Comments on: A New England Holiday Event http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/ The View From Connecticut's Northwest Corner Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:22:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Fred Baumgarten http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3059 Fred Baumgarten Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:08:03 +0000 http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3059 Fear not, Paul, I'm sure I shall continue posting here, though I'm feeling a little unwelcome of late! But please come check out my new site. I'm sure it will raise a few hackles, happily! --Fred-- Fear not, Paul, I’m sure I shall continue posting here, though I’m feeling a little unwelcome of late!

But please come check out my new site. I’m sure it will raise a few hackles, happily!

–Fred–

]]> By: Paul Bartomioli http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3058 Paul Bartomioli Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:04:00 +0000 http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3058 Considering that in these towns you do not get 80 people out to vote on the town budget, it would seem that the meeting was well attended by supporters. Ever been to Hartford to speak on a contentious bill? The side that does the better job of marshalling support, in bodies, generally gets the vote. Is this an economic development grant, or is that a spin move? IF the goal is economic development, why approach the town government? There is a group of people in town dedicated to economic development. The group may not be in high profile now, but they do exist. Of course, if this is economic development, and such funds are being sought, there should be a business plan. As I said in the initial post, lots of unanswered questions, and apparently not a lot of bang for the buck. I await being proven wrong on all the points I raised. Don't go FRED!! Stay and fight! Remember Thermopolaye!! Considering that in these towns you do not get 80 people out to vote on the town budget, it would seem that the meeting was well attended by supporters. Ever been to Hartford to speak on a contentious bill? The side that does the better job of marshalling support, in bodies, generally gets the vote.

Is this an economic development grant, or is that a spin move? IF the goal is economic development, why approach the town government? There is a group of people in town dedicated to economic development. The group may not be in high profile now, but they do exist.

Of course, if this is economic development, and such funds are being sought, there should be a business plan.

As I said in the initial post, lots of unanswered questions, and apparently not a lot of bang for the buck. I await being proven wrong on all the points I raised.

Don’t go FRED!! Stay and fight! Remember Thermopolaye!!

]]> By: Marshall Miles http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3044 Marshall Miles Fri, 29 Dec 2006 16:59:21 +0000 http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3044 I am not against an economic grant of whatever it takes to help the building. But, should not the town of Falls Village do a little due dilligence on the building, should not they see a full economic plan from the theatre company, should not the town control the money, not just hand it over. I think it wouldbe terriffic if the monies went into the building, but directly from the town. This just seems to be so loosy goosy. Maybe when the news story comes out, it will show details on how the money will be spent and more details on the plan of attack. Marshall I am not against an economic grant of whatever it takes to help the building. But, should not the town of Falls Village do a little due dilligence on the building, should not they see a full economic plan from the theatre company, should not the town control the money, not just hand it over. I think it wouldbe terriffic if the monies went into the building, but directly from the town. This just seems to be so loosy goosy. Maybe when the news story comes out, it will show details on how the money will be spent and more details on the plan of attack.

Marshall

]]> By: Fred Baumgarten http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3040 Fred Baumgarten Fri, 29 Dec 2006 16:55:46 +0000 http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3040 ALL: AT TERRY'S SUGGESTION, I'VE BEGUN MY OWN CURRENT EVENTS BLOG. PLEASE COME AND SEE MY INAUGURAL POST AT: http://grimblebee.blogspot.com !! AND FEEL FREE TO JOIN IN LIVELY DEBATE! Cheers, --Fred-- ALL:

AT TERRY’S SUGGESTION, I’VE BEGUN MY OWN CURRENT EVENTS BLOG. PLEASE COME AND SEE MY INAUGURAL POST AT:

http://grimblebee.blogspot.com !!

AND FEEL FREE TO JOIN IN LIVELY DEBATE!

Cheers,

–Fred–

]]> By: ZenMensch http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3037 ZenMensch Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:05:53 +0000 http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3037 If the vote was indeed 72-8, then isn't this a clear indication of the will of the people, old-fashioned New England democracy in action? Peter is right. Helping to keep the Emerson Building from falling down and making it a living, breathing building can only be good for Main Street and the economic and social vitality of Falls Village. What I want to know: Why was Fred censored? If the vote was indeed 72-8, then isn’t this a clear indication of the will of the people, old-fashioned New England democracy in action? Peter is right. Helping to keep the Emerson Building from falling down and making it a living, breathing building can only be good for Main Street and the economic and social vitality of Falls Village. What I want to know: Why was Fred censored?

]]> By: Peter Halle http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3035 Peter Halle Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:38:40 +0000 http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3035 There is nothing wrong with town sponsored economic development grants. And Falls Village is a perfect candidate for that. How many thriving commercial businesses are there on Main St? There are times when the invisible hand of the free market cannot get things going, and help is needed to relieve burdensome regs and startup costs. If economic development is done well, the money comes back with more employment, other businesses coming in, and eventually more tax revenue. To those who want to keep FV just the way it is, doing nothing will surely lead to further decline. I have no opinion on the theatre company, but I knew the Emerson bookshop. If that structure is to last, it will need extensive work. Happy New Year, Terry and all! Peter There is nothing wrong with town sponsored economic development grants. And Falls Village is a perfect candidate for that. How many thriving commercial businesses are there on Main St? There are times when the invisible hand of the free market cannot get things going, and help is needed to relieve burdensome regs and startup costs.

If economic development is done well, the money comes back with more employment, other businesses coming in, and eventually more tax revenue. To those who want to keep FV just the way it is, doing nothing will surely lead to further decline.

I have no opinion on the theatre company, but I knew the Emerson bookshop. If that structure is to last, it will need extensive work.

Happy New Year, Terry and all! Peter

]]> By: Marshall Miles http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3019 Marshall Miles Fri, 29 Dec 2006 02:13:48 +0000 http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3019 Paul, some terriffic questions you raise! I run a non-profit 501 (c)(3) that operates a non profit radio station, a non-profit cable access station, and a non-profit internet station. No saleries, just grants, underwriting, and donations! We keep reinvessting the money. We ahve a business plan, we have budgets, do you think I shold go to the towns and ask for help?!!! Hey, I want the theatre company to be successful, and thrive..but you are correct...how about money for the new ambulance garage, etc. Dams Paul, you and I agree! It must be the holidays!!!! Mery Christmas and a safe and happy New Year to you and your family. marshall PS,,,,same to you Terry, and all your bloggers! MM Paul, some terriffic questions you raise! I run a non-profit 501 (c)(3) that operates a non profit radio station, a non-profit cable access station, and a non-profit internet station. No saleries, just grants, underwriting, and donations! We keep reinvessting the money. We ahve a business plan, we have budgets, do you think I shold go to the towns and ask for help?!!!
Hey, I want the theatre company to be successful, and thrive..but you are correct…how about money for the new ambulance garage, etc.
Dams Paul, you and I agree! It must be the holidays!!!!

Mery Christmas and a safe and happy New Year to you and your family.

marshall

PS,,,,same to you Terry, and all your bloggers!

MM

]]> By: Terry http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3000 Terry Thu, 28 Dec 2006 13:32:16 +0000 http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-3000 Paul, I avoided taking a position in this post. Just laid out the pros and cons as best I could recall them. My news story which be up on tcextra.com later today answers many of your valid questions. Paul,

I avoided taking a position in this post. Just laid out the pros and cons as best I could recall them.

My news story which be up on tcextra.com later today answers many of your valid questions.

]]> By: Paul Bartomioli http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-2999 Paul Bartomioli Thu, 28 Dec 2006 13:15:19 +0000 http://tcextra.com/terrycowgill/2006/12/27/a-new-england-holiday-event/#comment-2999 I did not attend the meeting, despite my good intentions. However, I firmly believe this vote is a mistake. IF the town has $25,000 it simply must give away, give it to the Fire Company. Too many unanswered questions: The asking price is $250k, yet, the $150k speculation is considered valid. Is there any evidence to support this presumption? What if the theater company folds? Is there recourse for the town to recover the funds? Comparing this to a loan to the Hunt Library is a bit of slight of hand. Or, is this a loan, as well? Then again, I am not aware of anyone from the Fire Company or the library drawing a salary. I may be wrong. Both the library and the Fire Company benefit many more people than the theater comapny. Yes, the potential is there, but the reality is that a minority of town residents will avail themselves of a chance to work in the theater. Using your argument, Terry, the town should allocate funds to the Girl Scouts, 4H groups, basically any non-profit group in town. I don't think that is the path you really advocate. The building is sound, but... $350k in renovations? Add that to the optimistic $150k purchase and you are talking serious change. IF the purchase price is north of the $150k, well... A final question: How do you gauge remarkable success in fundraising when there is no half million dollar mortgage to pay? Personally, I would prefer to have seen a business plan. I doubt that one exists. I did not attend the meeting, despite my good intentions.

However, I firmly believe this vote is a mistake. IF the town has $25,000 it simply must give away, give it to the Fire Company.

Too many unanswered questions: The asking price is $250k, yet, the $150k speculation is considered valid. Is there any evidence to support this presumption?

What if the theater company folds? Is there recourse for the town to recover the funds?

Comparing this to a loan to the Hunt Library is a bit of slight of hand. Or, is this a loan, as well? Then again, I am not aware of anyone from the Fire Company or the library drawing a salary. I may be wrong.

Both the library and the Fire Company benefit many more people than the theater comapny. Yes, the potential is there, but the reality is that a minority of town residents will avail themselves of a chance to work in the theater. Using your argument, Terry, the town should allocate funds to the Girl Scouts, 4H groups, basically any non-profit group in town. I don’t think that is the path you really advocate.

The building is sound, but… $350k in renovations? Add that to the optimistic $150k purchase and you are talking serious change. IF the purchase price is north of the $150k, well…

A final question:

How do you gauge remarkable success in fundraising when there is no half million dollar mortgage to pay? Personally, I would prefer to have seen a business plan. I doubt that one exists.

]]>