I don't know for sure, but I'd bet it is a situation of Yonich not taking the tax into account when ticket prices for previous events were decided. Now, the tax is due and an unexpected cut into hoped for profits is uncomfortable.

In one article I recall a "I didn't even know..." comment.

Sidney's had no control over gambling prices. They couldn't raise the price of a one dollar chip. Yonich can raise the price of a $30 ticket to $32.

The tax has always existed. The movie theater has always paid it and it is part of what anyone pays for a ticket to see any movie (same in most cities).

It has come up now because it is exactly as you said, the tax was not originally taken into account because he did not know about it. That part I believe has already been paid so is not even an issue(of course I've been wrong before).

The fact is you cannot play favorites as it seems Debra wants. It cannot be lowered for the D&R and left the same or raised for the movie theater. It can however, be raised, lowered, changed to a flat rate, etc for everyone. There is nothing saying this wouldn't be a future consideration. Personally I don't know where I fall on this issue yet. Since I'm not on the committee who discussed it I don't have all the facts.

From what I hear from a very reliable source is that Yonich has no problem charging for the tax. He just wanted to know what it was for and where it waqs going. If he wanted to, he could easily create a non-profit corp as everyone else has and not pay the tax. He's not doing that. Also, from a person that I know who works for him, on all of the shows to date he has broke even and even lost money of this shows. He needs to raise prices, but I guess he want to keep them as afordable as possible. it appears to me that he defintely hasn't forgotten his roots. Just look at his prices for his shows. Way less for the exact same ones in the larger cities. My hats off to him and I will contimu to support his endeavors.

Cool.

Not sure why you responded directly to me. I don't recall criticizing Yonich.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for the man. He has spent big bucks back in his hometown, restored a well-loved building (by those of us old enough to have memories of going to movies at the D&R), and has even more plans for downtown. I would never criticize anything he's done.

I do think it's odd he wasn't informed of the tax when he applied for the licenses.

I was well aware the problem was pretty much solved but am not going to speak for John. My post was speaking to the subject in general. The poster seemed to believe the city was not supportive of what was happening at the D&R. We still need to treat everyone the same and not play favorites. Basically work hard to help but realize that all business is important and don't play favorites.

FWIW Lounge Acts which was the very first show at the Theatre and as much of a grand opening as the Josh Turner concert (no matter what Chris Rush editorial last week might state) and was charged no fee for the Theatre. We were given full run of the place, of course we also helped wire the sound system and got it set up. When we asked what the final total that we needed to pay would be we were simply told, "Don't worry about it" with out John even batting an eye. So I fully appreciate what he's done and what he is doing.