Response to lenhoff and of interest to some PART 1
You state, “I did not "give" the job to John Holt. The Board hired him. and it was their job to supervise him. Obviously, they didn't. I've been told they never ever received a detailed monthly financial report in the 3 years he was there.”
Certainly you must have known that the Board of Directors under you were lame duckers or directors who were “yes” men (and woman) to the whims of the “legendary” lenhoff.
How many directors were carried over from the theater manger before you? What changes in personnel and their responsibility descriptions have you initiated to ensure continued success? Understand this is far and very different from the good works you have mentioned (“$700,000 of past debt as well as pending lawsuits were retired. Subcriptions increased from 238 to over 2000.Talks were about to start about suing the general contractor and sub-contractors who had replaced the Playhouse's roof and main drainage lines.”)
Pass it off to the board because it is safe and to varying degrees, warranted. How many board members under you were inactive yet continued on the board? The board went with john holt because you sanctioned john holt. You knew you would only be at the Youngstown Playhouse for (give or take) a year upon your “return” in August 2004 and you were running out of time. Blame your second departure upon illness, but you are being MISLEADING. Even by your own admission you are misleading ( “At the request of the Board, my departure was not announced publicly as I was told that donors would not be as likely to donate if I were not there.” ).
You also state, “DeSousa is a mean-spirited, lying and lazy gossip-monger. Reading him is like eating a radish, you know it will come up again.”
Thank God DeSousa, love him or not, doesn’t kiss anyone’s ass or pinky ring. What happened Bentley, were you left embarrassed by holding out your ring or your hat?
I agree with this article ( "The Arts Fight to the Death" Jan 11 2009 ). Article aside, I support regionalization, applied to manufacturing, government, etc., and yes even the arts.
Maybe we can get that political mayor guy from Hubbard to bring a Disney park to youngstown. People will stay then. Maybe where Idora Park used to be. Anyone want to get right on it? Anyone? Hello? Hey, you left the light on!
May I nominate Youngstown City Council for the love fest? Afterall, they have managed to quietly quell any ideas of shrinking the number of councilman and wards. Really, you guys are the best. Where were you when Cafaro needed you though??
Put your sentimentality aside, take a breath, and look anew at what is going on.
Bentley lenhoff gave the theater management job to john holt whom apparently had done nothing (John Holt) about repairs toward the furnace, roof, auditorium seats, etc., in the four years he was there. Under john holt, the playhouse became a clique again as he consistently cast his family, himself, and his friends in shows, and on and on. On his myspace page he even stated that the Youngstown Playhouse was HIS theater ( I enjoy running my own theater... ).
Additionally, it appears john holt may have neglected the African American representation of the community. In the Youngstown Vindicator article, “Dark Times at the Youngstown Playhouse” ( Nov 9 2008), no African Americans were cited for their opinions, although two African Americans are on the Youngstown Playhouse Board of Directors. John holt did not write the article although I believe he provided sources for the story.
Back to bentley lenhoff. The same bentley lenhoff who very publicly (strike one) supports his son in law, marc dann - former Ohio Attorney General. lenhoff probably did this because dann may have borrowed money from lenhoff during and for his campaign for Ohio Attorney General, and lenhoff, by basically publicly stating that dann is a good boy down deep inside he should get a free pass, made a bad decision to publicly show unrealistic support for dann, in my opinion. And lenhoff made a bad decision bringing in john holt. Strike two.
Lenhoff also states, “... If the city of Youngstown, the mayor and the city council and this area’s donors sit idly by and allow the Playhouse to die, shame on them, and that death should be on their conscience.” Uh, hey Bentley, local government didn’t make the mistakes that were made, so why are you bringing them into it? But then again, how else could you defend yourself and john holt. You gave everything to this theater and indeed it is sad that no one could fill your shadow, but you gave it to john so aren’t you to blame as well? Even a tiny bit? Where does the buck stop? Strike three.
Enter Rand Becker. Hopefully this honest and caring man can do the job that should have been done the past five years. Hopefully Rand Becker can find and reunite the people who indeed do care about the Youngstown Playhouse and bring community back to our community theater. Hopefully Rand Becker can find what happened to MS. Griffiths $50,000.00 donation and put that to use.
john holt should have stepped down years ago. Fine guy, but a terrible manager. The playhouse became a clique again, people who tried to donate were turned away [ I was one of them ], he consistently cast his family, himself, and his friends in shows, and on and on. On his myspace page he even stated that the Youngstown Playhouse was his theater ( I enjoy running my own theater... ). It seemed after Bentley Lenhoff left the 2nd time, all the people with heart were squeezed out. Hey whatever happened to the $50,000.00 Ms. Griffith donated to the Youngstown Playhouse John Holt??!!
john holt should have stepped down years ago. Fine guy, but a terrible manager. The playhouse became a clique again, people who tried to donate were turned away [ I was one of them ], he consistently cast his family, himself, and his friends in shows, and on and on. On his myspace page he even stated that the Youngstown Playhouse was his theater ( I enjoy running my own theater... ). It seemed after Bentley Lenhoff left the 2nd time, all the people with heart were squeezed out. Hey whatever happened to the $50,000.00 Ms. Griffith donated to the Youngstown Playhouse John Holt??!!
john holt should have stepped down years ago. Fine guy, but a terrible manager. The playhouse became a clique again, people who tried to donate were turned away [ I was one of them ], he consistently cast his family, himself, and his friends in shows, and on and on. On his myspace page he even stated that the Youngstown Playhouse was his theater ( I enjoy running my own theater... ). It seemed after Bentley Lenhoff left the 2nd time, all the people with heart were squeezed out. Hey whatever happened to the $50,000.00 Ms. Griffith donated to the Youngstown Playhouse John Holt??!!
43
Has the Youngstown Playhouse seen its final curtain?
Response to lenhoff and of interest to some PART 1
You state, “I did not "give" the job to John Holt. The Board hired him. and it was their job to supervise him. Obviously, they didn't. I've been told they never ever received a detailed monthly financial report in the 3 years he was there.”
Certainly you must have known that the Board of Directors under you were lame duckers or directors who were “yes” men (and woman) to the whims of the “legendary” lenhoff.
How many directors were carried over from the theater manger before you? What changes in personnel and their responsibility descriptions have you initiated to ensure continued success? Understand this is far and very different from the good works you have mentioned (“$700,000 of past debt as well as pending lawsuits were retired. Subcriptions increased from 238 to over 2000.Talks were about to start about suing the general contractor and sub-contractors who had replaced the Playhouse's roof and main drainage lines.”)
Pass it off to the board because it is safe and to varying degrees, warranted. How many board members under you were inactive yet continued on the board? The board went with john holt because you sanctioned john holt. You knew you would only be at the Youngstown Playhouse for (give or take) a year upon your “return” in August 2004 and you were running out of time. Blame your second departure upon illness, but you are being MISLEADING. Even by your own admission you are misleading ( “At the request of the Board, my departure was not announced publicly as I was told that donors would not be as likely to donate if I were not there.” ).
You also state, “DeSousa is a mean-spirited, lying and lazy gossip-monger. Reading him is like eating a radish, you know it will come up again.”
Thank God DeSousa, love him or not, doesn’t kiss anyone’s ass or pinky ring. What happened Bentley, were you left embarrassed by holding out your ring or your hat?
January 11, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. permalink suggest removal
The arts fight to the death
I agree with this article ( "The Arts Fight to the Death" Jan 11 2009 ). Article aside, I support regionalization, applied to manufacturing, government, etc., and yes even the arts.
January 11, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Youngstown mayor targets finances, crime, neighborhoods as 2009 priorities
Maybe we can get that political mayor guy from Hubbard to bring a Disney park to youngstown. People will stay then. Maybe where Idora Park used to be. Anyone want to get right on it? Anyone? Hello? Hey, you left the light on!
January 9, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Nuisance order locks up Cell
Great job. I hope we don't stop there.
January 9, 2009 at 9:13 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Should ’09 be the year to embrace our slugs?
May I nominate Youngstown City Council for the love fest? Afterall, they have managed to quietly quell any ideas of shrinking the number of councilman and wards. Really, you guys are the best. Where were you when Cafaro needed you though??
January 9, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Has the Youngstown Playhouse seen its final curtain?
Put your sentimentality aside, take a breath, and look anew at what is going on.
Bentley lenhoff gave the theater management job to john holt whom apparently had done nothing (John Holt) about repairs toward the furnace, roof, auditorium seats, etc., in the four years he was there. Under john holt, the playhouse became a clique again as he consistently cast his family, himself, and his friends in shows, and on and on. On his myspace page he even stated that the Youngstown Playhouse was HIS theater ( I enjoy running my own theater... ).
Additionally, it appears john holt may have neglected the African American representation of the community. In the Youngstown Vindicator article, “Dark Times at the Youngstown Playhouse” ( Nov 9 2008), no African Americans were cited for their opinions, although two African Americans are on the Youngstown Playhouse Board of Directors. John holt did not write the article although I believe he provided sources for the story.
Back to bentley lenhoff. The same bentley lenhoff who very publicly (strike one) supports his son in law, marc dann - former Ohio Attorney General. lenhoff probably did this because dann may have borrowed money from lenhoff during and for his campaign for Ohio Attorney General, and lenhoff, by basically publicly stating that dann is a good boy down deep inside he should get a free pass, made a bad decision to publicly show unrealistic support for dann, in my opinion. And lenhoff made a bad decision bringing in john holt. Strike two.
Lenhoff also states, “... If the city of Youngstown, the mayor and the city council and this area’s donors sit idly by and allow the Playhouse to die, shame on them, and that death should be on their conscience.” Uh, hey Bentley, local government didn’t make the mistakes that were made, so why are you bringing them into it? But then again, how else could you defend yourself and john holt. You gave everything to this theater and indeed it is sad that no one could fill your shadow, but you gave it to john so aren’t you to blame as well? Even a tiny bit? Where does the buck stop? Strike three.
Enter Rand Becker. Hopefully this honest and caring man can do the job that should have been done the past five years. Hopefully Rand Becker can find and reunite the people who indeed do care about the Youngstown Playhouse and bring community back to our community theater. Hopefully Rand Becker can find what happened to MS. Griffiths $50,000.00 donation and put that to use.
Good luck Rand and Godspeed. You’ll need it.
And what are YOUR thoughts??
January 9, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. permalink suggest removal
YOUNGSTOWN PLAYHOUSE
john holt should have stepped down years ago. Fine guy, but a terrible manager. The playhouse became a clique again, people who tried to donate were turned away [ I was one of them ], he consistently cast his family, himself, and his friends in shows, and on and on. On his myspace page he even stated that the Youngstown Playhouse was his theater ( I enjoy running my own theater... ). It seemed after Bentley Lenhoff left the 2nd time, all the people with heart were squeezed out. Hey whatever happened to the $50,000.00 Ms. Griffith donated to the Youngstown Playhouse John Holt??!!
January 6, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Playhouse director makes curtain call
john holt should have stepped down years ago. Fine guy, but a terrible manager. The playhouse became a clique again, people who tried to donate were turned away [ I was one of them ], he consistently cast his family, himself, and his friends in shows, and on and on. On his myspace page he even stated that the Youngstown Playhouse was his theater ( I enjoy running my own theater... ). It seemed after Bentley Lenhoff left the 2nd time, all the people with heart were squeezed out. Hey whatever happened to the $50,000.00 Ms. Griffith donated to the Youngstown Playhouse John Holt??!!
January 6, 2009 at 10:57 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Theater faces final curtain
john holt should have stepped down years ago. Fine guy, but a terrible manager. The playhouse became a clique again, people who tried to donate were turned away [ I was one of them ], he consistently cast his family, himself, and his friends in shows, and on and on. On his myspace page he even stated that the Youngstown Playhouse was his theater ( I enjoy running my own theater... ). It seemed after Bentley Lenhoff left the 2nd time, all the people with heart were squeezed out. Hey whatever happened to the $50,000.00 Ms. Griffith donated to the Youngstown Playhouse John Holt??!!
January 6, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. permalink suggest removal