Questions for town manager regarding State Theatre
Published: October 8, 2009
Updated: October 8, 2009
Regarding Wednesday’s article “Making a (State)ment,” I just have a few questions for our town manager about the State Theatre.
Who owns the State Theatre?
Did the owner/owners get the theater registered with the state and federal governments as a historical site? If they did, did they receive grants from the state and federal governments. If so, how much money did they receive?
If taxpayer money is used, will the owner/owners give a portion of their profits back to the taxpayers? If so, how much?
This theater may or may not draw thousands of visitors to Culpeper, especially with the shambles our economy is presently in and a dim outlook for tomorrow.
Why should we take taxpayer money, which is steadily shrinking, to support a privately owned business?
Are we going to help any other privately owned businesses in Culpeper?
How will this benefit the residents of the town of Culpeper?
Jerry R. Beckett
Culpeper
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El Drivvle - I never asked any question, Never said said this was the place to ask the question. Never said Beckett did enough research otherwise. So what are you talking about??????????
Dang! Neither Beckett nor Brew knew enough to actually researh the question before aking it. I am truly shocked.
Some of you may know that I have spent a good deal of my free time during my first year in Culpeper researching the history of movie-going in this great town. I thought it would be cool to know what film was showing when, but I have been learning much, much more than that. I learned the Rixey Opera House, then the Fairfax Theatre and finally the Pitts/State Theatre provided more to this town than just movies. Live theater, high school graduation ceremonies, local fashion shows and business stimulation events such as the annual “Swan Day” made these venues focal points for the community. While the venues made money I am sure they also caused spikes in sales for the restaurants, soda shops and other merchants near by them. So history supports the concept that a new State Theatre will help the local economy and bring back an increased sense of community to our town.
Like all non-profits it will be a struggle at times but will be worth the efforts. After decades of tearing down our historical theaters there is a trend in the U.S. to do exactly what the State Theatre Foundation is doing, and the success stories are plentiful. Do some internet searches, look for yourself, we can retain our heritage and do so responsibly.
Finally, I must agree that it is disingenuous if not just outright dishonest to pose the questions asked by Mr. Beckett when he knows full well that they not only have been answered but that those answers are readily available on the internet and in printed form. He could have provided the answers himself and then intelligently refuted them to make his point. Instead, he choose to cause discord when he could have opened up honest discourse.
Mr. Beckett: you chose to send your letter to the Star-Exponent but why did you not choose it to go back and read previous articles where ALL of these questions and issues are answered? This letter reeks of cheap political grandstanding. Get the facts before sounding your gong, please.
Legitimate questions have been asked here. However, Mr. Beckett would do himself a favor if he remembered, “You catch more fly with honey than with vinegar.“
Exactly El D. However, the purpose of his letter is not about seeking answers or commenting on the merits of the proposal; it’s about creating discord. And why pick on the town manager? This looks like a proposal being made to town council. He could have easily walked into the Foundation’s office or the manager’s office and asked for some additional information. My guess is he’s just gearing up for next year’s election. My vote will not go to who can find the most fault with the town, but who will do more to advance it.
Instead of looking or someone else to do his research why doesn’t Beckett do it himself?
Drawing conclusions?
It looked to me like Mr. Beckett was asking a series of questions. Legitimate questions for which the public deserves answers.
I also did not see any “criticism” in Mr. Beckett’s letter.
Also, I think I’m safe in saying that there are a lot more people out there whose lives HAVEN’T been “touched” by the State Theatre than whose lives have been “touched” by it. Nice try at an emotional, heart-string-tugging, appeal, though. I suppose it’s all you’ve got left when you can’t/won’t answer a few simple questions.
Much as I hate to agree with Beckett, his questions are legitimate and Patefacio is clearly heavily invested in getting the taxpayer’s money involved. So PF, why don’t you just answer the questions and enlighten everyone instead of going through a slick public relations dance? (touched the lives of thousands, etc., etc.,)And while you’re answering questions, please tell us who’s going to be paying for the continuing operations and full time staff that will be essential to keeping it running.
Typical Becket. His questions show his ignorance of the proposal. Yet he’s ready to criticize. There’s no shame in being ignorant of a situation. But drawing conclusions without facts indicates sluggish acitivity under that ridiculous hat.
The State Theater Foundation is trying to renovate a local landmark that has touched the lives of thousands of town and county residents through entertainment and events over past decades and sees the potential for doing the same for decades in the future.
The question that should be asked is “What can I do to help?“
But Becket seems to be more interested in finding fault with our community. So sad.
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