In the next room, right now, a Tea Bagger is deciding my fate

[jorno67]

You see I work for a not-for-profit theatre that the city owns - sort of...
4 years ago a man who had no idea how to run a theatre was able to get enough local investors to build a brand new venue based on the style of buildings in Branson MO. He knew how to inspire people, but thought that being a patron was enough training to run the place, which he did - straight into the ground. After 2 years the company closed and the investors lost everything. So there sat a fairly new empty theatre. So a group of former investors (who each lost at least $60K) decided that they wanted to keep the dream alive as a not-for-profit. They got the city to invest by taking over the mortgage on the building and land - for an initial 2 year trial period with an option for the remaining 18 years. The City Council voted unanimously in our favor. I was hired a year ago to help with the rebirth and day to day operations of the Theatre.
Now its time to decide on that option...one problem though. During the last election only 18% of registered voters actually voted in the vote for Mayor and City Council. When the voting turn out is low Tea baggers win.
So...right now...in the very next room, 5 reps from the City and 5 from the my board of directors are discussing the value of the theatre to the city and its budget. One of the Councilmen is the head of the County wide Tea Party organization. He ran on the platform of eliminating all non-essential budget items. The official vote does not happen until the next winter, but this is where it all starts. I'm going to get back to planning the city's first ever Summer Youth Theatre Camp that starts next week. It main goal is to give kids self confidence and an appreciation for the Arts!

VOTE LOCALLY - GET INVOLVED LOCALLY - When you don't you're handing the keys over to people who don't care about what's best for everyone.

[Lint Head]

1. I hope it goes your way! Good luck.

[JDPriestly]

2. K&R

[sudopod]

3. Much luck! nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I'm holding a very good thought for your success...

And the success of your theatre.

Good luck!

[LiberalAndProud]

5. Good advice. It's where your vote and activism can really make a difference.

Did the makeup of your City Council change dramatically? Is it a popular program city-wide?

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[jorno67]

11. Yes, it was a very community friendly council before.

I've been told by a city employee that it's the most conservative council in the history of our city.
The theatre is popular but some did get burned when it closed and even though we are a completely different entity some folks still hold it against us. I am an outsider myself, I moved here for the job so I rely on others to the history lessons.
thanks for the well wishes!

[LiberalAndProud]

12. I hope you can get some friendly coverage of your youth project.

You probably don't need ideas from me, but it seems like you may need a whole ton of public support for the theater if you find the need to fight city hall.

[Lucinda]

6. Hopefully wiser heads will prevail here, or at the very least ,

if they cant see the benefits in the art's, they will like the prestige of having the performers that have come in this year.
They are lucky they have you. :)

And I agree. Pay attention to your local elections!

[Ian David]

7. Remind them that keeping the summer program running will keep those damn kids of his lawn.

Keep kids busy, they cause less problems.

[MedicalAdmin]

15. They want those damn kids on the lawn.

How else will their buddies / chronies / judges get kickbacks to sentence kids to the private jail they just invested in?

[JuniperLea]

8. I hope they frame this as...

A fire sale wherein the city can grab this killer deal for a song! And dance!

Equity waiver was my life for a long time... my kids literally grew up backstage!



Holding the best of thoughts for you and your city... theaters are a blessing to all.

[riderinthestorm]

9. Wow, good luck. Hope they decide to keep the arts alive. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

10. Camp is going to be great.

You are making a wonderful thing happen. The students will be the best advocates for the theater you have ever seen. And you are going to have so much fun.

[jorno67]

13. Well the City informed us that we have until May to come up with an

alternative source for the mortgage as they have no intentions of continuing support.

:banghead:

[uponit7771]

14. Sry bout that, would fund drives help? Always best to start early....

[Lucinda]

16. Oh jeez.

I'm sure you'll find a solution...but what a PITA.

[jorno67]

17. just another challenge to overcome!

But you're right a total pain!

By the way how have you been lately?

[Lucinda]

20. I'm doing a lot better...thankie for asking!

I've stopped all the medicine but my pain pills for now, and i'm doing juice therapy and trying to get my body stronger nutritionally. The last few meds just seemed to make me worse after a few days. I have 2 more I can try if I decide to go that route.

I hope this resolves soon for you. Wish there was something I could do to help, but I know you will figure something out. ♥

[jorno67]

21. you are very sweet to want to help me

But its just a job...I wish I could help you my friend.

[Lucinda]

23. You made me smile.

Thanks. That IS help. :)

I'm happy to see so many people that we know still working in the arts. We both know what good theatre brings to everyone involved. I'd just rather see your energies focused on creativity, and not having to contend with short-sighted politicians. It is the nature of the beast I guess.
Hope you have a great weekend. Loved the plane pics tonight!

[bluestate10]

18. As you pointed out.

The predicament of the theatre that you put work into happened because people that would keep it funded chose to complain, sit home and not vote. I don't see how anyone can claim that they care about their community, state, or nation and not vote in every election that is held, not only they vote, but encourage every like minded family and friend to vote. The extreme right has made taking over local governments and using them as farm systems it's objective for two decades. The response of democrats to the right's assault has been to point fingers at democrats because not everything is done to their liking, and of course, stay home at voting time. We harvest what we sow. I hope there are enough sane votes on the council to stop the teabagger. Good luck to you, keep working to make programs that you setup outstanding, your efforts may be what sways the one or two votes that keeps the theatre funded.

[Liberal_in_LA]

19. Good luck.

[RegieRocker]

22. You have a chance. With tea baggets if it effects them they

are for it. Hope that they themselves or someone they know have benefited from it.