Capitol Rising

Congratulations....Now that there is a Capitol Board (although there may be a fight over that too) a very simple way to end the Capitol matter is available, a way that could have been accomplished months ago but which for some strange reason was not.

I had a conversation with Debbie Stanson, the new president, the other day and told her how this could be done. I of course reminded her that, if it was accomplished using my idea, then my terms for my consulting advice were naming a part of the theatre in honour of my parents. That seemed to me to be a lot better than paying me a gigantic fee for the advice that I was giving and something that, for me, would more meaningful than a few extra dollars in the bank.

Do I expect it to be done? Probably not. There is something at play here that no one seems to know about that has allowed this matter to drift on for about 10 months now. Can you imagine the City and the Trustee, as I understand it, cannot even agree in which court they should be. Can you imagine how much money must be owing in legal fees in this matter that could have been used for the Capitol.

Oh this is so similar to the interim control bylaw in the downtown that put everything on hold, the interim control and demolition bylaw to be followed by Heritage designation designed to stall off the Ambassador Bridge and to building a garage in Sandwich and the various Schwartz reports and tunnel demands that have prevented building the road to the border.

Of course, the delay meant that Sandra and Dwight were not be pressured before the election to help out. Will they now do anything as with the Elgin Theatre in Toronto which was "rescued by the Ontario Heritage Trust?" I doubt it.

Stall, stall, stall... it's all we do in this City. For what end? Maybe you have the answer.

PRESS RELEASE

New Board Elected for Resolution of CAPITOL THEATRE Bankruptcy.

CAPITOL THEATRE AND ARTS CENTRE (WINDSOR)

The newly elected interim Executive Board of the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre (Windsor):

Deb Stanson, President
Eleanor Piotrowski, 1st Vice-President
Oona Mosna, 2nd Vice President

BACKGROUND:

Richard Hawrish, a bankruptcy specialist and lawyer with the firm of Paroian, Skipper and Hewitt was contacted as legal counsel on behalf of the members of the Corporation of the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre (Windsor).

On the basis of Mr. Hawrish's advice, and the community determination to ensure that all aspects of the operation (including the charitable status and objects) remain intact, a new interim Executive Board of Directors for the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre was elected by the paid membership (34 members) of the Capitol, on 14th September, 2007.

Upon the Board's appointment, Mr. Hawrish was duly retained as legal counsel for the newly established Board and the Corporation. Mr. Hawrish has subsequently provided legal advice relating to the status and process, to ensure an acceptable resolution to this matter for all stakeholders, and those issues as they relate to the transfer of the Capitol Theatre to the City of Windsor.

It should be noted, that a similar motion to transfer the building to the City was previously voted on and approved, unanimously, by the membership of the Capitol Theatre at an Annual General Members Meeting held on the 23rd January, 2007.

The new board would like to see that this issue is dealt with swiftly and appropriately in order to ensure that the Capitol Theatre is operational in the future.

As winter approaches,there are concerns regarding the possible disrepair of this historic theatre, as well as the expenses related to administrative and legal fees that continue to mount on all sides, with no revenue due to the theatre itself being shuttered.

For the sake of the theatre and the community, the board would like to assist with a resolution and proposal to satisfy all involved parties.

Any and all questions relating to this matter should be
directed to:

Debbie Stanson
President, Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre
519-564-4285