February 20, 2025 • 32 mins
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What happens when a city's desire for modern connectivity clashes with concerns over its visual landscape? We tackle this pressing issue as we explore the drama surrounding AT&T's proposed 5G tower in Columbus. Despite meeting zoning requirements, the project faced significant pushback from the Planning Commission and City Council, culminating in Mayor Keith Gaskin's decisive vote against it. Listen as David and Zack unravel the political dynamics, the intricate decision-making process, and the broader implications for local governance and community development.
Meanwhile, Columbus' political scene is shaking up with the unexpected participation of independent candidates at a typically Democratic debate. Candidate Stephen Jones clashes with Democrat Chair Kabir Karriem over the logistics of the debate and says he can't attend.
From politics to performance, we shift gears to talk to Golden Triangle Theatre director Garrett Torbert about his group's upcoming plans, and we discuss the city's refusal to allow GTT to use the dormant Amphitheater. Join us as we advocate for its utilization, challenging city leaders by envisioning a more immediate vibrant future for the venue.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
From the opinion page of the Commercial Dispatch.
This is Between the Headlines.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
This is Peter Imes, publisher of the Dispatch.
One of our hosts of Between theHeadlines is the managing
editor of our newsroom.
Typically we try to keep newsand opinion separate, but
reporters have a unique insightinto the workings of local
government and their analysiscan be helpful for readers and
listeners.
The dispatch remains committedto journalistic integrity and
(00:36):
our reporting will alwaysreflect that.
And now between the headlines.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
The 5G Tower of Terror.
Between the headlines, the 5GTower of Terror.
Councilman Jones spurns hisfellow Democrats, leading into
the big Democrat debate, andspecial guest Mr Garrett Torbert
is here to tell us why the CityCouncil has chained up the
amphitheater with Rottweilersand signs saying no port potties
(01:02):
allowed.
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And now a message frompolitical candidate.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Bill Strauss.
I want to thank the CommercialDispatch for this podcast,
bringing different views in anopen discussion.
I'm Bill Strauss, humbly askingfor your vote as next mayor of
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(02:48):
Paid for by campaign to electBill Strauss.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
And now a message from political candidate Jason
Spears.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
I am Jason Spears, candidate for City Council, ward
6.
Over the past 20 years, Ifaithfully and effectively
served our community in manydifferent ways.
If elected, I will bringstructure and strategy to the
(03:17):
city's finances.
Thanks for joining us today and, on April 1st, vote Jason
Spears for Ward 6.
Paid for by the campaign toelect Jason Spears.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
Thanks for joining us today.
You are listening to Betweenthe Headlines hosted by the
ever-diligent managing editor ofthe Commercial Dispatch, mr
Zach Player, and I am, davidChisholm.
First topic for today 5G power.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Oh, the 5G tower.
First of of all, thank you foryour very kind words, uh, coming
in here.
So let let's look at this towerreal quick, very brief
background.
The uh at&t wanted to build a5g tower on uh county property.
They leased the land from morefrom the county uh at more creek
(04:04):
.
It met all of the city's zoningrequirements.
That's why they chose that oneand not some other ones.
It goes to the PlanningCommission twice and is denied
aesthetics being one of the mainreasons and it goes before the
city council.
City council is split and itcomes to Mayor Keith Gaskin to
(04:26):
cast the tie-breaking vote todeny letting them build that
there on the basis that theyhave other options, even though
the company has presentedseveral times that there are no
options that will fit theircapacity needs.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
This is the best option or the only option that
will do what they're trying todo so, long story short, at the
end of the day, voting aye forthe tower was Stewart Mickens
and Jones, and voting nay forthe tower was Beard Green,
decicco and Mayor Gaskin, on topof the Planning Commission.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
The planning commission, twice voting no.
So what do you think, David?
You like the vote or you likethe tower?
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Well, I think, first off, the city needs to delegate
more.
If you look at this, the cityofficials appoint people to
these boards, and if you appointgood people, you will
continually have good results.
And I'm just thinking, ifyou're going to pull your rug
out from underneath the peoplethat you've appointed, why even
have a commission?
(05:31):
So that's the first thing thatcomes to mind.
Secondly, aesthetics matter.
Okay, I think that I think therepresentative from the mag
dispensary is actually righthere.
You look at burns bottom.
The place looks like nagasakiright now.
(05:51):
It's got to be cleaned up, wegot to do something.
But I mean, if you are a fan oflooking at utilities, that
proposed spot is the absoluteperfect location.
I mean, think about it.
As soon as you cross the terrybrown bridge, you're going to
immediately see this giganticphallic object protruding 155
(06:20):
feet into the air with astrobing light on top of it.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Okay, I mean, are you going to see it, david?
Because I want to ask you aquestion, and it's a question
that I've asked a whole lot ofother people and I sound like
Tripp Hurston when I say it, butit's a real question because I
can't answer it for myselfWhen's the last time you saw a
cell phone tower?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Well being the neurodivergent person that I am,
I see them all the time well,in my backyard, one of you I.
I went through a lot of troubleto bury my utilities.
Okay, I just don't like lookingat wires.
This weekend, I stayed at ahotel using that cell phone
though well, I do, but I meanyou want it to work, right,
(07:02):
there's other places to put thisthing.
I mean, this is dead center,it's right there, but I mean,
who are we to say that?
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Because AT&T came on their own and said there are no
better options.
This meets the zoning, this isthe best place for us to do what
we can do.
So I think the request was madein good faith there and I don't
think that the city for thecity council, even the ones who
voted against it, think that itwas necessarily in bad faith.
(07:29):
Maybe it says more about methan anything else, but I don't
know the cell phone towers.
I drive by them all the timeand I don't know they're there.
And this may be harsh, but missme with the aesthetics argument
.
I don't know how you can find acell tower so aesthetically
offensive.
It would devalue the propertyof those places.
(07:49):
It would devalue Burns Bottomand the development that they're
wanting to put there.
Those were the arguments thatwere put before the council.
Those were the things that theplanning commission made their
decision based on.
Miss me with that, because ifyou sit on one of those soccer
fields and look to your east,burns Bottom looks like a place
(08:10):
where you could right now find ablind Denzel Washington walking
through there carrying a Bible.
I mean, that is to say, itlooks post-apocalyptic over
there right now and nobody seemsto care.
That project is the same age asthe amphitheater project and
nobody seems to care.
That project is the same age asthe amphitheater project and
nobody talks about it.
I know that there's a developerinterested.
They were supposed to be doingenvironmental and they were
(08:32):
supposed to complete that lastsummer, according to our
reporting.
Well, they've blown thatdeadline and since then all
we're getting from CRA is theColumbus Redevelopment Authority
, which owns Burns Bottom, istrying to get a developer to
come in there.
All we're getting from them iswell, we're still doing
environmental.
We'll let you know.
(08:53):
And that seems to be goodenough for the people who are
using the soccer complex nowthat are looking at Burns Bottom
, but the cell phone tower is abridge too far them, but the
cell phone tower is a bridge toofar.
Meanwhile, let me stay on my CRAsoapbox.
They have $8.4 million ofpublic money and it still looks
(09:15):
like it looks.
Are they trying?
Yes, but where's thetransparency?
Where's the update on thetimeline?
Where's the good faith intrying to develop public
confidence in this isn't goingto look like Nagasaki very soon.
I don't want to be too harshhere, but I think it's very
interesting that the Pitchforkand Torch Brigade is standing in
(09:37):
front of Moore Creek trying tokeep that tower from happening,
when if you put that same towerin the middle of what Burns
Bottom looks like right now,just right in the middle of that
spot, it would improve theaesthetics of Burns Bottom today
.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Well, that's a hot take, but the key word is today.
Okay, they're thinking aboutthe future.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
And I acknowledge that they're thinking about long
term, I mean.
And I believe they're going toget that.
I want to be on the recordsaying I believe they're going
to get it done.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
Well, I'll close with this.
I think that AT&T is a veryskilled and strategic company.
They can find another spot.
They're in it for the money.
They're going to put it in ascheap of a spot as they can find
.
You know, at the end of the day, C Spire is down there like
Nelson looking at this, Ha ha.
(10:26):
And I mean we're going to getour cell phone coverage.
They could put it on CourtSquare Tower.
Ok, that's a place.
I still think they could put iton the water tower.
I just don't buy into it.
This is where it's got to be.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
All right, so going on to our second topic, the
great Democratic debate debacle.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Well, we now have independents by the name of
Darren Leach and Bill Straussbeing able to participate in a.
Democrat forum.
How does that happen, Zach?
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Well, let's quickly recap where we are here.
The Democratic Party, theLowndes County Democratic Party,
wanted to have a mayoral debatewith their Democratic
candidates that's going to beSupervisor Leroy Brooks and
Councilman Stephen Jones, whoare seeking the Democratic
nomination for Columbus mayorthis time around.
Full disclosure.
I'm one of the three moderators, joey Barnes from WCBI is one,
(11:25):
as is Tanya Carter from WTVA.
So we agreed to do that in lateJanuary and here we find out
that in the middle of February,stephen Jones has just now been
invited.
He takes umbrage at that, at thetiming of it and maybe some
other things.
He and Democratic ChairmanKabir Karim get into it on
(11:47):
Facebook and pretty soon you'vegot Stephen Jones announcing he
will not be attending.
And so to preserve the debateaspect of this to where this
doesn't become a Leroy Brooksone-man town hall, they invited
the independent candidates.
My understanding is that BillStrauss will be there and Darren
Leach has a prior commitmentand will hall.
They invited the independentcandidates.
My understanding is that BillStrauss will be there and Darren
(12:08):
Leach has a prior commitmentand will not.
So this has gone from being adebate between Leroy and Stephen
to a debate between Leroy andBill Strauss.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
I want to highlight what a big deal that is, because
when we, the Republicans, didour debate for the supervisor
candidates, per our bylaws, wewere not allowed for an
independent candidate to have avoice at our forum.
I mean, it's just in the books.
We couldn't do it, which wasreally awkward for me because
(12:40):
Chris Moore, a great guy, livestwo doors down from me and I had
to tell him well, Chris, I'msorry, but you ran as an
independent, Therefore youcannot be a part of this
candidate debate, and so I thinkit's quite striking what has
(13:01):
happened here to have these guys, I mean.
I'm glad because I want to hearnot just Leroy, I want to hear
really all four of them.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
quite frankly For me, you know, I like the fact that
they opened it up.
I think they should have openedit.
I think that a debate for localoffice should include all of
the candidates for that race therace that you're highlighting
regardless of party.
I think that party politics onthe local level is a silly thing
to begin with, but, you know,kudos to them.
(13:27):
I do think that there'sprobably some argument that they
might could have been a littlemore diligent in making sure
Stephen was available, but kudosto them for responding to that
by saying it's important that wehave a debate.
My question for you, David, isthese guys got into it?
On Facebook, Leroy Brooks has avideo of his own talking about
(13:48):
the debate, challenging Stephento come face me.
Stephen has.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
In order to be an effective leader, you have to be
able to effectively communicatewith people across the aisle
(14:13):
and he's not even effectivelycommunicating with those in his
own party.
So there's that I'm looking atthis.
He wants to be the Democratnominee and yet he picks this
fight with the party leader andif he thinks that he can run the
city of Columbus, thinks heneeds to do and show the people
of Columbus that I have the timeto do this, that I have the
(14:52):
skills to bring this citytogether.
And, by the way, I still likeyou, stephen.
Let's go eat at Helen's afterthis.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Well, you know, I don't really like the
gamesmanship that's happeninghere.
I think that if he can getthere, he should get there.
I've called Stephen and toldhim that myself.
Full disclosure.
Did you watch Leroy's?
Speaker 4 (15:13):
video.
I watched both of them and Ithought that, quite honestly,
Leroy got the mic.
Drop on that one.
Listen, I'm just a fan ofdebates.
I think it's an American thing.
I don't like it when peopleskip debates.
I didn't like it when peopleskip debates.
I didn't like it when Trumpskipped the debate, and so the
same situation here.
Let the people hear from you Letthe people hear from you and,
(15:34):
for heaven's sakes, let's talkabout issues instead of each
other.
Okay, the following interviewwas recorded earlier today and
it has been truncated for lengthand clarity's sake.
Mr Garrett Torbert, here we go.
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 6 (15:50):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
And welcome as a guinea pig.
You are our very first how doesit feel.
Speaker 6 (15:56):
Well, I'm honored, that's for sure.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Well, we want to talk to you a little bit, just kind
of open the floor to you tostart with the history of your
organization, what it does, kindof what y'all's mission is so
we formed in June of 2021.
Speaker 6 (16:12):
I had acquired a group of private students in
piano and voice and had someparents reach out about theater
and that's my creative outletand I really was missing that
during that time and had endedup getting something going that
summer into the fall in Augustwith middle school students and
(16:34):
high school students.
So we started with about 15 kidsand then moved to about 55 who
had formally registered thatspring.
And so ever since we've sort ofjust really been growing and
building a community for ourchildren to be able to have a
place to go Roughly.
Right now we have twoproductions going on the
Lightning Thief, which is forour younger kids, and then next
(16:55):
month we'll have the Hunchbackof Notre Dame, which features
our community members Anyway.
So yeah, we're a pretty bigorganization and have exploded
in the past few years and sohopefully just onward and upward
from here.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
Well, I just want to say that my daughter was
privileged to make it to yourproduction of Frozen, oh, and it
was the absolute time of herlife.
She got to go backstage and gotto be with the princesses and
she would not shut up about thatfor the period of about three
weeks.
So I love the arts, I lovetheater.
I'm glad you're doing whatyou're doing.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Thank you.
Well, so how important is itfor especially communities this
size to have access to not justgoing to shows?
And being exposed to it as aspectator, but having the
opportunity to participate.
Speaker 6 (17:43):
I think it's incredibly important because it
for one.
I think it's incrediblyimportant because it for one
having that opportunity to justdo so.
But more importantly on abigger scale is just being able
to create that environment forthose who may not want to do
sports.
I think it makes our communitya more diverse community.
It makes our children morewell-rounded, provides them with
(18:06):
a more holistic education, andI think one of the major things
that I try and focus on when I'mtalking to parents how can we
make it accommodating for themis really focusing on soft skill
building.
You know, I don't expect everystudent that we have come
through go off and want to bethe next you know, johnny Dapp
(18:28):
or whatever, but being able togo and have communication with
somebody, whether it's goinggiving a speech or something to
that effect just buildingcommunication, skills,
collaboration, and especiallyfor a small community like us,
where we don't have a lot ofthat kind of stuff it makes us
unique.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
Well, a fun question for you, as these, especially
the adult shows have cropped up.
Are there any people who anystories that you have of people
who have really surprised you,that have come through that door
or people who maybe havesurprised themselves?
Speaker 6 (19:02):
Absolutely Well.
I'm sure all of us know.
The first person that comes tomind is Colin Krieger with Remax
.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
Excellent ballet dancer.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
Excellent ballet and has good playing in Edna
Turnblad too, by the way.
But yeah, colin Krieger,lindsay Clemons, local attorney,
really incredible actress.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
And what about your own acting and singing
background?
Speaker 6 (19:25):
I'm currently playing Quasimodo in our upcoming
production of Hunchback, whichis my dream role, for one thing.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Well, kind of talk to us about the summer camp for
the kids what it?
Is who.
It includes what y'all try toaccomplish For sure.
Speaker 6 (19:41):
So what we are doing this year is going to be a bit
unique.
So what we are doing this yearis going to be a bit unique.
We are going to actuallyproduce a show.
In the years past we've justdone skill-based activities.
This year we're going to doSpongeBob the Musical for our
older kids and the younger kidsare going to do the kid version
of the Lion King.
But one thing that I reallylike to do is to be able to
(20:04):
provide experience for us,experiences from outside of our
area.
So, like summer camp, I try andfocus on bringing in a guest.
Last summer we had Jake Boyd,who is a Broadway performer.
He was on the national tour ofWicked and played Fiero on both
Broadway and the national tour.
This year we're bringing in aguest who is a native of Alabama
(20:27):
but has been on the nationaltour of Hairspray playing.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
Corny Collins yeah, so.
Speaker 6 (20:33):
I really want our students to get the experience
of seeing that this is actuallya career that you could pursue
if you desire, you know, andknowing that there is success
with it.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
And knowing that there is success with it.
And kind of how you've comeinto the news lately is you've
kind of walked into the greatamphitheater debate, the use it
or don't, and you were lookingto.
My understanding was you werelooking to use the amphitheater
for the public showing at theend of the summer camp.
(21:06):
Right, is that right?
Speaker 6 (21:07):
That's correct.
I knew of the empathy room, hadbeen down there and had always
pondered, you know, why isn't itbeing used?
My initial thought was like,well, why can't it be used?
Now, you know, to me, at facevalue, it looks ready to go.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
I don't need, and I'm sure the public.
They go to many events wherethey bring a lawn chair or
something like that.
You know, right?
Well, absolutely, I thinkyou're correct.
It is ready to go.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
There's already a stage on the other end, right On
the walkway.
Well, I mean, the stage thatthey have for the amphitheater
is, to my understanding, fullyready to perform on.
It's got power.
Well, that one is there andit's got oil.
Speaker 4 (21:45):
This kind of reminds me of, say, you're remodeling a
kitchen and it's like your wifesays no honey, you can't use the
microwave.
You'll get it dirty Because, no, you can't use the microwave
because we don't have a stoveyet.
Oh yeah.
It makes no sense whatsoever.
All the while this thing issitting there like a giant
tombstone, right there like agiant tombstone, and it's
(22:05):
depreciating in value, even ifyou don't get to use the thing.
I'm glad you're at leastcalling attention to the thing,
because it needs to come aliveTo me.
Speaker 6 (22:15):
I'm always trying to find the most creative ways to
use a space, and why not use itin this particular way?
And you know, I'm all forunderstanding if it's a safety
thing, but I mean here recentlythe city engineer himself said
that it has been usable since2017.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
Do you think that your request will eventually be
approved and what's yourposition on the reaction that
you've gotten to the request sofar?
Speaker 6 (22:47):
Well, I can see both sides First off.
Yes, I think I'm going to getapproved.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
Just don't schedule your show during the 25-year
monsoon and I think you'll beabsolutely fine.
Speaker 6 (23:00):
Right, and part of me feels like too, that if we open
it up now it's going to looklike a negative thing because,
well, it's not finished.
You know it's never going toget finished.
Well, I'm sorry there's alreadynegativity cemented in because
it's not been used.
I didn't know this until twodays ago.
(23:20):
There are two ADA bathroomsattached to the back of the
theater or the stage.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
That's correct.
Speaker 6 (23:28):
Which I didn't know, that Our city has missed out on
a lot of opportunities from itwhen it comes to cultural and
economic development since 2017.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
All right, last question I have for you to, just
really a plug here how do youget involved in first, let's say
, the summer camp, what ages canget involved and how?
Speaker 6 (23:47):
and then also community theater we try and
make sure that um, because we domost of our um social media
through facebook and instagram.
But our summer camp opens upmarch 1st and you can go on our
website to register your student.
We are offering this yearopportunities from grades rising
, first graders through 12thgrade.
(24:09):
They can go online March 1st.
We also have our last segmentthat will actually close out our
year.
We're calling it the greatestshowcase, hoping there's some
positivity that comes from that.
But and we're going to be aneight week program that also
opens up March 1st and that'sfor our 5th through 12th graders
(24:31):
.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
All right, and if me or David, if David wanted to
star in the Phantom of the Operaor whatever.
Wah, bah, bah, bah bah bah, bah.
Speaker 4 (24:43):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
How could we engage with you as prospective actors?
Speaker 6 (24:51):
Absolutely.
I love this energy.
So we we hold auditions foreach show and from there we'll
start posting once eachproduction gets a little bit
closer to start rehearsals.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Well, yeah, thank you so much for joining us today
and taking your time.
Moving on to discussion of theamphitheater, you heard us talk
with Garrett Torbert, withGolden Triangle Theater earlier
today and you know, david, whatdo you?
Speaker 4 (25:20):
think, well, there's not much to add, it's there,
we've got to use it.
And I mean, there's no danger,there's no doubt.
What's like?
I say is it going to floodthere?
Is the alligator is going tocome out of the creek after
somebody?
It just seems to me like thiswhole attitude of, well, we
can't use it because it's notfinished.
(25:40):
When you use it, it's going tobring, as Garrett said, it's
going to bring attention to thefacility and it's going to get
people excited about investingmoney from both public and
private entities to make thatthing turn into what it needs to
be.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
And here's the thing I understand.
I understand very well theargument particularly that has
come from some council memberswho are hesitant to use it, that
we only have one shot to make agood first impression.
I totally get that, but thefirst impression of the
(26:17):
amphitheater has been made.
To me the argument of thatargument goes out the window,
because now we're at a placewhere this is a case of bad
stewardship.
It's been sitting there eightyears.
This is a public asset andyou're telling the public that
they can't use a public assetand I think that's bad
government and it's badstewardship of the investment
(26:40):
that has been made there.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
People hate being told that they can't do
something, and part of thenegativity that we run into is
the knee-jerk reactions ofpeople that don't understand the
financial direction that thismoney has to flow.
You've got funds for this.
You've got funds for this.
You've got funds from that.
You've got funds.
Some of it comes from state,some of it comes from federal.
My head spins trying to keep upwith it and you know, the
(27:05):
average person looking at thisis like well, columbus must,
just must be throwing money outthe window because look at that
amphitheater.
Well, it's more complicatedthan that.
Speaker 1 (27:16):
I'm glad you brought up the finances, because let's
talk about that, because rightnow, or the way that they've
gone about getting that money,has been compared by others to
like.
I mean, they basically they'regetting alms from whomever will
give it to them.
They got their cup out going toJackson.
They've got their cup outrattling it outside of the
(27:36):
Capitol in Washington DC, andthere's been a lot of criticism
of that from, specifically,chuck Younger he talks about it
which is you don't have any ofyour own skin in the game.
In the past, that argument hasnot been valid because the city
hasn't had the money, and that'sjust simply not the case
anymore.
The city has a capitalimprovement fund that they have
(28:01):
banked of $5 million.
So you know, let's put a pin inthat and talk about the city's
two choices now, and it's onelet the public use it while
continuing to seek third-partyfunding to finish it.
That's fine.
If you want to finish this 100%with third-party funding, then
(28:22):
let the public use it now.
Go ahead and draw up parameters, just like they do with the
Trotter or any other cityproperty, and we're not talking
about outkicking their coverageor letting them have big
concerts or anything like thatwe're talking about local events
Like the Golden TriangleTheater event.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
Needs to happen.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
The other choice is, if we're going to do it in the,
you know, if we're going toaccomplish the goal, before we
open it, of finishing itentirely, hiring a third party
venue manager to run it to wherethe city rightfully so doesn't
really want to long-term be themanager of the amphitheater, and
I think that a lot of theirwait-until-it's-done argument
(29:03):
comes from the.
We do not want to be thelong-term manager, but you can
manage local events there andthen, when you get it finished
up, hand it to a venue operatoror Kevin Stafford believes that
$3 million all in would probablyget it to a place to where they
could call it complete.
So you've got the million inhand.
(29:24):
You can pull $2 million out ofthat capital improvement fund
and within a year we could havethis thing done to the
specifications of the good firstimpression that we're trying to
make.
You can get it there.
Speaker 4 (29:38):
And it gets back to that micromanaging.
They've got people incommittees and in commissions
that can handle this stuff.
Why do they have to be socentrally involved?
At the end of the day, Zach,I'll tell you, what will really
infuriate me is if I'll tell you, what will really infuriate me
is if, let's say, Octavia HawkCounty gets their wishes, MSMS
(29:59):
gets taken over there and we endup with empty buildings on the
back of MUW's campus and anunfinished amphitheater.
We have got to negotiate abetter deal than what we're
getting right now.
I agree entirely.
And now we go to the mail.
(30:21):
This comes to us from ourlisteners, that is tips at
cdispatchcom.
Thank you so much for opining.
Here we go.
Representative Andy Boyd, whosays what I would like to see
for the situation talking aboutMSMS here is level heads come
together openly withrepresentative stakeholders
(30:43):
sitting at the table.
It seems more efficient to methat we would fix our old toy as
opposed to purchasing a shinynew one.
A shiny new one.
A listener pipes in in defenseof Donnie Cook, says Donnie
isn't in that game ofinfluencing MSMS really at all
(31:03):
anymore.
Every time I've spoken with himhe's just trying to get a new
career going.
So I appreciate that comment.
If in fact he is no longerinvolved, then I don't want to
stick my foot on his faceanymore.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Well, and to respond to that, that's my understanding
.
The last time I interviewed MrCook was last spring and that
seemed to be where he was onthat.
I asked him point blank if hewas still trying to sway
legislators.
He said the last time he triedto do anything he sent them a
bunch of documents and very fewof them even responded that they
(31:38):
looked.
And that was the last thingthat he had done at that time
and I feel like that's probably,that's probably accurate.
Speaker 4 (31:46):
Good, good.
Just want to thank ourlisteners for joining in today.
Please help talk it up.
Subscribe rate and share, and Ihope you'll also join the
conversation Tips atcdispatchcom.
Send your beef or your specialinput to tips at cdispatchcom.
You can also follow me onFacebook or X at dchism00.
(32:08):
You've been listening toBetween the Headlines Signing
off from Catfish Alley Studio inhistoric downtown Columbus.
Your host has been Zach Playerand I am David Chisholm.
Until next time, keep itfriendly and keep it real.
From the opinion page of the Commercial Dispatch.
This is Between the Headlines.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
This is Peter Imes, publisher of the Dispatch.
One of our hosts of Between theHeadlines is the managing
editor of our newsroom.
Typically we try to keep newsand opinion separate, but
reporters have a unique insightinto the workings of local
government and their analysiscan be helpful for readers and
listeners.
The dispatch remains committedto journalistic integrity and
(00:36):
our reporting will alwaysreflect that.
And now between the headlines.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
The 5G Tower of Terror.
Between the headlines, the 5GTower of Terror.
Councilman Jones spurns hisfellow Democrats, leading into
the big Democrat debate, andspecial guest Mr Garrett Torbert
is here to tell us why the CityCouncil has chained up the
amphitheater with Rottweilersand signs saying no port potties
(01:02):
allowed.
But first let's hear from oursponsors.
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That is bentonsinccom.
And now a message frompolitical candidate.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Bill Strauss.
I want to thank the CommercialDispatch for this podcast,
bringing different views in anopen discussion.
I'm Bill Strauss, humbly askingfor your vote as next mayor of
Columbus.
You deserve transparency andaccountability for your tax
dollars.
I'm business friendly andcharitable.
Vote Bill Strauss Mayor ofColumbus 2025.
(02:48):
Paid for by campaign to electBill Strauss.
Speaker 4 (02:52):
And now a message from political candidate Jason
Spears.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
I am Jason Spears, candidate for City Council, ward
6.
Over the past 20 years, Ifaithfully and effectively
served our community in manydifferent ways.
If elected, I will bringstructure and strategy to the
(03:17):
city's finances.
Thanks for joining us today and, on April 1st, vote Jason
Spears for Ward 6.
Paid for by the campaign toelect Jason Spears.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
Thanks for joining us today.
You are listening to Betweenthe Headlines hosted by the
ever-diligent managing editor ofthe Commercial Dispatch, mr
Zach Player, and I am, davidChisholm.
First topic for today 5G power.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Oh, the 5G tower.
First of of all, thank you foryour very kind words, uh, coming
in here.
So let let's look at this towerreal quick, very brief
background.
The uh at&t wanted to build a5g tower on uh county property.
They leased the land from morefrom the county uh at more creek
(04:04):
.
It met all of the city's zoningrequirements.
That's why they chose that oneand not some other ones.
It goes to the PlanningCommission twice and is denied
aesthetics being one of the mainreasons and it goes before the
city council.
City council is split and itcomes to Mayor Keith Gaskin to
(04:26):
cast the tie-breaking vote todeny letting them build that
there on the basis that theyhave other options, even though
the company has presentedseveral times that there are no
options that will fit theircapacity needs.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
This is the best option or the only option that
will do what they're trying todo so, long story short, at the
end of the day, voting aye forthe tower was Stewart Mickens
and Jones, and voting nay forthe tower was Beard Green,
decicco and Mayor Gaskin, on topof the Planning Commission.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
The planning commission, twice voting no.
So what do you think, David?
You like the vote or you likethe tower?
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Well, I think, first off, the city needs to delegate
more.
If you look at this, the cityofficials appoint people to
these boards, and if you appointgood people, you will
continually have good results.
And I'm just thinking, ifyou're going to pull your rug
out from underneath the peoplethat you've appointed, why even
have a commission?
(05:31):
So that's the first thing thatcomes to mind.
Secondly, aesthetics matter.
Okay, I think that I think therepresentative from the mag
dispensary is actually righthere.
You look at burns bottom.
The place looks like nagasakiright now.
(05:51):
It's got to be cleaned up, wegot to do something.
But I mean, if you are a fan oflooking at utilities, that
proposed spot is the absoluteperfect location.
I mean, think about it.
As soon as you cross the terrybrown bridge, you're going to
immediately see this giganticphallic object protruding 155
(06:20):
feet into the air with astrobing light on top of it.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Okay, I mean, are you going to see it, david?
Because I want to ask you aquestion, and it's a question
that I've asked a whole lot ofother people and I sound like
Tripp Hurston when I say it, butit's a real question because I
can't answer it for myselfWhen's the last time you saw a
cell phone tower?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Well being the neurodivergent person that I am,
I see them all the time well,in my backyard, one of you I.
I went through a lot of troubleto bury my utilities.
Okay, I just don't like lookingat wires.
This weekend, I stayed at ahotel using that cell phone
though well, I do, but I meanyou want it to work, right,
(07:02):
there's other places to put thisthing.
I mean, this is dead center,it's right there, but I mean,
who are we to say that?
Speaker 1 (07:09):
Because AT&T came on their own and said there are no
better options.
This meets the zoning, this isthe best place for us to do what
we can do.
So I think the request was madein good faith there and I don't
think that the city for thecity council, even the ones who
voted against it, think that itwas necessarily in bad faith.
(07:29):
Maybe it says more about methan anything else, but I don't
know the cell phone towers.
I drive by them all the timeand I don't know they're there.
And this may be harsh, but missme with the aesthetics argument
.
I don't know how you can find acell tower so aesthetically
offensive.
It would devalue the propertyof those places.
(07:49):
It would devalue Burns Bottomand the development that they're
wanting to put there.
Those were the arguments thatwere put before the council.
Those were the things that theplanning commission made their
decision based on.
Miss me with that, because ifyou sit on one of those soccer
fields and look to your east,burns Bottom looks like a place
(08:10):
where you could right now find ablind Denzel Washington walking
through there carrying a Bible.
I mean, that is to say, itlooks post-apocalyptic over
there right now and nobody seemsto care.
That project is the same age asthe amphitheater project and
nobody seems to care.
That project is the same age asthe amphitheater project and
nobody talks about it.
I know that there's a developerinterested.
They were supposed to be doingenvironmental and they were
(08:32):
supposed to complete that lastsummer, according to our
reporting.
Well, they've blown thatdeadline and since then all
we're getting from CRA is theColumbus Redevelopment Authority
, which owns Burns Bottom, istrying to get a developer to
come in there.
All we're getting from them iswell, we're still doing
environmental.
We'll let you know.
(08:53):
And that seems to be goodenough for the people who are
using the soccer complex nowthat are looking at Burns Bottom
, but the cell phone tower is abridge too far them, but the
cell phone tower is a bridge toofar.
Meanwhile, let me stay on my CRAsoapbox.
They have $8.4 million ofpublic money and it still looks
(09:15):
like it looks.
Are they trying?
Yes, but where's thetransparency?
Where's the update on thetimeline?
Where's the good faith intrying to develop public
confidence in this isn't goingto look like Nagasaki very soon.
I don't want to be too harshhere, but I think it's very
interesting that the Pitchforkand Torch Brigade is standing in
(09:37):
front of Moore Creek trying tokeep that tower from happening,
when if you put that same towerin the middle of what Burns
Bottom looks like right now,just right in the middle of that
spot, it would improve theaesthetics of Burns Bottom today
.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Well, that's a hot take, but the key word is today.
Okay, they're thinking aboutthe future.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
And I acknowledge that they're thinking about long
term, I mean.
And I believe they're going toget that.
I want to be on the recordsaying I believe they're going
to get it done.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
Well, I'll close with this.
I think that AT&T is a veryskilled and strategic company.
They can find another spot.
They're in it for the money.
They're going to put it in ascheap of a spot as they can find
.
You know, at the end of the day, C Spire is down there like
Nelson looking at this, Ha ha.
(10:26):
And I mean we're going to getour cell phone coverage.
They could put it on CourtSquare Tower.
Ok, that's a place.
I still think they could put iton the water tower.
I just don't buy into it.
This is where it's got to be.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
All right, so going on to our second topic, the
great Democratic debate debacle.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Well, we now have independents by the name of
Darren Leach and Bill Straussbeing able to participate in a.
Democrat forum.
How does that happen, Zach?
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Well, let's quickly recap where we are here.
The Democratic Party, theLowndes County Democratic Party,
wanted to have a mayoral debatewith their Democratic
candidates that's going to beSupervisor Leroy Brooks and
Councilman Stephen Jones, whoare seeking the Democratic
nomination for Columbus mayorthis time around.
Full disclosure.
I'm one of the three moderators, joey Barnes from WCBI is one,
(11:25):
as is Tanya Carter from WTVA.
So we agreed to do that in lateJanuary and here we find out
that in the middle of February,stephen Jones has just now been
invited.
He takes umbrage at that, at thetiming of it and maybe some
other things.
He and Democratic ChairmanKabir Karim get into it on
(11:47):
Facebook and pretty soon you'vegot Stephen Jones announcing he
will not be attending.
And so to preserve the debateaspect of this to where this
doesn't become a Leroy Brooksone-man town hall, they invited
the independent candidates.
My understanding is that BillStrauss will be there and Darren
Leach has a prior commitmentand will hall.
They invited the independentcandidates.
My understanding is that BillStrauss will be there and Darren
(12:08):
Leach has a prior commitmentand will not.
So this has gone from being adebate between Leroy and Stephen
to a debate between Leroy andBill Strauss.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
I want to highlight what a big deal that is, because
when we, the Republicans, didour debate for the supervisor
candidates, per our bylaws, wewere not allowed for an
independent candidate to have avoice at our forum.
I mean, it's just in the books.
We couldn't do it, which wasreally awkward for me because
(12:40):
Chris Moore, a great guy, livestwo doors down from me and I had
to tell him well, Chris, I'msorry, but you ran as an
independent, Therefore youcannot be a part of this
candidate debate, and so I thinkit's quite striking what has
(13:01):
happened here to have these guys, I mean.
I'm glad because I want to hearnot just Leroy, I want to hear
really all four of them.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
quite frankly For me, you know, I like the fact that
they opened it up.
I think they should have openedit.
I think that a debate for localoffice should include all of
the candidates for that race therace that you're highlighting
regardless of party.
I think that party politics onthe local level is a silly thing
to begin with, but, you know,kudos to them.
(13:27):
I do think that there'sprobably some argument that they
might could have been a littlemore diligent in making sure
Stephen was available, but kudosto them for responding to that
by saying it's important that wehave a debate.
My question for you, David, isthese guys got into it?
On Facebook, Leroy Brooks has avideo of his own talking about
(13:48):
the debate, challenging Stephento come face me.
Stephen has.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
In order to be an effective leader, you have to be
able to effectively communicatewith people across the aisle
(14:13):
and he's not even effectivelycommunicating with those in his
own party.
So there's that I'm looking atthis.
He wants to be the Democratnominee and yet he picks this
fight with the party leader andif he thinks that he can run the
city of Columbus, thinks heneeds to do and show the people
of Columbus that I have the timeto do this, that I have the
(14:52):
skills to bring this citytogether.
And, by the way, I still likeyou, stephen.
Let's go eat at Helen's afterthis.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Well, you know, I don't really like the
gamesmanship that's happeninghere.
I think that if he can getthere, he should get there.
I've called Stephen and toldhim that myself.
Full disclosure.
Did you watch Leroy's?
Speaker 4 (15:13):
video.
I watched both of them and Ithought that, quite honestly,
Leroy got the mic.
Drop on that one.
Listen, I'm just a fan ofdebates.
I think it's an American thing.
I don't like it when peopleskip debates.
I didn't like it when peopleskip debates.
I didn't like it when Trumpskipped the debate, and so the
same situation here.
Let the people hear from you Letthe people hear from you and,
(15:34):
for heaven's sakes, let's talkabout issues instead of each
other.
Okay, the following interviewwas recorded earlier today and
it has been truncated for lengthand clarity's sake.
Mr Garrett Torbert, here we go.
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 6 (15:50):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
And welcome as a guinea pig.
You are our very first how doesit feel.
Speaker 6 (15:56):
Well, I'm honored, that's for sure.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Well, we want to talk to you a little bit, just kind
of open the floor to you tostart with the history of your
organization, what it does, kindof what y'all's mission is so
we formed in June of 2021.
Speaker 6 (16:12):
I had acquired a group of private students in
piano and voice and had someparents reach out about theater
and that's my creative outletand I really was missing that
during that time and had endedup getting something going that
summer into the fall in Augustwith middle school students and
(16:34):
high school students.
So we started with about 15 kidsand then moved to about 55 who
had formally registered thatspring.
And so ever since we've sort ofjust really been growing and
building a community for ourchildren to be able to have a
place to go Roughly.
Right now we have twoproductions going on the
Lightning Thief, which is forour younger kids, and then next
(16:55):
month we'll have the Hunchbackof Notre Dame, which features
our community members Anyway.
So yeah, we're a pretty bigorganization and have exploded
in the past few years and sohopefully just onward and upward
from here.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
Well, I just want to say that my daughter was
privileged to make it to yourproduction of Frozen, oh, and it
was the absolute time of herlife.
She got to go backstage and gotto be with the princesses and
she would not shut up about thatfor the period of about three
weeks.
So I love the arts, I lovetheater.
I'm glad you're doing whatyou're doing.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Thank you.
Well, so how important is itfor especially communities this
size to have access to not justgoing to shows?
And being exposed to it as aspectator, but having the
opportunity to participate.
Speaker 6 (17:43):
I think it's incredibly important because it
for one.
I think it's incrediblyimportant because it for one
having that opportunity to justdo so.
But more importantly on abigger scale is just being able
to create that environment forthose who may not want to do
sports.
I think it makes our communitya more diverse community.
It makes our children morewell-rounded, provides them with
(18:06):
a more holistic education, andI think one of the major things
that I try and focus on when I'mtalking to parents how can we
make it accommodating for themis really focusing on soft skill
building.
You know, I don't expect everystudent that we have come
through go off and want to bethe next you know, johnny Dapp
(18:28):
or whatever, but being able togo and have communication with
somebody, whether it's goinggiving a speech or something to
that effect just buildingcommunication, skills,
collaboration, and especiallyfor a small community like us,
where we don't have a lot ofthat kind of stuff it makes us
unique.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
Well, a fun question for you, as these, especially
the adult shows have cropped up.
Are there any people who anystories that you have of people
who have really surprised you,that have come through that door
or people who maybe havesurprised themselves?
Speaker 6 (19:02):
Absolutely Well.
I'm sure all of us know.
The first person that comes tomind is Colin Krieger with Remax
.
Speaker 4 (19:10):
Excellent ballet dancer.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
Excellent ballet and has good playing in Edna
Turnblad too, by the way.
But yeah, colin Krieger,lindsay Clemons, local attorney,
really incredible actress.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
And what about your own acting and singing
background?
Speaker 6 (19:25):
I'm currently playing Quasimodo in our upcoming
production of Hunchback, whichis my dream role, for one thing.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Well, kind of talk to us about the summer camp for
the kids what it?
Is who.
It includes what y'all try toaccomplish For sure.
Speaker 6 (19:41):
So what we are doing this year is going to be a bit
unique.
So what we are doing this yearis going to be a bit unique.
We are going to actuallyproduce a show.
In the years past we've justdone skill-based activities.
This year we're going to doSpongeBob the Musical for our
older kids and the younger kidsare going to do the kid version
of the Lion King.
But one thing that I reallylike to do is to be able to
(20:04):
provide experience for us,experiences from outside of our
area.
So, like summer camp, I try andfocus on bringing in a guest.
Last summer we had Jake Boyd,who is a Broadway performer.
He was on the national tour ofWicked and played Fiero on both
Broadway and the national tour.
This year we're bringing in aguest who is a native of Alabama
(20:27):
but has been on the nationaltour of Hairspray playing.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
Corny Collins yeah, so.
Speaker 6 (20:33):
I really want our students to get the experience
of seeing that this is actuallya career that you could pursue
if you desire, you know, andknowing that there is success
with it.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
And knowing that there is success with it.
And kind of how you've comeinto the news lately is you've
kind of walked into the greatamphitheater debate, the use it
or don't, and you were lookingto.
My understanding was you werelooking to use the amphitheater
for the public showing at theend of the summer camp.
(21:06):
Right, is that right?
Speaker 6 (21:07):
That's correct.
I knew of the empathy room, hadbeen down there and had always
pondered, you know, why isn't itbeing used?
My initial thought was like,well, why can't it be used?
Now, you know, to me, at facevalue, it looks ready to go.
Speaker 4 (21:30):
I don't need, and I'm sure the public.
They go to many events wherethey bring a lawn chair or
something like that.
You know, right?
Well, absolutely, I thinkyou're correct.
It is ready to go.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
There's already a stage on the other end, right On
the walkway.
Well, I mean, the stage thatthey have for the amphitheater
is, to my understanding, fullyready to perform on.
It's got power.
Well, that one is there andit's got oil.
Speaker 4 (21:45):
This kind of reminds me of, say, you're remodeling a
kitchen and it's like your wifesays no honey, you can't use the
microwave.
You'll get it dirty Because, no, you can't use the microwave
because we don't have a stoveyet.
Oh yeah.
It makes no sense whatsoever.
All the while this thing issitting there like a giant
tombstone, right there like agiant tombstone, and it's
(22:05):
depreciating in value, even ifyou don't get to use the thing.
I'm glad you're at leastcalling attention to the thing,
because it needs to come aliveTo me.
Speaker 6 (22:15):
I'm always trying to find the most creative ways to
use a space, and why not use itin this particular way?
And you know, I'm all forunderstanding if it's a safety
thing, but I mean here recentlythe city engineer himself said
that it has been usable since2017.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
Do you think that your request will eventually be
approved and what's yourposition on the reaction that
you've gotten to the request sofar?
Speaker 6 (22:47):
Well, I can see both sides First off.
Yes, I think I'm going to getapproved.
Speaker 4 (22:53):
Just don't schedule your show during the 25-year
monsoon and I think you'll beabsolutely fine.
Speaker 6 (23:00):
Right, and part of me feels like too, that if we open
it up now it's going to looklike a negative thing because,
well, it's not finished.
You know it's never going toget finished.
Well, I'm sorry there's alreadynegativity cemented in because
it's not been used.
I didn't know this until twodays ago.
(23:20):
There are two ADA bathroomsattached to the back of the
theater or the stage.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
That's correct.
Speaker 6 (23:28):
Which I didn't know, that Our city has missed out on
a lot of opportunities from itwhen it comes to cultural and
economic development since 2017.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
All right, last question I have for you to, just
really a plug here how do youget involved in first, let's say
, the summer camp, what ages canget involved and how?
Speaker 6 (23:47):
and then also community theater we try and
make sure that um, because we domost of our um social media
through facebook and instagram.
But our summer camp opens upmarch 1st and you can go on our
website to register your student.
We are offering this yearopportunities from grades rising
, first graders through 12thgrade.
(24:09):
They can go online March 1st.
We also have our last segmentthat will actually close out our
year.
We're calling it the greatestshowcase, hoping there's some
positivity that comes from that.
But and we're going to be aneight week program that also
opens up March 1st and that'sfor our 5th through 12th graders
(24:31):
.
Speaker 1 (24:32):
All right, and if me or David, if David wanted to
star in the Phantom of the Operaor whatever.
Wah, bah, bah, bah bah bah, bah.
Speaker 4 (24:43):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
How could we engage with you as prospective actors?
Speaker 6 (24:51):
Absolutely.
I love this energy.
So we we hold auditions foreach show and from there we'll
start posting once eachproduction gets a little bit
closer to start rehearsals.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Well, yeah, thank you so much for joining us today
and taking your time.
Moving on to discussion of theamphitheater, you heard us talk
with Garrett Torbert, withGolden Triangle Theater earlier
today and you know, david, whatdo you?
Speaker 4 (25:20):
think, well, there's not much to add, it's there,
we've got to use it.
And I mean, there's no danger,there's no doubt.
What's like?
I say is it going to floodthere?
Is the alligator is going tocome out of the creek after
somebody?
It just seems to me like thiswhole attitude of, well, we
can't use it because it's notfinished.
(25:40):
When you use it, it's going tobring, as Garrett said, it's
going to bring attention to thefacility and it's going to get
people excited about investingmoney from both public and
private entities to make thatthing turn into what it needs to
be.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
And here's the thing I understand.
I understand very well theargument particularly that has
come from some council memberswho are hesitant to use it, that
we only have one shot to make agood first impression.
I totally get that, but thefirst impression of the
(26:17):
amphitheater has been made.
To me the argument of thatargument goes out the window,
because now we're at a placewhere this is a case of bad
stewardship.
It's been sitting there eightyears.
This is a public asset andyou're telling the public that
they can't use a public assetand I think that's bad
government and it's badstewardship of the investment
(26:40):
that has been made there.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
People hate being told that they can't do
something, and part of thenegativity that we run into is
the knee-jerk reactions ofpeople that don't understand the
financial direction that thismoney has to flow.
You've got funds for this.
You've got funds for this.
You've got funds from that.
You've got funds.
Some of it comes from state,some of it comes from federal.
My head spins trying to keep upwith it and you know, the
(27:05):
average person looking at thisis like well, columbus must,
just must be throwing money outthe window because look at that
amphitheater.
Well, it's more complicatedthan that.
Speaker 1 (27:16):
I'm glad you brought up the finances, because let's
talk about that, because rightnow, or the way that they've
gone about getting that money,has been compared by others to
like.
I mean, they basically they'regetting alms from whomever will
give it to them.
They got their cup out going toJackson.
They've got their cup outrattling it outside of the
(27:36):
Capitol in Washington DC, andthere's been a lot of criticism
of that from, specifically,chuck Younger he talks about it
which is you don't have any ofyour own skin in the game.
In the past, that argument hasnot been valid because the city
hasn't had the money, and that'sjust simply not the case
anymore.
The city has a capitalimprovement fund that they have
(28:01):
banked of $5 million.
So you know, let's put a pin inthat and talk about the city's
two choices now, and it's onelet the public use it while
continuing to seek third-partyfunding to finish it.
That's fine.
If you want to finish this 100%with third-party funding, then
(28:22):
let the public use it now.
Go ahead and draw up parameters, just like they do with the
Trotter or any other cityproperty, and we're not talking
about outkicking their coverageor letting them have big
concerts or anything like thatwe're talking about local events
Like the Golden TriangleTheater event.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
Needs to happen.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
The other choice is, if we're going to do it in the,
you know, if we're going toaccomplish the goal, before we
open it, of finishing itentirely, hiring a third party
venue manager to run it to wherethe city rightfully so doesn't
really want to long-term be themanager of the amphitheater, and
I think that a lot of theirwait-until-it's-done argument
(29:03):
comes from the.
We do not want to be thelong-term manager, but you can
manage local events there andthen, when you get it finished
up, hand it to a venue operatoror Kevin Stafford believes that
$3 million all in would probablyget it to a place to where they
could call it complete.
So you've got the million inhand.
(29:24):
You can pull $2 million out ofthat capital improvement fund
and within a year we could havethis thing done to the
specifications of the good firstimpression that we're trying to
make.
You can get it there.
Speaker 4 (29:38):
And it gets back to that micromanaging.
They've got people incommittees and in commissions
that can handle this stuff.
Why do they have to be socentrally involved?
At the end of the day, Zach,I'll tell you, what will really
infuriate me is if I'll tell you, what will really infuriate me
is if, let's say, Octavia HawkCounty gets their wishes, MSMS
(29:59):
gets taken over there and we endup with empty buildings on the
back of MUW's campus and anunfinished amphitheater.
We have got to negotiate abetter deal than what we're
getting right now.
I agree entirely.
And now we go to the mail.
(30:21):
This comes to us from ourlisteners, that is tips at
cdispatchcom.
Thank you so much for opining.
Here we go.
Representative Andy Boyd, whosays what I would like to see
for the situation talking aboutMSMS here is level heads come
together openly withrepresentative stakeholders
(30:43):
sitting at the table.
It seems more efficient to methat we would fix our old toy as
opposed to purchasing a shinynew one.
A shiny new one.
A listener pipes in in defenseof Donnie Cook, says Donnie
isn't in that game ofinfluencing MSMS really at all
(31:03):
anymore.
Every time I've spoken with himhe's just trying to get a new
career going.
So I appreciate that comment.
If in fact he is no longerinvolved, then I don't want to
stick my foot on his faceanymore.
Speaker 1 (31:15):
Well, and to respond to that, that's my understanding
.
The last time I interviewed MrCook was last spring and that
seemed to be where he was onthat.
I asked him point blank if hewas still trying to sway
legislators.
He said the last time he triedto do anything he sent them a
bunch of documents and very fewof them even responded that they
(31:38):
looked.
And that was the last thingthat he had done at that time
and I feel like that's probably,that's probably accurate.
Speaker 4 (31:46):
Good, good.
Just want to thank ourlisteners for joining in today.
Please help talk it up.
Subscribe rate and share, and Ihope you'll also join the
conversation Tips atcdispatchcom.
Send your beef or your specialinput to tips at cdispatchcom.
You can also follow me onFacebook or X at dchism00.
(32:08):
You've been listening toBetween the Headlines Signing
off from Catfish Alley Studio inhistoric downtown Columbus.
Your host has been Zach Playerand I am David Chisholm.
Until next time, keep itfriendly and keep it real.
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