Yellow Pages
There is a profile of Glenn Beck in today's Skagit Valley Herald. A story in Monday’s paper will break down what’s expected on Glenn Beck Day, the Sept. 26 event organized by Mayor Bud Norris.
Here’s more on the event:
Lincoln Theatre’s new Executive Director Thomas Mayes is three weeks into the job and has already secured a one-time roughly $8,000 to $10,000 donation.
It’s coming from the mayor’s Glenn Beck event.
That’s a big payday for the Lincoln, which raises about $30,000 at its annual spring auction, its largest fundraiser, Mayes said. But some are criticizing the Lincoln for taking the Beck proceeds.
“We have heard from members that are planning on boycotting our organization,” Mayes said.
He is telling them the Lincoln does not judge its donors.
“As a nonprofit if we were to make those decisions based on somewhat objective qualifications, like political party or (if it comes from a) controversial figure, that is really a slippery slope for us,” Mayes said.
The Lincoln put out a press release saying that:
Mount Vernon Mayor Bud Norris pledges significant donation to Lincoln Theatre Center Foundation
Community controversy over the related event necessitates explanation from the organization’s leadership
MOUNT VERNON, WA, Sept. 4, 2009 - During the end of August, Mayor Bud Norris of Mount Vernon came to the Lincoln Theatre and asked to see Sandy Dixon, board president and Interim Director of the Theatre at that time. Mayor Norris asked Ms. Dixon if she would be willing to accept a donation on behalf of the Theatre from monies to be realized from a program at McIntyre Hall featuring Glenn Beck. Ms. Dixon told the Mayor that the theatre has no history of discriminating among contributors and that yes, it would accept a donation.
The Theatre Board is aware that Mr. Beck’s views are controversial, and that many members of the community find them offensive. However, as a nonprofit organization for the benefit of the public, the Lincoln Theatre receives a variety of support from individuals and organizations on all sides of every issue. Accepting a contribution from any legal source is never an indication that the Lincoln’s Board of Directors, Staff or Volunteers share the personal views of the donor.
Originally Mayor Bud Norris wanted the event to be at the Lincoln, but it was booked, Mayes said.
So the Sept. 26 event will be at McIntyre Hall.
McIntyre is getting complaints too, said Dennis Edmonds, a member of the board that oversee the hall.
“A lot of people are horribly upset,” he said.
“I suggested that if there is a threat of violence that maybe we should consider canceling it. But we do have a signed agreement, it is not our responsibility to judge or censor it,” Edmonds said.
