The Committee For A More Responsible Local 47

SPECIAL MEETING REPORT, MONDAY, January 4th, 2016

Member’s requested meeting:
Local to explain the financials.
Quorum reached (only nine needed for the CLUB meeting.)
Over 50 attended

——————————

The Salient Points of the meeting??

1) If you send in comments about the sale before Tuesday
night (TODAY!), they CAN get into the Overture going
out next week.

2) The impression was given that you rescind your vote if
you call the Local and have your ballot pulled. You can also
change your vote by requesting a replacement ballot. They
will count the NEWEST ballot.

3) Many, many, members were grossly misinformed by
the callers trying to get them to vote yes. In some cases,
wrongly telling members that the local is in $700,000
DEBT when it’s a $700,000 deficit. The Local has
Over $900,000 in reserve.

4) Other were given the impression that their pension
could be affected if we don’t sell. (It’s not at all true.)

5) While info was put on the website no financial
analysis was done, so people might not understand
what the numbers mean.

———————

John Acosta, Rick Baptist, Gary Lasley, Lewis Levy in front.
Called to order at 7:29

Re-iterated that it’s a Club Meeting, under the umbrella of Local 47.
If you’re a member of one, you’re a member of both.

Club can adopt rules, Club plays the bills.

Officer/Director Roll taken…

Secretary reports on the call of the meeting.

ISSUE I. Nullify ballots – deemed out of order
Counsel – Article 4 section 2 deemed it out of order.
Once ballots are issued they cannot be rescinded.

ISSUE II Postpose sale till membership has been fully informed.
Itemized list of requested info.
-2015 operational budget
-2016 comprehensive balanced operational budget
-Cash flow statements for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (estimate)
-Capital Expenditures for 2016 without moving
-Current balance sheet
-Capital Expenditures for 2016 for Burbank property
-Sales commission rate for sale of the building
-An explanation on how the sale of the building will increase
work for members
-A definition of “State of the Art”
-A business plan for spending money to make money.

Most were already in the Overture.
All info has been put up in a special place in the member’s
section of the website. Look there. —
Members only section – scales and documents – musicians club
OR
Time is now 47 Website – questions and answers –
dollars and cents – link from there.

– Realtors spoke on the subject.
Total Sales commission rate 3.5
Working with other buyer, maximum 2.5 percent.
Sale price approx. $24,000,000.

Some discussion on the amount of the commission between
Realtor and member.

Out of the commission, $100,000 would be donated back
to the Local 47 trust fund.

Member asked: Any new locations to look at buying?
Answer: Always looking – 2 other potential properties.
Burbank and North Hollywood.

Member: You don’t sell without having something else to by.
Realtor: We have some protections. – then said seller of Alameda
is eccentric and 93 years old..

Member: Any other offers on the Burbank building?
Realtor: No.

Member: What about these safeguards (contingencies)
Term of purchase are quite clear. Multiple offers on the 47 building.

Member: What plans do other have for this site that we couldn’t do?
Real: Have height restrictions. Any plans they have we don’t know.
We cannot refurbish the whole building and get it re-rented.

Member: When you advise an organization as a buyer/seller agent,
You should have two different advisors or there is a built in
conflict of interest. We cannot judge the accuracy of the
advice we’re being given if there are not multiple sources.
Real: We only represent the seller.

Member: Closing Costs – What are they?
President: $999,000 approximately.

Members: What are the financial plans:
President: Sell at highest price possible, buy another
building and re-service it for our needs. Use income
from the sale to pay bills and protect the core of the
money.

Member: Are you representing the buyer?
Realtor: It’s possible.

Member: We’re so central now, lots feel that the
value is not the only consideration.

Lots will lose touch with the union.

What other alternatives were investigated besides
building? Former President Fleischer wanted to
lease out part of the parking to make money.
President: Looking at Glendale North Hollywood,
Burbank. Majority of members are along that corridor.
5400 in California more than 50% are in that area.
Asked realtor to explain how 22 million is a lot of money.

Realtor: Offer is at 24,000,000. Commercial realty is
about what the market will bear. Put it out with no
price, and started getting offers around $18 mil.

Most of these buyers very sophisticated and very
knowledgeable. $24,000,000 is a pretty good price.

President: What about renovations?
Realtor: Union has 6 month lease back option
(Generally for $1)
After the 6 month period there’s a very reasonable
rate for renting.

Should be able to build out building in 6 months.
Anything over the agreed timeframe the builder
is fined.

Member: The previous member also asked what
OTHER alternatives to selling were seriously
looked at.

President: Under previous administration looked
at partnership with RED Studios to build parking
lot, but it was nixed. Also the possibility of a 99
year lease. The sale is what they decided to go with.

Member: What is a triple net.
Realtor: Person (Local 47) leasing back would still
pay their own insurance, utilities and property tax
till they move.

Member: This is a landmark. Not gonna find another
one anywhere. How about upgrading the building,
get an architect to design and re-do for the building.
The building is paid off! No money is owed.

President: Personally if we had the money to stay
and renovate we would. We don’t have the money.
Don’t want to leave the institution in debt. Grueling
decision. Not done in haphazard way.

Member: How about a campaign to raise money
from musicians, artists, composers to re-do the building.
President: If vote doesn’t pass that is one idea we
can look at. Have gotten many ideas. There’s no
owner’s manual on doing referendums, never been done before.
Meetings earlier might have helped.
(EC: Ya THINK?)

Member: How many have gotten calls? (Question could
not be understood) Aimless talking…

Member: We were told at the October 5th meeting
that we were $900,000 in the black. But a person
hired to make phone calls named Erich has been
telling members that we’re $700,000 in debt.

I personally don’t believe we’ve lost 1.6 million
in the space of two months.

President: We have a $700,000 DEFICIT, not debt.

Member: Were return calls made to those he talked to
make sure the “faulty” info is Corrected?

President: I called them personally.

One of the seniors spoken to was led to believe that
they could lose their pension if we didn’t sell the
building. While they’re not connects, the members
were left with that impression. Yet another indirectly
dishonest approach.

We all received the RA-RA postcard,… where was
the Local’s postcard from those who do NOT support
the sale?

President: The board decided if we did that it would
confuse the membership as to where the Local stands
on the sale.

Member: Aren’t you supposed to be IMPARTIAL?
President: We don’t have to be.

Member: If duplicate ballots are found, the most
recent ballot is counted.

Member: As for info, We sometimes get a minority
report… no such report has been given
Members was told that the local $700,000
in debt and he knows it’s wrong.

There was major dis-information put out, on both calls
he was told WRONG information. During 4 weeks,
between calls, these employees kept giving WRONG info.

Some members have reported that they’ve received
ballot envelopes without a ballot. Where are those
ballots?

President: Mail house made the mistake.

Director: Building is NOT historic, member for over the 30
years. Doesn’t have historic landmark status. It’s 7 miles
from here to the potential new building. 14 miles round
trip is not worth giving up a 9 million dollar windfall.

As far as tapping wealthy members? Good luck with that.
We have musicians relief fund, but this should not be a
strategy that we follow. Started talking about it a year ago.
Apathy is a big problem.

If we sell this and buy something else free and clear we’ll
still be free and clear.

Member: Advocate for the sale. Looking in the future, huge
Hollywood crime problem will only get worse. It might be
a good time to get out. Wants to commend the leadership
in moving forward.

Members: The building IS a historic site. Been reading
about group buyers each handling a different aspect.
It’s tough to get the information.
Asset, Liability, profit or loss, expenses,.. etc.
Joint venture idea is pretty cool. Someone could
by the building and flip it, why not have us be involved.

President: Perhaps using someone else’s credit score,..
how would that work?

Board adopted the sale as an issue. Don’t stop the
counting of the ballots, let the people speak.

Member: Ballots,..many for and many against?

Member: At the beginning you said it was a club
meeting. Also said there’s a connection with the
Local. The Club would not exist without the Local.
Don’t try to separate the two.
-Is no owners manual?,… but there are guiding principals,…
in a nutshell, 70 (Experience) 20 (Connection) 10

-Questions: Re: Revoking the ballot. Board decided it
was out of order. From a reading of the bylaws.
On that issue is there also a financial analysis on the site?
President: Nope just the info.
2221 Ballots have come in:

Member: Commend the board. I don’t believe everything
is a conspiracy.

Don’t know if it’s a good idea, but what’s important is
what’s in the best interest of the union. There are always
better ways to do things.

Not a good idea to try to manipulate an argument for
your agenda. All of the concerns are legit, but keep the
argument on the real questions not conspiracy.

Member: Members that didn’t get a ballot,.. is there a
number of the ballot? Is there no chance of “extra”
ballots appearing in the number.

All ballots have numbers on it, the number of the old
ballot is replaced with new ballot.

ISSUE III. All comments must be printed and special edition
Of overture sent out.
Special overture $6,000. 4- page. Is a major expense.
Postage is included in that price.

Is it worth sending out a special edition.
Secretary recommends no.
Member: RA –RA postcard. Postcard is $1,800
Members: How can the cost be the same” one is 4
color and one was black and white.

Color card went to member who’d not voted yet.,
Black and white went to all.

Members: I taught MBA and Law School, You can
reach out to folks to donate money. Silicon Valley,
Silicon Beach. It’s a historical building, I’m from
England $5,000 spent to FULLY inform members
of both sides of issue. It’s the right thing to doi..

Director: Special Issue – Bad Idea
Have a possibility of building a new future. We
felt it was important to sell the building. No one
spoke about it till now. Money in the bank,..
new leadership. Very proud to be a member
of the community. We’re professional musicians.

MEMBER:
While there were mentions concerning selling
since January, nothing was formally presented
till August. Only in passing.

Since we now know that many, many people
were given blatantly wrong info, some would
call them lies, mis-truths, it is more than
appropriate to set the record straight, or else
people can and will, and should say they
were misled into voting for it. There has been
blatant and apparently wide spread misdirection
and misinformation.

Member: No officers have tried to mislead us,
but that’s what people think. Union should
make a clear statement to the entire membership
the difference between 700,000 debt and 700,000 deficit.

Member: Question – If we get the new facilities,
we’ll duplicate the auditorium at the new location?
Practice rooms? Will there be input allowed in the
details of the build out. Should have 300 seat hall.

President. – There’s a building committee:
Mike Papenbrook, Lisa Haley, Mike Davis, plus two more.

Member: Special edition would be a good thing.

Member: If it’s $6,000 to send the edition, where does
the money come from
Pres: Local would pay for it.

President: Have section of next print overture with portions
of presentation and re-printing letters.

Member: Property tax here $45,000
In new place $125,000 (more than covered
by rents from restaurants.)
With a decent economy, can get 2-3 percent
On investments.

Closed debate:
I abstention. –

Vote whether to put out special edition of the overture.
Yes means print special edition
No means no special edition. Pres would try to make
sure the needed info would go out in the next print Overture.
Be in mailboxes end of next week.
Motion Fails – no special edition.

Member: Will there not be any debate in the mailing?
None was asked for. If you have more thoughts get
them in in the next 24 hours – By Tuesday afternoon
Member: If you vote yes. Special edition would go
out as soon as possible. It would be a couple of weeks.

Vote fails by a major margin:
President promises to put info in next Overture.

Meeting Adjourned After 9pm.

I. SPECIAL “MEMBER CALLED/CLUB 47” MEETING ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH
II. RESPONSE TO SIR TESLA
TOMORROW!
III. COMMENTS
IV. EVENTS

…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer
…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’
scoring musician
…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician
…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician

Name Withheld

===================================

I. SPECIAL “MEMBER CALLED” MEETING ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH

On January 4th, Monday at 7PM please be at the Local to
voice your opinion.

Please plan now to be at the special meeting called by concerned
members about the potential sale and the Local’s methods
in regards to the sale.

Concerned members called for a special meeting to
address their concerns on the building sale and the Local’s
conduit in regards to the sale.

There were three areas of concern to be considered:

1) Nullification of the Ballots and the reissue of said ballots
with a totally clear meaning, not the duplicitous ballots we
were sent.

We were informed the the Local would call that Motion out
of order. Seems after some research that once ballots are
sent they cannot be recalled and must run their course.
How convenient…

2) The delay of the sale until members are fully informed of
all aspects of the sale. Who benefits, who get the money, who
oversees the money, etc.

3) Guarantee that all letters and comments sent to the Local
about the sale, pro and con are immediately printed on the
Local’s Website AND in the next print issue of the Overture.

We need your voice and your support!

Please be there.

===================================

II. RESPONSE TO SIR TESLA

Sir Telsa wrote in our last blog…

My thoughts are that the local member/realtor should
donate his entire post-tax fee to a music school or
music education program. Or something similar.
It’s a blatant and offensive conflict of interest.

Here is a response we received:

Sir Tesla

—

Response to Sir Tesla:

It’s not a conflict of interest unless the realtor
is an officer of the local, or if it can be shown
that one or more officers improperly benefiting
financially by using this realtor.

Except for that, why would you want the realtor to work for free?

—

Sir Tesla, who saw the comment on the Blog site,.. responds to the writer:

Question:  Why would the crown jewel in the AFM’s girdle,
our beloved Local 47 of Hollywood, want a professional
musician acting as the representing realtor working this
deal? One would think, that for a potential $24 million
plus commercial real estate deal (selling the old place,
buying the new place), that the local would employ a
professional realtor. One that has no real or potential
liabilities, conflicts, or entanglements.  

L47 should utilize, and at the same lofty price will
be able to easily find, a deadly, high-powered, full-time,
professional real estate attorney/agent at the top of the
game. Not a professional musician moonlighting as a realtor.

Hire a professional!

{It’s not a conflict of interest unless the realtor is an
officer of the local, or if it can be shown that one or
more officers improperly benefiting financially by using
this realtor.}

Sir Tesla writes:

I believe it’s plainly and obviously a massive conflict of interest…
and a huge liability.

{Except for that, why would you want the realtor to work for free?}

Sir Tesla writes:

The realtor should not work for free. He should pass on the work
to a suitable realtor that has no possible liabilities or
conflicts of interest.

[EC: To be fair, there are three different realtors working on
the potential sale. Two of which are full time realtors.
the company is “Hilton and Hyland”.
http://www.hiltonhyland.com/

While we DO have somewhat of a problem with part of the money
going to a Local 47 member, a current or former RMA member at
that, we must admit it’s not illegal, nor untoward to many. Indeed,
many members have been forced to seek alternative employment
owing to the drastic loss of work… and we all know who to look at
for that.]

===================================

III. COMMENTS

I am really glad to read this website posts which
carries tons of valuable data, thanks for providing this data.

========================================
(more…)

****** HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE COMMITTEE******

I. SPECIAL “MEMBER CALLED/CLUB 47” MEETING ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH
II. COMMENTS
III. EVENTS

…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer

…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’

scoring musician

…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician

…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician

Name Withheld

===================================

I. SPECIAL “MEMBER CALLED” MEETING ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH

On January 4th, Monday at 7PM please be at the Local to
voice your opinion.

Please plan now to be at the special meeting called by concerned
members about the potential sale and the Local’s methods
in regards to the sale.

Concerned members called for a special meeting to
address their concerns on the building sale and the Local’s
conduit in regards to the sale.

There were three areas of concern to be considered:

1) Nullification of the Ballots and the reissue of said ballots
with a totally clear meaning, not the duplicitous ballots we
were sent.

We were informed the the Local would call that Motion out
of order. Seems after some research that once ballots are
sent they cannot be recalled and must run their course.
How convenient…

2) The delay of the sale until members are fully informed of
all aspects of the sale. Who benefits, who get the money, who
oversees the money, etc.

3) Guarantee that all letters and comments sent to the Local
about the sale, pro and con are immediately printed on the
Local’s Website AND in the next print issue of the Overture.

We need your voice and your support!

Please be there.

===================================

II. COMMENTS

My thoughts are that the local member/realtor should
donate his entire post-tax fee to a music school or
music education program. Or something similar.
It’s a blatant and offensive conflict of interest.

Sir Tesla

————————————-

If you owned your house outright with property tax protection…
would you really sell and make a move that would be guaranteed
to increase your overhead because you needed repairs or a new
roof? We could have had a referendum for a loan to take on such
expenses…and not just liquidate. The Club has reported a profit
every year …you don’t see something wrong with this picture?
You would liquidate? Bankruptcy is nonsense!

————————————-

As a Local 7 member, I’m pretty POed that this is the 2nd time
Local 47 has scheduled a function the same night as Local 7.

Doesn’t anybody check these things?

————————————-

I just got an email from BMI where they are going to bundle
votes to send to Congress.

How difficult would it be to bundle votes which oppose issues
in the union and present them to L47. This is something both
RMALA and 47 would overly discourage . If anything just to
have on record.

This could be an opposition voice of most of the 7000
members and sent directly to the Board in future matters
from the committee.

Someone suggested voting through emails years ago and
was shot down because they didn’t want most musicians
to have a voice only the ones who controlled the work.

(more…)

I. SPECIAL “MEMBER CALLED” MEETING ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH
II. COMMENTS
III. EVENTS

…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer
…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’
scoring musician
…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician
…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician

Name Withheld

===================================

I. SPECIAL “MEMBER CALLED” MEETING ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH

On January 4th, Monday at 7PM please be at the Local to
voice your opinion.

Please plan now to be at the special meeting called by concerned
members about the potential sale and the Local’s methods
in regards to the sale.

Concerned members called for a special meeting to
address their concerns on the building sale and the Local’s
conduit in regards to the sale.

There were three areas o concern to be considered:

1) Nullification of the Ballots and the reissue of said ballots
with a totally clear meaning, not the duplicitous ballots we
were sent.

We were informed the the Local would call that Motion out
of order. Seems after some research that once ballots are
sent they cannot be recalled and must run their course.
How convenient…

2) The delay of the sale until members are fully informed of
all aspects of the sale. Who benefits, who get the money, who
oversees the money, etc.

3) Guarantee that all letters and comments sent to the Local
about the sale, pro and con are immediately printed on the
Local’s Website AND in the next print issue of the Overture.

We need your voice and your support!

Please be there.

===================================

II. COMMENTS

I am glad that the special meeting will request information
regarding money. Will any officers of the local benefit
financially from the building sale? I state the obvious that
that would land them in jail. But I wouldn’t put it past one
or more when so much money is on the table. It may be just
too much to resist.

Mr. Kool Aid

————————————-

The realtor stands to make at least around $192,000
(2.5% of $22m, with a 70/30 split with the company).
From what I understand the L47 realtor is a local L47 member.

[EC: Yes, ONE of the realtors from Hilton and Hyland is a
Local 47 member, violinist and RMA Member, Darius Campo.
Some have called that a conflict of interest.

Any thoughts?]

————————————

Comment:
Our building is prime real estate. There are so many other
ways to make up any ‘short fall’ with this property. There
needs to be real, successful, accomplished business people
employed to run this local. Every other suggestion is a joke.

========================================

(more…)

I. SPECIAL “MEMBER CALLED” MEETING ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH
II. CALL NUMBER THREE – MEMBER COMMENT
III. PARANOIA – MEMBER COMMENTARY
IV. COMMENTS
V. EVENTS

…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer
…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’
scoring musician
…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician
…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician

Name Withheld

===================================

I. SPECIAL “MEMBER CALLED” MEETING ON MONDAY, JANUARY 4TH

On January 4th, Monday at 7PM please be at the Local to
voice your opinion.

Please plan now to be at the special meeting called by concerned
members about the potential sale and the Local’s methods
in regards to the sale.

Concerned members called for a special meeting to
address their concerns on the building sale and the Local’s
conduit in regards to the sale.

There were three areas o concern to be considered:

1) Nullification of the Ballots and the reissue of said ballots
with a totally clear meaning, not the duplicitous ballots we
were sent.

We were informed the the Local would call that Motion out
of order. Seems after some research that once ballots are
sent they cannot be recalled and must run their course.
How convenient…

2) The delay of the sale until members are fully informed of
all aspects of the sale. Who benefits, who get the money, who
oversees the money, etc.

3) Guarantee that all letters and comments sent to the Local
about the sale, pro and con are immediately printed on the
Local’s Website AND in the next print issue of the Overture.

We need your voice and your support!

Please be there.

===================================

II. CALL NUMBER THREE – MEMBER COMMENT
How many calls have YOU gotten?

Many members have started feeling absolutely harassed
by the number of calls they’re getting trying to strong-arm
them into voting yes….

Here’s one we thought you’d enjoy:
 
Received “call number 3” today from the folks trying to get
us to return our ballots with a “yes” vote.

I am NOT making this up! This is exactly how the conversation went-

The caller, John said

1. “Our Local is $761,971 in debt! We must sell the building”
I asked about the financial statement at the Oct 5 Musicians
Club meeting – “Our Local is $900,000 in the black”

He replied that the $900,000 is “in reserve”
I asked “which is it, John? Both statements can’t be true”

2.“Our building needs a new roof! Estimate is $200,000!
We must sell the building”!

I asked why then at the Oct 26 General meeting did our
Officers state the building is “structurally sound”?

3. “Our building needs $50,000 in electrical grid upgrades!
We are “at capacity!” We must sell the building”!

I said “Since we are under Building Code laws from when
the structure was built, we are legal”

I forgot to point out to him that the 2nd floor is 2/3 empty

4. “We are out of Building Code compliance– we have no
elevator to allow wheelchair customers access to the Musicians
Credit Union”!

I said “Since we are under Building Code laws from when the
structure was built, we don’t have to have an elevator. And
if necessary we could easily move the Credit Union downstairs
to give access”.

I then asked John the all-important questions-
“Are you a Local #47 Member”? –No

“Are you employed by the advertising firm trying to get everyone
to vote “Yes” with rah-rah tactics? –No

“Are you being paid to make these phonecalls??!! –Yes –
PAID BY THE LOCAL! (Our dues)
 
I told John that virtually every member I talk with says the same
thing-

“We don’t have enough info yet to make an informed decision,
yes or no”

In other words the “callers” are now using a list of “emergency facts”
saying a yes vote is the only way to avoid disaster.

Lastly, I pointed out to John that –
The majority of our members are well educated and intelligent;
That we know better than to rush into a Real Estate decision;
That providing us all with information pro and con, rather than 
this emotional rah-rah ad campaign would have got far better
results so far;
And that these secret “frantic” actions have made everyone
wonder why are we in such a hurry?
 
I’m not against selling the building, but I want to know all the
facts first, thank you very much.
 
ANONYMOUS COMMENT – saying what everyone else is thinking.

===================================

III. PARANOIA – MEMBER COMMENTARY

“Just because someone is paranoid it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a
conspiracy.”

None of this stuff adds up. It’s all ambiguous.

Ambiguity is the protector of incompetent leadership.

All year, the S/T has reported that “We’re in the black.” Now, without
explanation, they are $700K in the red. But wait, the EB is great at
managing the finances – they said so themselves. Now, I just found
out that Local 47 is behind on its per capita payment to the AFM,
which was due in November. Yet, they were 400K plus in the
black at the end of October.

Maybe the time has come (The Time Is Now?) to do a forensic
financial audit of the local and get to the bottom of it all.
There are provisions in the Local Bylaws for it:

§V-4 (Secretary/Treasurer duties):

“(n) keep an accurate and current account of the properties and
of all financial transactions of the Local, as well as an account of
all receipts, disbursements, and transactions pertaining to security
and trust deposits, all of which shall be open for inspection by the
Executive Board or by any member at any time during normal
business hours and make certain that the property of the Local
is properly insured;”

§XIII-2 (Right to information):

“Right to Information: Every member shall have the right to information
concerning the rules, action, and other matters affecting the membership
of the Local, and shall have the right to a copy of the annual Financial
Report of the Local and to have reasonable access to any books, records,
accounts, or other supporting documents connected with the finances of
the Local. Every member shall have the right to a current copy of the
Bylaws of the Local and of the Federation.”

========================================

IV. COMMENTS

About the video on the Vienna scoring stage, it speaks
volumes about our business and the LA musicians promoting
it.

(more…)

I. COMMENTARY – WHOSE BLOWING SMOKE? THE CALLER OR THE LOCAL’S NUMBERS?
II. THE 1000 BALLOTS – Member Commentary
III. YET ANOTHER SCORING VENUE APPEARS – VIENNA
IV. COMMENTS
V. EVENTS

…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer
…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’
scoring musician
…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician
…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician

Name Withheld

===================================

—SPECIAL MESSAGE—

COLLEAGUES,
So the tactics are changing. NOW members are being told that the extra
money in the bank will allow them to sue more studios to get us work
back, (Work the rank and file will never see); and also that the union is
now over $700,000 in debt, which flies in the face of Secretary Lasley
reporting at the last GM Meeting at the end of October that the union
was $450,000 in the black for the first 6 months of the year.

They are getting more desperate and their obfuscations more blatant.

It is vital that ALL members who see the blog send it to their Local 47
and even AFM Colleagues. The AFM has got to know what the Local is
doing here in Los Angeles.

Please help us make sure ALL members know what’s going on.

THE COMMITTEE

===================================

I. COMMENTARY – WHOSE BLOWING SMOKE? THE CALLER OR THE LOCAL’S NUMBERS?

I did actually get this exact call. I know we are not in debt,
but I also know other members are getting the same call.

So I wrote this:

***********************

Will The REAL Truth Please Stand Up?!?!?

I just got a call from someone on the building committee tasked with
making phone calls in order to sway me into a yes vote on the sale
of the building.

This individual said that Local 47 was $700,000 in the RED…. A
serious deficit which required the sale of our building to clear,
or we all go down.

$700,000!!! Do these people know how to balance a check book?
If so, when was the last time they did it before spending MY
money I trusted them with?

I can’t trust this executive board with the money I gave them.
That is now as clear to me as the nose on my face. So how
do they expect me to trust them with millions more of my
money on a building protected for the members? They
couldn’t even handle the dues money I was paying them.

I can’t even get my head wrapped around the level of incompetence
members have allowed to run our Union when no one ran
against this administration at the last election.

$700,000 deficit!?

That phone call meant to scare me into a yes vote, it
just backfired.

Oh I am not done. I have more to say:

Since when did Local 47 begin adopting the practice of
most managements in regards to scaring people into a
decision, threatening “your organization will go dark if
you don’t do as we tell you to! Now agree with us and
do as we want you to do! Let us take away your rehearsal
services because you won’t even have a job if you don’t
let us clear our deficit by removing your rehearsals!!”

As an orchestral player who is seasoned now in experiencing
managements scaring the cr*p out of us,  and seasoned in
watching how fear grips us and we end up willingly giving
up our rehearsal time because maybe our negotiator was
not willing to fight hard enough for us…. This phone call
was all too familiar. It was like our union stole a page from
managements playbook or something.

After experiencing managements, imagine getting this call
from this campaigner who is clearly in favor of selling the
building, and he sounded NO different than most managements
these days: “We have to sell the building (get rid of your rehearsals)!
We need to clear our $700,000 deficit! If you don’t say YES, you
won’t have anything in the end. Better to agree with us.
Something is better than nothing”

Once again, musicians have to give up what is theirs so they
can clean up someone else’s financial mess?

Operative words, “someone else’s”.

We do our part. We show up to rehearsals. We pay for their
financial mistakes.

We pay our union dues. Now we are asked to give up our
building because of their financial blunders?

What do we get in return from managements in orchestras
and from our union when we are forced to give up something?
We are thrown on stage under rehearsed and low moral,
and our union ran off with my money and no accountability
other than to try to scare me into now giving up my union building.

This angers me. This really makes me hot under the collar. Who
is a musician suppose to be able to trust if there is no competence
in either managements of orchestras or even our union?

I have one last point to make before I am done:

Either Local 47 is lying in this campaign, trying to scare me
into a yes vote, OR, The Secretary is the liar when he told
members that Local 47 is in the black and that the union has
no debt. Which one is it? Who is lying?

Is the executive board lying about being in the black?

Or are they lying to every member in the union with these
campaigning calls about being in the red by HUNDREDS
OF THOUSANDS of dollars!

There can not be two opposing truths!

This administration, either way, needs to ALL be thrown out of office.

They were the last administration under Trombetta who had
secrets and railroaded members for their own agendas.

And here we are again. Almost the same board because no one
in our membership had the guts to run against them and no
one in our membership cared enough to run an entire slate
against the slate. Now we have the same administration
under the “leadership” of Acosta, who was former Vice
President and who clearly learned his top-down aggressive political
tactics to strong arm musicians from the former President Trombetta.

$700,000 in debt!

I thought musicians had legal protection against an
administration running us into the ground!

Where is proof of which version is the REAL truth?

Real truth? Local 47 is happy to report that we are in the
black and have no debt.

Real truth? Local 47 is $700,000 in the RED, we have to
fix our deficit problem ?

Will the REAL truth please stand up!

[EC: Gary Lasley said at the Oct., 2015 general meeting the Local
was approx. $450,000 IN THE BLACK for the first 6 months of 2015.
So did they lose 1.15 million dollars from the July to the beginning of
December?

Not a chance.

The RA-RA Caller is lying to every member they tell that to…
or Gary Lasley was blowing smoke at the October
meeting, when he said we were $450,000 in the
black at the beginning of October.

So which is it? Call the local and ask.

The Musicians’ Club owns the property….the Club is solvent
…..pays the property taxes and turns over the surplus to 47.
The value of the Club belongs to the membership.

As was reported earlier in the blog (November 22nd)
by a well placed source:

FINANCIAL FACTS ABOUT THE LOCAL
The Local has ZERO debt. It has approx. $975,000 in CDs,
invested in multiple places. The Local has always had
enough money to pay CASH for all of the repairs or
improvements and even new buildings, i.e. the rehearsal
rooms.
The Local has spent over a million dollars on the property
in the last few years. The rehearsal building was $530,000.
The auditorium remodel was $360,000. The remodeling on
behalf of the Federation west coast offices moving in was
around $100,000.
A new chiller for the bulk of the AC for the building was
$65,000. The Club “CLUB 47″ generates income – $290,000
in 2014. The property tax gets paid, some money gets paid
to the local on the two loans for the rehearsal building and the
auditorium remodel, and barring any other major expenses for
the building, the rest gets turned over to the local. That is in
the club bylaws.
So the idea that the Local can not afford a new roof at this
point is really not true. They will likely end this year in the
black as they have laid off at least four employees in the last
few years, have not replaced our computer system admin,
Candi, who sadly passed away.
They have almost undoubtedly cut legal expenses- I think
in 2013 they spent well over $200,000 of the members
money on that- so the desire and rush to sell 817 Vine
has to be about something else.
Not because they can’t figure out a way to pay for the roof.
In late 2012 and the first half of 2013 they came up with
$460,000 to pay the federation back work dues that the Local
owed them. They will take in at least 4 million this year in
dues; they have shrunk the staff and have hopefully curbed
excess spending on lawyers- but they still want at least 10
million dollars….!]

====================================

II. THE 1000 BALLOTS – Member Commentary

What Executive Board Members Say About The Extra 1000
Printed Ballots:

In answer to your question someone posed on the most
recent blog edition, the extra thousand ballots were not
printed with different language. If that were the case, the
executive board would have printed a few thousand extra.

According to Executive Board members, they were printed
with the same language, and at the same time all the others
were printed.

According to Executive Board members, the extra 1000
ballots were printed with the intent to give to any individual
who claims they never received a ballot a second ballot… etc

That I am aware of, there has been no mention by the Executive
Board to the members of any oversight to make certain a
person can not vote twice.

To my knowledge, the executive board has never made it
clear what measure of transparency members have to make
certain the extra ballots are not used as fillers if they are
missing their quota and/or making certain no one votes
twice. Or, for that matter, helping someone vote who couldn’t.
Well, I guess the later notion (helping someone vote who
couldn’t) falls under the category of using the extra printed
ballots as fillers to make certain the quota is met.

Regardless what conspiracy theory my mind comes up
with in its state of ZERO trust given to this administration,
the Executive Board has not ever printed anything about
these extra 1000 ballots in the Overture nor have they given
members any sort of reassurance of full transparency.

All they have given us is an aggressive sales pitch with very
little information, and a ballot that does not even ask for
permission to sell the building. The ballot is written in a
manner the building WILL BE sold.

Because of the wording of the ballot, it seems to me that
these extra thousand ballots could be another possible
underhanded move by the Executive Board to make certain
the ballot-quota is reached.

After all, without transparency, (and in light of a ballot
forcing the sale of a building against the will of some
members who would actually like to vote on IF the
Executive Board/Club 47 even has permission to sell),
how can ANY member actually know if someone really
voted or not, or if an individual voted twice.

Consider this: There are extra ballots somewhere. How
can we be certain that the executive board would not use
their power of secrecy they have demonstrated in regards
to this sale to use some of these ballots as fillers to make
up for any missed quota needed.

Considering how hell bent they are to sell the building,
to the extent they are not even asking us for permission
to sell, it is a FAIR question to ask, “what measures have
been taken to ensure transparency to the members?”

Considering all the other secretiveness and the aggressive
agenda to sell the building, I certainly do not trust what
I hear from board members about an extra 1000 ballots
having been printed to hand out to anyone who claims
they never received one.

This administration has demonstrated to the members
that they do not do anything altruistically. They do
everything agenda-driven.

Therefore, in my mind, what are the odds that these
extra 1000 ballots will be “fillers” to pad the quota,
and some people will vote twice who feel strongly
about selling the building?

Member With Zero Trust

[EC: We have a slightly different take. Someone reported
to us that they saw a huge stack of returned ballots (either
wrong, returned to sender or incomplete addresses) And
those extras could be to replace those.

Also, As we understand it, the ballots themselves are
numbered, so they can be matched to individual members,
even if a replacement is needed.

We’re certainly for having every measure of accountability
for the vote.

===================================

III. YET ANOTHER SCORING VENUE APPEARS – VIENNA

Listening yet RMA/AFM/LOCAL 47?

The Synchron Stage Vienna was built in the 1940s as an orchestral scoring stage.
The period of film music recordings in the middle of the 20th century was
followed by classical recordings in the 1960s and1970s.
By the beginning of the 21st century the stage had lost its importance and was
mainly used as a rehearsal stage. Herb Tucmandl and his Vienna Symphonic
Library team are now reawakening the building as the Synchron Stage Vienna.
Synchron Stage Vienna, located in the heart of Vienna, the charming capital
of music, rated the most liveble city world-wide for the past five years!

Watch the video here:

THE COMMITTEE

========================================

IV. COMMENTS

I have followed the saga of a potential building sale
with both interest and amusement. Interest because those
who wish to be honest members of the local on behalf of
their brothers and sisters need only to follow the money.

Who stands to benefit financially from this transaction?

And amusement because this sort of trickery has been
tried before in another local. Unsuccessfully I might add.

So if you are truly skeptical and want to protect the
future of the local, get off your collective rear ends
and do something.

Mr. Kool Aid

———————————————–

I am truly grateful to the holder of this site who
has shared this impressive article at at this time.

———————————————

I recently received another call from some local 47
employee wanting to discuss the vote on selling the
building. He mentioned several reasons why the union
needed to sell it – it was old, needed repairs, etc.

But then he said they had a $700,000 deficit and that
really caught my attention. I could of sworn that at
one of the October meetings one of the officers said
they had a surplus of $450,000 or close to that for
the first half of the year. Now the guy says they have
a $700,000 deficit?

Did they just blow through over a million dollars?
I don’t know what or who to believe! The guy asked
me if I had voted and I said not yet. I found the ballot
and saw that 22 million number- If I can’t trust them
with 450 or 700 thousand, no way can I trust them
with 22 million!

A NO vote is going into the mailbox next week from me

[EC: As we’ve said many times, we do not believe this
ballot can be trusted. In our view the only way to
guarantee a no vote is not to send it in!]

———————————————-

Just got a  call from an employee at local 47 (Is that even legal?)
encouraging me to vote yes to sell the building. I told him I was
concerned about wording of both yes and no votes basically
meant the building would be sold. He said that was not true.

A “yes” vote is for selling the building and a “no” vote was for
not selling the building. He also danced around the wording, 
hemmed and hawed a little and then finally said that the
lawyers put the wording together.  Hmmm. 

Anyway, thought you guys would like to know.

———————————————

‎Well, certainly there is misconduct on the part of the local.
There may even be criminal misconduct. 
 
If the AFM were to investigate the matter, would members
be willing to provide testimony re: the local’s deceitful activities?

(more…)

I. READING BETWEEN THE LINES
II. NEED MORE PROOF?
III. EVENTS

…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer
…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’
scoring musician
…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician
…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician

Name Withheld

===================================

I. READING BETWEEN THE LINES – MEMBER COMMENTARY

Have you gotten multiple calls encouraging you to vote yes
and send in your ballot?

If you’ve said you won’t vote until you have more information and are told,
“Notice of intent to sell the #47 property was posted in February 2015.”
 
Please keep in mind that…

There was no such notice in February. The Board for the Club voted 
…to initiate the process of selling the Local 47 property through mail
referendum.” on 2/17/2015. Very poorly worded motion, but apparently
that’s when it started. An entry in meeting minutes does not constitute
notice to members.

More rat spit from the local.

Furthermore, the local stopped printing meeting minutes in the Overture.
If you want to review the minutes you need to go to the members only
area of the website. So what it comes down to is that members had no
notice or confirmation about selling the properties until September of
this year.

There really is a pattern developing on all of this, and it goes way
beyond ambiguity.

“If you repeat a lie enough times it becomes the truth.”
Joseph Goebbels

====================================

II. NEED MORE PROOF?

Do you need more proof that the Ballot is a fiction? A fix? More proof that
regardless of whether you vote yes or no they can use it as a yes vote?

It’s easy to verify.

Here is the original question:

Shall the officers of the Musician’s Club of Los Angeles (”the Club”) be
authorized to sell the Club’s real property. – located at 817 Vine Street, 
Hollywood, CA 90038 – for not less than Twenty Two Million
Dollars ($22,000,000) to the successful highest bidder?

If you remove the Address you get this:

Shall the officers of the Musician’s Club of Los Angeles (”the Club”) be
authorized to sell the Club’s real property for not less than Twenty Two Million
Dollars ($22,000,000) to the successful highest bidder?

See it?

EITHER a Yes or No answer can be used to sell the building, only the
price point changes.

Yes means yes, NO means yes. The membership is being played.

They don’t even have to open up the ballots, only count them en mass.

As we said before, the problem may not have been intentional, but the
Local has refused to fix the problem at every turn.

We also understand that 1000 more ballots had to be ordered. Did they
change the wording? Any bets?

Don’t be played, DON’T send in your ballot. If they wanted this to be
an honest referendum they could have made sure yes means yes, and
no means no, but they’re trying to hoodwink the membership and
guarantee their salaries for the next decade without having to be
accountable for the gutting of our Local’s (and national AFM Recording)
work by their genuflecting and cowering to the RMA.

The board has had every chance to recall and fix the ballot, but have
fought efforts to make them do so. If they wanted an honest choice,
they wouldn’t fight giving the membership one.

That should tell you everything you need to know.

A new twist…. We’ve gotten word from several members who’ve received
repeated calls urging them to vote for the sale, that they are now being told
by the caller that, “If we can sell the building, we can use some of the money
to sue companies to get more work.”

Anyone who’s been around knows that most or all of the work gotten
by lawsuits would go the the RMA chosen and do virtually nothing for
the rank and file.

NEW Buyout contracts for many things the AFM doesn’t allow is the answer.

THE COMMITTEE

========================================

(more…)

I. LETTER TO VARIOUS PLACES INCLUDING THE DOJ
II. HOW ABOUT SOME FACTS?
III. MORE SELLING MEMBER COMMENTS – DON’T SEND YOUR BALLOT!
IV. TIME IS NOW COMMENTS
V. EVENTS

…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer

…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’

scoring musician

…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician

…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician

Name Withheld

===================================

I. LETTER OF CONCERN SENT

FROM A MEMBER:

Hello!

Please find attached the Letter of Concern that was mailed
to various heritage, press, internal, and government agencies.
I have removed all the CCs so as not to put that on the public site.

Thanks for posting.

—————————-

Re: Proposed sale of Musicians Union/Musicians Club building and
property – Vine Street and Lillian Way, Hollywood, CA 90038

LETTER OF CONCERN

This letter is being written to communicate to those interested parties of
clear opposition to the decision of the Executive Board of the Musicians
Club/Local 47 to sell the real estate property owned in Hollywood, CA.
Approval of the sale must be obtained from the membership by
referendum.

Contrary to the proposal of the elected officials, there is deep concern
among the rank-and-file that

1) the membership strongly disagree with the sale of the union hall,
which is a Hollywood “mid-century” landmark and our historic home;

and

2) the membership has been systematically kept from engaging in
regular membership meetings where concrete action might be taken;

and

3) the timeline for the process of the sale of the properties has been
manipulated to frustrate any debate;

and

4) the Local 47 officers, who have been working towards the sale of this
real estate for six months before making the membership aware of the
proposal, are now using every tool at their disposal, including the official
newspaper, phone banks and staff personnel, to influence the outcome of
the vote on the issue.

Simply put, there is a consensus outside the administration by the few
who have been able to engage in discourse, that the elected officers are
seeking a quick fix to a long term problem, i.e. the decrease in revenue
to the local. Simply put, we are being hustled and muscled out of our
historic home without consideration of alternatives to being divested of a
wholly owned facility.

The Executive Board has controlled the timeline regarding communication
to the membership and made it impossible to have had any on-the
record dissent until after the ballots were sent out. The membership-at
large has had only what the administration has touted via a Special
Edition of the Overture. a brochure/flyer telling us what we might get if
we agree to sell.

The facts are as follows:

The property was found listed for sale as of July 7, 2015.

The required formal resolution to seek sale of the property by the
Musician’s Club was made August 11, 2015

Special Edition of the Overture promotional flyer/brochure was mailed
early September 2015. It contained an announcement of an
“informational meeting” on October 5th with the referendum ballots
to be sent October 9, 2015.

On October 2, 2015 an email notice was sent to members informing
us that no votes would be taken at the “informational meeting.”

The “informational meeting” identified as a Q and A was held October 5,
2015. We were reminded that no votes would be taken. There were
approximately 120 in attendance. A power point presentation was made
including that an offer of 24 Million dollars for our four parcels had been
received. A straw pole was held overwhelming indicating to the Executive
Board that more information was required and that the balloting should
be postponed.

The Local held two Q and A lunches the following two Tuesdays, October
12 and October 20. About 20 persons were at these luncheon events
including a quorum of the Executive Board and realtors. While, it was
acknowledged that the members in attendance did express valid
concerns, President Acosta told those present that the Executive Board
“sees no negatives” in the sale of the property.

Ballots were mailed several days before our quarterly General
Membership Meeting of October 26, 2015.

The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, (LMRDA) provides

standards for union member participation in their governance.
——-
TITLE I — BILL OF RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
Bill of Rights
(29 U.S.C. 411)
SEC. 101. (a)(1) EQUAL RIGHTS.– Every member of a labor organization
shall have equal rights and privileges within such organization to
nominate candidates, to vote in elections or referendums of the labor
organization, to attend membership meetings and to participate in the
deliberations and voting upon the business of such meetings, subject to
reasonable rules and regulations in such organization’s constitution and
bylaws.
——-
These rights and privileges have also been held to include that the
membership have a “meaningful vote”. It appears that the administration
of the Local has made it impossible for alternative views to be shared
by the membership- at- large.

The mailing of the ballots prior to any on-the-record discourse was
followed by the immediate implementation of phone-banking to get
members to return their ballots and vote yes. The administration of Local
47 has not allowed for alternative voices to mount valid counter
arguments.

Also, an independent internet blog, that has followed our internal union
issues for a decade and the ONLY SOURCE of unfiltered communication

(a place where members could post anonymously avoiding reprisal ) went
down only days after posting member comments in reaction to the initial
promotional mailing. Currently the website is up but the ability to send
updates to subscribers is not.

Additionally, we are concerned about the validity of the ballot process.
We are told that the mail-in ballots will be collected as they come in and
stored in our Secretary -Treasures office. Ballots are then to be counted
by our Local 47 Election Board and designees. Generally our Election
Board only counts those votes taken at membership meetings, not the
minimum 3000 plus ballots that will be needed to be counted for this
referendum. Given the magnitude of this referendum-a 24 Million dollar
transaction- certainly the voting membership deserve the services of a
professional election company. This is how we conduct our biennial
elections where no tangible assets are involved.

The Executive Board of the Musician’s Club is also the Executive Board
of Local 47, AFM. We were told that this is not unusual in the case of
a 501 (c) (2).

However, the Local used the Club as a shield to keep the membership
from taking control of this ill advised proposal. We believe that the
historical lack of virtually any corporate formalities by the Club and the
exchange of monies without interest between the two entities provides
the Attorney General power to disregard this artificial barrier.

Indeed, since 2008, the 990 Form filed by the Musician’s Club has
reported a large loan and subsequent larger added sum by Local 47
as a secured note owed to an unrelated third party. This is not the
case. It is an unsecured note owed to a related third party. Musicians
Club/ Local 47.

Between 2005 and 2009, nearly one million dollars was used to build
rehearsal rooms and refurbish our auditorium. Both of these projects
went far over the initial budget estimates. Why would the administration
have committed to such a large capital investment when it was clear that
revenue was on the decline? Was this a way to intentionally spend down
cash reserves in order to try and justify what they are doing now? On the
other hand, the administration made a million dollar building
improvement to upgrade the union hall for the benefit of future
generations. Absent gross negligence, this would not have been done if
the union was in financial trouble.

As stakeholders in this property, we have requested a halt of this
referendum until the rank-and-file has been given reasonable forum for
on-the-record input, including a substantial amount of time to consider
this momentous event, plus full disclosure of the administration’s efforts
toward the sale, and, if it comes to a vote, an independent agency to
verify and count the ballots.

====================================

II. HOW ABOUT SOME FACTS?

As most of you know, another RA-RA sales pitch has gone
out from the Local spending our dues to push the building
sale.

And once again there are no dissenting voices included,
though dues money from all of us is being used to pay for it.

The misinformation has become laughable, so we thought
we’d provide you with some facts.

The recent mailing proudly lists the Building Committee as
Mike Barone, Michael Davis, Lisa Haley, Allen Fogle,
and Jon Papenbrook.

Only problem is there have been no meetings of the
building committee, so it’s not even active yet, the
folks names are being used in the sales pitch though.
We don’t even know if those on the committee actually
support the sale.

A BRAND NEW BUILDING?

Qoute from the pitch –
“sell the aging Vine Street property so we are able
to move into new state of the art facilities.”

That NEW STATE OF THE ART building is 47
years old, has been sitting empty for 7 years, and
on the market for 2 years. And it is in a pretty
sorry state if you’ve taken a look.

FINANCIAL FACTS ABOUT THE LOCAL

The Local has ZERO debt. It has approx. $975,000 in CDs,
invested in multiple places. The Local has always had
enough money to pay CASH for all of the repairs or
improvements and even new buildings, i.e. the rehearsal
rooms.

The Local has spent over a million dollars on the property
in the last few years. The rehearsal building was $530,000.
The auditorium remodel was $360,000. The remodeling on
behalf of the Federation west coast offices moving in was
around $100,000.

A new chiller for the bulk of the AC for the building was
$65,000. The Club “CLUB 47” generates income – $290,000
in 2014. The property tax gets paid, some money gets paid
to the local on the two loans for the rehearsal building and the
auditorium remodel, and barring any other major expenses for
the building, the rest gets turned over to the local. That is in
the club bylaws.

So the idea that the Local can not afford a new roof at this
point is really not true. They will likely end this year in the
black as they have laid off at least four employees in the last
few years, have not replaced our computer system admin,
Candi, who sadly passed away.

They have almost undoubtedly cut legal expenses- I think
in 2013 they spent well over $200,000 of the members
money on that- so the desire and rush to sell 817 Vine
has to be about something else.

Not because they can’t figure out a way to pay for the roof.
In late 2012 and the first half of 2013 they came up with
$460,000 to pay the federation back work dues that the Local
owed them. They will take in at least 4 million this year in
dues; they have shrunk the staff and have hopefully curbed
excess spending on lawyers- but they still want at least 10
million dollars….!

========================================

III. MORE SELLING MEMBER COMMENTS – DON’T SEND YOUR BALLOT!
[Are they finally admitting that the VOTE is a fraud after all?]

———————

2) I just got off the phone with employee ——- ——-
from 47 asking that if you received the ballot to mail it back.

They have the union employees on a phone bank again.

He referred to it as to sell the union and purchase
the property. Interesting.

Not whether to vote to sell or not, just to sell the
property.

If I understand correctly why do they feel 47 need to make
the call for “YES” or “NO” when they are counting
on receiving enough combined ballots to qualify to allow them to
sell one way or the other, if I understand this correctly.

If they don’t get enough yes or no ballots combined they
can’t do anything. Which I believe is the best response to
this problem.

By not mailing the ballot back it becomes a “mutt” subject.
And I do mean a mutt subject!

Hang on to your wallets. The next sound you hear is your
union at work liquidating your Club 47 dollars for their
benefit.

They are using Club 47 as if it was theirs to do what they
please under the provisions of the Club.

[From a COMMITTEE member: I think this voter is correct,…
just don’t send back your ballot.

The Local just sent yet another mailer…postcard that has
several members photos on it saying.. “we all agree”…
yada yada.

Again, totally one sided mailing, not including dissenting voices.
Using our dues in a totally one-sided campaign.

So far, they obviously don’t have the ballots they need even
to make the referendum viable.

The administration does not have a Plan B to the failure of the sale
of Vine. A sale that would generate a large pot of money to continue
doing business as usual.

We, the membership can!]

————————————–

Comment:

Congratulations to those who got the union to have another meeting
regarding the sale of 47’s property. Although many of us are against
this for multiple reasons, it is hard to speak up in fear of future
repercussions from our union officers who are putting on the hard
sell on this and whom we all know do not treat everyone equally.

Maybe the union officers should be recused from this meeting
so the membership can speak freely.

==================================

IV. MORE COMMENTS

does this move secure the future of the membership? The only
member revenues into the local are regular dues and work dues
paid under a CBA. I haven’t heard anything of substance that
tells us that the Local, (no matter where they re-locate) has a
concrete plan to raise this revenue.

Even with the promise of the significantly increased property
tax being paid by our inherited restaurants businesses…does
anyone think this is a good investment strategy?

How long will the left over money last? Oh…yes! We are told
the administration will invest the monies not sucked up by
a relocation to secure …whose future?

One of our colleagues said it best…” You can’t let them sell….
in 10 years there will be no music business…but the building
will be worth 50 million dollars!”

—————————-

Did you get the new sales pitch postcard form the Local?
President Acosta talks about fixing financial imbalances.
Why doesn’t he get specific?

Contractors, players and clients agree. The RMA has destroyed
this locals and the afms finances. get them removed from
contract negotiation. Remove them form any role that can affect
our getting work back.

=================================

V. EVENTS

DEAN AND RICHARD

DEAN AND RICHARD are now playing every third Friday
at Culver City Elks 7:30pm-10;30pm,
11160 Washington Pl.
Culver City, 90232
310-839-8891

————————————-

LA WINDS JAZZ KATS 584

NO COVER, NO MINIMUM.
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Viva Cantina
7:30-10:00.
900 Riverside Drive, Burbank.

Free parking across the street at Pickwick Bowl.
Come hear your favorite charts played the way they
should be.

We are in the back room called the Trailside Room.

Come on down. Guaranteed to swing.

————————————

12/2/15

FREE ADMISSION GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS
Every FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAY at 12:10-12:40 pm

On Wednesday DECEMBER 2, 2015 at 12:10-12:40 pm
JAZZ CONCERT:
DON RADER – Trumpet
GARY SOLT – Guitar
Bios:
http://allmusic.com/artist/don-rader-mn0000191281
http://mi.edu/about-mi/faculty/gary-solt/
Interesting interview with Don Rader:
http://jazzpro.nationaljazzarchive.org.uk/interviews/Don%20Rader.htm

RELAX DURING YOUR LUNCH HOUR WITH LIVE MUSIC

(Please note!!) NEW LOCATION:
The Sanctuary at GLENDALE CITY CHURCH
610 E. California Ave. (at Isabel)
Glendale CA 91206
818 244-7241
Map & venue info http://glendalecitychurch.org/index.php/location.html
More info email [email protected]
*************************************
UPCOMING CONCERTS in the same series:
(every FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAY at 12:10-12:40 pm;
programs subject to change)

DECEMBER 16, 2015
OBOE RECITAL
Works by JOHN SCOTT & PAUL HINDEMITH
Catherine Del Russo -oboe
Mark Robson – piano

JANUARY 6, 2016
VIOLIN RECITAL
ALBERTO GINASTERA (Celebrating Ginastera’s Centenary!)
Pampeana No.1, Op.16 (1947)
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Violin Sonata No.3 in D minor, op.108
Jacqueline Suzuki – violin
Rosa LoGiudice – piano

JANUARY 20, 2016
CHOBRATY Brass Duo
Michael Vlatkovich – trombone
Willian Roper – tuba
http://roperarts.com/chbrty.htm

CONCERT UPDATES:
http://www.glendalenoonconcerts.blogspot.com

MORE FREE CONCERTS:
http://www.edendaleupclose.blogspot.com

———————————————

11/28/15

San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra
James Domine, Music Director, Presents in Concert
Saturday Evening, November 28, 2015, 7:30 PM
Janet & Ray Scherr Forum Theatre
Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

Rimsky-Korsakoff
Scheherazade

MTAC Concerto Competition Winners:

Saint-Saens Cello Concerto in A minor (excerpts)
Aliya Hunter, cellist

Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, 1st movement
Isaac Yun, cellist

Liszt Piano Concerto in E-flat major, 1st movement
Devon Valdez, pianist

Tickets are available on the website:
http://www.sfvsymphony.com/
At the Theater Box Office
By calling (818) 347- 4807

————————————————–

12/5/15

CULVER CITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Opening Concert
Openings and Breakthroughs

We open our 2015-16 Season Saturday., December 5, 2015, 8:00PM
Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave. and Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230. Free parking, entrances from Culver Blvd.
MAP LINK

To mark our return to Culver City, we present our largest orchestra
of the season with Frank Fetta and a thrilling young musician,
Alexander Agate.

We are back after another “Best of the Westside 2015,”
The Argonaut, while in Marina del Rey.
A perfect musical start to the holiday season.

Each work on the concert was a breakthrough for the composer in
maturity-Prokofiev, artistically-Tchaikovsky, or led to greater
recognition-Humperdink.

These breakthroughs led to openings and advancement in the
composers’ musical lives. LINK

This concert is under the direction Conductor/Music Director-Frank Fetta.

This performance is made possible in part by a
Grant from Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

PROGRAM, December 5, 2015

Openings and Breakthroughs

Engelbert Humperdink: Overture from “Hansel und Gretel” (1893)

Serge Prokofiev: Piano Concerto, No. 1 (1911-12)
Alexander Agate-Piano, Young Adult Division Winner,
Parness Concerto Competition-2014

Pyotr Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 (1878)

Admission Charge

$10: GEN ADMN. At Veterans Memorial Auditorium the evening
of the performance and on-line: TICKETS LINK

$5: 13-17 years of age and under.
Box Office the evening of the performance.

Free: Ages 6-12, when accompanied by an adult.

The Box Office opens at 7:00PM the evening of the concert.

Members of SoCal Symphony Society receive two free tickets to the Dec.
5, 2015, Jan. 30, 2016 and Apr. 2, 2016, concerts, available at the box
office the evening of the concert. You can purchase your membership
now, through this e-mail, see below, at the concert, or on our website:

MEMBERSHIP LINK

Your membership is part of the music making. Please support
Classical Music, CCSO and support your musical and social life.

Regards,
Matthew Hetz, President and Executive Director
Culver City Symphony Orchestra
SoCal Symphony Society
[email protected]
www.culvercitysymphony.org

——————————————-

12/6/15

ASMAC HOLIDAY LUNCHEON

Please Join in the Holiday Spirit with old and new friends.

Mingle and Sing-A-Long with the ASMAC Holiday Voices
(a 14 piece choral group directed by Sally Stevens & Ian Freebairn Smith)
and shop early for the holidays.

No-host cocktails, silent auction, raffle, gourmet buffet brunch, and entertainment.

Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 – 11:30am.
ASMAC / LA Jazz Society Holiday Brunch
At Catalina’s Jazz Club – Hollywood

Guests $60 each
LAJS members $50 each (maximum 2)
ASMAC members $50 each (maximum 2)
Entertainment & Dessert only – check-in at 1pm – $20 each

For more information please call 818.994.4661

================================

You can read all previous offerings at:http://www.responsible47.com
UNTIL NEXT TIME,
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47

I. SPECIAL CLUB 47 MEETING REQUESTED 11/15/15
II. MEMBER COMMENTS – SPACES
III. MEMBER COMMENTS
IV. TIME IS NOW COMMENT
V. EVENTS

…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer
…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’
scoring musician
…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician
…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician

Name Withheld

===================================

I. SPECIAL CLUB 47 MEETING REQUESTED

One week and a day after the October 26th General Membership
Meeting, members presented the Local with the formal
request for a special Club 47 meeting to discuss and vote
on three different motions.

Here is what the request said:

FORMAL REQUEST FOR CLUB 47 MEETING 11/1/15

As provided in Article V, Section 3 of the Constitution
and Bylaws of the Musicians’ Club of Los Angeles
(“CLUB 47”), this is a formal request for a special meeting
of CLUB 47 to discuss and vote on the three motions below:

1) Nullify the ballots previously sent in order to clarify and
complete the proper language before a new ballot with
the following question is sent:

Shall the officers of the Musician’s Club of Los Angeles
(“the Club”) be authorized to sell the Club’s real properties. –
located at 817/823 Vine and 812/830 Lillian Way, Hollywood,
CA 90038.

2) Postpone the sale of the property located at 817/823
Vine and 812/830 Lillian Way, Hollywood, CA 90038 until
such time that the membership has been fully informed,
through a special edition of the Overture, of all financials
involved, including but notlimited to:
(For Local 47 and Club 47, whichever applies)
-2015 operational budget
-2016 comprehensive balanced operational budget
-Cash flow statements for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (estimate)
-Capital Expenditures for 2016 without moving
-Current balance sheet
-Capital Expenditures for 2016 for Burbank property
-Sales commission rate for sale of the building
-An explanation on how the sale of the building will increase
work for members
-A definition of “State of the Art”
-A business plan for the sale of the building.

3) Require Local 47/Club 47 (Whichever Applies) to
include membership comments and arguments (pro
and con) regarding the proposed sale and relocation
of the Local. Communications received by the Local
and/or Club 47 to be posted upon receipt to Local 47’s
website and reprinted in the next quarterly publication
of the Overture.

In consideration of the schedules of the executive board,
we call for this meeting to take place at 1pm, Tuesday,
November 24 in studio room 6, or the auditorium if available,
of Local 47.

In addition to the notice requirements set forth in Article
V, Section 4 of the Club 47 Bylaws, we also call for notice
to go out to all members with email, in a print mailing and
announced in the online and next print edition (January,
2016) of the Overture.

Below you will find at the least 10 signatures required to
formally make this request….

There were plenty of signatures to submit the request.

—-

THE RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD.

On about Thursday, November 13th, the board respond
to those who’d signed the petition to get the special meeting.

The letter is as follows:

At its November 10th meeting the board of directors of the
Musicians’ Club of Los Angeles discussed the petition to hold
a Special meeting of the Club. According to the California
Corporation Code, the meeting must be held on a date that
is at least 35 days but no more than 90 days form the date the
request for a meeting was received. The request was received
on November 3rd, so the meeting must be held between
December 8, 2015 and February 1, 2016.
Based on the officers schedules and the availability of the
auditorium, the Board decided on Monday January 4, 2016
at 7:30 PM in p.m. in the auditorium as the time and place the
meeting will take place.

The meeting is called to discuss the potential sale of the property
at 817 Vine Street and other topic may be introduced. Also,
please be advised that Motion #1 on the petition will be ruled
pit opt order and will not be considered at the meeting. If you
have any questions please call the Secretary/Treasurer’s office
at 323-993-3159.

Sincerely on behalf of the Local 47 Executive Board in their
capacity as Board of Directors of the Musicians’ club of Los Angeles.

——

Colleagues,

There was no such restriction of subject matter mentioned by the
parliamentarian when he explained that in the request for a special
meeting, only the subjects to be covered need to be listed in
detail and there needed to be at least 10 signatures attached.

So they’re saying they won’t talk about the ballots…. Why is that?
Is the fix in and they don’t want it blown?

The meeting time restriction mentioned in the Local’s letter is
from Section 601,(2)(c) of the Corporation Code. This takes us
less than a month from the ballot deadline.

If they’re able to get away with this, it works out very well for them.

Why?

They can continue to use the duplicitous ballots as they wish,
assigning no votes to yes votes, and if it works in their favor,
delay the sale, which will basically give them more time to
get the votes they need. They and the counsel thought this out
in great detail to thwart any attempt to slow down the sale or
hold anyone accountable for the underhanded way this process
has been handled.

There is at least one thing that, sadly, had been made clear.
Since the board voted to not allow the ballot to be considered,
it’s clear, at least to us, that the entirety of the board is complicit
in the misrepresentation of the ballots structure.

In fact, it couldn’t be more disingenuous a process.

In Member Fernandez’ reply to the board, (From the last edition of the
blog) he asked straight out, “Can voting no on the ballot be used as a
yes vote”.

He never received an answer, which means, unless they choose to
clarify it, we have our answer.

As members of this Local you should be disgusted and angry
at the conduct and deplorable treatment of the membership
by the representatives at the Local.

Please plan to be at this meeting, January 4th at the Local at
7:30 pm. Someone’s got some s’plaining to do.

THE COMMITTEE

==================================

II. MEMBER COMMENTS – SPACES

Drove by the proposed future [Potential] property tonight.
I counted (twice) the total parking places- I got 78 spots,
including handicapped and the spots in front of the
restaurant building.

Seems like John mentioned at least 150 at the last meeting.
I could not find a secondary lot- seems like a mystery-
when I counted spots at 47 a few years back, I got 112.

Also, my research shows the Burbank property was built in
1968. That makes the building, ironically, 47 years old.
So why do the the officers keep calling it a brand new building?
It’s been empty for seven years, on the market for two.

People have been asking me how to vote – I have been asking
them this question: do you trust the union (officers) with
10 or 11 million dollars of our money? So far the answer
has been- no…. 

Every time.

I should amend the question to: do you trust the union
with 24 million dollars of our money?
————————————–
I have been out to the “new” building twice. There are no 150
spaces, unless you count the parking that belongs to AAA or
the shopping center across the street.

—————————————

Dear COMMITTEE,

I went on Google earth, it looks like there is an additional
lot in the back accessible from an alley in the rear of the
property. Looks like 44 spaces. That would total 125.
About 13 spaces more than the current property.

Ironically, 44 spaces is the same size as the lot we sold
to Renmar Studios years ago at 802 and 806 Lillian Way
(I think those are the correct addresses). Okay, I hope
everyone is doing something more fascinating than
researching parking spots on this nice Sunday eve…..

=================================

III. COMMENTS

Remarkable issues here. I’m very satisfied to look
your post. Thanks a lot and I am having a look forward
to contact you.

——————————

RE:
Please tell us more about this RMA lawsuit.

[EC: We believe the person who wrote the comment is
referring to the lawsuits against the studios for
the benefit of the RMALA members still working.

It doesn’t change the fact that they are fighting to
the last drop of OUR Blood.

As we’ve said before, the Local is not getting to the crux
of the problem of our finances. We’ve lost over 80% of
our recording work because of the continued acquiescence
of our local and the AFM to the wishes of the RMA and the
willingness of a small handful of musicians in the RMA
to see everyone else suffer to protect their July checks.

How hard is it for them to understand that even if buyouts
started tomorrow it would have no effect on the work they’ve
already done!

Here’s what we need to do:
BUYOUT Trailer Contract.
BUYOUT Library Contract.
BUYOUT Sample Contract.
BUYOUT Video Game Contract.
BUYOUT Low Budget Film contract.

There are sessions in town everyday that are dark, A whole lot
of them. If they could be brought in under a buyout agreement
the dues they generate could do much to solving a problem
that is entirely solvable, and entirely created by a combination
of technology and the greed of a few, but that solution cannot
take place until those thwarting progress are out of the way.]

———————————————

I was just about to vote on the “should we sell the building referendum”
when I realized there was the possibility that two measures had been
combined into one.  In other words, you could vote “no” on the
initiative as phrased and it could possibly be construed that you
were voting for selling the building but at a price below 22 million.

In other words, you weren’t necessarily voting against the sale, you
just didn’t want a minimum. I’d prefer the ballot have two questions:
should we sell the building (yes or no) and if the majority vote of the
membership is to sell the building, shall the minimum bid be 22
million (yes or no).

Takes away the ambiguity and this is too vital an issue to have any
room for misinterpretation.

[EC: We couldn’t agree more, and is the crux of the problem we’ve
been talking about.]

———————————————-

Where do you go after getting a creative writing degree?

[EC: Depends on the section you’re referring to.
Over the last number of years we’ve had so many contributors
that the COMMITTEE has had to write very little. And when we
do the COMMITTEE moniker is included.]

——————-

how appropriate it is for the Local to use it’s resources to effect this
referendum and a YES vote. I wonder if the members realize how
much of their dues money is going to fund the campaign to convince
them to sell their property- and how our employees are working the
phones….

——————-

There is certainly a great deal to know about this subject.

I really like all the points you’ve made.

=================================
IV. “TIME IS NOW” COMMENT
My take on the “Time is NOW” campaign is that the 47 board
wants our MONEY. They have publicly stated that the Alameda
property may not be their final choice – after members termed
the Alameda building a “strip mall”. Now I hear they are looking
at North Hollywood.

The state of the art recording studio is probably a dream of the
past, after members asked: how much?. A new building committee
was named after members showed some lack of trust of the board
– club 47 or regular 47, depending on what hat they are wearing
at that particular meeting.

Historical fact- the 1950 building committee for our present building
had 43 members- that would be NOT ACCEPTABLE for the present
board. The entire plan to sell seems centered on “Let’s get the
18, no 22; wait 24 MILLION dollars and then we will rationalize
why the members need a new location.”

The entire affair is driven by 12 people, elected by fewer than
400 members on the last election. And since the board spent
over 700 grand more than they took in in the last 2 years, giving
them access to millions just feels CRAZY.

I think the Time Now is to really ask why they need so much money,
it’s not about a building.

[EC: Small point – But the next time one of the board members
says. “You elected us”, please remind them that most of them
ran unopposed.]

(more…)

I. MEMBER COMMENT
II. COVERUP? – MEMBER COMMENTARY
III. WHO FINDS THESE PEOPLE?… AND WHY….
IV. NASHVILLE VIDEO GAME RECORDING
V. LAS VEGAS LOCAL PLACED IN TRUSTEESHIP BY THE AFM (PRES GAMBLES AND LOSES)
VI. COMMENTS
VII. EVENTS

…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer
…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’
scoring musician
…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician
…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician

Name Withheld

===================================

I. MEMBER COMMENT

Hey Committee,

After speaking with an employee at the musicians union
local 47, I learn that John Acosta has asked this
employee to cold call their union member friends
in a phone tree manner. He told this person to chat
for a minute then urge them to vote “yes” on the
sale.

During business hours from the union by the way.
He is their boss telling them to do this.
Tough position to be in as an employee.
This all looks very unethical to me.

Name withheld

===================================

II. COVERUP? – MEMBER COMMENTARY

What is L47 covering up by not being transparent?

Is the Union a separate entity and members are not provided
with all the information on how unions function independently
to membership?

Once officials are elected does that change there status, still
working on behalf of the musicians except they are now
“THE UNION” working for the union first before the musicians?

Are we not being presented with the facts and are lead to
believe the union is something that is not?

Are we rallying around this entity expecting that are dues are
really representing us while the union independently does
what is wants provided counsel is part of the equation?

Would the  L47 president like to address this issue so the
remaining 7000 members know where we all stand?

All as union dues paying members have placed are profession
on the expectation of what we are being lead to believe that
the local may not represent what they have lead us to believe?

Come out of the shadows and set the membership straight
or maybe we should all think about the real value of L47?

We have been mislead for so many years only to be
confronted with this seemingly short notice that the
union building is doomed by the incapacity for the
board to do its job. They have no problem spending
money and receiving salaries in the past 20 years but
failed to maintain a cash flow to sustain the union.
They saw the work slow down. What did they do to
create new income in addition to work dues?

They have kept most of the 7000 in the Dark and
barely informed to offer suggestions to sustain the local.

The ones who were given the inside information had
planned almost 20 years ago to sell the union. This
event is no surprise. This have given them the impetus
to do so.

Special interests want their hands on the balance of
the money after the sale. Voting yes allows them to
access it. Then, just say BYE BYE folks!

Who are they kidding?

[EC: There has been much talk from members demanding
that the money from the sale, if it happens, will be
overseen and controlled, not allowing it to be squandered
or spirited away. With the scrutiny the Local is experiencing,
We’d be surprised if someone tried it.]

======================================

III. WHO FINDS THESE PEOPLE?… AND WHY….

FROM A MEMBER

The Local recently hired BRIDGESTREET INC., a consulting company in LA,
to help them with the campaign to sell the property. They paid $5,000
to the firm, owned by Martin Ludlow.

I am forwarding a bit of info about Ludlow in two emails that were sent
me. Bridgestreet Inc has a rather small footprint on the web, so I dug up
some stuff on Ludlow, a former city councilman.

Also a certain violinistperforming at the Greek with “The Symphony in the
Glen” told me the contractor announced that three 47 board members
were there and would stay till the break so they could speak about the
“Time is Now” campaign to members of the orch.

I guess Acosta is mobilizing the troops.

The hiring of Ludlow is pretty questionable once you read the
article below, especially the part where he throws the union
person under the bus to avoid jail time.

—–

THE ARTICLE APPEARS BELOW

Ex-Councilman Gets 5 Years’ Probation
June 06, 2006|Patrick McGreevy | Times Staff Writer

A federal judge sentenced former Los Angeles City Councilman
Martin Ludlow on Monday to five years’ probation and 2,000
hours of community service, and ordered him to return $36,400
diverted from a school employees union to his 2003 election campaign.

The sentence by U.S. District Judge Manuel Real followed Ludlow’s
recent guilty plea to a charge of conspiring to embezzle union funds.
In hopes of avoiding jail, Ludlow agreed to cooperate with authorities
in the federal prosecution of Janett Humphries, the former head of
Service Employees International Union Local 99, who is accused
of working with Ludlow to divert the funds.

The sentence also bars Ludlow from serving in a leadership position
with a union for 13 years.

Ludlow, who resigned from the council last summer to serve as executive
secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor,
has been cooperative in an ongoing investigation of union finances,
said Assistant U.S. Atty. Craig H. Missakian.

“I think it’s a fair sentence given the fact that Mr. Ludlow stepped
up early and did the right thing and took complete responsibility,”
Missakian said.

In addition to the federal sentence, Ludlow previously was fined
$105,000 by the Los Angeles Ethics Commission for violating city
campaign finance laws. He recently also was sentenced to three years’
probation and ordered to pay $45,000 in fines and penalties by a state
court for violating state laws in the scheme.

Outside the courthouse, the former councilman said he was putting
his life back on track.

“I’m looking very much forward to getting this behind me and my
family, and continuing to be a positive person in the community
and a contributing member of society,” Ludlow said.

[EC: This certainly won’t help to dissuade the suspicions many
members have of the whole “sell the building” deal and who stands
to profit.

If members of the board are going around to sell orchestras on the
sale, it’s more important than ever that members send the link
for the committee to every member they know. Please help spread
the word. The members need to know the Pros AND Cons.]

===================================

IV. NASHVILLE’S MUSIC ROW taps into the Force of video game scores

Oct 26, 2015, 2:41pm CDT
Eleanor Kennedy Staff Reporter Nashville Business Journal
Bizspace Spotlight
Sponsor Listing
Property Spotlight: Fifth Third Center
See All Bizspace Properties

You know what they say: There’s more to Nashville than just country.
That’s definitely true when it comes to the scores being recorded at
Ocean Way Nashville Recording Studios and other local spots,
providing the backing for EA Games’ titles like “Dragon Age:
Inquisition,” “Madden 16,” “FIFA 16” and more.

“I left Nashville very reluctantly in 2000 to move to Los Angeles,”
said Steve Schnur, president of music with EA Games and a proponent
of the move to Nashville game scoring. “I was the last guy who
needed any convincing about the musicianship” in Nashville.

In recent years, the video game industry has earned notice about
its high-quality visuals and narratives. But while industry leaders
were bragging about being “bigger than the film industry,”
Schnur said, games still sounded “like the toy industry.”

So EA started using live orchestras on many of its games and,
about two years ago, as other groups headed out of the country
for Eastern European musical ensembles, Schnur turned to Nashville.
“Everything that we have recorded with a live orchestra over the last
two years, with one exception … was recorded here,” Schnur said.

That one exception is a pretty big one: Music for the upcoming
“Star Wars Battlefront” game was recorded in London, in keeping
with the franchise’s storied musical history. But you can still hear
Nashville musicians on the trailer for the game, debuting in
November, Schnur said.

And it’s not just Schnur and EA making use of Nashville’s musician
base. Scores for “The Last Witch Hunter” (the new Vin Diesel movie
released this weekend) and “Call of Duty: Black Ops 3” (another
video game) and many more have been recorded along Nashville’s
famed Music Row. ( You can see more local credits here.)

Schnur, who has since returned to living in Nashville, said he sees
local scoring as a growing boon for Nashville’s economy, as it brings
a portion of the multi-billion dollar video game industry here.

Plus, he added, “I also believe that it’s going to put the musician
middle class back to work.”

===========================================

V. LAS VEGAS LOCAL PLACED IN TRUSTEESHIP BY THE AFM

SEPTEMBER 19 NOMINATIONS ARE NULL AND VOID
New NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICE ON NOVEMBER 7TH.

As of October 19, 2015, Local 369 has been placed under
temporary trusteeship by the International Executive Board
of the American Federation of Musicians (IEB). The primary
objective of the trusteeship is to correct the defective election
process currently underway in the Local.

During a trusteeship, the functions of all the Local’s elected
officers are terminated and pass to the Trustee. AFM
International President Raymond Hair has appointed AFM
Presidential Assistant Ken Shirk to serve as Trustee until new
elections are completed and the newly-elected officers are
sworn into office. The principal officers and executive board
members have been relieved of their posts.

The Trustee’s first official action entailed voiding the current
election process and calling for new nominations for officers
for the 2016-2017 term. This action was necessary to correct
a serious procedural error wherein the Local 369 Election
Committee improperly certified former President Frank Leone’s
eligibility as a candidate for re-election as Local 369 President.

In accordance with Local 369’s bylaws, specifically Article IV.
Sections B and C, and Article VII, Section G, Leone was not
eligible to be a candidate for office for the coming term as a
result of having been found guilty by the AFM International
Executive Board in July, 2015 of violating four AFM and Local
369 bylaws by failing to obtain member ratification of the
current Circus Circus contract prior to signing it.

Under Local 369 Bylaws, a member found guilty of violating Local
or AFM bylaws is not eligible to run for or hold office for two years.
Knowing in advance that the election was defective and subject to
a challenge with a rerun election as the certain remedy, the IEB
determined that a trusteeship with an immediate reboot of the
election process was in the best interests and welfare of the
membership, rather than subjecting it to an entire rerun election
process after the fact.

Trustee Shirk has appointed Keith Nelson to serve as Assistant
Trustee to handle the day to day administrative affairs of Local 369.

Diane Ecker remains as Administrative Assistant and Dawn McCoy
remains as Accountant.

=================================

VI. COMMENTS

Comment sent to the board of Local 47:

Attention Executive Board(s) of The Musicians Club of Los
Angeles and Local 47 AFM,

At the October 5th meeting the membership was informed
by an Election Board member about the ballot process. After
the meeting several members engaged Election Board member
Stephen Green in a conversation regarding the issue of the sale
of the building. His advice was verbatim, “If your not for the
sale of the building, don’t send your ballot back.”  This stunned
those present because in the meeting, the Election Board r
epresentative from the podium announced that a phone tree
would be established to “gently” urge members to return their
ballots.

This highlights the suspicion that whether you vote yes or no,
it still authorizes the Musician’s Club officers to sell the building.
The ballots will not even need to be opened. This troubling
matter needs to be clarified by the Local. Are we being intentionally
mislead?

As the current wording stands, the ballot language could be
interpreted to only be authorizing the THRESHOLD AMOUNTS for
the sale and not the actual permission to sell.

Please reply and clarify the issue. Please print it in the Overture as well.

Member Local 47/Club 47

Cc. To all eligible voters. Overture.

—————————————-

I got a call from someone at the local, not only reminding me
to vote but telling me to vote yes. Reminding us to vote is fine,
but if the opposition is not allowed to make the same calls,
they should not be telling you how to vote.

——————————-

Dear Committee:

I suggest that a motion be made by the membership
where as all elected officials (The Executive Board and
the Titled Officers) have their pay cut by 50% if the
sale of this building goes through. Ah heck, even if
it doesn’t. If we need money, they need to take the
cut before we take the real estate cut through
Club 47.

——————————-

Among Other Issues, It Is An Incomplete Ballot:

Club 47 doesn’t even have all the union address’s listed
on this ballot to begin with. If they follow through with
their clear verbal intent sell the other parcels in
addition to this one, they do not have anyone’s vote
on that.

In the absence of our vote on any remaining parcels
beyond the only mentioned one on the ballot, Club
47 does not have the memberships consent. It will
be contested should they sell other lots not
mentioned on the ballot. Club 47 has sold off parcels
in the past. Club 47 is not allowed to sell parcels
we have not even voted on. There is only one parcel
mentioned on this ballot.

“Implied or verbal” is not written language.
Unwritten language certainly is not able to
be voted on by the membership.

******************************************

HAS THIS BALLOT ON THE SALE OF THE BUILDING
GOT ANYONE THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT ELECTION?

It has me thinking! It is time to have members form a
slate and, as an entire slate (including titled officer
replacements) run against this current administration.

After the show we have seen to date, a new administration
should not be difficult to achieve at the next election.

There will be a hell of a clean-up from a different and
new administration taking over this one, a clean up
which I would wish on absolutely no one.

But this administration brought us here. They have
brought us here through ignoring us every time
they get the chance. They seem willing to take us
down even further. This observation is based on how
many times they just turn on members, force or
manipulate members hands to their own will, or
give them a patronizing ear to make the FEEL heard 
– but just roll their eyes behind our backs.

Actions speak louder than words.

I would not wish the Local 47 clean-up on anyone new
coming in as a new elected official. Three-year-olds
usually don’t clean up their own messes. The adults
usually have to go in and do that for them. When one
or two people run at an election, they can’t make a difference.
They get sucked into the vortex and never come out the
same. There must be a cool-aid they drink that causes
them to hear rhetoric of standing by the administration
instead of standing by their fellow musicians.

It will take an entire slate running as a team against this
administration at the next election. Adults need to come
in there and start cleaning house. Hasn’t this monkey
business gone on long enough?

Their dark hour of how low they have shown they
will stoop is now.

Never forget this ballot. It sums it up, everything
you have felt over the past months.

——————————-

Dear Committee,
Please tell us more about this RMA lawsuit. Did I miss something?

This inference sounded important because it suddenly sounded
as if there is a bigger picture to this story and another
unspoken possibility why the building needs so urgently
to be sold.

If there is even a hint of this possibility that a lawsuit is part
of the reasoning, then that could mean that the Executive
Board is using their “dual hats” of Club 47 to get by with
something they never could otherwise in order to take care
of Executive Board business.

Something seems wrong with that picture. I can’t quite put
my finger on it. Is that legal for an executive board to say,
“We need more money. Lets put on our Club 47 hats, and
use union time and funds to get money from a sale of the
building. When we have the money, we go back to being
the Executive Board and spend the money as we wish,
because that is our job.”

What is wrong with that picture that popped into my
brain when I read that RMA lawsuit inference??

Please, if someone can, kindly recap for me what I
may have missed on a RMA lawsuit implied in your
most recent blog.

———————————————-

Observation
As I recall BYLAWS are limited to the bylaws on the books when it
comes to L47 union matters.

Anything that falls outside the bylaws the local attorney, at his
legal supervision and assisting the board in those matters, can
change and approve

Just about anything that isn’t contained in the bylaws as long
as he has the legal capacity for them to change or add anything
that does not directly affect the standing bylaws.

The language to this vote on the sale may have very well been
intentional as long as the counsel is tied to this you can expect
anything.

This would be to his favor anyway.

Something else to consider could there be a conflict of interest
between the counsel approving language or for that matter
anything to do with the sale because he is representing the AFM
(RMALA) in a legal case and what he receives in addition to the
legal firm in Washington DC is money due him whether or not
they win  he still gets paid.

Where is that money coming from??? And how long will that
case last and who will spring for those dollars.

=================================

VII. EVENTS

DEAN AND RICHARD

DEAN AND RICHARD are now playing every third Friday
at Culver City Elks 7:30pm-10;30pm,
11160 Washington Pl.
Culver City, 90232
310-839-8891

————————————-

LA WINDS JAZZ KATS 584

NO COVER, NO MINIMUM.
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Viva Cantina
7:30-10:00.
900 Riverside Drive, Burbank.

Free parking across the street at Pickwick Bowl.
Come hear your favorite charts played the way they
should be.

We are in the back room called the Trailside Room.

Come on down. Guaranteed to swing.

———————————————–

11/18/15

ASMAC Luncheon with Roger Kellaway
@ Catalina’s Jazz Club
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 @ 11:30am
RSVP Now !!!

Roger Kellaway’s discography runs to more than two hundred and fifty albums. He’s worked with everyone from Elvis to Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie to Yo-Yo Ma, Joni Mitchell to Mancini and Quincy Jones to Michael Tilson Thomas.
Kellaway is not only a major pianist, he is a composer of protean ability, writing in the music fields of jazz, classical and “pop”, also scoring for films and television. His acclaimed “Cello Quartet”albums are described by some as “crossover”, “chamber jazz” and by others as the beginning of “New Age” music. They were the first in an eclectic array of projects beginning in the 1960’s. Roger’s commissions include a ballet for George Balanchine and the New York City Ballet, orchestral pieces for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the National Symphony, the New American Orchestra and a concerto, “Songs of Ascent,” commissioned by the New York Philharmonic, Zubin Mehta, conductor. He wrote a variety of chamber works for Carnegie Hall performances and served as musical director for Stephane Grappelli’s 80th Birthday Tribute, which included Yo-Yo Ma’s first entry into Jazz. Later, Stephane, Yo-Yo and Roger traveled to Paris together. Kellaway played on and wrote all the arrangements for their album, “Anything Goes”.

He became musical director for Bobby Darin and in 1968 arranged (and conducted) Darin’s album of songs from the film “Dr. Doolittle”. Writing songs and arrangements is a passion that sometimes expands into producing, as was the case for the Carmen McRae album, “I Am Music”. The relationship had started with Roger’s song “I Have The Feeling I’ve Been Here Before”, written especially for her, with a lyric by the legendary team Alan & Marilyn Bergman. Kellaway’s most prized television credit is, “Remembering You”, the closing theme for the ground-breaking, “All in the Family”. Composed in 1970, it is still being heard on TV around the world. In 1988, Kellaway was honored with a Grammy Award for his music on the album “Memos From Paradise” for Eddie Daniels. He has written (and conducted) twenty-nine film scores including Barbara Streisand’s “A Star is Born”, for which he received an Academy Award nomination.

The “Eclectic Maestro” continues recording and performing concerts across the U.S. and Europe, also writing for film, theatrical productions and commissioned works. He resides in Ojai, California with his wife (of 49 years) Jorjana.
Join us on November 18th…. and bring your questions!
Catalina’s Jazz Club
6725 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Wed, Nov. 18th – 11:30am – 2:00pm
Members/Students – $30.00
Non-Member/Guests – $40.00

Program Only
(Check-In at 12:30) – $10.00
Valet Parking: $4.00  
Enter on McCadden behind Catalina’s

SAVE THE DATE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6TH – ASMAC/LAJS HOLIDAY BRUNCH @ CATALINA’S JAZZ CLUB

——————————————–

11/18/15

GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS

On Wednesday, NOVEMBER 18, 2015 at 12:10-12:40 pm

the Free Admission Glendale Noon Concerts
will feature Glendale pianist Harout Senekeremian
performing an all-Scriabin program
at the Sanctuary of

Glendale City Church,
610 E. California Ave. (at Isabel), Glendale, CA 91206.

For more information, email [email protected]
or call (818) 244-7241.

http://www.haroutsenekeremian.com

================================

You can read all previous offerings at:http://www.responsible47.com
UNTIL NEXT TIME,
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47