Leach Charge of $0.50 Please

Anyone who has ever owned a home or a car recognizes the need for on-going maintenance, upkeep, debt repayment, and the importance of a reserve in the event that a major issue arises. The owners of the Grand Opera house in particular are familiar with the crisis of funding a major issue.

In the home management and budget training that I provide families, one of the basic principles is planning. One of the most effective ways at preparing for expenses is to identify a small, consistent amount that can be set aside each week - even $10 - to prepare for that emergency or to pay additional amounts off the principal to lower the interest or debt requirements.

While this is slightly a digression from the topic, it is in this framework of valuing planning and responsible financial management that I support the opinions of councilor Tony Palmeri and Eye on Oshkosh host Cheryl Hentz when they say that it is time for a $0.50 ticket charge at the Leach. According the Cheryl Hentz at Eye on Oshkosh:


Simply write an ordinance or resolution that says there will be a 50-cents per person (or whatever amount is established) facility charge for any Leach function where admission is charged. And as part of that ordinance, stipulate that the money will go into a special fund earmarked specifically for paying down debt and doing capital improvements at the Leach.


There is no one that will decide not to attend because of the $0.50 charge, and I suspect that if this fee was implemented without any media attention, none of the facility users (music fans) would even notice. I support this because the Leach is an amazing facility that I hope to fully succeed. I hope that it can continue to succeed well into the next several decades as a beautiful, Oshkosh-unique destination for our community. And, like most things, planning and smart management are essential.

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