SurelyUJest

Ahhh, how sentimental. Unfortunately Michael Brown will also leave Savannah with one huge albatross, the East Downtown Tax Allocation District. He may have worked budget magic for 2010 but that wand is out of juice and there is no rabbit in the hat. In the 2010 budget, Mr. Brown allocated $450,000 to cover the TAD bond debt service. You know the bonds that are supposed to be re-paid by the tax increment with no burden on the general fund. Only thing is, the "increment" (Savannah River Landing) didn't happen and the TAD generated a mere $93,000, not enough to pay the full $563,000 bill. So the city shifts money to make the payment essentially "robbing Peter to pay Paul" in a year when they are already scrambling. Clearly some program or service got shaved or axed to pay for this. Unfortunately, the major woe will go to Michael's replacement and the next mayor. In 2011, the debt service increases to $643,000 with little upside potential for increment based on that withering sand box by the river. In 2012, as Michael Brown sits comfortably in his new office, Savannah residents will face a debt service payment of $1.3 Million!!! Now even if property values in the TAD increase, that growth rate is going to be modest with no new development on the horizon. Using a generous 3% per year, the increment will produce a "tad" less than $120,000, or a shortfall of a whopping $1.18 MILLION!!! This "legacy" continues through 2028 Robin, so we'll have many years to remember.

Just so I understand what you are saying here wkc1970: It's ok for taxpayers to fund YOUR pension. It's ok for taxpayers to fund YOUR "good" health insurance. However, since you got YOURS, all others be damned? It's a bit scary that you can't see the hypocrisy in your position.

I have no argument with your premise that lower prices will fill seats assuming a quality production. The issue is and has been as Bill DeYoung pointed out in his article, the inability of community theater groups to recoup royalty fees and production expenses while at the same time having to spend thousands of dollars on facilities, utilities, insurance, etc, etc. Savannah isn't lacking an interest in community theater, it simply lacks a benefactor to build and operate a facility suitable for putting on the small scale productions associated with this entertainment genre. The Little Theater of Savannah delivered six productions a year with an average run of twelve shows. That's 72 reasons for people to come downtown, hang around, have a drink, grab dinner. That seems so much more compelling to me than a trip to gaze at the new Johnny Mercer statue. Maybe the marketing geniuses at the SDRA will do the math.