The Shadow
Justin Reiter, executive director of The Historic Masonic Theatre and Amphitheatre, reported on both theatres’ financial and maintenance needs at the Clifton Forge Town Council meeting on Tues., Feb. 14.
The Town of Clifton Forge received the theatre in Dec. of 2003 as a charitable donation from Appalfolks of America Assoc., founder of The Virginia Opry (est. 1992) which continues to perform annually in the theatre currently being leased by the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation (MTPF).
The Town of Clifton Forge provides financial support to MTPF, having recently provided $10,000 for a movie series shown free to the public.
The Town also provides financial aid in support of the theatres via a community grant program that benefits the arts organizations in the Alleghany Highlands that provide programming in Clifton Forge.
Reiter used a projector to present information about the theatre and its programs planned for the winter and spring of 2023.
He provided members of Council the theatre’s “2023 Winter Spring Performances & Movies Program,” a professionally printed brochure featuring a bar code that can be scanned to purchase tickets to the upcoming events featured in the brochure.
Reiter observed, “If we had $250,000 in July each year, we would be in good shape.”
He noted that currently, the amount on hand is $100,000 but that the debt from the theatre’s restoration project that took from 2010 to 2016 has been retired.
He shared with Council the amount paid to performers such as Jimmy Fortune who drew more than 400 to the theatre in Dec. of 2022, and he outlined his strategy to bring top-rated acts to Clifton Forge.
A statement in the brochure reveals, “This season we are looking forward to partnering with a number of organizations including: Cora Dance Alleghany, Alleghany Highlands Arts Council, Shenandoah Ballet, and The Virginia Opry, to bring you great performances.”
During the “Mayor’s Citizens Recognition Award” section of the agenda that followed Reiter’s informative presentation, Mayor Jeff Irvine presented Angie Carter with an award for her outstanding volunteerism.
Jenny Oeltjen, president of Clifton Forge Main St., followed by presenting Gayle Hillert, a former councilwoman who served eight years on the Clifton Forge Town Council, with an award for volunteerism.
Hillert has been instrumental in the restoration of The Historic Masonic Theatre and continues to play an important role in its programming.
During his presentation, Reiter noted that the brochure advertising the theatre’s winter and spring events came from Hillert’s idea.
After photographs were taken by the media, Council approved the minutes for its January 10 meeting and the department reports for code enforcement, police department, public works, library, water plant, fire department and armory.
In other business, Council approved the addition of space for a Community Garden adjacent to the Sensory Trail. Prior to the 5-0 vote to approve the project, Town Manager Charles “Chuck” Unroe reported, “There’s been a tremendous amount of interest in having the Community Garden next to the Sensory Trail.”
Council also voted 5-0 to declare the sale of 2,000’ of four-inch flat hose as surplus material for $2.25 per foot, having used the hose that is no longer needed. The hose cost $4.50 per foot more than a year ago.
Also, Council approved a request from the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism to close Church St. between Jefferson Ave. and Commercial Ave. on Sat., May 13th from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and allow the sponsor of the Grand Fondo, a bicycle race that begins in Covington and ends in Clifton Forge, to use the Rose St. parking lot for shuttle drop-off and pick-up.
Additionally, Council voted 5-0 to approve the request from the Eastern Alleghany Ministerial Assoc. for police assistance with the Walk of the Cross on Fri., April 7, at 11:00 a.m.
Council considered passing a rule that would have required all electronic devices to be turned off during Council meetings.
Following objections from two citizens, Council amended the proposal to change the wording from “…turned off,” to read “silenced.” The motion passed 5-0.
The action was taken by Council because of past complaints that electronic devices in the meeting hall were being disruptive, making it difficult for those nearby such devices to hear what speakers were saying.
Unroe reported that the Town is working on getting businesses to donate to the Community Garden project and that several citizens have already expressed interest in tending a garden in the space that will be allotted.
“It will be a major, major asset to Clifton Forge that goes hand and hand with the Sensory Trial,” Unroe remarked.
Also, he announced that a study of each park in Clifton Forge to see where work is needed to improve the park’s service to the public will be forthcoming providing the grant proposal is funded.
He revealed that the waterline projects have been completed and that the project on River St. will be finished in the spring when the weather warms up to allow asphalt to be added to complete the project.
Unroe noted that the “American Rescue Plan” has provided $3 million for a new waterline and that it will take a year to 18 months to complete the project.
If a grant proposal for $5.1 million is received, it will enable the Town to complete manhole rehabilitation and rebuild three pump stations.
“We received more than 200 responses to our survey concerning the future development of the Jefferson School, and only four said that nothing should be done,” Unroe reported.
He concluded, “We’ve ordered a new pickup truck for public works, and we’re still looking for one more.”
Councilwoman Debbie Laudermilk and Councilmen Shorty Wolfe and Ben Nicely along with Vice-Mayor Dale Burdette and Mayor Irvine congratulated Carter and Hillert for their awards and expressed their appreciation for all of the work that they do as volunteers.
Nicely said, “I grew up going to the theatre, and I look forward to working with Justin Reiter.”
Burdette praised the Clifton Forge Public Works Dept. for its dedication and welcomed Cora Dance to Clifton Forge.
Irvine thanked the theatre group and praised the EMS program for its excellent work after thanking Carter and Hillert again for their contributions to the Town.
The meeting was adjourned for Council to continue in a closed session.
