Dear SPAC member,
If you have enjoyed a performance at SPAC, you know the SPAC experience is a brilliant blend of program, people, and place. The historic amphitheater, globe lights waxing as the day wanes, and silhouetted pines against the starry sky—this, together with world-class performers and you, is the magic of SPAC.
As a valued member of SPAC, we want you to be among the first to know that SPAC has instituted a $1 facility fee on every ticket to ensure that SPAC, the place, is cared for. Though nestled in a State Park, SPAC is a private nonprofit organization. SPAC bears a significant financial responsibility for the maintenance of both the grounds and the facility.
Most venues across the country introduced facility maintenance fees years ago (the vast majority of which are higher than $1 per ticket). SPAC deliberated for months about whether to institute this fee. It is easy to put maintenance needs on the bottom of the list of priorities, but deferred maintenance is always more costly than addressing needs as they arise. This fee will enable SPAC to address facility needs now, before they become insurmountable.
Thank you for being part of the solution. As you enjoy SPAC’s beauty this season, please remember you are the magic of SPAC.
Stay warm and safe this weekend,
Marcia J. White
President & Executive Director, Saratoga Performing Arts Center
If you have enjoyed a performance at SPAC, you know the SPAC experience is a brilliant blend of program, people, and place. The historic amphitheater, globe lights waxing as the day wanes, and silhouetted pines against the starry sky—this, together with world-class performers and you, is the magic of SPAC.
As a valued member of SPAC, we want you to be among the first to know that SPAC has instituted a $1 facility fee on every ticket to ensure that SPAC, the place, is cared for. Though nestled in a State Park, SPAC is a private nonprofit organization. SPAC bears a significant financial responsibility for the maintenance of both the grounds and the facility.
Most venues across the country introduced facility maintenance fees years ago (the vast majority of which are higher than $1 per ticket). SPAC deliberated for months about whether to institute this fee. It is easy to put maintenance needs on the bottom of the list of priorities, but deferred maintenance is always more costly than addressing needs as they arise. This fee will enable SPAC to address facility needs now, before they become insurmountable.
Thank you for being part of the solution. As you enjoy SPAC’s beauty this season, please remember you are the magic of SPAC.
Stay warm and safe this weekend,
Marcia J. White
President & Executive Director, Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
108 Avenue of the Pines
Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
518.584.9330
Check out the latest federal income tax filing from SPAC for
2011 HERE
White made $270,435
Richard Geary $138,099
Live Nation paid SPAC $835,583
They list Key employees making 516k.That means half of live nations fee goes to pay a few "key employees".
As you can see although Live Nation sets their own schedule
and picks their own prices and fees including all revenue from food and
concessions SPAC will now charge the casual Ballet patron to clean up their
shit.
You ever saw SPAC’s grounds after a 3 day Phish concert? Or
even better the emergency room after a Phish concert? Make Live Nation clean up their own crap.If anyone deserved a fee its the City and the Hospital.This women is the most under worked,over paid and over appreciated arts director in the state. SPAC will continue to be a failure and a embarrassment as long as this pact of idiots stay in charge.
Marcia J. White President & Executive Director will tell
everyone how brilliant she is while she continues to pimp SPAC out to the
latest death mental band. Brought to you by Live Nation. This $1 facility fee
will do nothing to help the Preforming Arts or enhance SPAC. If anything it
will only free up money from the general operating fund to steer more for
administrative salaries.
The untold story of SPAC is how high ticket prices are the
real reason for declining attendance at SPAC.
In Lincoln Center the NYCB and NY Philharmonic continue to
offer unsold half price tickets to same day performances at the Lincoln Center atrium.
No membership required. In other words a night at the MET Opera or the Ballet
and NY Philharmonic is becoming significantly cheaper in the CITY than SPAC.I would
add the Lincoln Center has a much smaller supply of seats while SPAC has an overabundance.
In other news the Saratogian chided the cities Dems for
their childish opposition to the Mayor’s Comprehensive review commission today.http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2013/02/10/opinion/doc51156821c670a323482339.txt
I guess they don’t get this but they are beginning to look like a caricature
of a clownish group of desperate Democrats who cultivate multiple complexes
into an entire bundle wrapped up into deep seated psychosis. Driven by a love of attention they
use supposed slights by the Mayor to draw attention to themselves. The Dems believe that they are the only truly nice and
caring guys in the world, and because of that, people should listen to them
even if that means putting Charlie Samuels and Amy Durland on a committee to
chart the future of the city.
Saratoga in Decline
We never Sleep
Because I feel “actionable”
34 comments:
Well written and informative blog piece without too much vitriol!
In a nutshell this is disgraceful.
What does she do to deserve such a salary?
I spent $220 to go to the Hatties Mardi Gras to benefit SPAC and the White extavaganza...suppose the money raised fell a little short of Whit'es expectations.
Once again, we Saratogians bear the brunt of poor management.
BTW, just got my county and city tax bill! Full of NYS unfunded mandates that we the locals will have to pay for. The governor is a bandstanding liar.
Can't wait to move from NYS.
When public safety tried to get 1$ a ticket for all the resources they waste every concert, she threw a fit. Now that she can get a new Mercedes it's ok.
Karma will get her
Ticket purchasers should maintain the facilities for Live Nation to use? That sounds odd to me.
Here's my idea : if they can't make a go of SPAC as a summer home for the NYC Ballet , shut it down. Phish can go back to the TU Center. Ms. White can do some real work in the private sector. This silly charade has gone on long enough.
Please New York! We need another audit!
Your love affair with the mayor is getting old. The same mayor you honor as a "three-term" God... the same mayor in your much-beloved music video... the same mayor who benefits daily from your anti Change/Wilkes/Kane vitriol... the same mayor who adores 66 Franklin and appoints a Preservation Foundation hack to HIS committee.
Please, will you just please get a room for the two of you?
On the positive side, you were right on in your recommendation of the pizza at Spot Coffee.
Seriously, GREAT pizza...
lousy mayor-in-decline.
Glad you're back Kyle.Glad you liked the pizza.I'm sure you'll have a big Yepsen for Mayor button on.
I gotta' believe Yepsen is way more interested in the larger stages out there. As you have made so crystal-clear-- Our beloved City Council Theater is home to every wacky amateur ego in the world. The one exception is Rick Wirth who may yet save us from the drunken hoard of the Killers of Caroline.
And he might even tell us how the ambulance corps is REALLY doing...
Ser we agree an Rick and pizza
Bill McKelvey was the best mayor ever.
An independent through and through.
Good aricle JT spac is going to hell in a hand basket--to bad.Todays'rag Readers View "Wonder Women" sounds like she's running against the Mayor(one way of saying good-bye),with all these power-hungry neophites floating around this city it's quite an accomplishment that the Mayor has gotten so much done.
John:
It's hard to imagine that you cannot now appreciate "minority rights" at this CP table. The heavy weights will have the power, but it’s the opinions and suggestions made by others that represent the other side of the arguments to unbridled growth that should be at the very least, heard and considered. You have so often scribed opinions against heavy-handedness and supported those who have little voice.
You rightfully chide Ms. White for her heavy-handed and questionable administration of SPAC and then egotistically accept this Committee appointment process as acceptable. Many of the selected persons have good qualifications for their being selected, but some … arguably do not. Not only was Durland on the last CPC, but she understands land use, planning and zoning not only as a lawyer and lifetime resident, but has also maintained her minority voice on the land boards for many terms – providing often that opinion and experience that many others did not have. Shouldn’t that dialogue be included? Wouldn’t you want that enlightened voice there, however modest?
Mr. "What's going on?" Bill McKelvey was a great City ambassador - who needed no invitation to any meeting in City Hall.
This is the same Marcia White who stated that SPAC could not place an upcharge of $2 on ticket prices to pay for services rendered by the City of Saratoga Springs when we were in severe straits after losing over $3.5 million of VLT funds.It is quite obvious that she is incapable of being leader that does what is in the best interest of SPAC and its patrons. She should resign or be forced to resign for lack of performance among other issues. The Board of SPAC should make this decision immediately. This is no different than the leadership of NYRA that was incapable of running a profitable enterprise but took great care of themselves.
Kyle - Your hate for the Mayor clouds your perspective. How does the Mayor gain from anti-charter change or the building on franklin Ave. Than you turn around and make a brilliant and factful statement that Rick Wirth is the right man for Public Safety. He brouhg trasparency and professionalism to the Council and it is quite accurate we would see the real picture on EMS. We may disagree at times but you still have my respect as a thinker. Stay with the positive side of things and maybe your words may be heeded.
7:15am,will you please have Ms. Durland define for us....What is affordable housing? Enlightened Voice?? while on the planning she held up the Macdonalds'successful do over on South Broadway because she felt affordable housing should have been built on a second floor of the structure costing the applicant $1,000s'of unnecessary dollars---do we need that wisdom louie?
The moderator of the challenged DReviewC should not be on the Comprehensive Plan Committee yet the Preservation Director has a place since it is her organization that provides legislative guidance to the DRC (whether or not they listen), helped develop the City’s historic guidelines and is not involved in profiteering from land use projects. Likewise, developers however contributing should not be shaping the City’s Comprehensive Plan – a document that will guide their future work. I agree that many of the selections are appropriate but are all the divergent concerns being discussed?
Kyle .. are you still complaining about Franklin Street from your Franklin Square condominium? Boff and Rich Martin have done their best to tear it down and yet, there is the responsible judicial process that is concerned with more than your desire for unwarranted spot demolition. You got your taxes lowered, just buy some curtains.
Despite slight disagreeemnts on who should or who shouldn't be on the Committee we currently have formed a Committee. To delay or cancel one of the most important documents the city is responsible for by charter because of non-factual political bickering or sour grapes and stubborness is a disgrace If the Council wishes to undermine the future of the City of Saratoga Springs that reflects poor governance. The finished product will be brought before the entire council for critique and approval. If changes that make sense need to be made there will be that opportunity. This is like Sonny Bonaccio stopping construction on his current project because soempeople don't like the heigth, color or projected tenants of the building. Although the Charter and State Law is somewhat vague nowhere in these documents the Council utilizes to govern the City does it state clearly the Council has the power to APPOINT. Forget about remarks about table scraps etc. The GAPS program did the same thing. They arbitrarily formed a committee and we ended up with a mental health care center at the entry to the City. How appealing. The owner of the building laughed all the way to the bank.If this project is DOA as stated the supporters of killing it should be DOA at the ballot box this November.
Anon 8:03 –
The Planning Board had to consider the potential for upper story use because the City had changed the zoning to permit it, making this land more valuable. The potential for all of South Broadway could be (given their increased land value potentials from zoning changes) substantial if the present land owners were encouraged with higher taxes to force development or to sell to others who would take on the projects. The property owners gripe about not being given parody with uptown, but they just received public investments of street, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping – not to mention, that through zoning they are permitted more than two stories making their properties are more valuable $$$. It’s just that their taxes haven’t changed – and they still complain.
Initially affordable housing was bandied about for our “low paid” policemen, firemen and teachers (strange but true) but then the more accurate focus was on service workers. No one should have been thinking single-family homes in Wilton or condos, but minimal housing for those individuals with threshold employment that would be close to their work. Why couldn’t the idea of affordable housing over the commercial properties that employ these lower wageworkers be considered? People who live above Gaffney’s work on Caroline. Hey, doesn’t the new coin shop owner lives above his shrine!
In cities where the value of the land is higher, development goes up (skyward). In the outskirts or the suburbs where the land value is lower, the development spreads out. So, my friend, if the land value of South Broadway permits denser development, then the value should be increased, otherwise we’ll continue to have land that most owners would rather lease than do anything with. The McDonald’s drive-thru model is outdated certainly for downtown – far to congestive. A full-block development with interior entrances on large parcel like the Saratoga Diner would be a better choice, but that owner will never sell his lands unless he is compelled with higher taxes.
In the end, the McDonald’s (the Red Barns, Jack in the Boxes, etc.) do over and so many of the faux facades that pretend to suggest two stories are the buildings of the future that will be scraped for a more permanent investment.
I recently read an op-ed that stated that the reason why we have incompetent people (like Marcia White) is simple: They have no fear. They feel they can do what ever they want. There is no negative consequence for their actions.
Maybe, the average citizen is finally getting fed up?
Marcia White might be wise to resign before her liberal, arts-loving crowd turns against her. If the passive ballet fans don't, you can bet the head banging, violent-extremist, tattoo laden, hard metal crowd will, (as soon as SPAC enforces their higher ticket prices for 2013 with no carry-ins and $10 a glass beers!).
Some say that arrogant officials that abuse their power like White will not be able to continue on, indefinitely. So, why do they feel empowered in poking the sleeping dog? Some just can't resist, I guess.
9:30AM - This is not about a Mr. Bonaccio project being stopped because of height and color or property classification. Mr. Bonaccio and every other builder/developer will have had all those approvals in place before a shovel hits the ground. The guiding document for land use development should be a document that is represented by the entire public to avoid charges of corruption.
For five years, a hard fought and worked Comprehensive Plan existed for ratification .. one that was never forthcoming because of a mayoral change .. it sits on a shelf today. BTW, a bipartisan Council selected members for that committee.
If this Committee selection smells of selected partisanship and stacking of the deck, then do not expect a full Council to ratify it if they don’t have even a token voice in its 9 month process regardless how small that voice might be. Who knows, the majority may find points made by a minority to have merit. Stranger things happen in a democracy.
Sleeping dog: It's called hubris. The ballet crowd may seem like liberals to you, but I've seen many a conservative at those performances (sipping wine and wondering why he can't sell make your own sundaes at intermission), not to mention the orchestra. The large crowds and their rock/pop/festivals bring the lure of a revenue stream that is tiring of the second rate management, no less than those patrons of the more classic venues (you know, beach boys, CSN, James Taylor and the ballet).
Kyle York wouldn’t know what preservation was if it bit him on his “my great great grandfather helped Daniel Boone blaze the wilderness trail from North Carolina to Caroline Street” ass. We all know in City Hall that KY is a supporter, if you agree with one of his crazy plans otherwise you’re on his list. Rick should realize that before he was kissing up to him, he was sending Ron Kim and anyone in PS who would listen sonnets.
So how long did she have to sleep with Joe Bruno to get the SPAC job? Haven't we paid her off yet? Of course it could go to that adorable little pooch Michelle instead. She'd run it into the ground before the Spring thaw.
I stand corrected. A bipartisan Council did not select members for the last Comp Plan Committee, but its membership incorporated names provided by each Commissioner. The absentminded mayor forgot to get it ratified, because the Council was directed by the Mayor to just get McTygue at all costs. Nine long months of volunteer efforts went down the drain.
It was a good document and perhaps parts can be salvaged to make an even better one.
I think I will become the new Pope.Although I'm not catholic isn't Mass just a wine tasting with a snack?
I am infallible after all.What do you think of those apples Mr.John Tighe?
Time Warner customer says:
I'm paying $174.50 a month for cable.
Why do I have to watch so many commercials?
Don't the commercials pay for the TV?
Anybody else fed up with watching 30 minutes of commercials for a two hour show? Sometimes more.
Can you spell revolt?
I wonder if Dave Carlucci would move back and run the show?
Citizen Clancy - That remark is a disgrace. You need phychological help or a good kick in the ass.
This current council has some memebers that belong in a Day Care Center. The responsibility for the Comprehensive Plan with assistance from the Planning Dept. There clearly is no section of the Charter nor the State Law that reflects the responsibility does not lie with the Mayor's office and makes no refernece to the Council hs the right to appoint members of this group. Their involvement comes at a latter phase.From some it doesn't surpirse me because they are underminers, puppets, control freak etc.For Commissioner franck this would be the second time he has either shelved a completed plan or stood in the way of a sorely need plan to move the City forward.He should be the voice of reason yet now has become the voice of regression. Yes they have the votes but should those votes be utilized to obstruct the second most important document the City can produce. The sad thing is they are doing this unchallenged. Where is the Republican Party??If they can't even show they can support their current memebers of the Council who would consider running for office knowing they don't have the ability to support anything. It is a sad state of affairs especially considering the performance levels of the three commissioners involved.
9:30 - You make some good points. The issue you don't understand is this has been the trend since the new council took office. The plan was to undermine the Mayor at anytime, undermine Commissioner Scirocco at anytime. You can't tell me these departments are performing at high levels. Anyone can put together a 0% budget when they have $6million in the bank. Anyone can screw up the assessment process and than allow and assist an outsider to come in and generate a substantial income getting the assessments lowered according to errors in the original process. Any commissioner can call a steer a toxic environment when the environment in his own department is toxic.Anyone can finance an EMS program partially with a government grant someone else workd hard to get and call it a success. Let's see what happens in 2013. The Ambulance report recently submitted althoug showing positive operational success but did not include on piece of factual information as to the cost of a five year plan. Maybe he only does on tooth at a time and one number at a time. Either way the report was a rush job and incomplete. These are the people whose wise judgement tells them they have the right to appoint memebers to the Comprehensive Plan Committee when it is spelled out very clearly it is under theMayor's Dept. and pervue. If you can produce a document that states they can please present at next Council Meeting.
JT,JT...Todays'rag has a Readers' View from non other than the Leader of city halls'latest ensemble "MomBo Johnnie"and "The Obstructionists'"..talk about nerve,it's laughable.
They're Baaaaaack!
Susan Skeet and her sidekick Skateboard Charlie filed another petition to ban Gun Shows from Saratoga. They said the gun show will be too close to the elementary school (which we all know is a GUN-FREE zone). In another off the wall statement, it was said that gun shows are not in keeping with Saratoga's past or something like that. I guess they didn't see Billy Bathgate.
Suasan and Charlie. No wannabe's with swollen heads. They will burst soon. Wait and Charlie sees his skateboard park go down in flames because they not have met their committment for oversight. Working on that right now with pictures, dates etc. to provide school board enough information to tear it down. He'll be thrilled I'm sure to see all his teenage skateboarders using the facilties while smoking in the park. It happens every day.
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