By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The Town Council on Wednesday tabled a request from Brasher-based Pamoja International Cultural Exchange, Inc. to fund one of the group’s summer events to the tune of $560.

Florence Patterson and her son Carl Patterson run the group.

They are looking to host an all-day event with a Power Wheels derby for children during the daylight hours and an outdoor movie at night.

Councilman Samuel Carbone said he thinks the Brasher Town Board or Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce should fund the event, since it will take place in their area.

“Seems they should be more involved with this, since you’re in Brasher,” Carbone said. “I’d like to hold off and do some research, talk to the Brasher board.”

Councilman Albert Nicola wanted to know why the group doesn’t just move the event to Massena.

“Transporting the screen, projector … and equipment for the Power Wheels derby would be added cost. We try to keep cost at a minimum,” Carl Patterson said, PICEI’s project manager.

Florence Patterson said they have hosted similar events in other nearby communities, to a decent turnout.

“In Fort Covington’s Rainbow Park, we’ve done the event, it was well-attended, Generations Park in Hogansburg, Salmon River school,” she told the board.

She said the group has IRS 501c3 status and have been around since the early 1980s.

They publish a yearly magazine and do fundraisers, such as pie and cake sales.

“We don’t have anyone on salary. It’s all volunteer,” she said.

PICEI’s website is www.picei.org.