[REDCART]

At tonight's POA meeting, Bob Rutkowski, Pres of PALMS gave this update. The AAC formally declined the developer's offer by a vote of 4 to 1. Church in the Sq was the developer's best and final offer, and they do not expect the developer to make another offer. There's no timeline for a decision because funding is not in place yet but the short list of properties under consideration for a PAC is down to five. You would think with Brownwood still in the design phase, that this area would be a perfect place to site a PAC. On the other hand that would siphon restaurant business from SS which I suspect was part of the motivation to convert Church in the Sq.

At tonight's meeting the Battalion chief of Villages Community Watch also spoke. I had no idea that CW had a $3 million dollar annual budget funded primarily from monthly amenity fees. The Battalion chief is new but I was surprised that he had no stats or anecdotal info as to crimes solved or crime interventions resulting from Community Watch efforts. Maybe it's just one of those intangibles that can't be quantified. You certainly don't want to close the fire house because there's no fires! He mentioned that there are 63 gates currently in TV, Sixteen are manned (8 24 hrs, 8 18 hrs a day which also comes out of the $3M.) Janet Tutt, District Mgr of the Villages also attends the monthly POA meetings, and is always an excellent resource.

[Pturner]

gryoung, thanks for the meeting summary.

[REDCART]

PALMS just sent out this email:

In light of recent developments, I wanted to give you a progress report on what Performing Arts of Lake, Marion and Sumter (PALMS) is doing to establish a world-class performing arts center for the tri-county area.

We are very grateful for the widespread support that residents have shown for this vision. And we want to commend the members of the Amenity Authority Committee for not settling for the Village developer's proposal to retrofit a theater into the Church on the Square. However, PALMS situation is now no different than it was before the proposal.

As for PALMS, our board is earnestly working on our next major goals:

Site Selection: After considering some 40 possible sites, our selection leaders Joe Borda and Richard St. Amant (and assisted by Greg Beliveau, Reggie Carruthers, Robert Forsythe and many others) have narrowed the search down to a hand full of top properties. Any one of these would enable us to achieve our tri-county (yet close to the Villages) goal. We are excited about the final candidates!

Fundraising: Vice President Bill Hicks is taking the preliminary steps to prepare us for fundraising. His current focus is identifying "Leadership" donors.

As I stated at the AAC meeting on November 10, we are eager to work collaboratively with the developer and all interested parties on a project that could unite the community and be a source of enjoyment and pride for us all.

I will keep you promptly informed as the situation merits. If you have questions or comments, please let us know at vpaabarbmcgann@embarqmail.com.

Bob Rutkowski
President
Performing Arts of Lake, Marion and Sumter, Inc.

[islandgal]

Originally Posted by gryoung

Fundraising: Vice President Bill Hicks is taking the preliminary steps to prepare us for fundraising. His current focus is identifying "Leadership" donors.

Another fund raiser like Moffitt?

[REDCART]

Without a corporate or government sponsor, I don't see PALMS raising the kind of money needed to make this a reality--in our lifetime.

[njbchbum]

as long as this is not going to become a villages/amenities/assessment project, let the group be...it gives thems all something to do. until this project reaches my wallet, the group is harmless...and so am i! lol

[billethkid]

on or the creation of an assessment or increase in amenity fees of any residents of TV.

The ideas and objectives are very noble. As stated in an above post there will have to be substantial government or corporate sponsorship to get the project off the drawing boards. In these uncertain economic times where corporations are cutting back and where more and more government entities are insolvent...initial funding will remain a major challenge.

I also remain skeptical about the ability of such an entity being able to sustain it's ongoing operating funding.

The above being said, I wish the project organizers well in their endeavor.

btk

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by billethkid

on or the creation of an assessment or increase in amenity fees of any residents of TV.

The ideas and objectives are very noble. As stated in an above post there will have to be substantial government or corporate sponsorship to get the project off the drawing boards. In these uncertain economic times where corporations are cutting back and where more and more government entities are insolvent...initial funding will remain a major challenge.

I also remain skeptical about the ability of such an entity being able to sustain it's ongoing operating funding.

The above being said, I wish the project organizers well in their endeavor.

btk

My thoughts exactly.

[Bryant]

Billethkid.....well said. I agree with you 100%. I would think ALL the residents north of 466 would also.

[REDCART]

If you'd like to hear more about plans to build a world-class performing arts center for the tri-county area, tune to WLBE AM-790 from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, January 7.

Bob Rutkowski, president of Performing Arts of Lake, Marion and Sumter (PALMS) and Vice President Bill Hicks will be interviewed on "The Bottom Line," hosted by Chet Callero.

PALMS is working to create a state-of-the-art performing arts center so that tri-county residents won't have to travel to Orlando, Tampa or Gainesville to see the top national touring entertainers. The center will also showcase local amateur and professional talent. For more information, write palmsflinfo@gmail.com.

[aljetmet]

Any updates since January?

[De Lis]

There are many times when I attend an event at the Savannah Center and see empty seats. Therefore, why do we even need a PAC?

[Nipper]

The Savannah Center can hardly be described as a performing arts center. The seats and acoustics are terrible. This community of 100,000 residents and the surrounding communities could easily support a world
class performing arts center. We applaud the efforts of the PALMS group --- and it's a standing ovation!

[graciegirl]

performing arts centers in financial trouble - Bing=



You are right. The money...to build it and keep it going. Proctor and Gamble has funded our performing arts for years in Cincinnati.

[rubicon]

Willie Nelson's Concert never got filled at $125.00 per ticket. Many full time residents refuse to golf the Championships courses during prime season because of the prices. If you really believe that a PAC is needed then estblish a committee to solicit memberships to a PAC and build it and fill it via the committee but please we are paying more taxes now on stuff that has little affect on most of us already and thr last thing we need is a PAC

As an alternative, I suspect Vesco's are vying to increase their market since they took over for the Developer. Let the Vesco's pay for a PAC.

Be clear the freebies are over as Lake-Sumter, Inc is rounding the corner on this development and really doesn't need to wine and dine you any longer. so what was free will now come with a price