(WICHITA, Kan.) — A lack of insurance prompts the Wichita City Council to revoke the license of Moonwalks for Fun. It's owned by Pure Entertainment and provides inflatables for rent. The revocation means the company can no longer operate inflatables in the City of Wichita.
The heart of the issue is whether Moonwalks for Fun and owner Duane Zogleman operated without insurance. From November 3, 2010 through March 22, 2011 the company wasn't insured. The insurance company they used cancelled the policy after receiving what it called unfavorable information. Zogleman says he wasn't given specific details of what that meant. But we do know the city suspended the license last year because inflatables were not properly inspected. That was discovered after a boy died last year from falling off of an inflatable.
The gap in insurance prompted the City of Wichita to revoke the license, so Zogleman appealed to the city council. During a hearing at Tuesday's council meeting, Zogleman stated he never operated an inflatable without insurance. He says when they lost their insurance, they rented inflatables from another licensed and insured company called Jumping Jungles. He says those inflatables were used in Pure Entertainment and also rented out for parties.
Inflatable company loses license because of lack of insurance
However the city says there is no documentation to prove the agreement between the two companies. Zogleman says they had a gentleman's agreement. He also told the council that there's nothing in the ordinance saying companies can't work with each other. Eyewitness News left a message for Jumping Jungle to verify what Zogleman said, but the phone call was not returned at this time.
Council member Janet Miller told Zogleman that operating off of someone else's insurance is unacceptable. She says he understood the insurance requirements and tried to figure out a way to scam the sy.stem. Miller says the Zogleman's are the reason the city changed its inflatable rules because of the deadly accident last year. She says after going through a tragedy of that magnitude, she would expect the company to go above and beyond to make sure they are in compliance with all laws.
Council member Michael O'Donnell disagreed with Miller, saying this sent an anti-business message to companies. He says a paperwork issue should not result in someone going out of business. O'Donnell says he imagines there are several businesses in town that experience similar issues but they are not singled out like this. He, Jeff Longwell and James Clendenin voted against revoking the license. Miller, Lavonta Williams, Pete Meitzner and Mayor Carl Brewer voted in favor of it.
Zogleman says this decision is unfair and he's considering taking legal action. He says Pure Entertainment will continue to operate with private parties. He says they can still rent inflatables to people living outside of Wichita. Zogleman says he firmly believes his inflatables are safe and children were never put in danger during the gap in insurance. He says he has a clear conscience and is disappointed with the city. The decision means Zogleman cannot apply for another license for two years
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Original Story, June 20
Marquis Murphy is in the business of teaching people to be smart with their money. He runs a non-profit called the Youth Educational Empowerment Program, which relies on the help of others to stay in operation - companies like Pure Entertainment.
"They've allow us to have projects and events at very low cost and a lot of times at no cost."
But if you look closely at the flyer for his programs next event with the inflatable company, you'll see question marks for a date. That's because Pure Entertainment's future is in the Wichita City Council's hands.
Back in April Duane Zogleman, who owns Pure Entertainment, received a letter from the city saying his business's license could be revoked due to a question about proper insurance.
"With the documentation that we have, we hope that the council will see that we are in compliance, that this hasn't been an issue and for us to move on."
Pure Entertainment previously lost its license due to failure to properly inspect the inflatables. Zogleman says his business is in full compliance and always has been.
He appealed the revokation and will go before the city council on Tuesday for a final decision and he won't be alone. Murphy and other non-profits plan on going to the meeting to support a business they say is vital to the city.
Murphy adds, "We would not be the organization that we are if it were not for their support."
Support they hope will continue.
