WSO: It's Personal For Eddie Now

Did you know this from the WSO website:

• "Every dollar spent on the Arts generates $5 in other economic sectors
  
  WSO’s budget is currently $2.1 million dollars and will have an economic impact of $10.5 million dollars in the Windsor/EssexCommunity this year alone."

More importantly, does Junior know this? I am sure he does but this may be his payback for the Lufthansa leak which made him look like a fool on his BUY CANADIAN Motion.

Perhaps this is why Eddie said:

• "Our economic climate and budget challenges we are facing put us in a difficult environment (to consider the loan)," Francis said.
  
  "But having said that we know the symphony is a significant organization that brings tremendous value to the city."

It will be impossible for Eddie to allow the WSO initiative to fail. If it goes down, so does he and his vision of Windsor that he has promoted. He said in his State of the City speech in 2008:

• "Talk up Windsor, instead of putting her down.
  
  And what a story we have to tell!
  
  We have a diverse community, rich in history, with a strong sense of civic pride and togetherness.
  
  We have arts and culture…"

In 2007:

• "However, we’re fortunate. Windsor starts from a stronger position than some others. We have resources that make other people and places envious.
  
  Think about all of the incredible things we have going for us. We have the assets that are essential for success in today’s new economy.
  
  We have a great location. A University. An art gallery...
  
  A symphony orchestra."

He said in 2006 in his Inaugural speech:

• "Tonight, I want to speak with you about an overall framework. It is the beginning of a plan that our City Council will build together over the next few weeks – a plan to make Windsor the most liveable city in Canada.
  
  Our city must be thriving. A modern place – where our streets are alive with energy and activity...
  
  It will be a place that promotes and celebrates the arts and culture...
  
  Reports and surveys have shown that a critically-important factor in attracting the knowledge-based jobs and workers we need, is to have a thriving arts and cultural community.
  
  We have such a strong arts and culture foundation...
  
  I believe in a Windsor that is authentic.
  
  That celebrates the arts and culture."

Will he be forced to put in a footnote as a sign of his failure...except for our Symphony which I allowed Council to destroy.

This is an interesting vote for the Mayor. A loss for the WSO means that he has lost his grip on Council as Mike Hurst did in 2003. It also means that the whole basis for attracting new knowledge-based industry and seniors with money has just been undercut completely.

The pro-Symphony supporters are working hard as you can tell from some of these comments.

1) The WSO serves 50,000 residents and does community outreach in the parks, the schools, the university, hospitals and have had a Juno nomination.

They really shouldn’t have to beg for $300,000 loan with interest nor should it be a political football but considered as an emergency loan until their granting comes in from all their sources.

I have also heard that they may cease to exist in March if they can’t find the money to carry out their mandate.

Eddie sold out the symphony and the Windsor Light Opera when he sold the Cleary to the college for that buck. The symphony should have been grandfathered into that business case.

2) Over the last few weeks, the WSO has put together a refocused, cost-efficient marketing plan which works within the tight parameters of the Stabilization Plan. It was approved a couple of weeks ago and work is underway.

3) This is actually an interesting debate.

A decade ago, I would have supported the WSO, because of my general support for the arts. But now, given the hard choices in a recession, I wonder if there should be some compromise.

This will be blasphemy, but I have often been puzzled as to why there can't be regional orchestra that encompasses, say, Windsor, London, Ont., and Kitchener-Waterloo.

I know, in reality, it wouldn't work because of local rivalries and political squabbling that would inevitably occur over which local council would fork over how much money, but if one steps back, it is hard to justify the WSO. I say that even though I agree with the Windsor Star writer who argues it breathes life into the community. Anyway, I couldn't resist putting in my opinion to you

4)
-----Original Message-----
From: Orr, Gordon [mailto:gorr@city.windsor.on.ca]
Sent: February 27, 2009 10:02 AM
To:
Subject: RE: WSO comments by Mr. Lewenza, February 27

The Convention & Visitors Bureau's mandate is to market the region as a viable tourist destination. Our mandate involves marketing and promotion and does not include an advocacy function.

Presently we are a department of the City of Windsor and the WSO file is being handled by the Manager of Cultural Affairs - Ms. Mary Baruth. She will be the one to speak to this issue on behalf of City administration.

Sincerely,

Gordon Orr
Managing Director
Convention & Visitors Bureau of Windsor, Essex County & Pelee Island


-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: February 27, 2009 7:16 AM
To: Orr, Gordon
Subject: WSO comments by Mr. Lewenza, February 27

Mr. Orr,

Please find my comments regarding the Symphony as release this morning by AM800 news and stated by K. Lewenza Jr.

It is a tourist attraction as well as an arts stimulator and cultural creator. This city needs this great organization.

It cannot be forced to shutter its operation because of economic conditions beyond its control.

As the bureau, you must stand up for its survival and be part of the contingent that supports its viability.

It matters to this city and it matters to this region and it matters to the arts community.

Mr.Lewenza,

I am responding to your quote this morning on AM 800 news regarding the WSO”.

Like many other performing arts organization in Canada, the WSO has been achieving amazing things on razor-thin margins," says Katherine Carlton, Executive Director, Orchestras Canada, "and with almost two-thirds of their annual revenues coming from ticket sales, corporate and individual support, the WSO has been quick to feel the impact of the economic downturn".

“In my view, the team at the WSO has learned from experience,” states Katherine Carlton, Executive Director, Orchestras Canada, “they have identified the issues they face, and they’ve developed a credible plan to move forward while remaining accessible to all of Windsor’s citizens. What they need now is the time - and the cash-flow - to implement their plan.”

The WSO is looking for a loan, not a hand out. If St. Clair hadn’t raised the rent twice already at the Chrysler Centre, this would not be occurring. Did you know the Capitol was their home back when? Perhaps if that situation were resolved and were stable and settled, then there would be an option for them. Like any business, they would have had the alternative to change suppliers. Once again, trying economic times have harmed another of our businesses – not their fault.

Symphonies, art galleries and arts incubators, and the arts in general. can provide economic impact on a community and revitalize downtowns.

Your resistance to help is viewed as another nail in the arts in this area.

If you don’t want to reconsider your opinion, it would be most appropriate to ask your constituents what they want such by polling them as you are doing with Greenlink. That would be democratic...A city devoid of culture is a city on its way to nowhere. I would urge you to assist the WSO based on their past record as well as the granting they will be receiving.

Impending closure of A Channel News, bad news stories and economic doom and gloom of closures in this area are depressing enough. This is something that you have some control over.

This is an award-winning group working hard to serve its community and leverage the identity of this area of the province. Their patrons are serious about its symphony and contain some of the most prominent people in the city.

Please read the link below, as it sheds light on the arts in St. Catharines Ontario and was issued in December, 2008. It is a good news story.

http://www.scstandard.com/PrintArticle.aspx?e=1336046

This clearly indicates forward movement by a declining community.

Please take the time to read this and I hope it changes your opinion.

Thank you for your consideration.