Another bitching letter

[SonomaCat]

I won't put this in Bobcats athletics, because I don't think it's really about that ... I think this has "has his own things goin' on," as they say.

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/op ... um=twitter

But I do have a response for him ... but I'm not sure if it's allowed. I've gotten in trouble for using it in the exact same context on this board when speaking about Bobcat facilities ... oh well, I'll go for it.

Sir, if you want a new performing arts center (or dorms for autistic kids, of a museum dedicated to earthworms ... or whatever), just write a check.

I think a new performing arts center would be awesome. But the idea that one should bitch about those who can fundraise for things they want simply because you haven't even tried to do the same is absurd.

[kcatz]

It doesn't really help either that he uses Bozeman City and Gallatin County voter based revenue issues to a State and Nationwide Fundraising situation.

[BelgradeBobcat]

It must have been his wife who posted the Roman Colosseum letter (same last name anyway): http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/op ... 03286.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I guess that household doesn't like football.

A very good response was sent in. Bravo to that writer: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/op ... 03286.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SonomaCat]

It doesn't really help either that he uses Bozeman City and Gallatin County voter based revenue issues to a State and Nationwide Fundraising situation.

That's a great point ... but one a bit too nuanced for anyone whose primary mission is just to bitch to want to understand.

[LongTimeCatFan]

I won't put this in Bobcats athletics, because I don't think it's really about that ... I think this has "has his own things goin' on," as they say.

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/op ... um=twitter

But I do have a response for him ... but I'm not sure if it's allowed. I've gotten in trouble for using it in the exact same context on this board when speaking about Bobcat facilities ... oh well, I'll go for it.

Sir, if you want a new performing arts center (or dorms for autistic kids, of a museum dedicated to earthworms ... or whatever), just write a check.

I think a new performing arts center would be awesome. But the idea that one should bitch about those who can fundraise for things they want simply because you haven't even tried to do the same is absurd.

I see what you did there. Old habbits die hard huh?

[SonomaCat]

I see what you did there. Old habbits die hard huh?

Yeah, but I expect that in this situation, every Bobcat fan on this board would do nothing but cheer that message. It's all about refining the message until you find a way to make everyone happy.

[ChiOCat]

Whaaaa, whaaaa, whaaa!

I think that they've tried to raise funds but not succeeded is kind of his answer. How does posting a letter to the editor help him? Why doesn't he instead stand outside the "old Wilson Auditorium" and petition those folks that attend the concerts to fund a new venue? Seems like the most useful approach to me.

[TIrwin24]

I think it's quite obvious that MSU isn't big on the performing arts as it is a University dedicated to the sciences (i.e. engineering, medical, agricultural, etc.)

If you want performing arts, go to zootown and they can hook you up with some fine women who excel at interpretative dancing and not shaving...

[SonomaCat]

I think it's quite obvious that MSU isn't big on the performing arts as it is a University dedicated to the sciences (i.e. engineering, medical, agricultural, etc.)

If you want performing arts, go to zootown and they can hook you up with some fine women who excel at interpretative dancing and not shaving...

I'd disagree on that point -- an outstanding performing arts center on campus or anywhere in Bozeman would certainly be very appreciated by the students and everyone in the community. Our peer universities such as UC-Davis and Cal Poly both have outstanding performing arts centers, so it's not a function of the type of university we are. But the point is that making a "performing arts center" vs. "stadium" argument is an artificial argument. MSU can have both or neither, but those who want either need to step up and make the effort and write the checks. The stadium backers did that. If the performing arts backers want the same, they just need to bitch less and write checks more.

[AlphaOAlum]

Here's the deal with the performing arts center thing: MSU claims to need one. The Bozeman School District claims to need one. The community of Bozeman claims to need one. I'll be the first to admit that a performing arts center is more likely to be used 20-50 times a year, which is more than the 6-10 times a year a football stadium will be used. Yes, in terms of "bang for your donation buck", a performing arts center would be a better community investment.

THAT SAID, what's stopping MSU, the Bozeman School District and the other community groups as a whole from banding together, raising the money needed and making it happen? There is clearly a need, there is clearly some community interest in getting one built... just like there was a lot of community interest among Bobcat football fans in getting a football stadium expansion built. What's the difference between the two groups? Seems to me that at MSU we were lucky to have the leadership and vision from President Cruzado to make it happen. I guess the performing arts community is missing that type of leadership?

[SaxCat]

The problem currently is that these institutions/organizations are attempting to get their OWN facilities and haven't yet realized their collective joint interest. I agree that once these groups start talking to each other and combining their efforts, a wonderful facility will get built.

However, I think that some of the organizations (like the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra and City of Bozeman) are merely hoping that MSU will take initiative and build the facility and they can just piggy back off of it and just lease time/space.

I also thought I had heard a proposal for a joint facility like this to be put up where the old Armory building is downtown.... don't know what happened with that proposal, but I assume it is dead by now.

[SonomaCat]

I also thought I had heard a proposal for a joint facility like this to be put up where the old Armory building is downtown.... don't know what happened with that proposal, but I assume it is dead by now.

I remember that as well. Wasn't that all part of the parking garage/business class hotel/performing arts center package? I'm not sure why that fell apart -- most like the developers lost interest right around the time of one of our many economic hiccups over the past decade and a half.

I did see that there is maybe (or likely) going to be a nice hotel built downtown on one of the old parking lots (now that downtown has plenty of parking from the garage) ... so maybe that could lead to new discussions of a downtown performing arts center?

Honestly, a good performing arts center would be an AWESOME addition to downtown on so many levels, and would be a huge boost to downtown businesses.

[The Butcher]

I'll be the first to admit that a performing arts center is more likely to be used 20-50 times a year, which is more than the 6-10 times a year a football stadium will be used. Yes, in terms of "bang for your donation buck", a performing arts center would be a better community investment.

Perhaps it would be better in terms of “bang for your buck” in the sense that the doors would be open 20-50 times in a year. But I highly doubt they would do more in terms of overall attendance (16,000 x 6 = 96,000 vs 50 x 200 = 10,000).

[AlphaOAlum]

I'll be the first to admit that a performing arts center is more likely to be used 20-50 times a year, which is more than the 6-10 times a year a football stadium will be used. Yes, in terms of "bang for your donation buck", a performing arts center would be a better community investment.

Perhaps it would be better in terms of “bang for your buck” in the sense that the doors would be open 20-50 times in a year. But I highly doubt they would do more in terms of overall attendance (16,000 x 6 = 96,000 vs 50 x 200 = 10,000).

Oh I agree totally. Bozeman will never be able to afford (or need to construct) a performing arts center with seating for 18,000. I was thinking about the price to construct vs. the number of times per year the facility is used. Again, it comes back to the people who want the facility built banding together, fundraising and getting the project done.

[LongTimeCatFan]

I see what you did there. Old habbits die hard huh?

Yeah, but I expect that in this situation, every Bobcat fan on this board would do nothing but cheer that message. It's all about refining the message until you find a way to make everyone happy.

Yeah, lol, I actually did "cheer" a little bit, but also lol'd.

On a side note, I've decided that I could give a sh#t less about what these D-bags write in the paper anymore. None of them have a clue and as long as the powers that be are on our side...... who really gives a crap what these whiny low-lifes think. I know the thought process was that if we respond to them in a kind way and try to resolve this with discussion that it would go away. Well, guess what folks, it ain't happenin'. By engaging them, they get exactly what they want which is more exposure to something so frivolous and meaningless to the rest of the population much in the same way a "troll" o n our board, posts dart-board material. The way I see this is, the more attention these idiots get, the more interested the powers that be get. So how about we all just go about business as usuall and "Don't feed the Trolls." Don't let the fodder of few ruin what is expected to be the most amazing football season of our generation.

Side note number 2:

A performing arts center would be beneficial to any community. I am friends with the conductor of the Glacier Chorale and Symphony and regularly attend concerts here.

[bcats]

Whaaaa, whaaaa, whaaa!

I think that they've tried to raise funds but not succeeded is kind of his answer. How does posting a letter to the editor help him? Why doesn't he instead stand outside the "old Wilson Auditorium" and petition those folks that attend the concerts to fund a new venue? Seems like the most useful approach to me.

Better yet, why not go to a Bobcat Football game and petition the 20,000 people attending the game to raise funds for an Arts Facility. Im sure there are people interested. It is the largest gathering of people and these are the people that get things done. Quit bitching and join them. When are people going to realize that the athletic programs, specifically the football program, are the most recognizable association with any given University. Large occupied football stadiums generate revenue for the Universities in a way that nothing else really can. They can achieve a lot more by supporting the stadium and its expansion then trying to butt heads with it. There is a ton of money in college football not only directly but also indirectly. Large winning programs can provide more for the university then any other program on campus.

[geogfather]

I'll be the first to admit that a performing arts center is more likely to be used 20-50 times a year, which is more than the 6-10 times a year a football stadium will be used. Yes, in terms of "bang for your donation buck", a performing arts center would be a better community investment.

Perhaps it would be better in terms of “bang for your buck” in the sense that the doors would be open 20-50 times in a year. But I highly doubt they would do more in terms of overall attendance (16,000 x 6 = 96,000 vs 50 x 200 = 10,000).

While I don't entirely disagree with what you are getting at, there is no way that a new performing arts center in a population center the size of the Bozeman area would only seat 200 people nor would the average attendance of said venue have an average attendance that small. Hell, the new Performing Arts Center in Ronan is twice that size. I would assume you would need at a very minimum ten times the number of seats you listed for it to be used for anything worthwhile in a place like Bozeman. Nobody will be able to bring in any act, musical, theatrical, or otherwise to place that only has 200 seats. It wouldn't even suffice for a High School choir concert in a place like Bozeman if it were that small.

[SonomaCat]

Another great positive letter:

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/op ... um=twitter

[[cat_bracket]]

Aleksei Grosulak's response:

[youtube][/youtube]

[MT2AK_CAT]

Another great positive letter:

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/op ... um=twitter

Now that is one hell of a model American!