I. FACING THE MUSIC
\nII.THE OPPOSED SPEAK OUT – 10 MILLION FOR A STRIP MALL?
\nIII. THE POTENTIAL NEW BUILDING COMMENTS
\nIV. RECAP: A LITTLE CLUB 47 HISTORY
\nV. EVENTS<\/p>\n
…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer
\n…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’
\nscoring musician
\n…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician
\n…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician<\/p>\n
Name Withheld<\/p>\n
===================================<\/p>\n
I. FACING THE MUSIC
\n\u00a0
\nA few quick facts.
\n\u00a0
\n-The local has less than a million dollars left in the bank.
\n-They could have gotten the membership on their side with the sale
\nif they\u2019d not chosen to be secretive and underhanded.<\/p>\n
For example:
\nThe membership should have been told IN JULY that the building was
\ngoing to be listed to get a sense of it\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n
-The board created suspicion by taking down the main listing a couple
\nof days after a member asked about why it was there.<\/p>\n
-The board created major distrust by purposefully pulling a bait and
\nswitch of the meeting on October 5th, taking what was definitely billed as
\na Local 47 meeting and changing it to a \u201cclub 47 meeting\u201d, restricting the
\nmember input. The only evidence was the inside cover of the overture
\nwhich was conveniently sent out one day before the 5th. A really
\nunderhanded, calculated and conniving move.<\/p>\n
-Misdirection again and again and frankly, abhorrent conduct on the part
\nof the board and their mistreatment of the rights of the members to
\nknow what is being done in their name.<\/p>\n
NO CUT-OFF DATE
\n\u00a0
\nAdditionally, they conveniently leave off any sort of cut-off date to
\nthe balloting to sell the building, another ethically questionable
\nmove further alienating the membership.
\n\u00a0
\nOnly the board is responsible for the distain in which they are currently
\nheld by a majority of the membership because of their underhanded
\ntactics. Their conduct will lead many to say, “If it\u2019s what they want I\u2019m
\nagainst it even if it IS good, because they cannot be trusted”.<\/p>\n
And we frankly can’t blame them for feeling that way.<\/p>\n
THE ROOT
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0But what got us in this situation? The 80-85% loss of work? The
\nshambles of our relations with Video Game and other producers?
\nThe tanking of work dues? The loss of work to every corner of
\nthe world?<\/p>\n
Technology has played a role to be sure, but the major reason we all
\nknow. If you don’t know by now, you simply have not been paying
\nattention.<\/p>\n
PAY ATTENTION!<\/p>\n
Selling the building and buying another one without wholesale
\nchanges to the contracts, power structure and personnel will simply
\ndelay the inevitable collapse of the viability of Local 47.<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE<\/p>\n
=================================<\/p>\n
II. THE OPPOSED SPEAK OUT – 10 MILLION FOR A STRIP MALL?<\/p>\n
Well, the membership attending the ‘informational meeting’ of October 5,
\nwas overwhelmingly opposed to a ballot being sent in four days from the
\nmeeting…because too many members expressed there was little in-depth
\ninformation on which to base a vote. The president’s presentation didn’t
\nhelp.<\/p>\n
The Board says there is an offer for 24 Million. The Local 47\/Club 47 has
\nlocated a new location in Burbank for 10 Million. The main property has
\nbeen vacant for years and we will have restaurants for tenants. REALLY!?
\nAlso, they informed us of arrangements for some free rent and lease-back
\nafter the sale.<\/p>\n
The proposed new location is a strip-mall. Even if properly renovated,
\nit cannot compare with what we have. Why would a union of professional
\nmusicians choose to become less visible and lose their historically
\nsignificant home on Vine Street in the heart of Hollywood?<\/p>\n
We were told, after expenses of the sale, purchase, and renovations,
\nClub 47 can give 11 Million to Local 47 to avoid Capital Gains Taxes.
\nThis is just a bandaid on a systemic problem.<\/p>\n
Our property taxes will reflect an increase based on the purchase price.
\nDo the math…we now pay less than $44,000. per year for our Vine Street
\nhome. Under Prop. 13, what is that 1% \u00a0even without added tax levies
\n(schools, yada, yada) on 10 Million? Why would we guarantee an increase
\nin our overhead without a clear plan to increase our income?!<\/p>\n
The presentation was about “Securing Our Future.” Without embracing
\nchange in the global business model, the only future we will be securing
\nis the salaries of our elected officers. We have had to adjust our lives to
\nthe new reality of professional music. We have had to learn to live within
\nour means. The membership has the power to see to it our union does
\nthe same.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the best observation of the evening was… “OMG you have got
\nto stop the sale of the building…in 10 years there will be no music
\nbusiness, but the property will be worth 50 Million!”<\/p>\n
The voting process was also an issue. We were told members will have
\na barcode attached. If a member has not returned their ballot, the
\nUnion will (by phone tree) urge you to vote. No cut off date was
\ndetermined. However, the spokesperson for the Election Board
\nsaid, that when 50% +1 was \u00a0achieved…the vote would close.<\/p>\n
Does this seem right? What if the majority of the membership say
\nno, but are not the first 50% +1 to return their ballots?<\/p>\n
Frankly there was a significant number that
\n1) Did not know they were members of the Musician’s Club or
\n2) Did not know that the Local 47 Board of Directors are the same
\nas the Board of Directors of the Club 47.<\/p>\n
Kudos to Greg Huckins….the meeting of October 5 was not clearly
\nidentified as a Club 47 meeting. The membership expecting to participate
\nas members of Local 47 (under the Local 47 by-laws) were disenfranchised
\nin violation of the Union Member Bill of Rights under Title 1 of the LMRDA. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Enjoy your lunch.\u00a0
\nSent from my iPad<\/p>\n
=====================================<\/p>\n
III. THE POTENTIAL NEW BUILDING<\/p>\n
Not sure if you are aware but the sale of 47 realtor is not just Hilton & Hyland
\nbut Darius Campo of Rhodes Realty (apparently is a team of 3 realtors) who
\nis a Violinist at Local 47 and RMA member.<\/p>\n
This I have confirmed from multiple colleagues that he has told and seems
\nlike he stands to make a 6 figure commission from the sale. Seems a little
\nbit of a conflict of interest, but perhaps they have been transparent about it,
\nI am not completely up to date.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I am a recently retired member, don’t have a horse in the race, but would
\nnonetheless like to be kept anonymous.<\/p>\n
——————————<\/p>\n
I was distressed but not surprised to see that the new “building”
\nis nothing but a tacky strip mall! A building made to house five or
\nsix businesses. As ugly and characterless as any mini-mall I’ve
\never seen.<\/p>\n
The AAA building next door had a full parking lot when I went by
\non Friday and the overflow obviously went to “our” proposed lot.<\/p>\n
With “our” building empty and three eating places: Subway,
\nJapanese food and Little Caesar’s, the parking lot was 3\/4’s
\nfull, so where’s all this parking they’re talking about?<\/p>\n
This building is a joke and I cannot help but wonder who stands
\nto profit from this deal. It certainly isn’t the membership.<\/p>\n
Drive by and take a look for yourself:
\n1011 Alameda in Burbank.<\/p>\n
————————————<\/p>\n
If you go to colliers.com\/p-usa100948 you will see a good pic of the building
\nthey propose to buy, and stats.\u00a0 Needless to say, we didn’t think the building
\nlooked that good. It states 125 parking spaces (which need to be shared with
\nthe three restaurants). If the building is upgraded in the front fa\u00e7ade then the
\nrestaurants will also need to be upgraded. NOTE THE PRICE $9,985,500 –
\ncouldn’t this have been bargained down instead of up?<\/p>\n
The following is the letter:<\/p>\n
We drove past 1011 W Alameda following the meeting this evening. We were
\nsurprised to say the least. This building is not suited to be presented as an
\nAFM Local 47 building. It does not meet the criteria and class for such a
\nbuilding representing the musicians of Los Angeles. I could see the likes of\u00a0
\nall the past famous musicians, singers, composers and arrangers rolling
\nin their graves. This building has no character and even if character were
\nadded to the fa\u00e7ade I doubt if a few feet away, sharing the 125 parking
\nspaces in front, Little Ceasars Pizza, a Japanese restaurant and a Subway
\nadd any decorum.<\/p>\n
The building is listed at $9,985,500.00. Couldn’t our union have bargained?
\nEven if could obtained it for less monies, it would still be a shame to call this
\nour union. What is the board thinking of? What is in it for them that they
\nwould stoop so\u00a0low. This is an embarrassment to all union members.<\/p>\n
—————————–<\/p>\n
The quote of $130 sq ft to renovate this former CVS pharmacy strip
\nmall is laughable. We need to see that broken down and in writing
\nbefore moving an inch forward on this.<\/p>\n
My sense is that the board is looking at this unrealistically, with
\nover expectations on the sale price, under expectations on the purchase
\nprice (that building is listed at $10m, not “5-8million”) and grossly
\nunderestimated refurbishment costs.<\/p>\n
—————————–
\n“You must stop this sale.\u00a0\u00a0In 10 years there won’t be any more
\nbusiness but the building will be worth 50 million!”<\/p>\n
——————————<\/p>\n
The sale of the building, given the disastrously-run state of our
\nunion, makes sense to me. What DOESN’T make sense to me is
\nthe way they’ve gone about it. All done in secret, not allowing
\ncomments, and not giving information other than a sales and
\nmarketing pitch.<\/p>\n
They just aren’t trustworthy.<\/p>\n
Are they also running their own secret email server in the
\nbasement?<\/p>\n
—————————————–<\/p>\n
Makes no sense at all.
\nwe can only hope things get better. . .<\/p>\n
======================================<\/p>\n
IV. RECAP: A LITTLE CLUB 47 HISTORY<\/p>\n
It was always a rumor we heard since moving here that if the building were sold the
\nmonies were supposed to be divided up between all the members of club 47, i.e.
\nmembers of Local 47.<\/p>\n
In truth, according to our sources at the local, that is only true if the Local itself
\nis dissolved, not if the building is sold.<\/p>\n
1972 CLUB 47 BYLAWS<\/p>\n
Here is everything that is mentioned in the 1972 bylaws of Club 47 concerning
\nliquidation of Club Property:<\/p>\n
—–<\/p>\n
ARTICLE XI – DISSOLUTION<\/p>\n
Section 1
\n\tThis corporation cannot be dissolved as long as it has sixteen (16) members
\nor more, and then only by a three-fourths (3\/4) vote of existing members.<\/p>\n
Section 2
\n\tIn case of Dissolution, any property or funds of this corporation (Club 47)
\nshall be given unconditionally to the Musicians’ Union, Local 47, American Federation
\nof Musicians, of Los Angeles, California.<\/p>\n
—–<\/p>\n
We do not know if the bylaws were adjusted between 1972 and 1992, but there are many
\nmore details in the Bylaws amended in 1992.<\/p>\n
According to our sources, the bylaws were amended in 1992 because of a conflict
\nbetween the bylaws and Franchise Tax Board rules.<\/p>\n
—–<\/p>\n
1992 CLUB 47 BYLAWS<\/p>\n
ARTICLE IV<\/p>\n
SECTION 2: Subject to Section 1, of Article IV, above, only the membership of this
\ncorporation (Club 47) shall have the authority to authorize or approve the sale,
\ntransfer or hypothecation of that real property, located at 817 North Vine St.,
\nHollywood, California (Hereinafter “the property”), to which the Musician’s Club
\ncurrently holds title. Such authorization shall be obtained or granted only through
\na mail referendum vote in which all members in good standing of the corporation
\nshall be entitled to vote.<\/p>\n
Provided, however, that any such referendum to authorize the sale, transfer or
\nhypothecation of the property shall only be effective and binding upon the Corporation
\nshould (1) 50% + 1 of the members on good standing of this corporation vote and (2)
\nof those 50% + 1 voting, a majority thereof vote in favor of approving, authorizing
\nor affirming any such proposed sale, transfer or hypothecation of the real property.<\/p>\n
Provided, further, that only the Board of Directors of the Corporation, upon a duly
\nadopted resolution, may call for any such referendum through which the members
\nof this Corporation will be requested to approve and\/or authorize the sale, transfer
\nor hypothecation o the real property.<\/p>\n
Provided, further that notwithstanding Article XIV, Section 1, this Article IV, Section 2,
\nmay only be amended if (1) 50% + 1 of the members in this Corporation cast a ballot
\non the question of amending this Article IV, Section 2, and ; (2) of those 50% + 1
\nmembers who cast a ballot, a majority thereof vote to amend this Article IV, Section 2.<\/p>\n
—–<\/p>\n
That is the sum and total of the verbiage concerning the sale of the property in
\nthe Club 47 bylaws, amended in 1992.<\/p>\n
—–<\/p>\n
Whatever comment you send to us, please make sure you send it to the Overture as
\nwell, and specifically demand it’s printing in the next edition.<\/p>\n
We deserve a much more far reaching and balanced discussion before our building goes
\nup for sale.<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE<\/p>\n
=========================================<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
V. EVENTS<\/p>\n
DEAN AND RICHARD<\/p>\n
DEAN AND RICHARD are now playing every third Friday
\nat Culver City Elks 7:30pm-10;30pm,
\n11160 Washington Pl.
\nCulver City, 90232
\n310-839-8891<\/p>\n
————————————-<\/p>\n
LA WINDS JAZZ KATS 584<\/p>\n
NO COVER, NO MINIMUM.
\nEvery 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Viva Cantina
\n7:30-10:00.
\n900 Riverside Drive, Burbank.<\/p>\n
Free parking across the street at Pickwick Bowl.
\nCome hear your favorite charts played the way they
\nshould be. <\/p>\n
We are in the back room called the Trailside Room. <\/p>\n
Come on down. Guaranteed to swing.<\/p>\n
================================<\/p>\n
You can read all previous offerings at:http:\/\/www.responsible47.com
\nUNTIL NEXT TIME,
\nTHE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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