In Wednesday’s (2/23) Sioux City Journal (Iowa), Lynn Zerschling writes, “The Municipal Band and Sioux City Symphony Orchestra won victories Tuesday after city lawmakers kept their tax levies in place. The vote was 3-2. Mayor Mike Hobart and Councilmen John Fitch and Tom Padgett voted to retain the voter-approved levies, while Councilmen Keith Radig and Aaron Rochester wanted to reduce their amounts. The votes came only after a number of band and symphony supporters lobbied the council to keep what they called ‘the crown jewels of the arts community,’ which they maintained contribute greatly to the city’s quality of life and economic development efforts. The band receives $28,988 a year from the tax, while the symphony orchestra receives $48,365. … ‘We need to make these investments in the arts,’ said Peter Thoreen, president and CEO of St. Luke’s Health System. ‘They are key to getting our city to grow.’ Thoreen, president of the symphony board, said many potential candidates for professional positions in Sioux City ask about the amenities the city has to offer. … David Krogh, the symphony’s executive director, said the $48,365 from the levy pays for the free concerts given to school children and other educational programs.”
Posted February 23, 2011
