Views Clarified

Your Dec. 6 article entitled “City Again Considers Staging a Comeback for Historic Theater” misrepresented the position of The Glendale Historical Society (TGHS).

TGHS leaders were not “miffed” by the mayor’s formation of a task force. There is general agreement in the city that a task force should be formed to work with a professional consultant to design, develop and implement the Alex project. The Alex Theatre Revitalization Project, a TGHS committee, was ready to form the task force, but would have done so only with the cooperation of the city. When the mayor decided to form the task force, TGHS was pleased and viewed the action as a positive sign that the city was ready to move forward on the Alex project. TGHS wholeheartedly supports the city task force and has enthusiastically accepted an invitation to serve on it.

Regarding the makeup of the task force, TGHS and the city do not disagree. Had the Alex Theatre Revitalization Project formed the task force, it would have been a community-based group including representatives from City Council, Glendale Redevelopment Agency staff, Historic Preservation Commission, TGHS, Glendale business groups, performing arts professionals, local arts groups and at-large business and community leadership--the very groups the mayor has suggested. The fact that the Alex Theatre Revitalization Project believes some representatives from these groups should have expertise related to the performing arts and/or theater restoration is not in conflict with the mayor’s plan.

The Alex Extravaganza, presented by The Glendale Historical Society’s Alex Theatre Revitalization Project, demonstrated wide community support for the preservation of the Alex Theatre. We urge all interested citizens, organizations and the press to focus on the community’s common goal of preserving the Alex. Perceiving differences of opinion about how this goal should be accomplished as “an undercurrent of controversy” works against our common goal and the ultimate success of the project.

ANDREA HUMBERGER

Humberger is president of the Glendale Historical Society