Yup wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:07 PM:Improve the profitability by reducing the number of events. Just the opposite of makig it up by volume.

Deficit wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:17 PM:So...12 out of 14 years, the center has run deficits.

And 8 of those 12 years, Gallo has been on the council
...and supposedly on the committee overseeing the center.

As Ed Gallo said not too long ago, sometimes you just have to spell it out for people. I wonder who spelled it out for Gallo.

p.s. Gallo shouldn't bother to try to take credit for this change, obviously it was the brain child of someone other than this 2 term councilman. Hopefully, we won't see him for a third term. Cross your fingers!!!

Escondodo wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:32 PM:This board and current art center management have failed the city of Escondido. It is time for a clean house, starting at the top. Let's hope that when the staff is restructured, the current management will be discarded.

Citizens of Chamber wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:42 AM:This is an excellent move and a demonstration of good leadership by the city council. Thanks and keep up the good work council.

Floyd wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:19 AM:It does not matter if the private promoters are successful or not, just if they can pay the rent on the hall. If our city is looking to skim the profits from the event as well, they're going too far.

To Citzens of Chamber wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:20 AM:Thank you Mayor, we appreciate what you are doing for Escondido.

How about Donkey wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:29 AM:shows this would draw people from all over to watch.

Job security wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:50 AM:The council needs to do something fast. The elections are just around the corner and the city is imploding. They gave away all the taxpayer money and have made poor decisions. Now they have found out that the backers of the new hotel have done just that, backed out. Only problem is, we're out millions already paid to the developer. The City Attorney's have alot of work in front of them, at least it's job security.

Escondeeter wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:03 AM:Uh... David... "City employees" have never been doing the booking, it's been Art Center employees.

To Deficit wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:06 AM:Hate to destroy a perfectly good partisan rant, but Gallo hasn't been on the committee to oversee the art center for two terms because the committee wasn't even formed until last year. He and Daniels were placed on the committee by the Mayor, and it was the work of all parties involved that let to this solution.

Jaque to Deficit wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:10 AM:""Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler, continuously stressed that all performing arts centers lose money,""

JUST LIKE HER LOSING HER SEAT AS MAYOR.

Good for nothing except sitting on the fence.

Citizens of Chamber wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:32 AM:To: To Deficit- good point about Gallo and Daniels. The Olga Diaz campaign bloggers need to get their facts straight, for once.

Majority rules wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:41 AM:It takes 3 to tango on a 5 member council. The only member with an alibi is Daniels, the others helped make this mess. Help clean house in November.

To Citizens of Chamber wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:46 AM:Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! It's obvious you are nothing but a campaign shill for Abed and Gallo and you blog every day under a various names to try and fool people. If your going to do that nonsense at least don't accuse others of it.

Center management wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:07 AM:"The 65 full-time employees and roughly 125 part-timers at the center have expressed anxiety over the changes, according to Executive Director Vicky Basehore. She said layoffs could be required when the center's staff is restructured, but that it was much too early to determine such things."

How does this place have 65 full time employees? Is that a misprint? I would have guessed about 10 full time employees would be more then enough. How much does executive director Bayshore get paid?

Time for Change wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:27 AM:Whether the change in booking events has any impact remains to be seen. It may be simply that the city never counted on the competition from the Indian casinos. That is a one stop shop, gambling, buffet and quality entertainment. The only hope is that some of our better taco and burrito stands can stay open late enough for the after hours crowd from the Arts Center. Maybe they should try to go after more conventions and meetings simultaneously to boost profits. Pfeiler finally seems to have seen the light, whether or not virtually all performing arts centers lose money, this city cannot afford to lose the millions it does on an annual basis. Moreover, it is hard for taxpayers to continuously support this white elepahnt year after year, while we watch the casino venues make money hand over fist attracting sell out crowds to their shows.

Hotel vrs Promoter wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:29 AM:If the new hotel does go in, what effect will their deal have on any promoters ability to use the venue? Will the hotel get the proceeds? Should we install a boxing ring?

No more surprises wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:35 AM:All agreements (hotel & promoter) need to be made public before you commit anymore taxpayer assets. The taxpayers have paid for this right.

What about community groups wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:45 AM:Ever since the center opened, community theater and other non-profits wishing to use the facility have been given short-shrift. A 10% discount over "commercial" rates doesn't cut it...if the place is going to be empty anyway, why not allow it to be used at cost? Will this oversight be corrected in the "new" plan?

Council Kid wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:53 AM:RESUBMITTED TO NC TIMES:

Let me see...there may be some job losses due to restructuring? THERE HAD BETTER BE! You don't need the bloated staffing if you DON'T PROGRAM THE CENTER. Let's start by cutting out the top of administration and put somebody in charge to MANAGE the PHYSICAL FACILITIES. THEY DON'T NEED A PROMOTION PERSON, THEY NEED SOMEONE WHO CAN KEEP THE PLACE CLEAN.

"Kathy Rubesha, chairwoman of the arts center's board of trustees, expressed confidence that promoters would start flocking to the center when the new plan is in full swing." WOW..IF SHE HAS KNOWN THAT FOR A WHILE, WHY HASN'T THE CENTER CATERED TO PRIVATE PROMOTERS??? (I know, she didn't have to since the City paid all of the bills.)

Who will pay the price for the financial disaster the Center has been. A few...very few .... City officials have tried to get control of the spending and operation of the Center FOR YEARS. But the rest, about 95% have been apologists and just wrote more blank checks.

I hope that when people are deciding IF the current Council members are worthy of re-election, let them base their decision in part on what those COUNCILMEMBERS DID or DID NOT DO to protect the City treasury from the MILLIONS AND MILLIONS W A S T E D on the Center deficits.

And on a final note. THIS CHANGE MEANS UTTER FAILURE OF THE PEOPLE WHO MANAGED THE CENTER. CENTER STAFF, CITY COUNCIL, & CITY STAFF.

januaryM wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:11 AM:This is just smoke & mirrors folks.
Notice you wont see the Arts Center make a profitable dime before the NOV 2008 election.14 years is one too many to forget.This is like a badly written script for The Music Man.Gallo saves NOTHING.Taxpayers gain NOTHING.The
bad acting at last nights council meeting was enough to make me GAG!
A BED as the mayor pro tem...acting like the leader was so stupid.He couldnt even take direction for Mr inEPPness....
Its the funniet thing watching A Bed sweating in front of Marty Emerald,you have to see the video .
Can you hear me singing?
~TOO LITTLE TO LATE TO EVER TRY AGAIN ~
Let's clean house NOV 2008 begin by throwing out a bed & a jug of gallo.

p.s.
nctimes screener...you may edit at will.
thanks,januaryM

To Hotel vrs Promoter wrote on Aug 14, 2008 10:38 AM:The hotel deal involves the Conference center portion of the Art Center, not the theaters, so it'll have no impact on the ability of a promoter to make use of the the theaters.

DISAPPOINTED wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:30 AM:It is very disappointing to see so many blogs lately go down to a low level of hate, disrespect and personal attaks on fellow citizens, elected and city officials! Many blogs are irrelevant, untrue, misleading, meaningless and shameful. More disappointing is the NCT allowing this level of dialoge on its website. I used to njoy rading and participaing in good dialogue and learning differrent prespectives on issues that matter the most to our citizens and the city...Not anymore!

hometown wrote on Aug 14, 2008 12:53 PM:Well, it looks like last night's council meeting went rather well. Seems like there was something there for everyone. Very entertaining these blogs. Keep up the good work all of you.

To to H vrs P wrote on Aug 14, 2008 12:58 PM:You appear in the know. What about the 7:50 am post (Job Security), is the hotel deal tanking?

To NCT Screener wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:05 PM:Why are you not allowing information from a public IRS document to be published here? "Center management" post a question asking how much the art center's president makes. You refuse the publishing of this information even though it is public record found online on a website that anyone may access. Perhaps you didn't go to reporting school to learn that nonprofit organizations are required each year to file IRS (that's Internal Revenue Service) form 990. Part of the information that is required is the salary of the organization's officers and five highest paid employees. THIS IS PUBLIC RECORD, yet, you are not allowing this information to be published. Why is that?

To answer "Center management's" question, the answer [can be found in] the latest 990 IRS document ...

I would NEVER throw out wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:06 PM:Abed and Gallo! The great job they and Waldron have done is the ONLY thing keeping Escondido from turning into a worse slum than it is. Olga will turn Escondido into a sanctuary city!!!! She won't represent Americans.

To council kid wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:07 PM:Don't worry, everyone will point the finger at everyone else. Not my fault! We teach our kids to take responsibility for our actions, wouldn't it be nice to hear our elected officials do the same and be a roll model. You can be sure that they won't have second thoughts about cashing their checks, collecting their car allowance or issuing themselves raises.

Sharon wrote on Aug 14, 2008 1:37 PM:The story reads: Critics have often complained about the shortfalls and the nearly $3 million per year it costs the city to operate the arts center. This statement is definitely true!

Then it reads: But those complaints became more intense this spring when declining sales tax revenue forced the city to cut popular programs that could have been spared without the financial burden of the center. This statement is true, too. Many people were upset about the cuts!

Then it quotes councilman Abed: "We owe it to the taxpayers in tough economic times to come up with a successful model". This quote is nothing more than a re-elect me “the taxpayers (aka. voters) are SO smart” statement. Suddenly, councilman Abed has such great respect for taxpayers (aka residents).

He thinks that if he “compliments” the taxpayers (aka. voters) it will remedy little things like the fact that Abed sat on the panel that worked with the downtown Marriott Hotel developer. At the time, he said his presence would help ensure Escondido got a “fair deal”.

News Flash: COMPLETE FAILURE!!! As everyone knows, the “city” (aka. “us”) will give the developer $18 MILLION dollars!! The city calls it an “investment”, but the developer calls it a “subsidy” (look it up, it’s on the developer’s website). Obviously, councilman Abed doesn’t realize that the “taxpayers” categorize the $18 million as a GIFT to the developer. ...

Councilman Abed thinks his “Politico-speak” is smart – I think it’s extremely stupid! Not many are fond of “teacher’s pets”. Come November we shall see!!! Rock & Roll!!!!!

JT wrote on Aug 14, 2008 2:08 PM:Turn the CCA into a giant Hooters restaurant.

Gringo wrote on Aug 14, 2008 2:19 PM:Finally. It's about time. There are plenty of valuable seniors volunteers ready to step in and help lend there talents to the cause. Arch Enemy, Lamb of God, Bullet for my valentine, at the Center of the Arts would be a welcome change from the has beens and moldy oldies.

Rental Theaters wrote on Aug 14, 2008 2:20 PM:The Center for the Arts has always been available to producers who wish to rent either theater. What differece does this "new model" make?

None. It is going to make for one very empty Arts Center. So much for downtown redevelopment in Escondido.

Escondodo wrote on Aug 14, 2008 2:30 PM:It's just too bad the NCT screeners are purposely deleting facts that are public record. Sorry, "Center management," I've been trying to answer your question, but NCT refuses to allow matters that are of the public record to be published.

To To To Hotel Vrs Promoter wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:46 PM:The terms of the deal have been publicly available for over a year now, and I've read it, so I know what's in it. I have no inside knowledge of any aspect of city government, nor do I pretend to know. So, the short answer to your question about whether I can verify the rumors Olga's attack team is spreading is "no". I would note that if they're false, it wouldn't be the first time.

Another former employee wrote on Aug 14, 2008 4:56 PM:I've just seen this article and can't beleive Ms Basehore taking credit for something that was suggested to her years ago by the former Director of Performing Arts and the former Director of Marketing. She rejected having fewer shows and more rentals because SHE wanted to include the projected funds from the higher number shows for each season in her budget. That's like spending money from a checking account before monies are deposited. She did this year after year against the advise of these senior staff members. Any reorganization of staff should begin and end with a lay off of Vicky Basehore. All current and previous employees have been damaged by her poor management of the Center.

Fmr Employee wrote on Aug 14, 2008 5:20 PM:I can't believe Ms. Bayshore is taking credit for something that was suggested many, many times over the years...starting with Robert Freedman. Cut the season and build the audience. What she fails to recognize is that most of the public will still not come to the center, since outside producers will be bring just about the same 'garbage' she has allowed the current director of pa to book. And regarding 2 fiscal years that were not deficits...one was a bequeath from a dead patron; and the second deficit was based on a 'in-kind' gift of computers from the City. How's that for 'fiscal finagling"?

Whered the money go wrote on Aug 14, 2008 5:45 PM:What ever happened to the million dollars (or so) that the city gave the Art Center (a few years back) for a new air conditioning system that would be tied into City Hall. I just read that the a/c wasn't working at City Hall and they recently allocated a hundred thousand dollars (plus) for new chillers (that's a/c lingo).

one more former employee wrote on Aug 14, 2008 5:56 PM:She also tried to balance the budget with layoffs and department closing...yet now she states "layoffs COULD be required..."???? but it is too early to determine "such things"? Easy... first lay off should be her own. She is a blame shifter and always has been. Everyone is at fault but her. WHY has she been kept when her figures are what keeps the place in the hole?!?! All the posts about council people need to go, anyone who has let her slide along needs to go..new council, new board, new management...

To Olgas rumor mill wrote on Aug 14, 2008 5:57 PM:The 3:46 pm post talks about spreading rumors. Well, I'm the Job Security poster and I don't even know Olga. So who's spreading rumors? It's just that something needs to change at City Hall.

Its all on record wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:24 PM:City council 4/23/08 4pm - MOTION: Moved by Councilmember Gallo and seconded to Councilmember Abed to advance the schedule of payment of the 2008-2009 Management Fee to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
Motion carried unanimously.

Lets see wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:25 PM:The arts center has run a deficit for 12 of the past 14 years. The old booking system is still in effect for the next 11 months. So nothing will really be changing with it until July of '09. And oh, that's right, this is an election year. Hmmm. None of the incumbents deserve to be re-elected, no matter what kind of dog and pony show they're putting on now. What wasn't this change for the way the arts center books events made years ago, saving taxpayers millions of dollars? Escondido needs a ndw council and management people.

Reality bites wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:42 PM:Standing up to the CCAE is like dissing Mom and apple pie and the Bible; you are severely criticized if you do. I remember watching city council meetings a few years ago when Gallo and D'Agosta were dissed for hesitating and questioning CCAE funding. Isn't it funny how things turn out?

januaryM wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:05 PM:Gallo & A Bed are going to tell you whatever they think will get them re elected.Look at the results of their terms.Just look around the city.The shame is everywhere. Just like a bad report card both receive failing grades.
Please help Escondido now by cleaning house . Begin at City Hall.
Throw out a bed & a jug of gallo.
VOTE NOV.2008

Chamber of Zitizens wrote on Aug 15, 2008 7:00 AM:At the rate Escondido is going next year the only act that will have any popularity with the remaining residents will be "Battle of the Mariachi Bands" on Saturday night.

Out of touch wrote on Aug 15, 2008 7:12 AM:Vicky Basehore wants to focus more on the education component of the Center. She was in charge in 2003 when the decision was made to close the education and museum and supported laying off all the education and museum department staff to try and balance the budget. Some of those staff members found out about being laid off when they read the headlines in the NC Times before her unscheduled Tuesday morning meeting to inform these staff members they were being laid off. Now check out the Center's season opening gala "Celebrating Youth and the Arts" it's on a Sunday afternoon and begins at 2 PM with wine tasting. Youth/Alcohol what part of that picture does the Center's Board and Ms Basehore not get.

Issam wrote on Aug 15, 2008 5:59 PM:Seems a little late in the process. Why did it take so long? Who was in charge? Who do we blame for this mess up.?