Message from Melinda Helveston to inform our members about this bill:
Dear BWC Members,
I want to inform our members of a bill coming up in the Alabama Legislature that would ask for permanent funding for the arts. Please read the emails below and if you agree with this effort, you can follow details to take action to help.
Thank you,
Melinda Helveston
President, Ballet Women's Committee
www.balletwomenscomm.com
967-3728
Attachment: How to Reach Your Legislators to Support Public FACES (Public Funding for Arts, Culture,Environment & Science)
From: Gia Rabito
To: Melinda Helveston; Margaret Bond
Sent: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 10:33 am
Margaret and Melinda,
You both represent two important groups that feel strongly about the arts and ballet in particular. Please see page two of this attachment and see email below. Basically, there is a bill in the legislature that would ask for permanent funding for the arts. This tax will pass, it is just a matter of earmarking some of it for the arts and not all for transportation or the dome stadium.
I would like to distribute this information and ask your groups to consider supporting this and sending an email to our elected officials. However, I would appreciate both your thoughts on the matter, as I don't want to do anything that would be uncomfortable for them.
Please call me when you have a minute to discuss. Many thanks...G
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From: Gia Rabito
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 5:26 PM
Subject:
Board Members,
As you may know, the arts community met yesterday evening at the Botanical Gardens to strategize ways to approach support for the Occupational Tax (see page 2 of this attachment for more details). This tax would support all arts organization in Jefferson County and dollars would be distributed fairly by the Cultural Alliance according to the goals set forth by the Jefferson County Cultural Master Plan. Please note, that along with adding unspoken value to our citizens, our cultural sector has a $125 million economic impact to our community. This tax is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure permanent funding for the arts. As you know, it takes individual, foundation, corporation, ticket revenue support, as well as government support to keep our arts viable.
If you are in agreement with this support, it is vital that you pick up the phone and contact our senators and representatives now. Many of you have relationships with our elected officials and we appreciate the endorsement. In addition, please consider contacting the entire list. It takes less than 10 minutes to phone everyone. For our representatives, if you prefer, you can fax a simple statement of support to 334-242-4759. On the fax, please write "for all representatives-please copy and distribute".
I have made these calls and those answering the phone are expecting the call. I have simply stated the following -"I am calling in support of the Occupational Tax for permanent funding for the arts in Jefferson County to be distributed through the Cultural Alliance". When asked, I give them my name and phone number. It is that simple. There is no need to provide a bill number, as it can be confusing.
I plan to follow up with an email as well. I will forward this email to you so that you may do the same.
John and I both feel strongly about the support of this bill. There are other groups lobbying for these dollars, so it is important that we show solidarity and determination to get much need support for our arts. It is more important, now, than ever before. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either myself or John.
Sincerely,
Kacy Ireland Mitchell
Board Chair
205-907-3316
John Lacey
Board Chair Elect
205-908-8500
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