No, you don’t know me. And I have begun to develop the distinct impression that I do not want to know you. I have read your responses, and all of them on THIS board have been indirect and evasive at the best, and rude and confrontational at the worst. When I began on THIS board (of which I am a member), I had all the best intentions of asking you relevant questions (as well as others concerned) so that I could decide for myself which approaches would be the best for the downtown district, and which party I should align myself with.
In your open hostility and overall elusive manner, you have alienated me. I have therefore developed my own opinions without your information. I have been to the websites that have been provided to me by all others who have shared information openly. I have read newspaper articles, and spoken to people who are currently involved with the theater. The overall opinion of you in the general populace is not flattering at all. In fact, if I were you, I would have left town some time ago.
Even after reading all the information out there (and none of it was written by Mr. Loster or any of the Wheaton Theater staff or board), I was still willing to listen to your side of the conversation. But there was no conversation. You had again insisted upon coming onto this board and hurling insults, pointing fingers and giving absolutely no helpful information. I really do not care who you are or how much you know about theater. I had questions for which you had no answers. End of discussion.
I have now been priviliged to discuss a few items with Mr. Loster, and found him pleasant, intelligent and helpful. He did not “bash” you, which I believe is far more courtesy than you would have given him under the same circumstances. In fact, he was rather kind to you. It would seem that the Wheaton Theater Board simply wants a parting of the ways, and I do not understand why you have this desire to force yourself in where you are so obviously not wanted.
Comparing this board to the board on the DuPage is irrelevant. I have no desire to see the conversations here deteriorate any further. If this is the type of conversation you would like to have, I suggest that you stick to that forum. Perhaps they would appreciate your talents.
There has been, to my knowledge, no misinformation or lies except on your part. I have now been inside the theater. The air conditioning was working just fine on that visit. I have seen the newspaper article about the concert, and believe that the police had some advice on that matter, and I would be inclined to agree with them on their assessment of the situation. As for lawsuits, I believe you are the instigator of all of them; even when not involved directly, they seem to all be at your hand regardless.
I look forward to seeing you “in person”. I’m wondering if you will be able to give any direct answers live since you seem inable to do so in this format. At this point, however, I will say that even if the three theater arrangement were possible, I would have serious reservations about your ability to handle it. You get far too emotional and unnecessarily rude to be able to manage people effectively.
I also agree with “Life’s Too Short”. You’re very fond of listing off projects that are in the works. Aside from current projects, and projects that we know have been terminated due to poor working relationships, have there been any successful projects? Have you actually finished any restoration? Are there any theaters whose entertainment you are currently handling? Any evidence of another working theater that you have brought back from near death might encourage me to take a second look at your stand. After all, many people are unable to communicate effectively via the written word, and there is always the possibility that you are better at person-to-person communications. If this is the case, I ask you again to simply answer some of the very basic questions I have put forth, as well as the questions as laid out by “Life’s Too Short”.
My problem here is that there has been nothing offered as far as facts to back up a three theater plan. The basic “facts” in regards to a one theater plan is that:
It is the original design of the theater, and therefore more “authentic”.
Larger events can be scheduled, the type that I believe would encourage business in the downtown area.
As far as the show being canceled; I believe I have met Mr. Garvey, although I’m not quite sure. If he is the gentleman I think he is, I have no concerns at all regarding him. However, I believe that caution was certainly the better tactic in this circumstance. I don’t know if arrangements for security could have been made in advance, nor do I know if it would have helped. What about the alley? The parking lot? Those people who are not allowed in for whatever reason? Would they be loitering around after they discovered there was a search involved, leaning against the shop windows of innocent business owners? I don’t know that security inside the theater is necessarily the answer.
Hopefully, in the type of concert that Mr. Garvey is attempting to reschedule, in the suburban environment it will be held in, and if the authorities are notified well in advance as well as additional security is provided…well, then hopefully all will be well. But it will take quite a bit more thought than the average concert, and it is something that should not be taken lightly or flippantly.
I would also like to know exactly how Mr. Warshauer plans to take over the board at the Wheaton Theater. They have, after all, seen to the termination of the contract. Are there plans for the new board to be retired? Replaced? Who does have control over such things? I understand it is a non-profit organization, so I’m a bit confused as to exactly who has a say in it, and would like to know.
I am planning on becoming much more involved in the theater (as involved as someone working her own business can be)and would certainly like to know all these details. If there is any chance at all that Mr. Warshauer will be more involved in the daily running of the theater, I will not be becoming involved myself. His behavior towards me on this board, as well as to others, gives me a certain discomfort when I think what it would be like to work with him on a daily basis.
First, let me say that I was aware of the reasons given for the cancellation of Mr. Garvey’s August 6th performance. I have to say that I was relieved that the Wheaton Grand Theater Board had enough consideration for the safety of its neighbors and community to cancel the event. Yes, it might have been unnecessary. Yes, it might have been an over-reaction. But it was an action that was advised by the Wheaton Police Department, and that in and of itself is reason enough for me. I have no ill-will toward the “hip-hop community” and do hope that the event can be rescheduled. It may not be my “cup of tea”, but that doesn’t mean I’m against it. However, as a woman in business who is frequently alone in her store, one of the things I find the most attractive about downtown Wheaton is my complete sense of safety. I do hope it can be maintained.
I have indeed noticed the intent put forth by Mr. Novelli and Mr. Warshauer. Although I don’t find for-profit organizations to be necessarily evil…I am after all, running one myself…I have gotten no intelligent response to my many questions as to his particular plans for the future of the Wheaton Grand. I had hoped that he would be able to share his information, to let me know exactly why his plan was so much better than the current plan being followed. He does seem to truly believe in it. I have been trying to listen to all sides of this discussion, to be able to make a fair and reasonable decision as far as who to believe. But since there has been no productive conversation there, I have turned my attention to those on the board who will have an intelligent discussion about the future of the theater.
I was quite pleased to see volunteers out and about working on the building tonight. All in all, they were quite pleasant. I also had a lovely conversation with one of the board members when they came into my store. Thank you for letting me know when the meeting will be. I will try to make arrangements to stay in the area after we close so that I may attend. I am extremely interested to see what is planned for the future, and where I might be able to help. Even if its as simple as putting flyers up in my store, I would be more than happy to assist.
I do look forward to the meeting, and to meeting many more of the volunteers and board members.
Thank you for posting this article. It definitely helps to clear up some of the questions I have had regarding the theater which haven’t yet been answered by others on this board. Of course, it does seem like there are always more questions than answers, but at least I have an idea of what has transpired to this point.
I believe that Mr. Warshauer is assuming that since I am not completely on his side, I must be some sort of plant from the Theater Group. I assure you this is not the case.
I was also confused by the theory of three theaters. Not just by the number of walls, but by the types of entertainment he proposed would be beneficial somehow, and that the theater would be somehow useless if it was restored back to its original one theater format. Unfortunately, Mr. Warshauer has taken my questions in regards to his proposition as some sort of demand that he prove himself. I was simply looking for information that would have helped me to see his point of view on this topic. I do have to admit that due to completely subjective considerations, I have more-or-less discounted his point of view altogether.
I do hope that other people begin to become more active in this list so that we can have productive discussions about the theater. Are there any other ways to raise money besides the currently running shows? Would it be useful for me to put a donation jar in my shop? Flyers? Is there any way to have posters printed up for downtown businesses? A garage sale like the one Wheaton Drama just had? I don’t know…whatever other charities do for fundraising. I’m game for just about anything that helps, if I have the room as my store is rather small and filled almost to capacity as we “speak”!
I’m sorry if I inadvertantly misspelled your name. It was not intentional, I assure you.
I’ve never made any accusations about whether or not you did an excellent job at the Wheaton Grand when you were handling the bookings. In my mind, it is a completely irrelevant topic as that is obviously the past. If you would like to persue that avenue of discussion, please feel free, but consider me to be uninterested. My interests lie solely with the future of the theater, not the past. I was interested in your proposition in regards to whether or not to have one theater only because it was an option that I consider still potentially viable and an interesting question. However, your contract (whether legally or not) has been severed, and the current board has no interest at all in reinstating you. In my mind, this makes your current stand futile at best.
I have never stated that I was involved with the theater financially. I know nothing at all about it, and have stated that from the beginning of these conversations. But I am a downtown business ownere, and have an interest in bringing more business into the downtown area to the benefit of all. In that light, I would like to contribute any way that I can. In the manner of assisting you with your apparently endless quest to point fingers, I have no interst. I have no need to gain credibility with the public. I am not involved at all in the running of operations at the theater.
I am disappointed, Mr. Warshauer, but perhaps less than I was at the beginning. It has become apparent that the discussions that I had looked forward to when I first started to post will never come to pass as you have no interest in creating a future for the theater if it does not involve your management. If you will not contribute to productive discussion, I will no longer direct any comments to you, and would request that you not further address any accusations, insults or derogatory statements towards those of us who would like to carry on intelligent conversations. Your virulent outbursts are discouraging many people from engaging in more productive debate.
Therefore, I reiterate my questions from my last post to LZOGAS and others involved with the theater who would care to respond. What is there that downtown business can do in order to assist with the restoration of the theater?
Again, I can’t help but express my disappointment in your response. I am trying to maintain an objective and rational debate on the issues at hand without the over emotionalizing which clouds the facts. I have been cordial to both yourself and LZOGAS, neither of whom I know personally. I hope you are not offended that I’m being considerate towards someone that you have such an obvious disregard for; I try to be polite to anyone until I am given a reason to be otherwise.
I have also noted that you have not answered any of my questions. Perhaps you don’t take them seriously? Do you find my questions intimidating? Or perhaps, if I give you the benefit of the doubt, you simply read the most recent posts. I would ask you to consider my questions, and if you have any answers, to please respond.
In addition, I would like to know if there are any steps above and beyond the forementioned events to secure funds? Any other fundraising projects? Anything to generate word of mouth? I know I can not drive through Lombard without encountering signs to support the DuPage Theater. Has anything been attempted in this regard? Is anything planned? Mr. Warshauer has expressed remorse at there not being more downtown businesses active in this discussion…is there anything at all that can be done to bring the others aboard?
Again, I can’t help but express my disappointment in your response. I am trying to maintain an objective and rational debate on the issues at hand without the over emotionalizing which clouds the facts. I have been cordial to both yourself and LZOGAS, neither of whom I know personally. I hope you are not offended that I’m being considerate towards someone that you have such an obvious disregard for; I try to be polite to anyone until I am given a reason to be otherwise.
I have also noted that you have not answered any of my questions. Perhaps you don’t take them seriously? Do you find my questions intimidating? Or perhaps, if I give you the benefit of the doubt, you simply read the most recent posts. I would ask you to consider my questions, and if you have any answers, to please respond.
In addition, I would like to know if there are any steps above and beyond the forementioned events to secure funds? Any other fundraising projects? Anything to generate word of mouth? I know I can not drive through Lombard without encountering signs to support the DuPage Theater. Has anything been attempted in this regard? Is anything planned? Mr. Warshauer has expressed remorse at there not being more downtown businesses active in this discussion…is there anything at all that can be done to bring the others aboard?
Thank you, LZOGAS, for being so complimentary! I have to say, I’m intrigued about the entire situation. In the long run, I want what’s best for the entire city, although what’s best for the theater itself certainly factors in.
Its just unfortunate that there are so many obviously emotional issues beneath the surface of this argument. Getting through the various layers of anger is difficult to say the least.
I do look forward to getting to the bottom of things and finding an answer in there, somewhere!
You have seriously disappointed me with your answer.
First, on a personal note you have disapointed me with your assumption that I am a business man. I am a business woman. I will try not to sound feministic about this, and simply assume that you are of an older generation and unused to strong, independently minded business women.
Also, I am disappointed because I did not seek an apology from you to the Wheaton Grand Theater Board in general, but in regard to the specific issue of the office space having been rented. In this situation you were indeed wrong, and I take it as a mark of character when a person is able to own up to their mistakes. You apparently are not of such character. But I will try again, and hope you simply overlooked this point amidst the many other points of my rather large post. So if you will post an apology, I will look upon it as a mark of a good character and it may weigh in against the other opinions that I am beginning to develop in light of this pending litigation.
I am glad you have found suitable offices. However, I do believe that your statement regarding your eviction from that office as illegal is incorrect. Your contract with the theater board was terminated whether you were fired or the contract was broken. The property belongs to the theater, and no rent was being collected from you for the property. I am also sorry for you that you believe they withheld your property without proper notice, however I believe that if you had a reasonable discussion with them they would have willingly returned it to you. Indeed, I believe you still came out ahead of the bargain marginally as the property was in severe need of repair after your office vacated. I am sure the repair of the space as well as the removal of your possessions actually cost more than the approximate value of them.
As a downtown business woman, I do not necessarily embrace either your plan nor theirs as of yet. I do not believe that you in any way have a better plan, or that the current plan is as bad as you have painted it to be.
Are you aware of what is currently being produced at the theater? You seem somewhat removed from the actual schedule. The theater has three nights a week more or less consistently booked. And these are not all “punk” or “heavy metal” shows. In fact, many of them are what is known as “indy” in the trades, more of a offshoot…like folk music with a hard edge to it. Yes, they have had some heavy metal shows, but I understand that these will be phased out as they are not condusive to the downtown business environment. There have indeed been other productions; last week there was a library sponsored showing of the original Star Wars movie, which was completely sold out. The prior week there was a matinee movie showing as well. I would encourage you to check your facts, or at least update the information you are gathering. Its apparently outdated. I believe there was a bit of a recovery after the abrupt separation of your company from theirs; as Mr. Loster has himself said on this very board, there were numerous problems contacting people who were already booked to play, and no copies of contracts were forwarded to the board. In this situation, I would assume a period of adjustment would be necessary before the Theater would be able to locate appropriate talent.
As far as the training of the theater volunteers/employees, I have no way to judge your opinions as being true or false at least insofar as their training and/or lack of knowledge. However, if they arrived with no training, they must have received excellent training somewhere because I have absolutely no complaints about the way they conduct themselves.
I have never felt the need for them to ask me what my opinion is, or to wait until there is some mystical board meeting to put in my opinion. Mr. Loster has email at which he can be reached, there is the website for the Theater, and if I truly wished to, I am sure that I could knock on the door or walk in on a night when there was a production and speak to any of the volunteers. I am not worried at all about the Theater knowing my opinion. In fact, I plan on doing said same at my next convenience so that I might hear from Mr. Loster as well; your voice seems to have silenced his on this board, and I would like to get input from both sides of this debate.
In regard to the lawsuit, and your apparent noble efforts to somehow punish the non-profit theater board for safety issues you’ve perceived; where will this $100,000 go? Will you be hiring a contractor to fix these problems? Will the money be put into a trust fund for the medical bills of children who are injured in the mosh pits? I don’t believe your motives to be that philanthropic, and I must again say that I cannot look with a kind eye at someone who files suit against a non-profit entity, no matter how much they say it is “evil”. Has the fire department fined the theater at all? Have the building inspectors been through and issues citations? These are the facts that I would like to know before I decide whether or not the Theater is as bad as you would like to suggest it is.
Also, I sense in this we are confusing two separate issues. Whether or not you were legally terminated is one issue. Whether or not the current Board is doing a “good job” and “know the theater business” is a separate issue altogether. It would do well if we could separate those two issues in any future discussions. Does your pending litigation have anything at all to do with the way the Theater is currently run, or is it just a claim for damages due to the termination (legal or not) of the contract?
You may think that I’ve taken your business plan out of context, but I maintain that even given three stages, boy scouts, YMCA and Senior Center activities really do NOT bring in a great deal of revenue to the downtown area, whereas these local bands appear to and if they were able to contract larger entertainers, they would bring in more people with a higher amount of available income for shopping. That is my bottom line. Please don’t misunderstand me, community is a wonderful thing and should be considered. But there are plenty of venues for these other non-profits. I’m sure that even if the theater were to become one instead of three theater areas, when the theater was being rented out on the weekends for these larger performances, it would still be available for other things in off-hours. That, I believe, is the normal way these things work.
You’ve also not given me an answer as far as:
Your figures on the number of people the City of Wheaton can support in regard to parking.
Who, besides yourself, supports the three theaters concept. Are there any other Wheaton businesses backing your plan?
I have no real interest in taking this discussion off the list, and less interest in handing out my personal information. I would much prefer that all debate be in this public forum where others may be able to join in the discussion.
Thank you for your prompt reply. I look forward to a hearty debate on the issues at hand.
To get this out front, I am a current business owner downtown Wheaton, in close proximity to the Grand. I do not have any experience renovating movie theaters or any other historical buildings. I am not revealing my name or business because of the open hostility demonstrated on this board. I will not have myself abused verbally or physically by either side of this argument.
I do have several questions as well as a few statements, but I will try to keep this brief so as not to be lost in the many, many posts.
First, I do not feel that one needs to be an expert in order to have an opinion on a subject. You have evidence to prove your point of view, JLOSTER has evidence to support himself as well. Being a business person downtown Wheaton, my success or failure will be impacted by the success or failure of the Grand. This is where my point of view stands.
First, I would like to know exactly who the “we” are that you are speaking of in regards to wanting 3 theaters. I am not one of them, and no of no one who is. If the right people are on the “three theaters side”, it might affect my opinions.
Second, I would like to know where you are getting the idea that people are somehow upset at the fact that you are not running events out of the front of the theater. I’ve never observed such a thing myself.
Third, I don’t understand your math. I believe the theater currently has a fire code maximum limit of 722 occupants in the larger theater (which I do not believe includes the smaller area). How is it that the City of Wheaton can support 722 persons in one theater, but not 800 were the theater to be renovated? I’m a bit confused there.
Fourth, exactly how to you expect that your plans would be of more benefit to me? I don’t particularly see non-profit organizations like the boy scouts or YMCA bringing in a lot of extraneous income for shopping. Being non-profit, I would imagine that they would not be able to pay premium for the use of the Grand theater, either.
Fifth, I must say it distresses me horribly that anyone would take it upon themselves to file a lawsuit against a non-profit organization. This is an all volunteer organization, maintained solely for the purpose of renovating the theater. You claim over and over to want the best for the theater, and yet you would take money from that same project to line your own pockets. This does make it very difficult for me to side with you in this current situation.
Sixth, I have seen absolutely no apology for the fact that you made assumptions and verbally assaulted the board of the theater for forcing you to leave your office when that space had not been rented. It was indeed rented, JLOSTER contradicted you, and the signs were visible for the world to see (or at least all of downtown Wheaton) well before the first of June. There is currently a business there. I would feel better about you as a person as well as a businessman if I knew you could admit when you are wrong, and utter some sort of apology for the assumption you made about the property.
No, I do not know you, Mike Novelli or your staff, but your reaction to my message will be what I will base any opionions upon, so I would hope you will make your comments wisely.
Thank you for your time, I look foward to reading your comments.
Mr. Warshauer:
No, you don’t know me. And I have begun to develop the distinct impression that I do not want to know you. I have read your responses, and all of them on THIS board have been indirect and evasive at the best, and rude and confrontational at the worst. When I began on THIS board (of which I am a member), I had all the best intentions of asking you relevant questions (as well as others concerned) so that I could decide for myself which approaches would be the best for the downtown district, and which party I should align myself with.
In your open hostility and overall elusive manner, you have alienated me. I have therefore developed my own opinions without your information. I have been to the websites that have been provided to me by all others who have shared information openly. I have read newspaper articles, and spoken to people who are currently involved with the theater. The overall opinion of you in the general populace is not flattering at all. In fact, if I were you, I would have left town some time ago.
Even after reading all the information out there (and none of it was written by Mr. Loster or any of the Wheaton Theater staff or board), I was still willing to listen to your side of the conversation. But there was no conversation. You had again insisted upon coming onto this board and hurling insults, pointing fingers and giving absolutely no helpful information. I really do not care who you are or how much you know about theater. I had questions for which you had no answers. End of discussion.
I have now been priviliged to discuss a few items with Mr. Loster, and found him pleasant, intelligent and helpful. He did not “bash” you, which I believe is far more courtesy than you would have given him under the same circumstances. In fact, he was rather kind to you. It would seem that the Wheaton Theater Board simply wants a parting of the ways, and I do not understand why you have this desire to force yourself in where you are so obviously not wanted.
Comparing this board to the board on the DuPage is irrelevant. I have no desire to see the conversations here deteriorate any further. If this is the type of conversation you would like to have, I suggest that you stick to that forum. Perhaps they would appreciate your talents.
There has been, to my knowledge, no misinformation or lies except on your part. I have now been inside the theater. The air conditioning was working just fine on that visit. I have seen the newspaper article about the concert, and believe that the police had some advice on that matter, and I would be inclined to agree with them on their assessment of the situation. As for lawsuits, I believe you are the instigator of all of them; even when not involved directly, they seem to all be at your hand regardless.
I look forward to seeing you “in person”. I’m wondering if you will be able to give any direct answers live since you seem inable to do so in this format. At this point, however, I will say that even if the three theater arrangement were possible, I would have serious reservations about your ability to handle it. You get far too emotional and unnecessarily rude to be able to manage people effectively.
I also agree with “Life’s Too Short”. You’re very fond of listing off projects that are in the works. Aside from current projects, and projects that we know have been terminated due to poor working relationships, have there been any successful projects? Have you actually finished any restoration? Are there any theaters whose entertainment you are currently handling? Any evidence of another working theater that you have brought back from near death might encourage me to take a second look at your stand. After all, many people are unable to communicate effectively via the written word, and there is always the possibility that you are better at person-to-person communications. If this is the case, I ask you again to simply answer some of the very basic questions I have put forth, as well as the questions as laid out by “Life’s Too Short”.
I would be interested in your answers.
The Neighbor
My problem here is that there has been nothing offered as far as facts to back up a three theater plan. The basic “facts” in regards to a one theater plan is that:
It is the original design of the theater, and therefore more “authentic”.
Larger events can be scheduled, the type that I believe would encourage business in the downtown area.
As far as the show being canceled; I believe I have met Mr. Garvey, although I’m not quite sure. If he is the gentleman I think he is, I have no concerns at all regarding him. However, I believe that caution was certainly the better tactic in this circumstance. I don’t know if arrangements for security could have been made in advance, nor do I know if it would have helped. What about the alley? The parking lot? Those people who are not allowed in for whatever reason? Would they be loitering around after they discovered there was a search involved, leaning against the shop windows of innocent business owners? I don’t know that security inside the theater is necessarily the answer.
Hopefully, in the type of concert that Mr. Garvey is attempting to reschedule, in the suburban environment it will be held in, and if the authorities are notified well in advance as well as additional security is provided…well, then hopefully all will be well. But it will take quite a bit more thought than the average concert, and it is something that should not be taken lightly or flippantly.
I would also like to know exactly how Mr. Warshauer plans to take over the board at the Wheaton Theater. They have, after all, seen to the termination of the contract. Are there plans for the new board to be retired? Replaced? Who does have control over such things? I understand it is a non-profit organization, so I’m a bit confused as to exactly who has a say in it, and would like to know.
I am planning on becoming much more involved in the theater (as involved as someone working her own business can be)and would certainly like to know all these details. If there is any chance at all that Mr. Warshauer will be more involved in the daily running of the theater, I will not be becoming involved myself. His behavior towards me on this board, as well as to others, gives me a certain discomfort when I think what it would be like to work with him on a daily basis.
The Neighbor
Thank you all for the information contributed.
First, let me say that I was aware of the reasons given for the cancellation of Mr. Garvey’s August 6th performance. I have to say that I was relieved that the Wheaton Grand Theater Board had enough consideration for the safety of its neighbors and community to cancel the event. Yes, it might have been unnecessary. Yes, it might have been an over-reaction. But it was an action that was advised by the Wheaton Police Department, and that in and of itself is reason enough for me. I have no ill-will toward the “hip-hop community” and do hope that the event can be rescheduled. It may not be my “cup of tea”, but that doesn’t mean I’m against it. However, as a woman in business who is frequently alone in her store, one of the things I find the most attractive about downtown Wheaton is my complete sense of safety. I do hope it can be maintained.
I have indeed noticed the intent put forth by Mr. Novelli and Mr. Warshauer. Although I don’t find for-profit organizations to be necessarily evil…I am after all, running one myself…I have gotten no intelligent response to my many questions as to his particular plans for the future of the Wheaton Grand. I had hoped that he would be able to share his information, to let me know exactly why his plan was so much better than the current plan being followed. He does seem to truly believe in it. I have been trying to listen to all sides of this discussion, to be able to make a fair and reasonable decision as far as who to believe. But since there has been no productive conversation there, I have turned my attention to those on the board who will have an intelligent discussion about the future of the theater.
I was quite pleased to see volunteers out and about working on the building tonight. All in all, they were quite pleasant. I also had a lovely conversation with one of the board members when they came into my store. Thank you for letting me know when the meeting will be. I will try to make arrangements to stay in the area after we close so that I may attend. I am extremely interested to see what is planned for the future, and where I might be able to help. Even if its as simple as putting flyers up in my store, I would be more than happy to assist.
I do look forward to the meeting, and to meeting many more of the volunteers and board members.
Thank you again for the information,
The Neighbor
Mr. Krefft:
Thank you for posting this article. It definitely helps to clear up some of the questions I have had regarding the theater which haven’t yet been answered by others on this board. Of course, it does seem like there are always more questions than answers, but at least I have an idea of what has transpired to this point.
Thanks again,
The Neighbor
WGTLuver:
Thank you for your support.
I believe that Mr. Warshauer is assuming that since I am not completely on his side, I must be some sort of plant from the Theater Group. I assure you this is not the case.
I was also confused by the theory of three theaters. Not just by the number of walls, but by the types of entertainment he proposed would be beneficial somehow, and that the theater would be somehow useless if it was restored back to its original one theater format. Unfortunately, Mr. Warshauer has taken my questions in regards to his proposition as some sort of demand that he prove himself. I was simply looking for information that would have helped me to see his point of view on this topic. I do have to admit that due to completely subjective considerations, I have more-or-less discounted his point of view altogether.
I do hope that other people begin to become more active in this list so that we can have productive discussions about the theater. Are there any other ways to raise money besides the currently running shows? Would it be useful for me to put a donation jar in my shop? Flyers? Is there any way to have posters printed up for downtown businesses? A garage sale like the one Wheaton Drama just had? I don’t know…whatever other charities do for fundraising. I’m game for just about anything that helps, if I have the room as my store is rather small and filled almost to capacity as we “speak”!
Thank you for joining in, WGTLuver
The Neighbor
Mr. Warshauer:
I’m sorry if I inadvertantly misspelled your name. It was not intentional, I assure you.
I’ve never made any accusations about whether or not you did an excellent job at the Wheaton Grand when you were handling the bookings. In my mind, it is a completely irrelevant topic as that is obviously the past. If you would like to persue that avenue of discussion, please feel free, but consider me to be uninterested. My interests lie solely with the future of the theater, not the past. I was interested in your proposition in regards to whether or not to have one theater only because it was an option that I consider still potentially viable and an interesting question. However, your contract (whether legally or not) has been severed, and the current board has no interest at all in reinstating you. In my mind, this makes your current stand futile at best.
I have never stated that I was involved with the theater financially. I know nothing at all about it, and have stated that from the beginning of these conversations. But I am a downtown business ownere, and have an interest in bringing more business into the downtown area to the benefit of all. In that light, I would like to contribute any way that I can. In the manner of assisting you with your apparently endless quest to point fingers, I have no interst. I have no need to gain credibility with the public. I am not involved at all in the running of operations at the theater.
I am disappointed, Mr. Warshauer, but perhaps less than I was at the beginning. It has become apparent that the discussions that I had looked forward to when I first started to post will never come to pass as you have no interest in creating a future for the theater if it does not involve your management. If you will not contribute to productive discussion, I will no longer direct any comments to you, and would request that you not further address any accusations, insults or derogatory statements towards those of us who would like to carry on intelligent conversations. Your virulent outbursts are discouraging many people from engaging in more productive debate.
Therefore, I reiterate my questions from my last post to LZOGAS and others involved with the theater who would care to respond. What is there that downtown business can do in order to assist with the restoration of the theater?
As Always,
The Neighbor
Mr. Warhsauer:
Again, I can’t help but express my disappointment in your response. I am trying to maintain an objective and rational debate on the issues at hand without the over emotionalizing which clouds the facts. I have been cordial to both yourself and LZOGAS, neither of whom I know personally. I hope you are not offended that I’m being considerate towards someone that you have such an obvious disregard for; I try to be polite to anyone until I am given a reason to be otherwise.
I have also noted that you have not answered any of my questions. Perhaps you don’t take them seriously? Do you find my questions intimidating? Or perhaps, if I give you the benefit of the doubt, you simply read the most recent posts. I would ask you to consider my questions, and if you have any answers, to please respond.
In addition, I would like to know if there are any steps above and beyond the forementioned events to secure funds? Any other fundraising projects? Anything to generate word of mouth? I know I can not drive through Lombard without encountering signs to support the DuPage Theater. Has anything been attempted in this regard? Is anything planned? Mr. Warshauer has expressed remorse at there not being more downtown businesses active in this discussion…is there anything at all that can be done to bring the others aboard?
As always,
The Neighbor
Mr. Warhsauer:
Again, I can’t help but express my disappointment in your response. I am trying to maintain an objective and rational debate on the issues at hand without the over emotionalizing which clouds the facts. I have been cordial to both yourself and LZOGAS, neither of whom I know personally. I hope you are not offended that I’m being considerate towards someone that you have such an obvious disregard for; I try to be polite to anyone until I am given a reason to be otherwise.
I have also noted that you have not answered any of my questions. Perhaps you don’t take them seriously? Do you find my questions intimidating? Or perhaps, if I give you the benefit of the doubt, you simply read the most recent posts. I would ask you to consider my questions, and if you have any answers, to please respond.
In addition, I would like to know if there are any steps above and beyond the forementioned events to secure funds? Any other fundraising projects? Anything to generate word of mouth? I know I can not drive through Lombard without encountering signs to support the DuPage Theater. Has anything been attempted in this regard? Is anything planned? Mr. Warshauer has expressed remorse at there not being more downtown businesses active in this discussion…is there anything at all that can be done to bring the others aboard?
As always,
The Neighbor
Thank you, LZOGAS, for being so complimentary! I have to say, I’m intrigued about the entire situation. In the long run, I want what’s best for the entire city, although what’s best for the theater itself certainly factors in.
Its just unfortunate that there are so many obviously emotional issues beneath the surface of this argument. Getting through the various layers of anger is difficult to say the least.
I do look forward to getting to the bottom of things and finding an answer in there, somewhere!
The Neighbor
Mr. Warshauer:
You have seriously disappointed me with your answer.
First, on a personal note you have disapointed me with your assumption that I am a business man. I am a business woman. I will try not to sound feministic about this, and simply assume that you are of an older generation and unused to strong, independently minded business women.
Also, I am disappointed because I did not seek an apology from you to the Wheaton Grand Theater Board in general, but in regard to the specific issue of the office space having been rented. In this situation you were indeed wrong, and I take it as a mark of character when a person is able to own up to their mistakes. You apparently are not of such character. But I will try again, and hope you simply overlooked this point amidst the many other points of my rather large post. So if you will post an apology, I will look upon it as a mark of a good character and it may weigh in against the other opinions that I am beginning to develop in light of this pending litigation.
I am glad you have found suitable offices. However, I do believe that your statement regarding your eviction from that office as illegal is incorrect. Your contract with the theater board was terminated whether you were fired or the contract was broken. The property belongs to the theater, and no rent was being collected from you for the property. I am also sorry for you that you believe they withheld your property without proper notice, however I believe that if you had a reasonable discussion with them they would have willingly returned it to you. Indeed, I believe you still came out ahead of the bargain marginally as the property was in severe need of repair after your office vacated. I am sure the repair of the space as well as the removal of your possessions actually cost more than the approximate value of them.
As a downtown business woman, I do not necessarily embrace either your plan nor theirs as of yet. I do not believe that you in any way have a better plan, or that the current plan is as bad as you have painted it to be.
Are you aware of what is currently being produced at the theater? You seem somewhat removed from the actual schedule. The theater has three nights a week more or less consistently booked. And these are not all “punk” or “heavy metal” shows. In fact, many of them are what is known as “indy” in the trades, more of a offshoot…like folk music with a hard edge to it. Yes, they have had some heavy metal shows, but I understand that these will be phased out as they are not condusive to the downtown business environment. There have indeed been other productions; last week there was a library sponsored showing of the original Star Wars movie, which was completely sold out. The prior week there was a matinee movie showing as well. I would encourage you to check your facts, or at least update the information you are gathering. Its apparently outdated. I believe there was a bit of a recovery after the abrupt separation of your company from theirs; as Mr. Loster has himself said on this very board, there were numerous problems contacting people who were already booked to play, and no copies of contracts were forwarded to the board. In this situation, I would assume a period of adjustment would be necessary before the Theater would be able to locate appropriate talent.
As far as the training of the theater volunteers/employees, I have no way to judge your opinions as being true or false at least insofar as their training and/or lack of knowledge. However, if they arrived with no training, they must have received excellent training somewhere because I have absolutely no complaints about the way they conduct themselves.
I have never felt the need for them to ask me what my opinion is, or to wait until there is some mystical board meeting to put in my opinion. Mr. Loster has email at which he can be reached, there is the website for the Theater, and if I truly wished to, I am sure that I could knock on the door or walk in on a night when there was a production and speak to any of the volunteers. I am not worried at all about the Theater knowing my opinion. In fact, I plan on doing said same at my next convenience so that I might hear from Mr. Loster as well; your voice seems to have silenced his on this board, and I would like to get input from both sides of this debate.
In regard to the lawsuit, and your apparent noble efforts to somehow punish the non-profit theater board for safety issues you’ve perceived; where will this $100,000 go? Will you be hiring a contractor to fix these problems? Will the money be put into a trust fund for the medical bills of children who are injured in the mosh pits? I don’t believe your motives to be that philanthropic, and I must again say that I cannot look with a kind eye at someone who files suit against a non-profit entity, no matter how much they say it is “evil”. Has the fire department fined the theater at all? Have the building inspectors been through and issues citations? These are the facts that I would like to know before I decide whether or not the Theater is as bad as you would like to suggest it is.
Also, I sense in this we are confusing two separate issues. Whether or not you were legally terminated is one issue. Whether or not the current Board is doing a “good job” and “know the theater business” is a separate issue altogether. It would do well if we could separate those two issues in any future discussions. Does your pending litigation have anything at all to do with the way the Theater is currently run, or is it just a claim for damages due to the termination (legal or not) of the contract?
You may think that I’ve taken your business plan out of context, but I maintain that even given three stages, boy scouts, YMCA and Senior Center activities really do NOT bring in a great deal of revenue to the downtown area, whereas these local bands appear to and if they were able to contract larger entertainers, they would bring in more people with a higher amount of available income for shopping. That is my bottom line. Please don’t misunderstand me, community is a wonderful thing and should be considered. But there are plenty of venues for these other non-profits. I’m sure that even if the theater were to become one instead of three theater areas, when the theater was being rented out on the weekends for these larger performances, it would still be available for other things in off-hours. That, I believe, is the normal way these things work.
You’ve also not given me an answer as far as:
Your figures on the number of people the City of Wheaton can support in regard to parking.
Who, besides yourself, supports the three theaters concept. Are there any other Wheaton businesses backing your plan?
I have no real interest in taking this discussion off the list, and less interest in handing out my personal information. I would much prefer that all debate be in this public forum where others may be able to join in the discussion.
Thank you for your prompt reply. I look forward to a hearty debate on the issues at hand.
The Neighbor
Well, aside from having mis-numbered my post, it doesn’t look to bad, does it?
Silly me.
The Neighbor
Mr. Warshauer:
To get this out front, I am a current business owner downtown Wheaton, in close proximity to the Grand. I do not have any experience renovating movie theaters or any other historical buildings. I am not revealing my name or business because of the open hostility demonstrated on this board. I will not have myself abused verbally or physically by either side of this argument.
I do have several questions as well as a few statements, but I will try to keep this brief so as not to be lost in the many, many posts.
First, I do not feel that one needs to be an expert in order to have an opinion on a subject. You have evidence to prove your point of view, JLOSTER has evidence to support himself as well. Being a business person downtown Wheaton, my success or failure will be impacted by the success or failure of the Grand. This is where my point of view stands.
First, I would like to know exactly who the “we” are that you are speaking of in regards to wanting 3 theaters. I am not one of them, and no of no one who is. If the right people are on the “three theaters side”, it might affect my opinions.
Second, I would like to know where you are getting the idea that people are somehow upset at the fact that you are not running events out of the front of the theater. I’ve never observed such a thing myself.
Third, I don’t understand your math. I believe the theater currently has a fire code maximum limit of 722 occupants in the larger theater (which I do not believe includes the smaller area). How is it that the City of Wheaton can support 722 persons in one theater, but not 800 were the theater to be renovated? I’m a bit confused there.
Fourth, exactly how to you expect that your plans would be of more benefit to me? I don’t particularly see non-profit organizations like the boy scouts or YMCA bringing in a lot of extraneous income for shopping. Being non-profit, I would imagine that they would not be able to pay premium for the use of the Grand theater, either.
Fifth, I must say it distresses me horribly that anyone would take it upon themselves to file a lawsuit against a non-profit organization. This is an all volunteer organization, maintained solely for the purpose of renovating the theater. You claim over and over to want the best for the theater, and yet you would take money from that same project to line your own pockets. This does make it very difficult for me to side with you in this current situation.
Sixth, I have seen absolutely no apology for the fact that you made assumptions and verbally assaulted the board of the theater for forcing you to leave your office when that space had not been rented. It was indeed rented, JLOSTER contradicted you, and the signs were visible for the world to see (or at least all of downtown Wheaton) well before the first of June. There is currently a business there. I would feel better about you as a person as well as a businessman if I knew you could admit when you are wrong, and utter some sort of apology for the assumption you made about the property.
No, I do not know you, Mike Novelli or your staff, but your reaction to my message will be what I will base any opionions upon, so I would hope you will make your comments wisely.
Thank you for your time, I look foward to reading your comments.