Should the town lend $1.5 million to help the State Theatre get financing for its renovation project?

Artistic ventures like this need the support of the community. Do the loan! It's not a gift--it will pay itself back, not only in money but in joy, community, and a better life for those who will see performances there.

I agree with Sarah. This is a loan from the town not a gift. The state theater is one of the final pieces to completing the renovations in downtown Culpeper. Once completed the theater will give everyone a great place to visit in Culpeper, bringing people from out of town to spend money at local merchants.

Arts are great but timing is lousy! What about the museum? Town won't even waive the $400/mo. rent. They have also not been generous with the Bluemont Concert org. Theses all offer the same arguments of tourism and community enhancement. Where is the consistency?

Taxpayers need to see a financial statement, how much cash does the foundation have, are the pledges still good and how does one pay contractors with tax credits? Some can be sold at about 70 cents on the dollar or less.

Lots of questions unanswered.

THis is not a plan to "lend" money. The State Theater wants a "donation." They want a gift. They don;t plan to pay it back. In other words, they want the town taxpayers to subsidize the renovations and get a promise of economic prosperity and growth downtown as areturn. The foundation has been less than honest about what it wants. Does it even have a business plan? If it does, nobody has seen it let alone town council. The endeavor is a good one but not with taxpayer's money. The foundation needs to work to get the money pledged.

Seems to be confusion over gift/loan. Please ask your councilman for copy of State Theatre proposal presented to each on 10/6/09. It is very clear that is a gift. Note pqge 5 of proposal, point 1...the town "may" be repaid. Point 4 on page 8..."Documentation could be put in place to allow the town to be repaid in the fututre by the foundation". This is in no way going to be structured as loan.