Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor / News Virginian
Published: May 23, 2007

Myths about the Wayne Theatre

Phillip Pleasant's Letter to the Editor on May 22 contains a number of myths.

Myth 1: The Wayne Theatre Alliance is a "private group."
Fact:  WTA was formed at the request of the City of Waynesboro to save the Wayne Theatre.  It is an incorporated, 501c3 organization, governed by the state and federal statutes for public charities.

Myth 2: The Wayne will be "of little value for our 'average' citizen…because of [their] lack of interest in the types of programs I understand will be presented."
Fact:  The restored Wayne Theatre will present a wide range of programming that will appeal to the full community, including movies, programs for children and students, concerts of all types of music from gospel, bluegrass, country, and rock to golden oldies and classical, musicals, dance, comedy, and presentations by local groups who have no home now or who want to use a first-rate performance facility. 

Myth 3: The price of tickets will be greater than the average citizen and the majority of taxpayers will be willing to pay.
Fact:  The price of tickets will be determined by the cost of the entertainment and the amount of subsidies by the sponsor of the event.  Some performances will be offered for free or have very low admission. 

Myth 4:  Referendums are the best way to govern.
Fact:  Referendums based on falsehoods as in the arguments in Mr. Pleasant's letter will result in poor decisions.

Like Mr. Pleasant, I do not expect my letter to have an impact on those who seem "bound and determined," as he says, to see the Wayne Theatre converted to a parking lot.

Clair Myers
Executive Director
Wayne Theatre Alliance

Revisit the budget

Most of Waynesboro's taxpayers agree with The News Virginian's recommendation to the City Council. Revisit the city manager's budget.

First, Mr. Mayor, withdraw your resolution to gamble $300,000 on the Wayne Theatre Alliance Inc. project. This is not "found" money, as you stated some time ago, but surplus tax money, which should be carried over and applied to the current budget.

Your resolution also has subsequent consideration for another $700,000. It's all predicated on the hope that this project will revitalize downtown. Realistically, what is there to downtown-

It's about one block long on Main Street. The main structures include the Heritage Museum, Edward Jones and the City Building. Wayne Avenue has the Art Center and nothing else of consequence. Soon, Grand Furniture will be gone, as well as Cycle-Recycle. Also, it floods periodically.

The second major issue is the projected tax rate on real estate. It appears that our city manager and the new majority of the City Council believe that the increase in the assessments gives them the right to take this "phantom" money and place a tax on it. None of us who own real estate has seen any additional money in our bank account(s). This means that the added tax has to come out of savings or through cuts in spending for necessities.

There are many projects included in the wish list that can be eliminated, or at least delayed. These include further money for downtown renovations, lighted ball fields, the greenway, and the huge increases proposed for a select few employees

What to do- Revisit WTA and the overall budget and strike a level for the tax rate on real estate somewhere in the 60- to 63-cents per $100 range.

Ray Depa
Waynesboro