Flat Rock landmarks could be eligible for tax breaks

From the Hendersonville Lightning:

...The Flat Rock Village Council in its Dec. 13 meeting adopted a local ordinance that gives qualifying properties a 50 percent reduction on their property taxes as long as they don't demolish, move or substantially alter the structure. The ordinance, drafted by Councilman Ron Davis, a retired attorney, and reviewed by town attorney Sharon Alexander, is aimed at preserving landmarks that embody Flat Rock's culture and history.

"I think it's wonderful," said Rick Merrill, president of Historic Flat Rock Inc., which works to promote and protect historic structures. "I actually think you're going to see a fair number apply just because they can get a 50 percent tax break."

Many landowners will gladly accept the historic designation, he predicted, because it poses little burden for a tax savings of thousands of dollars.

"In exchange (for the 50 percent tax reduction), all he's got to do is promise never to tear it down and to somewhat maintain it and that's not a hard ask," he said. "Why would you not want to do it if all you've got to do is not change the exterior and not tear it down? You can do what you want inside."...

The commission will notify the property owner that his or her property has been nominated for designation as a historic landmark. If the property owner does not want the designation, they need do nothing; the commission will drop it.

"People have to take that extra step in order to do it," said Judy Boleman, the village zoning administrator. "They have to proactively want it."

Owners of properties that receive the historic designation must apply for a certificate of appropriateness for substantial changes to the exterior. Major work must be approved by the commission; the zoning administrator can approve minor work....

Read it all.

Flat Rock Playhouse veterans quit over beef with leaders

The Times-News covers the resignations of Flat Rock Playhouse production manager Billy Munoz and public relations director Sharon Stokes:

Citing “philosophical differences” with leadership about the Flat Rock Playhouse’s direction, two veteran members of the theater company’s staff resigned in the last two weeks.

The departure of Production Manager Billy Munoz and Public Relations Director Sharon Stokes brings the number of recent resignations to four. Both Business Manager Dale Jones, who resigned Dec. 2, and YouTheatre Music Supervisor Eric Leach gave notice after getting other job offers.

Munoz, who has been with the Playhouse for 25 years and helped orchestrate the successful “For The Rock” benefit Dec. 11, said he quit after failing to come to terms with Producing Artistic Director Vincent Marini and board members about the direction the 60-year-old theater was heading.

“I don’t like where he (Marini) is taking the theater, but it’s a philosophical thing,” Munoz said....

Munoz said his disagreements with the board and Marini boil down to differences of opinion: “They believe that by producing more shows, you get more income. And I’m of the belief that if you produce more shows, it costs more money. And who builds those shows but the technicians? They’re the ones who will be putting in longer hours.”

The 2013 season planned by the Playhouse also is “pretty ambitious,” Munoz said, particularly when the theater is still $2.3 million in debt.

“Where is this budget going to come from to build an Evita, a CATS, a Les Mis?” he asked rhetorically. “They require a lot of glitz. I don’t think we need all the glitz to produce a show. If he (Marini) wants a ton of lights and projectors, then that’s his vision. But that’s a vision I don’t subscribe to, especially if we need to cut back.”

Munoz admitted it’s possible that the Playhouse’s aggressive business plan for 2013 will pay off, and he credited Marini for modernizing equipment and other infrastructure. But he said the disregard shown for the theater’s “human investment” was too much for him to bear, personally and professionally....

Read it all.

Munoz, Stokes resign from the Flat Rock Playhouse

From the Hendersonville Lightning:

Two more longtime Flat Rock Playhouse employees have resigned as the organization continued to experience turmoil even as its financial situation improved.

The resignations brought a new challenge for the Playhouse and its leaders just when it seemed to have survived a rocky five-week trial and set a course toward long term stability. The Playhouse has raised almost $500,000 in public and private money since leaders announced in mid-November that it was out of cash and in danger of shutting down....

Production manager Billy Munoz and public relations director Sharon Stokes resigned this week. Eric Leach, the YouTheatre music supervisor, also resigned but his resignation to tour with a commercial theater production had been in the works for some time. Munoz's resignation was a surprise because he had led a social media-based effort that raised thousands of dollars from current and former Playhouse actors locally and around the world.

Munoz said he left over a difference of opinion in the management approach that producing artistic director Vincent Marini has taken. Munoz said he tried in two meetings with the board, one with Marini present, one not, to explain that longtime employees needed to be heard and needed input on the direction of the theater. "I don't want to stir the pot or create a stink," he said. "It's a difference of opinion in how the management should be done in the future and I'm steering away from that."

Munoz, who is also an actor and drummer, said he tried to foster "an open dialogue" between disillusioned employees and the board and management. He accused Marini of "mismanagement of time, people and money."

Munoz and Stokes follow a growing parade of mid- to high-ranking veteran leaders who have quit in a difference of opinion over the theater's direction or to pursue other theater jobs....

Read it all.

Tourism Development Authority backs Flat Rock Playhouse

Call me cynical or maybe just highly suspicious, but here's a scenario I can see happening:

• The accommodation tax increase issue is still out there. All the county commissioners did in August was delay any action on it for six months, that is, until February.
• Come February, the commissioners may vote to raise the tax (just because they can since the legislation is already in place--and tax legislation is a terrible thing to waste, dontcha' know) and direct the monies to the Tourism Development Authority (as has already been suggested).
• The Tourism Development Authority then directs the money, through programs such as this one, back to the Flat Rock Playhouse.
• And so the Playhouse gets its "guaranteed source of income," the lodging industry takes the hit to benefit primarily one business, and we can all pretend it's just a tax on "tourists" so it doesn't really affect Henderson County residents (even though it really, really does). 

Someone please prove me wrong.

From the Times-News:

Joining a growing chorus of local officials voicing confidence in the Flat Rock Playhouse, the county’s Tourism Development Authority agreed Tuesday to purchase $25,000 worth of 2013 season tickets for use as incentives to put “heads in beds” at local hotels, cottages and bed-and-breakfasts.

The authority voted 7-0 to make an upfront purchase of 715 tickets, with the possibility of purchasing $25,000 more next year if the program is successful. Under the program, guests who stay a minimum of two nights at local accommodations will earn one free Playhouse ticket, or two tickets for a four-night stay.

For the Playhouse, the program will provide a much-needed infusion of cash, authority members said, while helping local accommodations draw more tourists and keep them around longer.

“This is a guarantee of so many ticket sales that are in their budget,” said Chairman David Nicholson. “They’ll know that they’re going to sell that many tickets in advance, and that’s a plus for them.”...

Tourism board members spent nearly half an hour debating the logistics of how the tickets should be distributed to accommodations and redeemed by lodgers, but ultimately decided to leave those details for Travel & Tourism Director Beth Carden, a tourism committee and Playhouse leaders to work out. “The key is to make it as simple for us and the Playhouse as possible,” Carden said....

Read it all. 

Flat Rock Playhouse leaders hold open house for the public

A write-up of the meeting yesterday (Wednesday). Don't forget, there is another open house today at 5:30 p.m. at the Rock. From the Times-News:

Flat Rock Playhouse officials held a public informational meeting Wednesday at the downtown theater that began with a presentation about the company's financial struggles and business plan before moving on to a wide variety of other issues regarding the Playhouse's direction moving forward.

About 40 people attended the open house, led by Bill McKibbin, president of the Playhouse's board of trustees, and Producing Artistic Director Vincent Marini, who said the event was part of a concerted effort the past month to speak openly with the public and share details of the Playhouse's goals in trying to recover from a $1.4 million shortfall in 2010....

Marini told the crowd the Playhouse has not done a strong enough job in its promotional efforts to sell more individual and season tickets, and that it will be a key focus moving forward.

[Kathryn McConnell, vice president of community philanthropy for the Community Foundation,] is also confident about the theater's future.

“We will always have a Flat Rock Playhouse — there is no doubt in my mind that it will always be there,” she said. “I have all the confidence in the world in the Playhouse, and just hope that this has been a learning experience, not only for the staff but the board, to look at things a little differently and a little more carefully as they move forward. But we'll always have a playhouse as part of this community; we're not going to lose that.”...

Read it all.

Tourism Development Authority buys $25,000 worth of Playhouse tickets

A follow-up in the Hendersonville Lightning on the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority's actions to help the Flat Rock Playhouse:

Reversing a decision in November, the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority voted unanimously Tuesday to buy $25,000 worth of Playhouse tickets and use them to promote extended stays in county hotel rooms.

The "Stay and Play" and promotion is designed to induce visitors in hotel and motel rooms to stay extra nights. Guests must stay at least two nights to get a free or discounted Playhouse tickets. Chairman David Nicholson presents a draft proposal that would grant two tickets for a five-night stay but the board decided to work out details for multiple tickets later on....

Read it all (and the earlier article is here).

Tourism Development Authority to look at Playhouse promotion again

Don't forget--the Tourism Development Authority would be using taxpayer money for this promotion. From the Hendersonville Lightning:

The Henderson County Tourism Development Authority will take another crack at a Flat Rock Playhouse promotion that it emphatically rejected last month.

The tourism promoting agency is scheduled to consider for a second time during its monthly meeting this week [ed.- the meeting is today, Dec. 18, at 2:00 p.m.] whether to buy a block of Playhouse tickets to promote longer hotel stays by tourists.

Playhouse officials have been invited to the TDA meeting on Tuesday to give an update on the theater's financial situation and the 2013 season, TDA chairman David Nicholson said.

"They will expect us to talk about the tickets," he said. "I expect us to have a pretty good discussion."

The tourism authority last month said no to the proposal presented by Executive Director Beth Carden and Nicholson to buy up to $50,000 worth of Playhouse tickets that hotels and inns could use to induce longer stays. A set amount for the program has not been determined but Cardin showed projections for buying $25,000 and $50,000 worth of tickets and how much increased room nights would boost occupancy tax proceeds. The board turned down the Playhouse ticket idea and spent about 20 minutes talking about the financial trouble, the management and the losses the theater had incurred since 2010....

Nicholson said the argument for the ticket promotion is that it would provide a guaranteed source of income for the Playhouse while also inducing visitors to stay longer, helping the lodging industry and businesses that depend on tourism. The board meets at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Visitors Center....

Read it all, but I'm a little confused by this:

Nicholson said the argument for the ticket promotion is that it would provide a guaranteed source of income for the Playhouse.

Does this just mean that because the Playhouse will sell a certain amount now to the TDA that this specific amount is guaranteed? Or does it mean this might become an on-going promotion? Hey, because by now you should know how I feel about a taxpayer-backed "guaranteed source of income" for any non-profit.

Thoughts on the Playhouse contribution

My thoughts on the action of the Flat Rock Village Council to contribute $100,000 to the Flat Rock Playhouse: overall, a good move.

I know some people disagree, but I have no problem with a governing body (especially a local body) contributing to the arts as long as those contributions do not become a "permanent funding mechanism" (i.e., tax money committed automatically on a regular basis). Any non-profit asking for taxpayer dollars should be required to do so on a regular basis through a transparent grant process.

I think Flat Rock struck the right note here: the contingencies in place ensure that the money is going to pay down debt, not go to operating expenses (and yes, I know money is fungible, but this stipulation does require the money go directly to United Community Bank), and that the Playhouse cannot expect continued assistance.

Although the village does have a ban on contributing to non-profits, I think they were correct in over-ruling that ban in this instance, for several reasons:

• The Flat Rock Playhouse has been here for 60 years, starting in the old mill at Highland Lake. It is an established, as-local-as-can-be art theater with a national reputation. 
• Local merchants and businesses as well as many homeowners were involved in advocating for the theater. They pay village taxes, too, and deserve to have their views considered.
• The Playhouse draws tourists and others in Henderson and surrounding counties to the village, where they spend money and help increase our tax base. 
• The Village of Flat Rock enjoys higher property values and attracts residents with higher incomes than average for North Carolina. Part of why people choose to live here comes from what is offered here, and the Playhouse is part of that, creating an artistic atmosphere that enhances the overall quality of life of the residents.  

For these reasons, I think the village council made the right decision. Any thoughts?

T-N editorial: Flat Rock: The village that roared

Okay, I'm trying to decide whether Flat Rock should be insulted or gratified by the editorial's title, a take-off on the 1955 Cold War satirical novel The Mouse That Roared (made into a movie in 1959 starring Peter Sellers). I think I'll go with "gratified."

An editorial from this Sunday's Times-News:

The Flat Rock Village Council was both generous and wise to give the Flat Rock Playhouse $100,000, provided the money is used to pay off debt that threatens the theater’s future.

Council voted unanimously Thursday to give the struggling theater a “one-time emergency donation” to pay down its short-term debt. In doing so, it fully matched a $100,000 challenge grant the Playhouse received Tuesday from an anonymous donor.

Council members and the anonymous donor both recognized the value of the Playhouse as a major business and tourism draw for the village and Henderson County. Village leaders were smart to attach stipulations that will prod the Playhouse toward a return to solvency....

Flat Rock has as great a stake in its namesake theater as any community. Village leaders deserve a “bravo” for recognizing this fact by giving this significant gift, with strings attached and no promise of an “encore.”

An institution in Henderson County for 60 years, the Playhouse is too important to be allowed to slide into oblivion. It’s up to theater leaders to see that these generous gifts are used efficiently to return the theater to solid financial footing....

Read it all.

2013 Flat Rock Village Council meeting schedule

At last week's village council meeting, the 2013 meeting schedule was approved. In addition to posting it here, I also have this information listed here on a permanent page.

January - December 2013
Village of Flat Rock

Schedule of Meetings

Wednesday, January 2, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, January 10, Monthly Council Meeting

Monday, February 4, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, February 14, Monthly Council Meeting

Monday, March 4, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, March 14, Monthly Council Meeting

Monday, April 1, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, April 11, Monthly Council Meeting

Monday, April 29, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, May 9, Monthly Council Meeting

Monday, June 3, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, June 13, Monthly Council Meeting

Monday, July 1, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, July 11, Monthly Council Meeting

Monday, July 29, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, August 8, Monthly Council Meeting

Tuesday, September 3, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, September 12, Monthly Council Meeting

Monday, September 30, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, October 10, Monthly Council Meeting

Monday, November 4, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, November 14, Monthly Council Meeting

Monday, December 2, Agenda Workshop

Thursday, December 12, Monthly Council Meeting

All meeting locations are in the Flat Rock Village Hall unless otherwise dictated by space requirements or other circumstances.

All Monthly Council Meetings are scheduled for the second Thursday of each month, unless that Thursday is a holiday, and start at 9:30 a.m.

Agenda Workshops also start at 9:30 a.m. and precede Monthly Council Meetings by 10 days, unless that Monday is a holiday.

Check the village council agenda and meeting minutes online here.

H'ville Lightning: Finance officer will report to board through treasurer, Playhouse president says

A change clarification to what Bill McKibbin, president of the Flat Rock Playhouse board, said at the Thursday Flat Rock Village Council meeting (as earlier reported):

A managing director-controller that the Flat Rock Playhouse plans to hire next year will report independently to the Playhouse Board of Trustees, Playhouse president Bill McKibbin said Saturday.

McKibbin responded to a headline and story in the Hendersonville Lightning Friday that said the finance officer would report to [Vincent Marini, producing artistic director,] and not the board. While the financial manager will report to Marini, he or she also reports to the board through the treasurer, Marini can't fire the financial manager without board approval, he added. During the deliberation of the Flat Rock Village Council before it voted to give the theater $100,000 on Thursday, Councilman Jimmy Chandler asked Playhouse president Bill McKibbin about the reporting arrangement.

The new financial officer will report to Marini, McKibbin said, and Marini reports to the board. He did not elaborate during the meeting. In an interview Saturday, McKibbin provided more details on the role and reporting arrangement of the financial officer, which the Board of Trustees is expected to ratify in its quarterly meeting today at the Flat Rock Playhouse....

Read it all.

Flat Rock Playhouse public input meetings scheduled

Just a reminder, if you're interested, that the Flat Rock Playhouse will be holding two public input meetings this coming week to discuss their 2013 business plan and to answer questions:

• December 19, Wednesday, at 12:00 noon at the Playhouse Downtown
• December 20, Thursday, at 5:30 p.m. at the Rock

Also, you can take a look at and/or download the Playhouse 2013 business plan here.

H'ville Lightning: Finance officer will report to Marini, not Playhouse board

A report in the Hendersonville Lightning on the village of Flat Rock's donation of $100,000 to the Flat Rock Playhouse:

The financial officer that the Flat Rock Playhouse plans to hire will report to producing director Vincent Marini and not the board, the Playhouse president said.

During the deliberation of the Flat Rock Village Council before it voted to give the theater $100,000, Councilman Jimmy Chandler asked Playhouse president Bill McKibbin about the reporting arrangement.

The new financial officer will report to Marini, who reports to the board. McKibbin defended the arrangement as Marini is accountable to the board. There was no further discussion of the hierarchy, and the council voted to unanimously to award the Playhouse $100,000 provided it passed the money along to United Community Bank to pay off part of its $2 million debt....

Playhouse board members and supporters applauded when the council unanimously approved the grant, which came from contingency funds and a budgeted community support account, not from the village's hefty $4.8 million reserves, said Councilman Dave Bucher, who is also the council's financial officer.

On Dec. 3, the council heard a longer presentation from McKibbin, Marini and development director Lynn Penny and heard from Flat Rock residents and a group of business leaders who strongly urged the council to help the struggling theater. The council's action Thursday by contrast came in a tightly scripted move that lasted less than 20 minutes....

County commissioners have called for the financial officer arrangement, and Commissioner Larry Young made it a condition of an agreement to give the Playhouse the remaining $50,000 of a 2012-13 commitment of $100,000. Other business leaders who support the Playhouse have suggested confidence can't be fully restored unless a CEO is put in place over Marini....

Read it all.

Flat Rock park committee seeks public support for grant

From the Times-News:

Facing a Jan. 31 deadline for a grant application that could help Flat Rock acquire Highland Lake Golf Course for a municipal park, a village exploratory committee laid plans Wednesday for garnering support from homeowners and merchants.

The Highland Lake Park Exploratory Committee needs to have a “documented presentation to and support from non-governmental groups” in order to apply for a $500,000 grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, said committee member Albert Gooch.

Although a public forum held Nov. 15 demonstrated a majority of Flat Rock residents support the 65-acre park if it's kept open and passive, committee members discussed how the village could make its grant application more competitive....

In hopes of gaining letters of support from local homeowner's association boards, the Flat Rock Merchant's Association and the nonprofit Historic Flat Rock Inc., committee members are planning a public meeting at 4 p.m. Jan. 16 in the Highland Lake Golf Course clubhouse....

Read it all, but just a reminder that no decision or commitment has yet been made by the village council on purchasing the Highland Lake golf course property. The exploratory committee is advisory only and plans on presenting its information to the village council at the February 4 council agenda meeting.

Times-News: Flat Rock gives $100K to Playhouse

The Times-News report on the Flat Rock Village council decision today to help the Flat Rock Playhouse:

Flat Rock Village Council voted unanimously Thursday to give the Flat Rock Playhouse $100,000, provided the struggling theater company uses the "one-time, emergency contribution" to pay down its short-term debt.

The donation effectively gave the Playhouse $200,000 because the village's contribution fully matches a $100,000 challenge grant proffered by an anonymous donor Tuesday.

The village's decision surprised many of the 15 audience members. Mayor Bob Staton had suggested Dec. 3 the village might budget as much as $50,000 on top of $25,000 already given this year, plus another $25,000 next fiscal year.

Instead, the council's budget officer, Dave Bucher, made a motion that the village commit $100,000 this year, with three stipulations: that Playhouse trustees confirm the group has "succeeded in the initiatives required to plan and execute a 2013 season;" that the trustees work with United Community Bank to "identify the most effective use of the contribution (to reduce debt);" and that the village will make the check out jointly to the Playhouse and United Community Bank....

Read it all.

Flat Rock Village council contributes $100,000 to Playhouse

At today's monthly village council meeting, the Flat Rock Village council voted to contribute $100,000 to the Flat Rock Playhouse, with a couple of caveats: that the money is to be used to pay down Playhouse debt only and that this is to be considered a one-time emergency donation [in other words (my words--not the council's), don't come back anytime soon looking for more]. The council made clear that this decision does not supercede the village policy of not donating to non-profit organizations.

Reporters from both the Times-News and the Hendersonville Lightning were there, so once those news stories are up, I'll post links.

More opinions on the Flat Rock Playhouse

A couple of op-ed pieces in the Hendersonville Tribune. First, Playhouse important to County, needs fixing:

There is no doubt that Flat Rock Playhouse plays a vital role in the important tourism industry of Henderson County. The Rock has drawn visitors to Henderson County for many years and should continue to draw many more visitors.

There must be a problem at the Rock. This problem must be addressed and fixed. There are many capable Board Members serving The Rock that I am sure could fix the problem if they understood what the problem was.

Members of the Board include Governor Beverly Perdue, Rep Chuck McGrady, Sen Peter Brunstetter, Sen Daniel Clodfetter, Rep Phillp Haire, Flat Rock Mayor Bob Staton, Retired County Commissioner Bill Moyer and his wife, Dot Moyer, and many community members including lawyers, doctors business people, philanthropists, and even my high school English teacher, Tom Orr. I am satisfied that these good folks just do not know what the problem is because if they did, I am sure they would fix it....

There are several things I am certain of 1. There is a definite problem at the Flat Rock Playhouse. 2. The Playhouse needs to remain a viable tourist attraction. 3. These good folks on the Board need to address ALL the concerns the patrons of the playhouse have and fix them. 4. The other thing that I am sure of is that the government does not need to step in and fix their problems. The government fix is never a good fix. Let those good people on the Board address ALL of the concerns of ALL the patrons and community and fix the problems.

Read it all. And second, An open letter to the patrons of Flat Rock Playhouse by Michael Edwards:

My name is Michael Edwards. For 17 consecutive seasons I was contracted by Robin Farquhar as an Actor and Director at Flat Rock. My last appearance was in 2009 with Scott Treadway in Greater Tuna.

Since Robin’s untimely death and the search and hiring of a new Executive Director (now called Producing Artistic Director), the theatre has acquired a debt of 2.6 million dollars. The conclusion of the 2009 season was balanced and in the black, contrary to published insinuations by current management. I have not been asked back to Flat Rock since 2009 since I expressed my non-support of the current management and its “business plan.” Seems I was correct. Since then I have been described as “retired”, “ill” or “not available”, all of which is a lie. With a passion for the joy and creativity of the ROCK, I would have arranged my schedule to be available.

The truth is I have not been asked to return. Perhaps that is a good thing. I have heard the depressing tale of the downward spiral of debt, audience withdrawal, and choices of shows without regard to the history or success of the nationally recognized State Theatre of North Carolina.

In only 3 years the beloved Playhouse has gone from icon and legend to debtor and beggar theatre on the verge of financial collapse. I can only blame the management and the board for this embarrassing and insulting situation. The theatre has lost the trust of its patrons, it has lost the passion of the “family “and it has lost its direction in a mire of change and redirection….none of which has worked....

In reading all the articles and news reports on the politics and maneuvering between the factions, one thing is still missing: Why has no one asked management to resign for mismanagement of the operations of the Playhouse. The board of directors has that power. Surely they have seen the debts piling up and the patronage and contributions dwindling. The current “business plan” is not working. It is destroying one of the most successful regional theatres ever. The hue and cry to SAVE THE PLAYHOUSE may work as a stop gap but it is throwing good money after bad management and all the devotion and good intentions will be used to continue the downward spiral. It’s time for change. It’s time for a renewal of the spirit and tradition of the renowned FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE. Why is that so difficult to see? To support the Playhouse, support a move to renew, rebuild and replace. Lets indeed SAVE THE PLAYHOUSE and the vagabond tradition. Let’s make Robin proud.

Read it all.

Flat Rock Playhouse meets goal, confirms 2013 season

And a report from the Times-News:

At a press conference in the theater’s rehearsal hall, Playhouse leaders announced they’ve surpassed their $250,000 fundraising goal, with more gifts pending, and will “definitely, solidly” offer a 2013 season.

Playhouse leaders also scheduled two public input meetings to discuss their 2013 business plan and answer questions. The first is set for noon on Dec. 19 at the Playhouse Downtown, followed by one at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Rock.

“We’ve got a lot more work to do, but the good news is we’re pushing on into 2013,” said Bill McKibbin, president of the Playhouse’s board of trustees....

Following the news conference, the Playhouse learned that another anonymous donor had given a $100,000 challenge grant, to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the end of the year.

That could provide an added incentive for Flat Rock Village Council, which will consider Thursday whether to lift a ban on nonprofit funding and allocate up to $50,000 more to the theater this year....

On Tuesday, the theater also released a revised 2013 show schedule, which reduces the number of adult musicals and plays from 18 to 13. The goal, Marini said, is to increase demand for tickets on the main stage....

Read it all.

Flat Rock Playhouse survives

From the Hendersonville Lightning, a run-down of today's Flat Rock Playhouse press conference:

Playhouse officials announced in a news conference today that the theater had met its $250,000 fundraising goal to finish this season, was on the way toward a goal of $500,000 by the end of the year and would launch the 2013 season as planned with performances in Flat Rock and at the Playhouse Downtown....

Lynn Penny, the development director, said that the Playhouse has raised $253,000 in cash not pledges. The goal was met through a combination of the Playhouse effort plus community support and a crucial $100,000 gift from an unnamed donor, which Penny said the Playhouse had fully matched....

The Playhouse still wants to get all the way to $1 million, the amount that [Bill McKibbin, president of the Flat Rock Playhouse Board, and Vincent Marini, producing artistic director] say is needed to stabilize the Playhouse finances.

"We've only had less than a month to raise $250,000," Marini said. "Ultimately to get to a million we're just going to need a little more time. The fact that we may be close to a half million dollars by the end of the year would be an incredible achievement by the Playhouse and its supporters and everyone involved."

During an hour-long news conference, Marini went over the financial losses of 2010 by higher cost, an unprecedented drop in ticket sales and a lack of donations and described the efforts toward recovery. The Playhouse's 2013 budget projects revenue over expenses of $58,000.

The Playhouse officials also said:

• The Playhouse has set two public meetings next week to present the business plan and ask questions. The meetings are noon Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Playhouse Downtown and 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the main stage in Flat Rock....
• The theater does not plan to open a separate facility outside Henderson County. "This is perhaps the biggest misconception that I want to deal with today, that the Playhouse ever considered opening a venue outside of Flat Rock Hendersonville area. [ed. - Well, perhaps this help wanted ad for "a full time Producer to manage a new touring venture for the Playhouse in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina" had something to do with creating that misconception.] That is not accurate. We were always looking toward the possibility of actually getting paid money to tour our productions at venues run by other people, so we would have a prod that someone in another city would pay the theater a fee to bring that show, when it closes here. We'd get a fee that made a profit. I don't see how anybody in their right mind would turn that down. Most theaters around the country already do that ... There's absolutely no way the Playhouse should not find a way to monetize its existing product."...

There's a lot in there, so read it all.

Flat Rock Playhouse raises $250,000

More on the Flat Rock Playhouse 2013 season from the Asheville Citizen-Times:

Financially strapped Flat Rock Playhouse has raised $250,000 and is pushing ahead with its 2013 season, which will feature fewer shows but more crowd favorites, theater leadership announced Tuesday morning.

The theater, which owes more than $2 million, is hoping to raise another $200,000 before year’s end, executive director Vincent Marini. The gifts include a $100,000 donation from a playhouse supporter who wished to remain anonymous....

At a morning press conference, Marini apologized for the theater’s 2010 season, during which it made dramatic changes in its programing and sold 18,000 fewer tickets than expected. That led to a $1.3 million loss for the theater for that year. In the 2011 season, the company lost another $500,000 but expects to break even this year.

Marini said the theater has shifted back to programing that will appeal to Flat Rock’s “conservative” audience. Shows next season include the musical “Evita,” “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” and “Cats.”...

Read it all--and please, someone give Mr. Marini some media training. Since the word "conservative" is in quotes, I'm assuming that is the exact word he used. From this context, it sounds as though he considers it a negative, and so he comes across as somewhat condescending--as though he regards the audiences that come to the Flat Rock Playhouse as not interested in what he considers the "latest and greatest," country bumpkins that we are.

He might not mean it this way, but unless he's been consistently misquoted, it's not the first time in print he has come across as patronizing and just a little bit arrogant.

WLOS: Playhouse funding goal reached

From WLOS ABC 13:

The Flat Rock Playhouse will stay open for 2013. The playhouse announced it has raised the $250,000 it will need to get through the season. $150,000 came from donations and community support. An anonymous donor also contributed $100,000.

Operators say they have a lot of work to do to reach their ultimate goal of a million dollars. Some of the changes include cutting the main stage shows by four performances and increasing the "Music On The Rock" performances....

Read it all.

Thoughts on the Flat Rock Playhouse

First, my starting point:

• I’ve attended Flat Rock Playhouse productions and enjoyed them all, but I’m not a season ticket holder
• My knowledge on this issue comes only through what I’ve read and seen in the media and at public meetings
• I definitely think the Flat Rock Playhouse productions help Henderson County economically
• I’m not opposed to non-profits connected to the arts receiving taxpayer money, within parameters

And those parameters are, unless the art group is a bona fide department of a governmental body (say, a school art department as part of the county school system), there should be no guaranteed continuous taxpayer funding committed to that non-profit.

So there are two issues here that I see:

• Should taxpayer money of any kind go to the Playhouse?
• Should the Playhouse be guaranteed a continuous dedicated taxpayer revenue stream?

To the first issue, I would say yes—I think each governmental jurisdiction if they choose (and they may choose not to) should determine how much taxpayer money they will set aside each year for competitive grants. And then those desirous of getting grant money should apply, just as the Playhouse has done in the past. This ensures a review process so elected officials can be sure the funds are being used appropriately. It also allows for a quick response if funds aren't being handled efficiently.

To the second issue (and this relates to the county commissioners’ attempt to raise the accommodation tax and then send those monies directly to the Playhouse for a guaranteed income stream), I think not.

The Playhouse is not owned by the people of Henderson County and there are no elected officials that taxpayers can hold responsible for the use of that money. The Playhouse overspent the past several years and seems to me to be now looking for a way to get out of that hole without having to do the hard work of figuring out what happened and making any and all necessary changes.

Now, some areas of confusion:

*  Vincent Marini, Playhouse producing artistic director, keeps calling the Playhouse a “public charity” (You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.) as if that designation requires or mandates that the Playhouse request and/or receive taxpayer funds. It does not.

All “public charity” means (as opposed to “private foundation” since both receive the IRS designation of being 501(c)(3) entities) is that the charity, for revenue purposes, must be supported by the general public ["at least 33% of revenue must come from relatively small donors (those who give less than 2% of the organization’s income), from other public charities or the government"], not that funding must come from the government through taxpayer dollars. There is absolutely no obligation that the Playhouse, as a charity, must acquire or use taxpayer funds to operate.

So the Playhouse as a public charity exists to carry out direct, charitable activity, in this case offering quality productions at reasonable prices, maintaining a youth theater, and bringing the theater arts to students—all admirable goals.

*  Robert Danos, in his opinion column in the Times-News, says

Some ask, “Why can’t they stand on their own two feet?” The Playhouse is a nonprofit with an educational mission that was never designed to stand alone. There is not one professional nonprofit theater in the nation that does not operate with a mix of public, private, corporate and foundation sources.

Maybe the two issues I listed up top are being conflated or confused here. My understanding is that the Playhouse did primarily stand on its own for 50 some-odd years. And by “on its own,” I’m assuming they did apply for government grant money in the past as any non-profit may have. So is Mr. Danos referring to that idea (which I have no problem with) or to the request for ongoing taxpayer dollars through a tax increase? It seems as though the need for a guaranteed government revenue stream would only be dictated by a change in mission, since it wasn’t essential before. So has the mission of the Playhouse changed?

Final thoughts:

*  It is always so easy to be generous with money that isn't completely yours.

*  Penalizing one specific industry (accommodations) to benefit one specific non-governmental business (even if it does provide some benefit for the county as a whole) is not the way to fund the Playhouse. (And someone somewhere thought this was a great idea because they went to the trouble to get our state legislators involved; this didn’t just appear out of thin air—it took time and effort to get this through the N.C. Assembly.)

*  We would all love to not have to worry about the consequences of our decisions and have the government pick up the tab, but that’s not the best way for our community—and ultimately not the best way for the Playhouse. It seems as though this crisis has caused the Playhouse board and staff to take a hard look at their business, to reach out to their donors, audiences, the art community, and the community in general in ways they never have before, and hopefully to learn new ways to raise needed revenue.

[Note: this entry has been slightly edited since initial posting]

Hand in Hand Gallery in Flat Rock to close December 29

From the Hendersonville Lightning:

Hand in Hand Gallery, a longtime anchor of Flat Rock's Little Rainbow Row, will close after 16 years in business on Dec. 29.

The owners, potter David Voorhees and jeweler Molly Sharp Voorhees, are retiring from the retail gallery business to pursue their own artwork exclusively in their Zirconia home studios.

The gallery will host a closing celebration party on from 4 to 8 pm on Dec. 29. Many of the gallery artists will be present. Food, beverages, music and door prizes will be offered. The closing party is a celebration of and a thank you for the relationships developed, artists to customers and gallery family to the community. The public is invited to this free event....

Check it out.

Village park exploratory committee update

Two stories on yesterday's Flat Rock village park exploratory committee meeting. First, from the Hendersonville Lightning:

An advisory group exploring options for a proposed Highland Lake Park wants a new entrance that would divert traffic from the current entrance to the golf course.

The committee also edged closer to deciding on amenities at the park — walking trails, a playground, open space, a gazebo, picnic shelters, a pavilion and a gathering place around a central feature like a fountain.

The new road into park would be off Highland Lake Road several hundred yards west of the current entrance into the golf course, which also leads to the Highland Golf Villas development.

The Highland Lake Park Exploratory Committee is serving in an advisory role only, its members emphasize, its recommendations may or may not come to pass. The committee has yet to attach cost estimates to a menu of options; it is expected to begin doing that at a meeting next week.

The committee's role is to say "here's what we think needs to be in the park," committee chair Ginger Brown said. "The village can decide what's in it and in what order. They're the people that are in charge."...

A plan drawn by two committee members, landscape architect Ed Lastein and retired architect Doug Johnson, showed a gazebo, a pavilion, a picnic area and a fountain in the upland part of the 67-acre property, a paved trail around the upper part and a longer soft trail, about a mile and a quarter, winding around the parkland. Flat Rock residents said during a forum last month and in an online survey that they want a park, Brown said, although she cautioned that the survey was not scientific. The committee also has heard concerns about traffic, the potential for crime and the cost to taxpayers....

Read it all, and take a look at the Times-News as well:

Based on ideas presented by the public last month, a Flat Rock exploratory committee Wednesday continued fleshing out what a municipal park at the Highland Lake Golf Club might look like and cost.

Two members of the Highland Lake Park Exploratory Committee, retired planner/architect Doug Johnson and landscape architect Ed Lastein, presented a schematic design for the proposed park that incorporates features the public most supports.

“From everything we’ve gotten, people do want this to be a passive space,” said Ginger Brown, committee chair. “They don’t want big ballfields or big soccer fields. They want that, I think, because Flat Rock is a small, quiet community and those things cost money to maintain. They’re also available elsewhere in the county.”...

The architects also recommend gating the golf course’s current entrance on Highland Golf Drive and building a new park access farther west on N. Highland Lake Road. They said the new entrance is necessary to avoid a “death trap” for drivers at the existing entry, which would still be open to emergency vehicles....

Read it all.

Which came first?

Okay, today during the Flat Rock village agenda meeting, I expressed concern that the Flat Rock Playhouse was requesting county funding by imposing a tax increase on hotel lodging. I was then told that the Playhouse did not request the tax increase, the county commissioners did. Looking back at news reports from the spring, the picture is not quite so clear. From this May 25 story in the Hendersonville Lightning, it is reported:

...Commissioner Mike Edney raised the idea on Tuesday during a budget work session when commissioners took up a request for support from the Flat Rock Playhouse. Some local leaders have been talking for several weeks about adding 1 cent to the hotel tax, and devoting the money to the Playhouse, which makes the claim that the professional theater generates millions of dollars worth of spending by drawing people to the Playhouse in Flat Rock and to its new performance space in downtown Hendersonville. One cent would raise about $220,000 a year.

"I just don't think we need to do that for a specific entity, especially a private enterprise," [Commissioner Larry Young] told the Lightning this week. "I'm against that. Any room tax should go to Travel and Tourism and let them spend it."

"We give them grant money every year," he said of the grants T&T gives to tourism-related organizations. This year the agency gave the Playhouse $5,000.

Last year the non-profit theater company opened the Playhouse Downtown and this season it will stage 50 nights of shows in theater performances and the popular Music on the Rock series.

"Both with the county and the city, it's very straightforward," said Vincent Marini, producing director of the Playhouse. "Without that money our budget doesn't work." State Sen. Tom Apodaca, R-Hendersonville, has discussed the idea with Playhouse officials and with Edney.

"I told him I'd have to have a resolution from the county before we'd do it," Apodaca said. "I just think it's the right thing to do. That's the biggest draw we've got in the county week to week."...

The commissioners in May "took up a request for support from the Flat Rock Playhouse," so the Playhouse did request support, of what kind it's not said. Commissioner Edney apparently raised the idea of the tax increase as a way to give the Playhouse the support they requested, an idea that had already been talked about by other local leaders (and I doubt it was done in a vacuum). State Sen. Apodaca then discussed the idea with Playhouse officials and Commissioner Edney, so the Playhouse knew before the state senate passed the hotel tax increase legislation in July that the tax funds, if approved, were earmarked for the Playhouse.

According to this news story, the Playhouse budget would not work without county money, and Sen. Apodaca felt he needed to show county support before he could request the state senate to vote on a bill benefiting the Flat Rock Playhouse--I'm assuming for the reasons Mr. McKibbin said today in the meeting, that the state government wants to see local support before they act.

So technically the Playhouse officials did not request funding to come through a tax increase, but they were definitely requesting county funding, which in whatever shape that funding arrives, is of course tax money, and which they are perfectly entitled to do. . . It's up to elected officials to determine if a tax increase that penalizes one, and only one, specific industry to benefit one specific business is the way to do it.  

Flat Rock Playhouse links round-up

Here's a list of links to Hendersonville Lightning news reports and editorials on the financial situation at the Flat Rock Playhouse, arranged chronologically by date of publication:

• Young rejects hotel tax for Playhouse, May 25
• Playhouse defends economic impact figures, May 28
• Citing 'urgent cash need,' Playhouse launches fundraising blitz, May 30
• Board agrees on more school money, Playhouse grant, higher hotel tax, May 30
• LIGHTNING EDITORIAL: Raise tourism tax for Playhouse, May 31
• Bill grants hotel tax increase to Playhouse, restructures tourism board, June 28
• T&T board chairman opposes hotel tax increase, June 28
• Hotel tax wins approval, July 2
• Facing questions, Playhouse leaders defend funding request, July 6
• UPDATE: Carden avoids crossfire as tax debate looms, July 13
• 10 reasons to support the Playhouse tax, July 18
• Commissioners get personal during Playhouse debate, July 18
• Local business owners fearful of increased hotel tax, July 26
• They said what?!! (the Flat Rock Playhouse transcript), July 26
• City demurs on chance to weigh in on Playhouse tax, August 3
• LIGHTNING EDITORIAL: Our destructive county commissioners, August 3
• Commissioners punt on Playhouse tax, August 8
• Playhouse appeals for help as cash crisis worsens, November 15
• Playhouse appeal gains momentum on line, November 16
• Technicality spares county Playhouse funding, for now, November 21
• Seeking support, Playhouse instead takes beating from board, November 22
• Playhouse announces $200,000 bequest, November 23
• Tourism board weakens Playhouse support statement, November 27
• In reversal, commissioners postpone Playhouse discussion, November 28
• LIGHTNING EDITORIAL: Five steps to save the Playhouse, November 28
• Local leaders hatch Playhouse rescue plan , November 29
• Village to vote on $100,000 Playhouse donation, December 3

Local businessmen show support for Playhouse's financial plans

And a report on today's Flat Rock village council agenda meeting from the Times-News (their site was down earlier):

After hearing a group of prominent businessmen endorse Flat Rock Playhouse’s financial plans, Flat Rock Village Council tabled discussion Monday of further funding for the cash-strapped theater until its regularly scheduled meeting Dec. 13.

Councilmen Jimmy Chandler, Don Farr and Ron Davis said they wanted more time to examine the Playhouse’s 2013 business plan before deciding whether to lift a ban council placed in October on funding for nonprofits.

The Playhouse’s business plan for 2013 calls for $4.07 million in operating expenses and $4.12 million in revenues. Producing Artistic Director Vincent Marini told council the plan also builds in $301,460 in automatic cuts “set up throughout the year if we don’t meet certain revenue projections.”

Governmental support is a small but important piece of that revenue picture, Marini told council, adding that the Playhouse must also pursue more grants, continue to woo major donors, optimize group sales efforts and explore opportunities to export Playhouse productions to places such as Florida.

Mayor Bob Staton said the village could contribute $100,000 — meeting a challenge thrown out by county Commissioner Larry Young last week — by taking $25,000 the village already gave the Playhouse this year, adding another $50,000 already budgeted for “community support,” and making another $25,000 contribution next fiscal year....

Describing himself as “cheap and puckered up as anybody (on council),” camp director Robert Danos said the Playhouse’s role as an economic engine for local businesses merits village support. He called the theater’s management “incredibly impressive” and said the Playhouse’s contribution to arts education hasn’t been lauded enough.

The city of Hendersonville stepped up with $100,000 for the Playhouse this year, said businessman Jeff Miller, and the county is poised to “step back in” with the same. Miller said Playhouse leaders have a business plan that will work, but they need the village’s help to bolster consumer confidence....

While agreeing that the Playhouse was “wonderful” and “necessary,” Councilman Farr reminded his colleagues that the theater used to operate without any governmental help.

“This is the third year in a row that you folks have shown up here at the end of year saying, ‘Oops! We spent all of our money getting through the fall and now we have no money to get through the winter. Give us more money.’ That means bad planning, bad management or both. What’s going to change?”

Chandler echoed those sentiments, asking Playhouse leaders, “Does your long-term plan get back to the point where you don’t need any local government funding?”

Marini responded that regardless of whether the Playhouse is making or losing money, “we’re always going to be in front of you asking for money” because some public support is necessary for the Playhouse to function as a nonprofit, educational entity....

Read it all.

Flat Rock village council to vote on $100,000 Playhouse donation

A report in the Hendersonville Lightning on today's village agenda meeting:

Flat Rock Playhouse officials faced three hours of tough questions today but with the backing of a new group of influential and connected business leaders left with a proposal on the table for a $100,000 donation from the Flat Rock Village Council....

[Flat Rock Mayor Bob Staton] ended the meeting shortly after noon by framing a way the village could meet [Commissioner Larry Young's] demand that the village match the county's funding level, at $100,000. The village has $50,000 in the current 2012-13 budget and has spent just $1,350 of it. Staton put on the table a plan to county $25,000 the village gave the Playhouse last January, add $50,000 this budget year and complete the $100,000 with $25,000 more in the 2013-14 budget.

"I think that would meet the letter and spirit of Mr. Young's challenge," he said. The optimistic tone set at the Village Council meeting — even the theater's strongest opponents on that board acknowledged it needed to be saved — added to a brightening picture for the State Theatre of North Carolina, which announced in mid November that it had run out of cash and needed emergency help from public and private donors to stay alive. The Community Foundation of Henderson County announced on Monday morning a $5,000 donation from the Perry N. Rudnick Endowment Fund.

The Village Council brought the first public appearance by a powerful group of community leaders that grew out of last Thursday's meeting in Commissioner Young's office. The business leaders urged the Village Council to do its part to save the venerable theater across the street from Village Hall. Doing so would help businesses in Flat Rock, they said....

Read it all. My understanding is that the village council will vote on this at the upcoming monthly council meeting on Thursday, December 13, at 9:30 a.m.

Flat Rock tailgate holiday market coming up

Busy with holiday shopping? Don't forget the Flat Rock Tailgate Holiday Market on December 8 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the new courtyard in front of Hubba Hubba Smokehouse and behind Hand in Hand Gallery in downtown Flat Rock. Open to the public, and for more info, call 697.7719.