Agreeing With Robbie Perkins On Greensboro Coliseum
March 2, 2010 – 10:03 amThe event in the post headline is notable. Perkins, Bellamy-Small, and Matheny attended the War Memorial Commission meeting yesterday.
Robbie reiterates the point I’ve been trying unsuccessfully to make recently. Either city residents should get some sort of discount at the facility or others benefiting should share the costs. Note the sentence in bold print in this recent e-mail:
Subject: Greensboro Coliseum
Rashad and Matt,
I am very concerned about Council trying to tell Matt Brown how to run the Coliseum. He is one of the top managers in the business. The business model for a facility this size in a middle market is tough. We need to consistently make improvements to the facility or we will not be competitive in luring events like the ACC. Matt and his outstanding staff have lowered costs and increased revenue through innovation and plain tough negotiation. The ideal solution for the Coliseum is to form an authority and get the politics out of what is a complex, entrepreneurial business. The facility is not a recreation center, and city government doesn’t understand how to run it.
The Coliseum’s public purpose has an effect on its bottom line.
In addition, the benefits of the facility are far beyond the city limits, and the burden of its operation should be shared by those who benefit.
I would like to look at a designated, county wide source of funding the $2million+/- operating deficit and make the conversion to an authority. Matt Brown and his team should continue to run the facility. I don’t believe privatization or outsourcing is the way to go in this building. The Coliseum is one of our more noteworthy community assets, and turning it over to a private company would compromise what makes our venue special.
Let’s not try to create a problem by trying to solve a problem. Let’s set a goal of making a great facility better, and work toward an equitable and efficient way to share the costs.
Robbie Perkins
Perkins is in favor of the amphitheater being completed and says it will pay for itself in two years.
Matheny says Brown’s passion for his work sometimes causes him to be a “lightning rod”.
That lightning rod is quite an asset to this city and passion for his work is an understatement.
What might be noted is that if Matt Brown acquires responsibility for the Canada Dry Building, or the Aquatic Center, or the Amphitheater, or the ACC Hall of Champions, or whatever he lobbies for…it doesn’t raise his salary one penny. His aggressive style is not self motivated. That aggression is community oriented.
Matt Brown explains that a one cent food tax will raise an estimated $9M for the county and approximately $5.4M will come in from outside the county. I’m not in agreement to pay two cents more for my next Big Mac.
Now go see an ACC game. Pay to park. Buy some extra popcorn and pay it forward down your row.
15 Responses to “Agreeing With Robbie Perkins On Greensboro Coliseum”
Matt Brown couldn’t carry Jim Oshust’s jock strap, IMO. That place has been a money pit ever since Oshust was railroaded out of town. And Perkins saying that the city council should keep their nose out of running a city facility is a laugher that joins some other ones he’s come up with. Let’s let the leaching, mooching unincorporated county and bedroom city types pay out the nose to use our facility. Yippee yay on that. That’ll teach ‘em to avoid the clutches of Greensboro city government. Ingrates.
By Roger Greene on Mar 2, 2010
The Coliseum needs to get off the public taxes. No Hotel/Motel, No Food, No government anything.
Unfortunately, by placing a public recreation facility inside the coliseum grounds (the pool), the possibility of spinning off the coliseum is gone. In theory, the pool will further deepen the coliseum annual debt (losses).
All the coliseum needs is the right direction. It can be successful. It’s time to take off the city’s training wheels (tax support).
By Don Moore on Mar 2, 2010
I’m just not sold on an Authority, Privitization or a sales tax as of yet. Need more info. Not even sure I’m convinced we know where the battle is …. Not enough income, Too much outgo? Community events? Failed events? Can you shed any light here Tony?
As far as the good ol’ days…….. they were not always good and sometimes they are just old. Move on.
By Mick on Mar 2, 2010
How many free tickets has Mr. Perkins recieved to events held at the Greensboro Colesium Complex?
By Abner Doon on Mar 2, 2010
Answer the question
By Abner Doon on Mar 2, 2010
I would imagine that lots of folks, dignitaries, friends, relatives, etc received freebies from various CVM sources. Right or wrong.
I could be way off base here but I seriously doubt Perkins is the only one. Why not ask how many Council members, etc have received these “perks”. Or do we just care abour RP?
By Mick on Mar 3, 2010
I agree Mick on why just ask about the perk for perkins. I’m sure many promoters give away a certain amount of tickets for certain shows. That would not qualify as a “gift” from the city as the city never owned the ticket. Not an issue.
By Tony Wilkins on Mar 3, 2010
Perkins, or any elected official, recieves free tickets, turns aro0und and gives them to campaign contributors.
That is an issue.
By Abner Doon on Mar 3, 2010
I am personally unclear if it is an issue for me or not. I dont know the rules, regs or ethics involved in comp tickets.
Are we even sure if any/all City and/or County types receive comp tix to events? Are we sure it is illegal or unethical to receive and/or bestow comp tix to anyone?
What if RP, or any elected official, (belatedly added by Abner Doon) then gave tix too a friend, relative, kids?
Launch Ticket Gate!
By Mick on Mar 3, 2010
Don,
What are some of your suggestions for getting the CVM complex off all public tax/subsidy/etc?
It is an admirable goal and should be a goal of the CVM staff. I am not sure it is possible but the info just isnt there either way. No matter. Any movement in your direction would be appreciated by the public.
By Mick on Mar 3, 2010
If we could be certain that the only thing RP gives campaign contributors is free tickets that would be nice.
By Roger Greene on Mar 3, 2010
Pretty serious inference Roger. Got anything or no?
By Mick on Mar 3, 2010
“Got anything or no?’
The view from Roger’s backyard is stunning in its implications.
I’m lucky that I can’t see it from my place, but I WILL be able to see the new assisted living change to the plan.
By bubba on Mar 3, 2010
Shouldn’t the electorate know that our elected leaders are not distributing expensive favors to select contributors?
By Abner Doon on Mar 3, 2010
Yes. I was serious.
By Mick on Mar 4, 2010