[Winona] Is our investment $325,000 ?

Mon Jun 19 22:13:44 CDT 2006

I would definitely think that automobile history would be worthy of some 
public funding and I would guess that there are publicly funded exhibits and 
collections of automobiles--here's a link to one:

http://americanhistory.si.edu/ONTHEMOVE/themes/story_78_1.html

I'd suspect that the Smithsonian receives some public monies!! I think you 
hit the nail on the head, Tom, with the question "How do we decide?" If the 
decision-making process was a community-wide call for input into budget 
priorities and the identification of "theater" or "history" or "parks and 
recreation" or "hot rod drag racing" as priorities that the citizenry values 
(not all the citizens, but a critical mass), then it would make sense that 
we have a way for stakeholders to propose programs in need of financial 
support and a panel of citizens to review and decide or make recommendations 
regarding what is proposed.

What I don't know is whether or not there is any kind of formal process like 
that for our community. Is there anyone out there who closely follows such 
things locally? Maybe Jim or Bob have and can enlighten us?

I know the City is in the process of developing a comprehensive plan and 
I've heard recently about the riverfront development visioning process that 
is underway. It would make sense that some priorities might be defined 
through such a process. Unfortunately, the folks that have an interest in 
transforming or developing the City in these ways, may not be the ones with 
the money or power or influence to bring the vision into reality--or maybe 
I'm wrong and they will do exactly that--I don't mean to be cynical! It just 
seems like there are divisions between different factions that seem 
difficult to bridge.

Kathy Seifert
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Severson" <toms at seversonoil.com>
To: "'Kathy Seifert'" <kaseifert at hotmail.com>; "'Online Democracy'" 
<winona at mnforum.org>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 9:29 PM
Subject: RE: [Winona] Is our investment $325,000 ?

>
>
> Shakespeare is good........., but it is not for everyone.   Do you realize
> that when you make the statement "It's Greek to me" You are Quoting
> Shakespeare....
>
> Public funding is another question.   How do we decide what the public
> should fund.  I personally like Hot Rods and old cars should the public 
> fund
> car shows? The history of the automobile is quite dynamic.  Who else would
> like to understand this more?
>
> I also enjoy Shakespearian quotes and what the contributed to our culture.
> Do you know why this is important?
>
> I am interested in the response?  What other personal interests should the
> public fund?
>
> Thanks Tom
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: winona-bounces at mnforum.org [mailto:winona-bounces at mnforum.org]On
> Behalf Of Kathy Seifert
> Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 8:20 PM
> To: Online Democracy
> Subject: Re: [Winona] Is our investment $325,000 ?
>
>
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
> Where is your $325,000 figure coming from, Paul?
>
> This whole conversation really baffles me. Obviously, some support and
> others don't support public funding of the arts. It seems that it is
> particularly disagreeable to some that the city has financially supported
> the GRSF. I am a big supporter of the festival--I volunteer and contribute
> funds annually. I realize it won't interest everyone, but I really enjoy 
> it
> and hope it is successful.
>
> It seems that one of the issues here is that the GRSF appears to be a 
> "pet"
> project of some of the City's officials and this makes it political "hot
> button." I wonder if a more "democratic" way of the city supporting the 
> arts
> would be more palatable? Are there ways in which the City might work in
> conjunction with state and national arts funds as well as private 
> investors
> to encourage a fair and open "road" for those individuals and 
> organizations
> competing for "arts" dollars? I am not knowledgeable in this area, I
> realize, but wouldn't it be more easily accepted if there was a legitimate
> and well-publicized process for local artists and musicians to tap into
> financial support? Maybe this is in fact what is happening in terms of the
> grant to study the theater feasibility? Maybe it isn't a lack of 
> democratic
> process, but a lack of public relations? I honestly don't know and am not
> trying to make any accusations. I am just reacting to what I'm seeing as a
> wide range of perceptions and opinions on the matter.
>
> Kathy Seifert
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Paul Double" <pdouble at hbci.com>
> To: "Online Democracy" <winona at mnforum.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 8:41 AM
> Subject: [Winona] Is our investment $325,000 ?
>
>
>> [Winona Online Democracy]
>>
>> Was this money received as well?
>>
>> Paul Double
>>
> ___________________________________________________________________________
>> Published - Tuesday, December 21, 2004
>>
>> City rescues Shakespeare festival with $75,000
>>
>> By Chris Hubbuch of the Winona Daily News
>>
>> The show will go on.
>>
>> The city of Winona has come to the rescue of the Great River Shakespeare
>> Festival with at least $75,000 in what festival organizers call an
>> investment in the future of the city.
>>
>> The city council and Port Authority voted Monday to provide the festival
>> with $50,000 and $25,000, respectively, in response to a request from
>> festival officials that also calls on the Convention and Visitors Bureau
>> to
>> kick in $15,000.
>>
>> CVB chairman David Jensen said Monday that the group's board had not
>> formally discussed the request, but did not foresee a problem because 
>> such
>> funding fits with the CVB's mission to increase tourism.
>>
>> "It's a no-brainer to me," he said.
>>
>>
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