Leach Amp Revisited

Back in January 06, I awarded the Oshkosh City Council with the Worst Decision of 2005 award, following their awarding of the Leach Amphitheater management to PMI, a group from outside of our community that would clearly not provide avenues for local community members to easily access the facility.

In March of 05, Tony Palmeri and I had spoken at the council meeting in which the residing council members spoke of delusions of grandeur regarding the Leach (mostly the same crew who participated in the shady Leach bathroom "golf course" contract deal. We simply requested that the facility serve the taxpayers who funded it, allowing access to local community groups and artists. This didn't happen.

Now, it seems, that many are "coming to their senses" and recognizing the importance this fabulous facility can play for our local community - now including those individuals and groups who are eager to organize exciting programming at this facility, but who maybe couldn't afford the $1500+ rental charges previously requested.

So, here is my take on what needs to happen:

1. Great that the city has taken over the facility. I think that the goals of bringing in wanted acts, hosting and facilitating local programming, and running a top-notch facility can all be accomplished by a dedicated and realistic staff.

2. I think the city needs help. The Leach provides an amazing opportunity for at least one UW Oshkosh business major intern and one Marketing intern to work closely with staff on maximizing the use of this facility. I bet the city could even find a few hundred dollars to compensate the students.

3. I think the Parks Dept needs help. While I question the department's inability to appropriately manage a simple municipal beach, I do believe they will be much better at managing the Leach - simply because they care about the Leach Amphitheater far more. I second the call by Dr Palmeri for a Leach Advisory Board, and believe that putting the responsibilities on the current Parks Board would accomplish nothing. I would go further and call it an Advisory and Review Board, responsible for ensuring citizen input, participation, and approval of operations.

The board should consist of at least one local musician, someone from the local media like Jane Spietz, someone from the local restaurant industry, someone from the university, someone from a local environmental program, a representative with WaterFest, and several others. Most importantly is that this group has the authority to guide and decide.

Posted in: community events,Food and Business,Local Government,Our City