A dialogue....
On Feb 27, 2004, at 12:30 AM, Rosemary Marks wrote:Dear Tim,
It appears that Cassie's position is funded from the class fee revenues as are all the positions in the YPT program, except Carole Ferris-Greer's and Donna Becker's, which are funded from the general fund.
Over the last year what has actually happened is that money has been taken from The Willow Glen Children's Theater and the Young People's Theater Group to the tune of $70,000 and re-shuffled to fund an expansion of managerial positions. A total of 8 exist at a cost of $125,000 per position. In all, a total of 14 benefitted positions, all service oriented, were cut to grossly over fund the management layer directly under Ms Hensley. The positions cut were from all over the City of San Jose. The cuts made were nothing to do with a lack of funds specifically, but to do with the fact that more money was needed to fund management and as a result the money was squeezed from other programs. Tax dollars are being removed from the areas that deliver quality programs to the public. This is not acceptable. The cost of the annual pay rise for these positions alone could fund Cassie's position. These costs are ongoing year after year.
The budget allocation for publicity is worthy of investigation alone.
The YPT raised $5,000 for cancer research this winter and has collected nearly 100,000 cans of food for The Sacred Heart Community. This is an outstanding achievement which very few people know about. The YPT is a community that just keeps on giving, season after season.
I'll let you know when the web site is up and running. I've got some great ideas to show the twenty year history of the YPT. It will take some time to collect the pictures and write the text. A tribute to the YPT is long overdue.It will take longer to achieve the main objective which is to have a dynamic interactive dialogue with the community. Once it is on the web it is archived for ever, courtesy of the Internet Archive.
Please let me know if yourself and Council member Chirco plan to attend "The Jungle Book" .
yours sincerely,
Rosie Marks
On Feb 26, 2004, at 11:11 AM, McCullough, Tim wrote:
Due to budget cuts, Cassie's position was cut from the YPT budget but is
currently being funded through the PRNS recreation leaders fund. I am sorry
if there was a misunderstanding.
Tim McCullough
Council Aide
Councilmember Judy Chirco
801 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 277-2209
-----Original Message-----
From: Rosemary Marks [mailto:rosiemac@mac.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 10:57 AM
To: Tim McCullough; judy.chirco@ci.sj.ca.us
Subject: Re: YPT concerns
Dear Mrs Chirco and Mr McCullough
I found out today that Cassie's position at The Young Peoples' Theater
Group was officially cut a long time ago. This took place before this
coming round of cuts. I am surprised your office has not been informed.
The YPT parent group was misled if not deceived and there are many
concerns in the community now.
I have many concerns not just to do with the YPT. The money that was
wasted on the new City Wide Guide and management staff and the
resulting lost revenues raise much larger issues to me. In addition,
the management positions created by Ms. S Hensley remain intact.
As a tax payer, I am much more interested in the protecting the jobs of
the people who are in the front line delivering first class programs
and working with my children or the seniors for instance, than created
management positions at $125,000 per annum.
Anyway, just to let you know, it is my intention to meet with Donna
Lovell at the San Jose Mercury news along with the YPT parents' support
group to discuss the issues. I would also like to arrange to meet you
both to discuss the matter personally. Please let me know when would be
a convenient time.
What is happening is just plain wrong and undermines everything I and
many others value.
For your information, Sarah Hensley never met with the YPT at all.
Clearly, all the people who did meet were deceived at that meeting, by
the City representatives.
I am going to have to re-activate the petition and start collecting
more signatures and plan a publicity campaign to inform the public. I
will use the previously created Kirk Park website to post information
about the YPT and get a dialogue going with the community.
The City employees who have responsibility for allocating funds with
our tax dollars are seemingly accountable to no-one except themselves.
I hope they are accountable to City Hall and the Council members.
Please let me know, at your convenience, if you will be able to attend
any of the performances of "The Jungle Book". It would be encouraging
to know the program has your support in view of the current situation.
yours sincerely,
Rosie Marks
On Feb 23, 2004, at 4:38 PM, McCullough, Tim wrote:
Councilmember Chirco is well aware of the great program at Kirk. The
parks
department is also very interested in the program.
We do not know of a plan to cut the YPT.
I hope this helps,
Tim McCullough
Council Aide
Councilmember Judy Chirco
801 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 277-2209
-----Original Message-----
From: Rosemary Marks [mailto:rosiemac@mac.com]
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 4:25 PM
To: Tim McCullough
Subject: YPT concerns
Dear Tim,
Tried to call you at your office but missed you. I was wondering if you
had time to reflect upon my email at all? There are many concerned
people involved with the theater program and will be making their own
cases in due time. Would it be better to talk directly with Judy Chirco
and Pat Dando. There are a significant number of people involved with
the program from her district too.
I found out today, after recommending the summer boot camps to a very
good friend of mine, that there is no mention of the program on the web
site.
"Rosie:
It seems opportunities abound for various activities in the form of
camps this summer. I have searched the web for info on your theater
program but it's not to be mentioned on the city website or through
parks and rec. I might get a chance to make some calls tomorrow. But
if you know anymore, please let me know. Helen has expressed interest
in a drama camp/acting class. CJ is tentative. Another option is the
SF Shakespeare Festivals camp here in Los Altos for two weeks in
August. And there's Peninsula Youth Theatre in Mtn. View."
Seems rather strange to me to have slipped off the website radar.
Do contact me when you get a moment. I would like to discuss the matter
and to plan how best to proceed to secure the program for present and
future participants.
sincerely,
Rosie Marks
Dear Tim,
Thank you for the update. He had mentioned he was taking on a more
strategic financial/management position to do with large projects.
At some time I need to talk with you about the ongoing situation at the
Kirk Community Young Peoples' Theater Group directed by Carole
Ferris-Greer.
The promise of the reinstatement of Cassie's benefited position (D)
never materialized and some people in the community feel that she and
the Parent Support Group were, to put it politely, let down. In
addition there are more threats to do with the elimination of Donna
Becker's position which to me is unthinkable considering the work she
does and her unbelievable commitment to the children and the program.
I am still very much involved with the program and my boys have
participated in the last three productions as well as the amazing
summer boot camps. They are now cast in the Jungle Book which promises
to be as amazing as everything else.
The children of this community need an advocate to protect and promote
this jewel. I had the pleasure of working five shows with the cast of
the Cinderella production and it is wonderful to see real community
spirit. I have made some good friends and so have Andrew and
Christopher. I'm so grateful that my tax dollars go towards something
as marvelous as this.
I invited some of my close friends to the last production. They were both very impressed with the quality and
professionalism of the program. Everyone thought they were there to
write a review... maybe next time!
Anyway, I would so appreciate yourself and Judy Chirco taking an
interest in what is going on and to keep a watchful eye on Sara Hensley
who I feel has no genuine interest in supporting the program.
The staff of the program should be congratulated on their incredible
achievements regularly. Instead they work under the constant threat of
cuts. Despite lack of appreciation and support they continue to do the
most magnificent work and are exactly the role models I would want for
my children. I have such respect and admiration for these people who
devote their lives to educating children. They are a beacon of light in
this community and I am not alone in my thoughts on this matter.
I trust my children completely with the staff. They care for and
nurture them in a secure and constructive environment. In this day and
age it is refreshing to find something so wholesome and wonderful to be
excited and enthusiastic about.
I know Judy Chirco cares about the children in this community and
supports after school educational/cultural programs but her heightened
visibility and interest in the program could only enhance her standing
in the community.
Finally, the people she has done so much for in the senior center are
also the grandparents of the members of the YPT. Many signed the
petition last summer in fact.
This is a heartfelt request for assistance to protect the YPT. I know
you care and I trust you will do the best you can to preserve this
asset.
sincerely,
Rosemary Marks
PS Please forward this to Judy Chirco. I know how effective you are at
bringing important matters to her attention. Thank you.
posted @ 12:30 AM
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