Committee OKS Gallo money, but not amount |
By ADAM ASHTON
BEE STAFF WRITER A Modesto City Council committee agreed to look into giving money to the The Gallo Center for the Arts, but without taking case from city services. The finance committee voted 2-1 to contribute to the $47.5 million project, but not from the general fund. The bulk of that account pays for police and fire services. The committee didn't specify an amount. Committee members Brad Hawn and Bob Dunbar voted in favor of the proposal. Councilwoman Kristin Olsen opposed it, saying she wanted to make sure the city didn't take divert money from capital improvements to the center. The committee will meet next month to talk about figures and sources for the money. In a letter last week to Hawn, Fred Silva, chairman of the center's board of directors, asked the city for $5 million to $10 million. He said the money is needed to pay off the $12 million remaining in a $14 million bond issue used to start construction. Councilman Garrad Marsh urged the committee to contribute. "I know if we wre to invest in the Gallo center, we would be much better off in the future. It's just too far into the future for people to realize," he said. Silva told the committee that he wasn't trying to pressure members. "We believe this is an opportunity for the city to become involved if the city feels it can do it." Watch The Bee and modbee.com for continuing coverage. | 
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