discussion, there was some question about that.

"We are doing it for our community, not for ourselves personally," Valdez said. "This letter isn't just an olive branch. If this thing falls apart, I know what will happen. Others will try to do a rally. People are coming to Ignacio. This is the place where the rally began."

Trustee Tom Atencio wanted to know what Valdez expects in return for the $5,000. "To not provide places for vendors? ... Last year we went with the chamber when they asked us to raise the fee. There was no vendors in town. Is that what you want us to do again?"

Town Clerk Georgann Valdez said the fee last year was $250 and there were two vendors in town.

Valdez said, "I said I wanted cooperation from the town to create a parade (in Ignacio), do a welcome address by town officials and a tribal blessing on the Friday (of the rally). I'd like help. The last three years, we haven't had a sign welcoming bikers to the town."

As for vendor fees, he said, "I'd prefer to have the same price (in town) as I'm charging. That's probably not reasonable." But he objected that big vendors can get a 40xx40 space in town for maybe $1,000, with the town fee, other fees, and rent to a private property owner. That big a space at the rally grounds is $3,000.

"Here's the bigger problem that probably none of you recognize," he continued. "Three or four years ago, we were going to have it at the rally grounds. Former board members wanted to have it downtown too. We lost $80,000."

The rally was blocked from the tribal Event Center for several years before that because of a legal dispute between the tribe and a previous for-profit rally operator. The chamber took over the rally on short notice in 2006, and all vendors and events were in town.

"What I'd like, you can have your fee at $250," Johnny Valdez said. "What I'd like is just cooperation from the town to move forward."

Trustees, including Atencio, indicated willingness to work with the rally.

Mayor Stella Cox commented, "Let's figure out what it cost the town in the past for police, porta-potties. We're all with you. Let's move forward, make this a working relationship. We want you to succeed."

Trustees discussed getting a written agreement to clarify expectations. It will be on the board's Aug. 5 agenda.