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.