November 20, 2009 (Hawyard, WI) – Although Birkebeiner Executive Director Ned Zuelsdorff gave it his best shot with the Hayward City Council, Mayor Bill Swintkowski told him he was too late. The decision has been made and the Birkie will now have to pay for services provided by the city public works department according to the Sawyer County Record.

Speaking before the council at its monthly meeting Monday night, Zuelsdorff said that he had heard the council was considering passing on the Public Works Department costs of providing services during the American Birkebeiner ski race, including the costs of placing snow on the streets. “I understand you have difficult budget decisions to make,” he said, adding that he hoped the council would reconsider and continue to provide services to the Birkebeiner.

The total cost to the not-for-profit American Birkebeiner Foundation to bring the skiers to a Main street finish without services provided gratis by the city and county, Zuelsdorff predicted, would be approximately $35,000.

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