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| State Theatre artist? |
Browne told Council that the State Theatre helps drive Easton's economy, especially the "wonderful explosion" of downtown restaurants, to the tune of $8 million per year. But under questioning by Tom Dietrich, she indicated that Easton has made no financial contributions to the State.
Of course, that's because Easton collects no hotel tax. These are not real estate tax dollars but hotel tax proceeds, which are to be directed to programs that will promote tourism.
Browne and her development director took pains to point out that the State Theatre is a nonprofit, a "dicey financial model."
"I'm concerned that, year after year, we're going to have to contribute more and more of our hotel tax to your bottom line, stated Council member Lamont McClure. Council member Bob Werner told the State that the National Endowment for the Arts has $150 million available for grants.
The average artist's fee is around $50,000, with another $50,000 to produce the show.
From the peanut gallery later in the meeting, the Northampton County Bulldog, Ron Angle, criticized Council for failing to ask one very important question. "None of you asked the two people standing here what their pay was. It may be a not-for-profit, but what do the people working in the not-for-profit make? It may interest you to know it's the low to mid 6 figures for both of them. But again, what's another little handout from the tax money?"
The most recent 990 for the State Theatre on file reveals that, as of May 31, 2011, CEO Shelley Browne was being paid a salary and benefits package of $155,503. It's about $2,000 less than she was paid the preceding year. She is the only employee with a 6-figure income.
I don't like the idea of hotel tax money being used to promote tourism when we have overflowing homeless shelters, but until state law changes, this does seem like a good investment with lots of returns for Easton.
County Coucil didn't ask the same questions of SteelStacks, et al. Nor did they ask Mr.Parks salary. The theatre provides more than just quality entertrainment and business for restaurants. It is truly a gem of the past and we need to protect our historic assets. These buildings taks a lot more to maintain and repair than a big box event center with no character. I do not mean to Sands has done a lot for the valley and their event center is nice but it is not the State Theatre.
ReplyDeleteCounty Council needs to do more to promote the history and arts in our county.
Are you kidding me? McClure made quite a few snide references to Parks. His salary was quite the topic, here in the newspapers and at Council. Barron von Footinmouth conducted one of his bogus investigations.
ReplyDeleteThey are both worthy, and you don't establish that one is good by running down the other.
The State Theatre is stunning but if it can't pay its bills now what's it gonna do when the Sands opens a convention center? The annual
ReplyDeleterequests will only grow as homeowners struggle to pay property tax.
Werner is very naive and clueless. To think that he is aware of a funding source that professionals are not and that he needs to suggest such publicly only makes him look silly. Show some respect Mr. Werner and get over yourself. If you want to really be helpful, commincate that via simple conversation outside of the public view.
ReplyDeleteEven a person who runs a little theater makes more than the County Executive, That is the joke here.
ReplyDeletetake the money out of farm preservation or the white elephant gracedale
ReplyDeleteHere's a novel idea -
ReplyDeleteWhy not charge the people who actually USE the theater a little bit more to attend a show?
Adding $1 to the cost of a ticket doesn't seem like a hardship and should generate much more than $35,000 over the course of a season.
That said, if attendance drops, it will say something about the value that theater users place on the venue.
Of course, it's always easier to convince a few elected officials to fork over more government dough than to actually make your case to the public.
Privatize it and let the free market take it's course!
ReplyDeleteProblem with the State Theatre is that is keeps trotting out the same tired acts year after year. They need to take a sober look at their business model. THeir competition now includes the Sands event center which is able to book better shows through Live Nation. If you have only $50 to buy a ticket would you rather see Clay Aiken in a modern concert facility or William Shatner in an old theatre with cramped seating?
ReplyDeleteUm...Shatner in a beautiful historic building. Aiken is a no talent nasty queen (personal experience)that fell into a luck pothole. ps: I'm gay, so I'm allowed to call him a queen!
DeleteProblem with the State Theatre is that is keeps trotting out the same tired acts year after year. They need to take a sober look at their business model. THeir competition now includes the Sands event center which is able to book better shows through Live Nation. If you have only $50 to buy a ticket would you rather see Clay Aiken in a modern concert facility or William Shatner in an old theatre with cramped seating?
ReplyDeleteThe state theater has been provided welfare payments for far too long. Yea it's a real nice venue and all but the whining being doe by the director is old news and pisses off some people in the long run.
ReplyDeleteSell it as mentioned above and then maybe the place would make some money on it's own!
Souldn't hotel tax revenue go to pay for things which bring in tourists who will actually stay at hotels?
ReplyDeleteSouldn't hotel tax revenue go to pay for things which bring in tourists who will actually stay at hotels?
ReplyDeleteNo, Kevin, it is enough that it promotes tourism. But I would imagine that many of the Act coming to the State do stay in local hotels.
ReplyDeleteBetween Shatner and Aiken, i pick neither.
ReplyDelete6:01, I think Werner was trying to be helpful. He has never held office before, and has done some strange things, like "chide" the press or spend a meeting discussing a hurricanes effect on the election instead of the people. But he works very hard and is learning very fast.
ReplyDeleteTheir problems will only get worse as every city gets their own arena/performing arts center.
ReplyDeleteState Theater - PA Turnpike
ReplyDeleteLet the users pay the freight.
VOR
Angle is a blowhard.
ReplyDelete$155K seems about right to run an operation like that.
"$155K seems about right to run an operation like that."
ReplyDeleteWell, yes. In the bizarro world of subsidized theaters, it seems fine. In the real world, that job wouldn't exist in Easton.
Shelly's a 1-percenter making a subsidized salary that would feed scores of homeless who camp under the Buskill Street bridge, just two and a half blocks from her office. It's time to Occupy Shelly and demand economic justice.
Answer to the question posed in the photo caption: yes. He's a professional bullshit artist.
ReplyDeleteThe Aiken/Shatner comparison is not the best one you could have come up with.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that the fan base for Clay Aiken and "The Shat" are light years away from one another.
Aiken/Shatner comparison was not meant to demonstrate similar acts but to compare a modern popular act with one that features a has-been who survives on Priceline ads. I am not an Aiken fan but at least he is currently a star entertainer v. The tired shows booked by the State. Bill O'Reilly? Shatner? Midnight Catechism? Really??
ReplyDeleteBill o'Reilly, do you even know who he is? VERY powerful and very popular. Shatner is far from has been,,,a consummate Broadway performer,, both of them are sooo far above clay aiken in every way. I think it's an issue of intelligence here, the educated, intelligent crowd won't go near aiken,
DeleteWell, yes. In the bizarro world of subsidized theaters, it seems fine. In the real world, that job wouldn't exist in Easton.
ReplyDeleteShelly's a 1-percenter making a subsidized salary that would feed scores of homeless who camp under the Buskill Street bridge, just two and a half blocks from her office. It's time to Occupy Shelly and demand economic justice.
Well, this post is full of shit on numerous levels but since it sounds like you know this person personally, I'm sure you know that.
First, $155K is a 1%er? You are a joke.
Second, a cursory examination reveals that the theater receives some funding from the NEA and a plethora of private sponsors. Most artistic ventures are "subsidized" by private and public components otherwise people like you (actually, not people like you, you'd watch Ted Nugent reality shows anyway) would not be exposed to any arts.
Thirdly, it is not the business of every person who makes a decent living to pull the homeless off the street. I'm sure you never did it in your life.
Those who pay taxes expect them to be used for human services. Human services doesn't include non-profit directors taking $155K - which puts Shelly in the "have" column vs. "have not;" thus, the 1-percenter charge.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that when one questions a public expenditure, the questioner's charity is called into question. One has nothing to do with the other - except in the minds of those who believe charity is how they spend others' money.
Subsidizing the Bill O'Reilly tour and Lisa Lampanelli's foul humor should be done by the idiots who would go to such trash. I imagine you're one. Yes. I imagine you're certainly one.
Art and culture is a human service. I'd certainly rather have my taxes go there than to buy empty farmland in the slate belt.
ReplyDelete"Those who pay taxes expect them to be used for human services. Human services doesn't include non-profit directors taking $155K - which puts Shelly in the "have" column vs. "have not;" thus, the 1-percenter charge."
ReplyDeleteI'm with you and can think of more worthy causes. But hotrel tax money must be used to promote tourism.
I don't think the question is whether Art and Culture is or isn't a human service. I think the question is whether one of the core functions of County government is to fund selected non-profits at the expense of taxpayers.
ReplyDeleteI would argue that which non-profits are funded, what salaries they pay, and what public function they serve, is best left outside of county (and all) government.
There is no way that the county could adequately fund all worthy non-profits. The public can decide on their own which non-profits they want to fund.
The only non-profits the county should fund, if any, are ones thta provide a basic service to people in need.
ReplyDeleteEnough with the funding of events were "select" people get preferential seating and VIP treatemnt.
Sorry!
What about the Easton's $500K from gaming?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but don't understand your point here.
ReplyDeleteShelly is hot,
ReplyDeleteThat last comment is nearly enough to make me hurl.
ReplyDeleteLets face it Shelly does a great job but in this case I think her creativity is in order. Why not as a give back she makes the State Theater available to the Northamton County School districts at no charge at select times for educational purposes or for say a county wide talent show.She has done extremely well with the freddys but for the extra money she is asking for there has got to be a way to give back to benefit Northamton county residents.Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI think the one comment was how the new table games, gaming money that should have gone to Northampton County was carved out in a political deal in Harrisburg and goiven to Easton. Much the same way politics was used to give over half the original casino money from the ocunty to Allentown and Lehigh County.
ReplyDeleteBottom line, Northampton County government got screwed and lost money
To 8:09 am, much rather see William Shatner in a crowded theatre than Clay Aiken at the Sands any day?! Terrible analagy, thats your choice of a top notch artist? Some people prefer the historic buildings for a venue, and Clay Aiken really, your Lame. F the Sands. How about the State Theatre should start bringing some more quality stand up acts. saw Loiu ck there,Epic show! Great venue!
ReplyDeleteRead the 990. Not only was Shelley Brown compensated over $155,000 in 2010, her husband managed their non-profit annuity program. I am sure there is some form of compensation for that. How convenient.
ReplyDeleteHow many of their board members live in Northampton County? There appears to be some form of incestuous relationship here.
"I think the one comment was how the new table games, gaming money ..."
ReplyDeleteIn other words, an irrelevant comment.
Regarding the gaming money and the $15M+ in local share....your write up suggested Shelly believed the money was needed to help offset losses from competition. The local share was created to address impacts from gaming. Would the Sands event center be considered an adverse impact to the State Theater? Would the Sands Outlet be considered and adverse impact to other retail districts/downtowns? If the money can be used to improve a borough intersection because of inceased traffic, would loss of patron traffic be different? Maybe not relevant, however, I got the impression that is what Shelly was leading to. Lets not forget the Sands has a monopoly.
DeleteTo think Sammy Benett was hammered for total compesation of 110k kudos to lilly ledbetter
ReplyDeleteSam Bennett was hammered for taking more than 1/3 of a $300k state grant and using it to pay herself to run a brand new nonprofit.
ReplyDeleteTo compare her with Shelley Brown is ridiculous.
The Banker
I think the real issue here is that someone would rather see Clay Aiken than William Shatner! Shame on you 8:09am, shame on you!
ReplyDeleteCan hockey be played in the State Theatre?
ReplyDelete10:24 = Star Trek geek
ReplyDeleteThe Baker is right. Sam Bennet was willing to have herself made open to puyblic scrutiny, Shelly Brown, her husband and all these incestuopus non-profits want the cash but don'[t want to give out the info.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Rommney lost. Only the poor get handouts now, remember what Mitt said. The bankerss and non-profit dierectors have to work for thier handouts like the rest of us.
And much to The Baker's chagrin, Sam Bennett is now a Washington celebrity debating loons like Monica Crowley on FoxNews.
ReplyDeleteIn the non-profit world, arts as well as human services, compensation is usually tied to the size of the entity's budget. So, yes, you will see human services CEO's making six figures. What does Susan Gilmore make at United Way, or Jane Ervin at LVCC?
ReplyDeleteThat is why Sam Bennett's salary was so disgraceful- the budget was a tiny one in comparison to her compensation.
Shelly is worth every penny.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit curious abut her husband's involvement. Might be totally innocuous, especially if it appears on the 990.
ReplyDeleteShelly's contribution to Easton is fucking huge.
ReplyDeleteShe deserves a ton of credit for bring that town back.
B-b-b-b-but her salary could pay to house the homeless under the bridge!
ReplyDelete11:07=American Idol Nerd
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting theory. Don't tell her.
ReplyDeleteHow many people had Shelly brought to Easton over the last, say ten years?
ReplyDeleteIf i remember right Home Depots grant was to cover Sams salary.
ReplyDeletePolitics, Lets face it, If there were any REAL problems with sams state grant or IRS problems she wouldnt be in Washinton,she would be in jail. You dont hoodwink the IRS and wasnt charged with any wrongdoing by the then state attorney general tom corbet.Politics pure and simple.
ReplyDeleteThere was a real problem with it. It might not have risen to the criminal level, but it was unethical and it was more than appropriate to raise the issue.
ReplyDeleteBernie,you have a lawyers mindset and like Sam dont shy away from controversy so it would be interesting for you to get Eric Weiss's view on Sam and her non profit.Eric as you know is a highly respected republican and was on the board of directors of the POM.Theres no problem raising the issue its the drawing of conclusions from half truths that are dissapointing.The book is only half done on Sam and you havent seen the last of her.Look at it this way,She put ya on the map so get ready for all the hits on this blog whens shes the subject.Meanwhile shes doing well in washington where the f..k is Bernie K.
ReplyDeleteThe question is not my opinion of Sam Bennett. I never had an unpleasant word with her, even though I was highly criticial of her candidacy and she was critical of my blogging. The question is whether she was being paid too much money, and she clearly was. It was exorbitant, both in relation to the staffing as well as the revenue. I am glad she has found happiness inside the Beltway, and hope she continues to succeed. But let's not pretend that her salary was anything but a joke.
ReplyDelete