-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Thomas [mailto: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ]       

Mark, your opinion in today’s BEE was, once again, too much defensive verbiage. 

            You really do not need to tell us that you are going to continue to spend ink on the Gallo Center for the Arts.  Of course you are, your downtown friends demand it.  And, to your credit, the BEE has published several facts (true facts, in some minds) about the CFTA, including the $46 Million in bonding, the $14 Million current debt, the $1 Million deficit in the current budget (which will balloon to over $2.5 Million by year’s end), and other details that should cause great concern about the financial future of the CFTA.

            There are, however, several things the BEE has NOT covered.  Perhaps you could report on the sum total of all the expenses the taxpayer has funded.  The multimillion-dollar taxpayer paid staff, starting with Patty Hill Thomas (no kin).  It is fitting that an old Modestan would be both publicly funded, and in charge.  We were told several weeks ago that she saw the building for the first time, then today, we learn that she personally counted every nut, bolt, cloth and bucket of paint into the building.  And, she locks up every night….   How many of the 13 people featured on page A18 in today’s BEE are county paid, that means the taxpayer paid for that staffing?  All of them?

            You might mention the salaries of all the people who have quit their employment on the CFTA staff.  Indeed, you could tell us all about the consultants who are currently being paid over $5,000 per week to guide the CFTA’s CEO.  You might mention that the little theater, seating 444, has only 19 performances scheduled for the first year (as reported in the BEE).  You might mention that the big theater has only 64 performances scheduled during the first performance year.  The BEE did report that only 46% of the first year budget would be paid for by ticket and concession sales.  You DID tell us that the county would pick up the difference – does that sound like TAXPAYER money to you?

            Oh well, we know you have to carry the water for the CFTA, I am sure your job depends on it.   But, the condescending and grossly infantile “advice” featured in the “Life Styles” section of today’s BEE, is total insulting.  You obviously really do believe that everyone (else) in Modesto is a hick, farmer, churl or dolt.   Trust me, many of us have been to real PAC’s all over the world, including my entire extended family.    (Besides, anyone who has seen The Witches of Eastwick knows how to use the concept of “Bravo”.)  For the BEE to tell us when to applaud is more than a little patronizing, don’t you think?

            Well, I look forward to the BEE’s continued selling of the PAC.  I hope it works out, but I fear the worst.  Neither our county nor city can manage their bloated budgets.  I doubt they can handle the PAC either. 

                        Best wishes, Dave

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