The following letter was written and sent to us in response to this month’s
article about saving San Francisco’s independent theaters. In an effort to
expose our readers to both sides of Proposition L, we are printing the letter in
its entirety so that the 411 readers can come to their own conclusions regarding
this particular proposition. This letter reflects the opinions of Mr. Gary Meyer
and do not necessarily represent the opinions of 411.
We urge you to do your
own objective research to uncover your own facts about this proposition. We have
also included Mr. Meyer’s email address at the end of his letter should you be
interested in emailing him any questions.
Dear Mr. Davis,
I was co-founder of Landmark Theatres with Steve Gilula and in recent years
have been consulting with independent filmmakers and cities and groups restoring
old theaters. I also currently operate a 1926 neighborhood theater in San
Francisco, the Balboa.
I read with interest your article about the Save Our Theatres proposition in
San Francisco. The concept sounds very good but ignores several things including
reality.
This approximately $10 million a year from the
Hotel Tax Fund would be taken away from hundreds of non-profits including the
city's many filmmaking support groups and Film Festivals....and community
services from fire and police to parks and health programs.
The
people who put this together have no experience in these areas and no business
plan. The proposal also has no accountability to the city for how the money is
spent and people have already heard rumors of promises for monies that have
nothing to do with movies.
Additionally one would think that such a plan
requires the cooperation of the local film community yet few have been contacted
and generally those who were didn't believe it was feasible.
At least 12 theatrical venues and several non-theatrical screening facilities
in San Francisco are already set up to screen films digitally and a coalition of
film organizations purchased a DLP digital projector as well.
The
film community in San Francisco from Francis Ford Coppola, Phil Kaufman,
Wayne Wang, Sean Penn, Peter Coyote, Saul Zaentz, Finn Taylor and many other
independent filmmakers, to the Film Arts Foundation, every independently
operated cinema and Landmark Theatres have come out against Prop. L. Sean
Penn did a trailer that is playing in local theaters. The Mayor and every
Supervisor have come out strongly against it and they never agree on
anything.
Here is a summary of primary reasons why the film community is urging the
voters of San Francisco to vote No On L:
PROP L IS FISCALLY
IRRESPONSIBLE- Proposition L would divert $10 million of city funds each year to
a non-profit with no track record and no plan. San Francisco cannot afford Prop
L.
PROP L IS BAD PUBLIC POLICY- Prop L would sole source millions
of dollars to a non-profit led by the same people that paid signature gatherers
to put Prop L on the ballot.
PROP L HAS NO PLAN- Prop L has no
detailed plan on how it would spend the $10 million it would get every year from
the City of San Francisco. $10 million a year to a non-profit with no track
record and no real plan?
I suggest you visit www.NoOnL.com to learn more including a list of
people and organizations who agree with us.
Thank
you.
Sincerely,
Gary Meyer
garymey@yahoo.com
