ROCKINGHAM - The Richmond Community Theatre (RCT) is facing proposed budget cuts by the Rockingham City Council in the 2018-2019 City Budget and the issue has captured the attention of many Richmond County citizens.
The RCT Board of Directors recently disseminated a letter asking for concerned parties to contact the mayor, city council members, and the city manager in an attempt to facilitate the reinstatement of eliminated monies previously used for the benefit of the Theatre.
As a concerned citizen, downtown merchant, artist, and sponsor of the Theatre, this reporter subsequently pursued this story as part of the reporting mission of the Richmond Observer.
The gist of the situation would seem to be relatively straightforward. As a matter of public record, under the current budget, the theatre director is denoted as a full-time city employee with a full salary and benefits (e.g., medical coverage, retirement benefits, etc.) package of approximately $60,000 annually. The proposed budget cut would reduce that figure to $10,000 to be used to hire part-time, possibly rotating directors for the Theatre’s productions.
It should be noted that not all of that money comes directly from the City of Rockingham itself. The Theatre contributes $9500 from its revenues and the County directs $6000 back to the City towards the Theatre’s operation. The City is responsible for the utilities and maintenance of the city-owned building.
It should also be noted that council members continue to support the Theatre and its operations but are nevertheless sometimes forced to make tough budgetary decisions. Councilwoman Denise Sullivan, for example, stated “I am strongly in favor of the theatre and I am going to fight for its support.”
Other officials who shared their thoughts expressed concern over the audience attendance figures. Councilman John Hutchinson wrote, “Our biggest concern is the expense versus the current attendance and I absolutely want to find a way to continue the theatre's operation while also using that building to bring more people downtown on a more regular basis.”
Informal surveys by this writer as to the value and viability of the Theatre indicate that a supportive perspective permeates the community. Customers at various businesses invariably stated that they value the arts in general - and the Theatre in particular - and would hate to see any detrimental occurrences that might result in a lesser level of production-related entertainment.
The desire to maintain a symbiotic relationship between the Theatre and the City of Rockingham has never been questioned. Lynn Hicks Blake, secretary/treasurer of the Theatre Board of Directors, said “We want to create a partnership. We want to be working together. What we are providing is a gift to the community in so many ways.” Brian Perry, also on the Theatre Board of Directors and a pastor at a local church says, “I hope that the city continues to fund the theatre director position and I do not know what will happen if they don't.”
The city council meeting that will address the budget will be held at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, June 12th, at city hall. If you want to express your thoughts, whatever they may be, please attend. Or if unable to attend, you can call the mayor, city manager and/or any of the Council members.
Editor's note: This article was contributed by Ellyn Brannick, the newest addition to the Richmond Observer family of talented writers.
