Remembering Brian Elliott
EDITOR: Suddenly, a wonderful spirit is gone.
Brian Elliott came onto The Cloverdale Performing Arts Center board of directors, in the early stages of the theater construction.
He was instrumental in putting together our audio system as well as being a hands-on problem solver, cheerleader and a focused driver of policy.
He had excellent organizational skills and the energy he devoted to make our theater succeed was boundless. Brian and Rhonda donated our theater monitors and state of the art soundboard, and they underwrote countless musical acts.
Brian took the time to do radio spots promoting the theater and brought us musicians such as David Luning, Tony Furtado and the Comatose Brothers, to name a few.
Brian will be remembered for his generosity, his big heart, community involvement and professionalism.
It was our honor and privilege to have been touched by this scholar and gentleman.
Roger Quintin,
on behalf of the Cloverdale Performing Arts
Board of Directors
In response to April 11 letter
EDITOR: Responding to the April 11 letter to the editor regarding The Cloverdale Senior Multipurpose Center, we need to clear up some false statements that were made. The board welcomes members’ input and opinions and it is also our responsibility is to correct errors or misstatements.
The current board inherited a number of problems including personnel issues and budget concerns. Last year we hired an executive director, Becky Ennis, whom many of you at the center and in the Cloverdale community have come to know and respect. Her mission is one of outreach and revenue production. Our staff and volunteers are friendly, hardworking and dedicated. Our center staff is professional, friendly and focused on member needs. We employ two full-time staff and one part-time staff person. Our amazing volunteers fill in the gaps.
Most senior centers in Sonoma and Mendocino counties have more staff and larger budgets. We have over 400 members and we’re growing rapidly. We have increased programs to fulfill our “Multipurpose” status to include programs like Emergency Preparedness and the Health Action Chapter, etc. The use of the building and some outside maintenance are provided by the City of Cloverdale. Everything else must be supported through donations, memberships, fees, grants, etc.
The troubling accusation regarding our newsletter is untrue. A survey was taken regarding the changes and the majority of responding members approved. Our printing costs have decreased by 50%. We distribute 450 printed copies of our bi-monthly newsletter and our bi-monthly e-newsletter reaches more than 200 members. We are so grateful for our newsletter sponsors in the business community.
To be denigrated at open meetings, to other members and in a public forum is not only hostile and unkind, it is an issue we cannot ignore. Our volunteer board and committed staff are working to ensure that services will continue to be available in the future.
CSMC Board of Directors
Dana Johnson, Frank McAtee, Carol Russell,
Bert Bernstein, Shawna Masur
