Village of Lombard Legistar System

Trustee Joan DeStephano reported that the Committee met on July 23. She stated that

recycling at Cruise Nights is improving, she thanked residents for their cooperation and

encouraged them continue to use the brown bins. She announced that the Recycling

Extravaganza will be held on September 14, from 9 unit 3 at Yorktown Shopping Center

on the Highland Avenue side. She asked that any interested volunteers call Public

Works at 620-5740 to sign up. She mentioned that she is very proud to work with this

Committee on this event. She stated that this event will not take in hazardous waste.

She said that the County will do that later in the season. She announced that due to the

threat of the West Niles Virus, and some confirmed victims, Public Works has increased

their spraying; she said that they had sprayed on July 27, August 10 and will spray

again on August 24. She concluded saying that there is a West Niles Virus Hot line at

800-942-2555 for Clark Environmental or go to www.CDC.gov. She also said that there

is a TV 6 presentation Mondays and Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. and Fridays

at 9:00 p.m. She urged people to take precautions but don't be alarmed. She said that

the next meeting will be held on August 27 at 7:00 p.m.and the public is invited

Village Manager William Lichter introduced the new Police Chief, Ray Byrne, who had

served on the Police force in Downers Grove for 22 years. He is a graduate of

Northwestern University and obtained his Law degree from DePaul University,

completed the FBI Academy and has served for 10 years as a Village Trustee in

Woodridge.

Mr. Lichter announced that there would be a Public Information meeting regarding North

Avenue held on Wednesday, August 28th at 7:30 p.m.

Trustee DeStephano announced the opening of a new business in Downtown Lombard.

The Treasure Shop, a gift Boutique, is called is located at 10 S. Park. She urged

residents to please stop in and browse or buy and support the Downtown.

Trustee Tross announced that he was now in compliance, his dumpster is gone. He

also said that on the September agenda, the Board will discuss no left turns at Route 53

President Mueller added that IDOT is working on their report, that they had met with

Lombard and Glen Ellyn and will contact us with their decisions. He said that Lombard

should receive the report in time for that agenda.

President Mueller introduced the subject of the DuPage Theater Business Plan and

stated that public comment will be heard after reports are given. He said that the Board

would then vote to accept the plan, or not. He noted that the Ad Hoc Committee had

been extended until the September 19th meeting. President Mueller thanked John

Egan, who could not be at the meeting and announced that Co-Chair Virginia Lippig

would report.

Ms. Lippig, 425 W. Ash, reported on the Business Plan of the DuPage Theater. Ms.

Lippig said that she recently found out that President Mueller was the one who asked

Big Idea to gift the DuPage Theater to the Village of Lombard, as he did not want the

Theater destroyed. She reported that on November 16, 2000 the Board adopted the

Resolution establishing the DuPage Theater and Shops Ad Hoc Committee. She

introduced the members of the Committee: John Egan, who has worked very hard. She

thanked him on behalf of the Committee. Mark Barry who worked on Publicity, Doug

Christensen Publicity and upkeep of the Theater. She went on to introduced Laura

Fitzpatrick who worked on Grant writing. Ms. Lippig said that Laura and Ellen Balsamo

had applied for 300 grants and asked Ms. Balsamo to comment on the progress.

Ms. Balsamo remarked that some replies to the grant requests are still outstanding such

as the "Save America's Treasures" Grant, to which they applied for a million-dollar grant

to save the Theater. She added that they had also applied for a matching grant for a

million dollars for the "Tours of Attraction" Grant through the Bureau of Tourism. She

said that they have been given one million dollars in State of Illinois funds through a

Department of Commerce and Community Affairs grant which Senator Pate Philip

helped us to secure.

Ms. Lippig then introduced Committee member Marge Neely, saying that she had

worked on Fund raising and the Business Plan and David Poirrer, who had worked on

clean up and parking.

She then introduced Ellen Balsamo, Assistant to the Village Manager and mentioned

that Village employee Carol Bauer had been very helpful and that Joelyn Kott had done

publicity. She said that all that they have done for the Committee, they do in addition to

their own jobs. She noted that people would not imagine the amount of work that they

and the Committee had done. She said that the Committee had been charged with

development of a physical plan by securing an Architect familiar with restorations. She

said that Doug Christensen had also worked on this. She said that the Architect they

had secured was Daniel P. Coffey. Ms. Lippig said that the DuPage Theater is on the

United States Register of Historical Places and therefore must be restored within

Federal guidelines.

Ms. Lippig said the the next task the Committee had been charged with was the

Business Plan, to show how the Theater could be restored and become an economically

viable cultural arts center, that had been done by done by Dulcie Gilmore. The last

phase is the development of a financial plan. The Committee has met 3-4 times a week

and have performed about 8,000 volunteer hours. She also said that they had held

Theater Tours every Saturday. The Committee had set up subcommittees including

Restoration, Operations, Fund Raising and Publicity.

Ms. Lippig then introduced Mr. Andrew Tiffen of Daniel P. Coffee who reviewed the

architectural plans and process. He stated that the direction that had been given was to

work with what we had. He said that this plan represents an austere approach taken to

preserve the historical features of the Building. He displayed the building plans pointing

out that entrances will remain, showed new walls that would be constructed and that the

Theater will be ADA accessible. He pointed out that they would increase the

functionality by adding more bathrooms and said that the retail area would remain as it

is. He said that there is now no room for behind the scene activities, dressing rooms or

storage. The addition of the a space for these activities could be phased in.

Mr. Tiffin explained that the atmospheric features such as the stars and the lighting

would be restored. He said that the stage was too shallow so they have designed a

thrust configured three-tier stage, and said that when the thrust is in use, seating would

be reduced. Above the shops would be open space for commercial lease space or

additional performance areas. He said that the plans call for the addition of an elevator.

Mr. Tiffin also said that much of the work would be invisible such as electrical. He

mentioned that his firm had also recommended some potential functions such as

entertainment type retail space and restaurants with the remainder devoted to parking.

Ms. Lippig continued, introducing Fred Solari. She said that Mr. Solari had been invited

to talk briefly about the Business Plan. He spoke of his experience in the theater

business and the restoration of the Anthenaeum Theater and managing it as a not for

profit corporation. He said that is the type of corporation the DuPage Theater should be.

He said that there would be profits but the money goes back into the business. He said

that his theater makes money and has sometimes had a surplus of $300,000. Their

typical year nets profit of $50,000 and this project should be a modest operation with the

right controls and a modest plan. He said that it would only be a 700-seat theater and

with the thrust stage it would have 500 seats. He said it would not house Broadway

shows, but typical community based performances, perhaps silent movie festivals and

barbershop quartets.

Ms. Lippig continued with an explanation of the differences between being a renter or

presenter. She said that they would either rent the Theater to other groups or put on the

performances. Renters, who would cover all expenses, would pay user fees of $625.00

and all risk is borne by the user. The Facilities Manager would oversee the events. A

presenter bears all the costs and losses. She pointed out that they could make more

money with a very successful performance as presenters.

Ms. Lippig said that the Friends of the DuPage recently held a Birthday party for the

Theater's 74th birthday. There was a good turn out. Volunteers help clean the Theater

on a regular basis. She reminisced about taking her children to the Theater. She said

that the McKays have allowed free publicity in their paper each week. She said that the

Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Grant of one hundred and twenty five

thousand dollars, through Lee Daniels' office, paid for the Architect and Business Plan.

She said that This Old House might consider taking the Theater on as a project.

Ms Lippig said that many political leaders have endorsed the DuPage Theater and

Shops restoration project such as Representative Lee Daniels, Senator Pate Philip,

Senator Dan Cronin, Congressman Henry Hyde, Senator Peter Roskam,

Representative Bob Biggins, County Board Chair Robert Schillerstrom, and County

Board Trustee Patrick O'Shea. She told the Board that the Committee's job is complete

except for the balance of the funding. She said that Carolyn Kulie had been hired to

lobby for the funds and that in May eight million dollars in funding was present and by

June 15 it was gone due to State Budget cuts. She read a letter from Pate Philip

dedicating one million dollars of State funds. She said he told them to come back for

more money. She gave the details of donations thus far as thirty-two thousand in brick

and mortar money fifty-eight thousand in soft money donations, three thousand, three

hundred and fifty in pledges, one hundred and twenty-five thousand in grant money, one

million in TIF funds and one million in State funding. She said that Congressman Hyde

had written to the Department of the Interior, National Park Service for favorable

consideration of the DuPage Theater grant request, She said that verification should be

coming through in September. Ms. Lippig said Lombard is fortunate to have our State

and Federal officials behind this project. She said that the Trustees need to make a

decision and then the project can be set up as a 501C3 Corporation. She suggested it

be called the DuPage Lilac Town Corporation. She said that the benefits of saving the

Theater would be that it would draw people into the Downtown. People would come if it

had a café, events, festivals and educational events. She said that it would increase

tourism, increase economic development, preserve the Downtown area and increase

property values. She concluded saying that the best reason for saving the Theater is

that it will help Lombard to remain an exceptional community, rather than a strip mall,

and said "Open the Theater and they will come".

President Mueller called on Trustee Koenig to report on the Finance Committee's review

of the Business Plan for feasibility. She gave a history of the 3 Committees meeting to

review the plan. She said that the three committees had initially met in April and

questions and concerns were brought forward. June 5th the three groups met and the

Ad Hoc Committee brought in Fred Solari as a consultant and presented new figures,

dated May 28th, which have now been updated again. The Committee was favorably

influenced. The Committee met alone to review the figures on July 11, 2002. The plan

dated the 28th of May had addressed many outstanding questions. The Committee was

still concerned with DuPage Theater being a presenter rather than a renter and the risk

involved, and whether income projections were reasonable. They also were concerned

that the plan did not name who the principals in this project would be. She said that they

had seen balance sheets for the Hinsdale and Crystal Lake as well as Mr. Solari's

Anthenaeum. The Anthenaeum ran in the black, but the other two ran in the red without

additional ongoing subsidies.

The Committee also was concerned because the plan shows a profit only with parking

fees and rental of retail space. They had concerns about the Theater not being

successful and the Village's liability. She repeated the motion that had been made on

the matter by the Finance Committee at their July 11, 2002 meeting as a motion "that

the Ad Hoc Committee Column dated 5/28/02 of the Theater Plan Comparison

Worksheet attached to the memo dated 6/12/02 from Ellen Balsamo appears to address

revenue and expense, but the Theater should not be financially supported by the

Village, operated by the Village, or expected to be subsidized in anyway by the Village,

except for the revenue generated by the DuPage Theater site". She said that the

general consensus of the Committee was that they did not have confidence in the

figures and were concerned with the risks as presenters.

Trustee Florey reported that the Economic Development Committee saw that the

Business Plan had evolved but that the Committee had not been comfortable in

endorsing the initial plan. They reviewed the plan section by section and it has now

been revised by the Solari plan. He thanked David Hulseberg and the Committee

members for their time and effort in coming up with a new plan. He presented a Power

Point presentation (See attached presentation)He said that the Committee had taken a

hard look at the plan and read statement from IIori 15 years not in favor changed his

mind f they can get grants and operate as a rental he is now in favor and asked Board to

endorse the project.

President Mueller asked that each of the 25 speakers show respect for others and limit

their speech.

Penny Arnold, 527 E. Washington, read the language of a petition for a referendum

which was being circulated. " Shall the Village of Lombard, County of DuPage, State of

Illinois restore the DuPage Theater property and continue to provide Village support

including the use of available tax revenues for the restoration and subsidization of the

ongoing operation of the DuPage Theater?" She said that she is shocked that it asked if

voters if they support the use of tax dollars and to continue to support the Theater. She

asked why supporters would take this initiative while money is coming down from other

sources. She also felt that the petition presents a misleading question. She said she is

confident that there is no proof that the Village would have to subsidize the Theater.

She feels that the Ad Hoc Committee has really worked hard to make this project work.

David Barry, 119 S. Stewart, spoke for saving the Theater as it is "part of the soul of the

Village" and he would hate to see it go. As a Downtown business owner he said he has

a vested interest and is interested in seeing that more people come into the Downtown.

He thanked the Village for Cruise nights and activities to begin attracting people to the

Downtown.

Marty Burke, 245 W. Maple, said he supports the referendum imperative due to the

Theater project being a divisive and controversial issue for years. He is against

additional funds being expended and said that a referendum will once and for all

determine the fate of the Theater. He said the decision should be made by the majority.

Those who organized the petition want to determine that the Village is not doing

something that very few people support. He said that people are tired of seeing a run

down building. He said that a referendum is necessary to allow you to see what your

constituents want. He concluded saying that this gives both sides the opportunity for

education and what objection could you have to that.

Bud Carlson, 62 N. Lincoln, said he appreciated all the work on this project. He asked

the Village "what took you so long?" He went on to say that this old building has been

boarded up a long time. He has heard that it is a unique building but outside it doesn't

look good. An historic building should look good. It is the wrong place, it is the wrong

size and it is on the wrong side of the tracks to fit in with the retail district. People have

to park and walk to it. It won't help the other retail. The Theater is the wrong size, as

most theaters are now smaller theaters. He said that this theater is not set up for

performing arts but for movies, with the stage too small and needs additional equipment.

He pointed out that Glen Ellyn has a small arts theater at much less cost. He doesn't

think that the soul of Lombard is in that boarded up old building. He pointed out that a

few grants out of 300 have been obtained and without total Village support, this will not

fly. He reminded the audience that this project continues to be supported by staff time,

which is tax funded. He concluded saying that it is time to move on.

John Chopores, 1159 S. Grace said that he had two points to make. First he stated that

Big Idea gave us a great gift. If we are going to do something we should do it right

away. He thinks it is a prime location and it has potential. He has been reading local

newspapers and things like "bloodbath" and other comments have been printed. He

said that whatever happens with the Theater, neither side should look at it as if someone

is plotting against them. He reminded the audience that both sides are sincere and

have made good points.

Patricia Demos, 4 Woodland Court, said that she is for the referendum and part of the

petition group. She said that because people are receptive to being involved and many

people she spoke to are happy to have a chance to have a voice. The people she

spoke with wished her good luck and were happy to give their opinion on a referendum.

Jim Devitt, 4 E Goeble, talked about the success of the birthday party and gave Laura

Fitzpatrick a check for $400 from the Jaycees Dunk tank. He spoke of Schaumburg's

Cultural Arts Center being very successful. He said that here in Lombard we already

have the building, which is easy to get to because of the train. He mentioned that the

Arcadia in St. Charles holds events every week. He feels we need the chance to have

an Arts Center. He feels we need no more residential or retail or medical facilities here.

He said he really feels this could work

Steve Dittmore, 675 Rochelle Terrace, said that he had looked at the agenda for the

vision of the Village and thinks that the DuPage Theater is an important part of that

vision, a prime example of improving the quality of life. He said that it is important to

have the kids be able to have activities there and that the Village needs to support and

find time for this project. He asked others to keep in mind that the children do not have

a vote.

Mark Esposito, 63 N. Lincoln Avenue, said that citizens are concerned that DuPage

Theater is not feasible. He said that the Lombardian is biased toward the Theater. He

said that the Theater supporters have tried to say our reluctance to support the Theater

reflects that we don't want culture. He is concerned that the project is not fiscally

responsible and wants to know if the majority think that it is. He said he ran into

opposition from his Trustee. He does not feel that this plan is concrete and that more

business plans fail than succeed. He feels that the experts' opinions were disregarded.

He also thinks that said it would take 5 years for the Theater to pay for itself. He said

that since the Village Board seems to be deadlocked, and we need the referendum.

Laura Fitzpatrick, 348 S. Lewis, said that as fundraising chair, she reported growing

numbers of supporters who just walked in and gave checks andthat they found the

Theater breathtaking. She said that the friends of the DuPage number 750 people,

donators 261 people with total of ninety-one thousand in donations. She said that the

DuPage restoration is supported by the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society,

the Lombard Service League and the Lombard Arts Coalition. She said that they have

garnered the support of over 2000 people in just a few months, and other endorsements

from many. Ms. Fitzpatrick said that they plan to get another 1500 members by

September. She feels these numbers are unheard of and they all hope to restore the

most beautiful stage in the County. She urged those in attendance to pick up an

application for membership.

Kevin Fitzpatrick, 348 S. Lewis, reminded the audience that the Theater was a gift to the

community. He said that Big Idea was held to stringent standards and were sensitive to

public sentiment and gave the Theater as a gift to we, the people of Lombard. He

expressed the opinion that a Referendum in the purest form is the voice of the people,

the people's check against the system. He said that when citizens do initiate a

referendum we should think it through, as it can be a no confidence vote for Elected

Officials. Many Board, Village Commissions and Committee people are involved in this

referendum effort and he feels that it is being done so that a decision would not have to

be made. He feels that circulation of the petitions by connected officials is drawing

negative comment and that some members here are compromising their positions.

Brian Hilligoss, 34 W. Potomac, supports the referendum as it will give citizens the

opportunity to vote for or against the restoration so they can state how they feel about

this. He has contacted the Ad Hoc Committee and offered to volunteer his time to

review the Business Plan or the Architectural Plans to help. He indicated that the

Committee has not called him back. He said that he had been involved the in the

redevelopment of Navy Pier. He stated that the first opportunity he had to voice his

opinion was to sign the petition. He said he thinks that the Village should decide once

and for all as a Community whether we want this. He said he felt the Theater would be

in the red 3 to 5 years especially as presenters. In conclusion, he said show me the

renters and that you have the eight-million dollars.

Marilyn Jensby, 13 S. Edgewood, said that she values history and thinks we should

save the Theater, she values culture so we should have an arts center. She values the

businesses in Lombard and a Theater in the Downtown area should help. She said she

is frightened because the owner would be the Village of Lombard and the Village should

not own any business. She recommended that the Village review the Banbury proposal

which proposed keeping the building as Theater and then we could have an arts center

which would be a viable business in Lombard and taxpayers wouldn't have to worry how

the Village will pay for it. She said there are way too many ifs. She concluded urging

the Board to have Banbury buy the Theater.

President Mueller reminded Ms. Jensby that the Banbury proposal was rejected

because they wanted the land free would have built a new Theater and saved only the

facade and it would have cost eight million dollars.

Kurt Lentsch, 443 N. Edgewood, spoke thanking the President, Village Trustees, Village

Staff, Distinguished Guests and fellow residents of Lombard for the opportunity to share

his thoughts tonight regarding the DuPage Theatre Property. He said that he had

recently had the opportunity to speak

with a number of the Staff of the Village Government and see Committee Members in

action, and said that the employees', elected officials' and volunteers' commitment and

dedication to serving the Residents of Lombard has impressed him. He found the

Board's handling of the Theater issue troubling.

Mr. Lentsch said that he had watched the Village Board pass a Resolution for a

Referendum at the August 17th, 2000 Board Meeting, which would have put a

referendum on the November 7, 2000 ballot that stated simply "Do you support the

Village of Lombard expending tax dollars to renovate the DuPage Theatre Property?"

He said that after the Referendum was filed with the Board of Elections, the

Village Board went back and repealed the Resolution at the September 7th, 2000 Board

Meeting, which effectively killed that referendum. He stated that he felt that the Village

Board did not want to hear from the Residents on this issue. He explained that he had

followed this issue through the newspapers and Village Board Meetings for the past

several years.

He said the Village does owe Committee members gratitude, they have been dedicated.

Since the issue of the present Citizens' Referendum has come up there have been

threats of bloodbaths, lawsuits, unnecessary referenda and threats to future developers.

He reminded everyone to remember that Character Counts. He said that the issue is

not whether we need a cultural arts center, rather the issue of setting up another

government subsidy. If the Theater is run as a not for profit, it will generate no property

tax revenue for Village Schools, parks or the Library and the Village of Lombard would

be subject to public liability. If sold, the property would generate tax dollars every year.

Mr. Lentsch said that the current business plan shows profit but no marketing strategy

which is key. He said that if you were to read only the local tabloid, you would think that

there is overwhelming support and $91, 000 in donations, but 11 percent of the donation

money was donated by one resident. He said that issues were emotional and personal

not centered on the real issue. He said that he felt that the Village Board had lost the

ability to make an objective vote on referendum and will support the results of the

referendum as he would like the Board to do.

John Merkle said that he is happy to have the right to vote; other countries don't. He

said that he has watched the 18 month debate regarding the Theater. He has now gone

door to door asking people to sign a petition as to whether the people should spend tax

revenue on an ongoing basis. The feeling out there is majority would love to see this

question on the ballot. Ninety percent favored the referendum. Two thought that the

petition proponents were out to get rid of the Theater. Mr. Merkle asked the Board to

give us a right to vote so the Board can find out how we feel. In conclusion, he asked

registered voters, residents of Lombard to sign the petition.

Mary Mae Meyer, 414 W. Windsor relates to the Theater as she said she is also aging

and needs money. She has enjoyed the Theater and would be delighted to have the

opportunity to vote on it and at the same time she is glad to see impassioned opinions

because she feels that the best decisions can result from strong opposing views. She

came tonight as a friend of the Theater, but also believes in the referendum. She says

she has tried to follow this issue but she solves problems by reducing them into the

smallest piece. She indicated that she has become confused by opponents and

distracters. She needed a summary what this is all about. She is also concerned about

the Village being the owner of a theater. She said the Village residents are We, the

people and if economics don't balance it is upon us. In hard economic times she is hard

pressed to justify the expenditure of any disposable income. She said that the theater

should be a business, not operated by the Village. She asked the people to consider

what happens if the Theater fails, saying that the subject needs to be addressed. She

asked them to consider where the money would come from. She said the expenditure

to cover the shortage would just be approved by the Board. She asked in conclusion,

what recourse do we have if it fails.

Jean Nolan, said that she has followed the saga for two decades and says that it is not

an issue of supporting or not supporting the performing arts. She also said that she

thanks the Committee for all of their work. She said that she is unsure if the Theater will

be good for the economics of the Downtown. The movement is because citizens are

concerned that after almost 3 years we are not closer to a resolution. She feels that

since 2500 citizens thus far have made the response in favor of the referendum, it is a

true cross section of the people.

John Nolan, 406 W. Maple, complimented the Board for all that they do to make the

town what it is. He said that on this issue he has a problem with their position. He

explained that the wording of the petition is not inaccurate because TIF funds are really

Lombard Tax revenue. He said to the Committee that he doesn't want to see their

cause fail, but over the years he has felt that there are so many out there who do not

share their vision. The Board owes it to the town to let the people vote on the issue and

see how they feel. He apologized if he had offended any one.

John Polcyn, 406 N. Edgewood said he moved in to Lombard 17 years ago and said

that in that time he had heard only controversy about the DuPage Theater. He thinks

that the only way to solve the debate is the referendum and to let the people decide. He

said that the majority rules.

Don Ryan, 756 S. Finley, thanked the Village Board and the Ad Hoc Committee for their

efforts. He said that some Business plans make it and some don't; if the plan doesn't

achieve the income it projects, where is this money coming from? He doesn't want his

tax dollars to go for it. The wording is of the Referendum is just to say do you want the

DuPage Theater and do you want your tax dollars spent for it.

David Schaffer, 941 Pinebrook Drive, supports the theater, respects the right to do a

referendum but said he feels that the question is not impartial. He questioned why the

referendum was not done a year ago, before all the work went in to this project. He said

therefore, he questions the source of this referendum.

Joe Shores, 44 N. Lincoln, said he has become a little conflicted due to his recent

education about the plan. He said that as whether it should be restored is secondary,

that the more important issue is that the people should decide. If the people really want

he will support them and support the project financially. He said that two years ago

before we went down this path, Trustee Tross suggested referendum, the referendum

was denied due to a lack of information. He said that now we have the information and

the last piece is to find out what the people want. He has trouble understanding why

any one would oppose. He said that knowing how the people feel, some of you will be

uncomfortable voting against their decision. He said he felt there were those who

opposed the referendum because they don't care what the people want. Mr. Shore said

that some are saying the language of the referendum is misleading, but he said that the

Board could write a referendum to compromise.

Mr. Shores also reminded those present that this subject should not be confrontational.

The Board should care the most what the people want. He thinks that the reason the

people disagree with the Board's action is not that they are mislead but that the Village

is wrong. The objection that doing a referendum will turn into government by

referendum it is not valid. He felt that a referendum is not an unprecedented act, but

that a referendum is done when there is big, important, expensive or divisive issue. The

DuPage Theater Project meets all of those criteria. He said that he has heard the

comment that "I have been elected to make the hard decisions", but he said the elected

should also be intelligent and above all care and hold in the highest regard the feelings

of their citizens.

He said that the Board could make the decision about the project tonight, but hopes that

they leave the decision to the people. He thanked the people for the fact that they all

had an opinion saying that he had contacted 100 people whether pro or con, they all

wanted their say in this matter. In conclusion, he urged that everyone give the people a

chance.

Steve Spapperi, 526 N. Grace, thanked the Board and the Ad Hoc Committee for the

time that they have put in to this project. He is with the Palatine Park District who owns

a theater and it costs fifty thousand a year. He also said the City supports the

Schaumburg Prairie Center. He said that theaters that are owned by the Villages are

most successful. He has attended the Ad Hoc Committee and feels that they have been

giving information that is skewed. He said that theater is a dying art. He feels that Fred

Solari should have brought this information to light. He discussed the stage being so

small you could not bring in any kind of touring company. He said he supports the

referendum and allowing the community to have its say.

Julie Sparks, 721 East South Broadway, said that she was born and raised in Lombard's

music, dance, art and drama programs. She said that she has been entertained,

enlightened and enraged by the DuPage Theater. She said that she is now an

entertainer. She feels that we need to preserve and protect Lombard's natural cultural

center, the DuPage Theater. To have this cultural background has made her performing

career a success. She enjoyed performing at the Birthday party and was honored to

perform on the DuPage Theater's side stage. She felt proud and optimistic with the

opportunity to preserve the Theater. She said that she hopes that they make a decision

whether for the theater or the referendum.

Matt Turner, 222 N. Garfield, said Lombard's problem is that there is nothing to do

except Cruise Nights. He recounted that he had seen his first movie as a child at the

Theater and had been very entertained and it is very convenient. He asked that the

people please consider bringing back the DuPage Theater.

Pete Kramer, 228 E. Taylor, said he feels that the wording of the referendum is skewed

and dooms the DuPage Theater. He said that the Business Plan showed that it would

show a profit of fifty-seven thousand. He mentioned other programs that are subsidized

and gave figures of twenty-five thousand for Cruise Nights, ninety-eight thousand for the

Taste of Lombard and one-hundred thousand for the Peck House.

Mr. Kramer said that the referendum will fail and there is no second chance. He said that

the Theater should be viewed as another entertainment expense.

He said that supporters of the DuPage are not trying to make the Theater a burden on

the taxpayers, they are going for State and Federal money. He feels that the

referendum will kill the theater.

Doug Christensen, 301 W. Goebel, said that as a resident he is a strong supporter of

the Theater. As a member of the Committee, he pointed out that the Ad Hoc Committee

has done their job, they have saved the theater. He hopes that no matter what the

outcome, they savor the Victory won with their long hard work.

President Mueller thanked everyone for speaking