[Winona] Great River Shakespeare

[Bob Sebo]

I certainly don't have all of the answers...but I do agree with those who
lament the mean-spiritedness our discussions sometimes develop.

I was talking the Gary Evans yesterday...he is board chair for GRSF.  He
says there business plan calls for them to reach a place where the fund
two-thirds of the operation from sales, and one-third from corporate and
private support, grant revenue, and public investment.  That seems
reasonable to me...the fact that local government assisted in the first
three years funding I think was entirely appropriate.  This kind of
operation cant start up without seed money.

The money top plan the theatre...it is $250k, byt the way, not 500...there
is no local match to the state dollars...St. Paul is paying for it all.  No
different than the support the Guthrie got for building their new
theatre...and I expect GRSF would ask for construction dollars from a future
bonding bill when they were ready to proceed.

I think its a great addition to town.  It is just one more asset...like our
run-down buildings...that make Winona appealing to visitors.

It's not for everyone and that's okay...

Bob Sebo
Winona