Time to Quit

We all know that the San Diego Symphony board of directors has a severe credibility problem with donors and public supporters. With the rejection of binding arbitration, it is evident that orchestra members profoundly distrust their management as well. Due to the board’s long history of abusive mismanagement and recent strong-arm tactics, musicians will not risk having to work under circumstances offered by the current directing body.

What I can’t understand is why the board is waiting so long to resign. Any organization that acts as a conservator of public trust must necessarily dissolve when that trust is gone.

The symphony association is not “a business” with “a net worth of $2.5 million,” as asserted by symphony President Herbert Solomon. It exists solely to manage the symphony for the public good. Any assets it has were given to it for that purpose. For example, the current “net worth” is roughly equivalent to the amount of money donated last March to prevent the symphony’s threatened bankruptcy. I say this management team has no “net worth” and should make way for a new beginning.

ROB BOOKSTEIN

La Jolla