Bootiful Wimberley delayed after vendor doesn't bring boots
This is the only boot that has been provided by America's Fiberglass Animals to Bootiful Wimberley. The boots, once they arrive, will be painted by local artist and put on display at locations around the Wimberley Valley.
By Dalton Sweat
Editor
Bootiful Wimberley is looking at a possible civil lawsuit after not receiving more than $17,000 of products from a vendor in Nebraska.
The plan is to have 28 six-foot-tall fiberglass boots that have been painted by local artists to be placed around the Wimberley Valley as a new artistic attraction.
The boots were supposed to be unveiled during the Fourth of July Parade.
That project has been delayed for two months after the vendor contracted to build the boots failed to meet the April 30 deadline for delivery. Thus far, only one boot has been delivered.
In fact, Bootiful Wimberley has had enough issues getting the boots that they contacted Nebraska’s District Attorney and hired a lawyer to start the process of potentially filing a civic complaint against America’s Fiberglass Animals, the company they paid $17,400.
“It’s a fantastic project and will have a huge benefit to Wimberley,” Lynn Myers, a Bootiful Wimberley steering committee member, said. “It’s going to draw in cultural tourism. It will be a source of pride. The artists are excited. The sponsors are excited. It’s a good project, and it’s a shame that it has been tarnished by this guy in Nebraska.”
Bootiful Wimberley has hired Nebraska attorney Tina Marroquin to try and reclaim the money they gave to Patrick Keough, the owner of America’s Fiberglass Animals.
No one answered the phone at America’s Fiberglass Animals when called by the Wimberley View.
So far, only one boot has made the trip from Nebraska, and according to Myers, Keough told Marroquin that 11 boots would be on the way this weekend. The group is hopeful that the boots will show up, but are letting the previously promised deliveries speak for themselves.
“We want to end our relationship with America’s Fiberglass Animals,” Myers said.
Marroquin also told Rob Pitzer, who is involved with Bootiful Wimberley, that there are felonies pending against Keough regarding similar circumstances in Nebraska with other business, but it is important to note that they are pending. At this time, he has not been convicted.
Some are worried that the loss of money would mean the project was put on hold for good, but Myers said an anonymous donor stepped up to help pay another company for the boots.
Bootiful Wimberley is now working with a company in San Marcos to have the boots made, but the cost will be $28,000 bringing the total current cost to over $45,000 if no money is recouped from America’s Fiberglass Animals.
Pitzer said that they hope to retrieve the money to help pay back the donor, and that they will be seeking other donors to help spread out the cost.
The project, which has been largely supported by the Wimberley Valley community including the 28 sponsors who paid to have a boot put on their property, will still come to fruition. It just might take more time then expected.
For the full story, pick up a copy of the June 19 issue of the Wimberley View.
