MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, December 30, 2003

WEINBERG CENTER OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AGREES TO NOT PURSUE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Frederick, Md. ---- Today the Weinberg Center for the Arts Oversight Committee agreed to return to the roots of the original intent of the deed and the gift to the City of Frederick. They agreed that the Frederick community would best be served by providing a venue for local performing arts as the priority of the Weinberg Center for the Arts. The Oversight Committee has further agreed to no longer entertain any offers for public-private partnerships at this time and has recommended that the Board of Directors and the City fulfill that mission.

The Oversight Committee is comprised of members of the Daniel Weinberg family, the President of the Board of Directors, John D’Amore, and Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty. The Oversight Committee believes that a reduced scale of operations closer to the original objectives will help to restore the role of the WCA Board of Directors in the operations. This path includes an effort to achieve self-sufficiency in programming, more judicious programming, and an emphasis on community theater as the primary function of the theater.

Weinberg family representatives, Aldan and sister Danyce, recognized the hard work on the Board of Directors part in preparing the offer, as well as the hard work on the City’s behalf to return fiscal responsibility to the theater. “We are deeply appreciative of all the work of the Board of Directors, City administration and others who have strived so hard to the make the Weinberg Center for the Arts successful. Our family’s only interest is the long term success of the Weinberg Center and for the foreseeable future we believe this is the appropriate direction,” stated Aldan Weinberg.

Mayor Dougherty commented on the decision made by the Oversight Committee, “The most important thing that was accomplished by this decision is to commit to the operation of a community theater. That has always been the family’s goal and it is easy to commit to their wishes. It’s the best thing to do.”

Negotiations on the public-private partnership agreement between the Board of Directors and the City began on July 23, 2003. The intent of the Oversight Committee is that no offers, including this one, be negotiated in the foreseeable future. “This is the agreed upon path,” stated Danyce Weinberg.

The primary concerns of the Oversight Committee, were; (1) intent of the deed and the gift to the City, (2) role as a community arts venue, and (3) lack of financial accountability over the past 10 years due to a change in programming direction.

John D’Amore, President of the Weinberg Center Board of Directors, “The Board of Directors understands the concerns and respects the opinions of the Oversight Committee. We will continue to work in the best interests of the Weinberg Center and the community.”

The City of Frederick will continue to maintain the operations as a community arts venue with opportunity for regional and national attractions.

Mayor Dougherty places a very high value on the critical relationship between the Weinberg family and the City of Frederick. “I not only appreciate the time and involvement that the family has taken, but also the attention to detail and firm understanding of the implications of their decisions.”

“As I have said before I have been inclined to honor the wishes of the Weinberg family. They are very thoughtful and did not enter into these decisions lightly. I continue to be impressed by their awareness of what is in the best interest of the theater and the community,” stated Dougherty.

“This was their gift to the community, and we will continue to honor their gift,” Dougherty concluded.