The below letter explains much more than the Indy Star actually reported. I have been to several Civic shows at the Tarkington and was blessed to be in one. Anyone likewise involved knows the quality and professionalism of this theater. Please support this and other quality community/ professional theaters in the area. Dear Friends, I feel the need to clarify some important facts absent from the Star report and the Carmel City Council Meeting. Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre is not in debt. Aside from some very standard revolving charge accounts which are paid in full each month, we have no outstanding debt to anyone. We pay our creditors, contractors and employees on time and in full. We have a PURCHASE agreement for the Tarkington and our Rehearsal Hall with the City of Carmel via the Carmel Redevelopment Commission. We do not pay rent. We do not have a lease for the space in the Tarkington. We are buying an equal interest in the facility. We have paid and intend to continue to pay our bills to the City of Carmel as prescribed by our agreements with the Carmel Redevelopment Commission. We recently renegotiated our original agreement. In exchange for a number of concessions by us, favorable to the City of Carmel, The Redevelopment Commission and The Center for the Performing Arts, we were granted a lower payment for 5 years to be added onto the existing 29 year payment schedule – what this means is we have deferred the larger payments for 5 years by agreeing to pay an additional $1,000,000.00 on the front end of the payment schedule. We have not been loaned money by the City. We have not been forgiven any debt or interest. The misleading characterization of our finances and intentions by the Council and the media will no doubt cause significant damage to our ability to raise money. Nobody wants to give money to fiscally irresponsible deadbeats. We will continue to work hard to maintain our reputation for high quality live theater and education. I appreciate anything you can do to help disabuse other members of the public of the notion that we are anything but a productive member of the Carmel Community and valuable asset to the Central Indiana Arts scene. Many Thanks! Michael J. Lasley Producing Director Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 20:45:50 +0000