Val Air change NOT due to noise complaints
I recently read your article on the future of the Val Air Ballroom (“Our View, Dec. 24). As the new management company for the Val Air, I want to make sure we are clear about the future direction of the venue.
The management change occurred for business purposes, not due to the noise complaints of the local residents. Do we plan to work with the city and the neighborhood to resolve our issues? The answer is absolutely, but the venue will remain primarily a place for people to come and hear music.
We will continue to bring all types of music to the Val Air including alternative bands. Our goal is to increase the number of nights the venue is busy, whether it be alternative, classic rock or country. We also believe the Val Air is a great venue for weddings, banquets, private functions and corporate events. We plan to actively market the Val Air to these types of events. We don’t plan on these events replacing concerts; we feel there are enough dark days on our calendar to do both successfully.
Ken Wachter
President-PMI, Green Bay, Wis.
A president, not a superhero
It’s the New Year, which means it’s time for commentators everywhere to air their complaints about our Failed-Superhero President. Obama caved in on health care, the stimulus package was too ambitious, or not ambitious enough and he broke his promise to be bipartisan, or tried too hard to court any Republican who’d listen. His Afghan policy is too harsh, or maybe soft. He brokered a bad deal in Copenhagen. He didn’t do enough to create jobs. No, scratch that. His attempts at creating jobs made matters worse.
Here’s one thing the President did — face up to issues that, if ignored any longer, would render America a second-rate power within a decade. The President’s attempts at revamping health care, climate and economic policies are flawed, but they are essential starting points. At least he got some balls rolling. That’s more than his predecessors were able to accomplish.
Earnest Gardner
Iowa
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