From: Jaguar Bennett
To: Clerk
Subject: Public comment for 5/12/22 City Council meeting, item ID 22-752 Date: Thursday, May 12, 2022 7:51:17 AM
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Please insert this comment into the public record for the Fresno City Council Meeting of May 12, 2022, in reference to agenda item ID 22-752:
Dear City Council Members:
It is unfortunate that Councilman Karbassi is choosing to politicize a sensible decision by the City Council to acquire the Tower Theatre and put an end to the business uncertainty and public disorder that has plagued the Tower District for the past year and a half.
I wholeheartedly support the Council’s decision to place the Tower Theatre under public ownership, and I urge the Council to reject any measures meant to delay the purchase or to cause greater uncertainty in the Tower District.
Maintaining the Tower Theatre as a working theater that supports the nightlife venues of the Tower District is a vital economic interest for the entire city. By buying the Tower Theatre, the Council has shown
prudent leadership in supporting local businesses. Tinkering with a sensible deal after the fact is the opposite of prudence — it is showing a reckless disregard for the needs of the community.
After a year and a half of demonstrations, intimidation actions by neo-Nazi groups, and harassment and physical threats against your constituents exercising their First Amendment rights, it is vital to create peace in the Tower District. A final settlement of the Tower Theatre’s ownership is the only way to create peace. Anything that calls that settlement into question will keep open a contentious issue dividing the city.
As I am sure the City Attorney’s office has informed you, Adventure Church does not have a strong case for involving the city in litigation. Adventure Church has lost nothing. They never owned the theater. They could not successfully complete a purchase over a year ago.
Adventure Church has no interest in or grounds for complaint in a voluntary sale of the theater to the city by the theater owner.
We are almost at the finish line of a long and contentious process. Please don’t allow political grandstanding to trip up the Tower District’s best hope for a peaceful and prosperous future.
Yours sincerely,
Jaguar Bennett