Looking back, my Sept. 24 column advising the city against taking ownership of the Overture gave the management of the center for performing arts a bad shake. I'll be the first to admit my wording comes off strongly, and in some cases unjustly critical of current Overture administration.
After receiving an email from Robert Chappell, Overture publicist, less than twelve hours after our paper printed, I knew my article had an effect. Unfortunately, it was an undesirable one.
year. Unfortunately, the financial crisis of 2008 hampered the investment prospects of the trust fund, forcing the banks to liquidate the assets.
The liquidation left the Overture $27.7 million in debt. So, was it misguided of me to draw associations between nearly $30 million in debt and the way current leaders run the Overture? Yes.
Do I think taxpayers should pay $2 million a year for the Overture? No. Is repairing carpeting for $2 million, tile flooring for $600,000 and roofing for another $2 million ridiculous? Yes.
In my effort to paint Mayor Dave and the city as too eager to spend, I directed too much blame on Overture management for one big chunk of debt.
Humble pie tastes bad, and I should have looked harder before opening my mouth. With that said, I still don't think taxpayers should pay millions more than they already do to own and repair the Overture. I don't think renovating the library is better than rebuilding it. And I don't think renovating the Edgewater makes any sense at all. I do think we're spending too much money just because we're getting a good deal on interest rates.
If I could go back in time, I wouldn't mention the Overture's debt at all. It really wasn't the crux of the issue. Alas, that's just not the case. Unless Mayor Dave found a good deal on a time machine, I'll just sit here, pie in my mouth.
Dan Tollefson is a senior majoring in English. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
