WE’RE BACK! SPECIAL COMMENT – share with all members
I. WHAT’S THE DEAL – BUILDING ALREADY LISTED!
II. MORE MEMBER COMMENTARIES – BUILDING SALE
III. LETTER SENT FROM THE FMA
IV. RECAP: A LITTLE CLUB 47 HISTORY
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 COMMENT FROM THE COMMITTEE:
It seems the COMMITTEE haters have been working overtime, A few someones’
didn’t seem to want negative comments about the possible sale of the Local
47 building to get out to the membership. In the past 3 weeks there
has been a flurry of complaints trying to get the COMMITTEE site shut down, and
for a short while they succeeded, which is why the mailing is late. Mailings will return
in the next couple of days.
These recent actions, unfortunately make us even more suspicious of the building
sale attempt. Why does the Local, or someone at the Local, seem to want to
keep any negative comments from the membership? Who stands to make the
windfall here?
For those who don’t want to find out what the membership really thinks or wants
to stay ignorant of what’s going on, there’s a remove button on every mailing we
send. Please use it if that is the case, but don’t stay on the list then send complaints
trying to get it shut down and keep information from the membership. That is
simply pathetic and as intellectually dishonest as it gets.
Please be there for the meeting on October 5th. Make sure the Local hears your voice.
===================================
I. WHAT’S THE DEAL?
Some days after it came to light that members knew of the listing, the main listing
of the Local 47 building being for sale was removed from the web, but a smaller
version of the listing is still available.
Also, note that it was listed in July! How could they do that without permission
from the membership?
Rather presumptuous.
Page 1: The date Listed is 07/07/15. The address is 823 Vine Street. Photo
of the building. Price upon request.
Page 2: APN Numbers
823 Vine 5533-030-026
817 Vine 5533030-022
830 Lillian Way 5533-030-007
812 Lillian Way 5533-030-010
Find the listing here (as of Sunday night, October 4th at 10:12 PM):
http://hyland301.rssing.com/chan-50425563/all_p1.html
————————————–
II. MORE BUILDING SALE COMMENTS
The Committee’s take on the proposed building sale I find to be
spot on. One should be dubious of any idea that has no specifics
and no research. My recommendation is to follow the money.
That will tell you the real reason for selling the property.
————————————–
Whitewash
Our union administration is putting the hard sell on getting rid of
our home for many years.
I’m not buying it.
Is the union administration really giving a fair hearing to the pluses
and minuses of this money grab ?
It’s all “our future” … in a trailer park.
What happened to the idea of putting up a parking structure and
renting it to the nearby studios that so want that space for parking.
Once we lose this centrally located area in the heart of Hollywood
it’s gone for good.
Burbank is just not centrally located.
Because of their antagonistic attitude towards our employers,
composers and agents, the work dues have dried up to the point
where they need to buy themselves a few more years for their
failed tactics. What happens after that ? What can we sell next ?
Several meetings ago our current rehearsal rooms were described
as state-of-the-art.
I suppose if you like rehearsing in a non-sound proofed trailer park
that might seem the case. Go take a look for yourself. Is that what
we have to look forward to while a few pocket the monies in this
transaction.
Our union leaders need to take a hard look at why we’re in this
situation and correct it and not buy us out of the situation that
they’ve gotten them into.
Transparency is not exactly our union’s strong suit.
This sale is going to fill the pockets of a few people, by the way
who is the realtor that’s handling this deal and are they handling
both the sale and the buying of the other property ?
Who gets the contract to bring in the portable house trailers
and smear some stucco on them so it appears like we have a building.
Don’t let the current administration continue it’s RMA led money
loosing policies by buying them a few more years and selling our
history in the process.
Will the rank-and-file have to pay for a room (trailer) for the RMA,
a group that does not represent the majority of us.
Sorry, I’m just not buying it.
You can see all comments on this post here:
WE’RE BACK! / THE DEAL / BUILDING / CLUB 47 / ANALYSIS / COMMENTS / EVENTS
[EC: JUST FYI, The Local is not in debt, They reportedly have
about $900,000 in the bank at this time.
Also, the 18 Million Dollar appraisal was gotten in 2008,
7 years ago, so it’s probably far more now.]
————————————————
I have heard that legally the members of Local 47 do not own the building
in Hollywood, so who does? And back when it was purchased, did members
funds pay for it? Does anyone know who is listed as owner on the title deed
to the Local 47 building? If we don’t collectively own it, why are we voting to
determine whether it should be sold or not if we don’t legally have the
power to decide that?
[EC: These are all excellent questions for Monday night.
From what we know, the building is owned by Club 47, of which we are all
members. The club was created, for among other reasons, to keep the AFM
from taking the building should they want to take over the Local. We sense
an RMA role in that.
We too want to know who’s name is on the title.]
==========================================
III. LETTER SENT TO FMA MEMBERS
Dear Local #47 Members and FMA:
Subject: You decide: WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PROFIT FROM THE SALE
OF OUR LOCAL #47 BUILDING?!
Please read!! Be informed!!
As you most likely know, our Officers are holding a “Special Meeting”
to discuss:
“Selling our Local #47 property,” on this coming
Monday, Oct 5, 2015
6:30PM
Local #47 Auditorium
We are calling on ALL LOCAL #47 MEMBERS TO PLEASE ATTEND,
and BRING WITH YOU THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:
1) Your signed Local #47 Membership application, no matter how old it is!!
Please look back thru your files and dig it out
2) Your accompanying signed Membership in “The Musicians Club,”
Which you also signed the “day of joining” Local #47.
Why:
-The “Musicians Club” was a legal instrument created in 1972, To prevent
the AFM Federation office from taking over our Local #47 offices.
Details:
This was during a turbulent time. Sadly, our then-sitting #47 President
was accused of illegally skimming monies from the Health & Welfare
fund for other uses. (a Federal offense.).
-“Certain Local #47 members” ascertained that the AFM could have
legally taken ownership of our Local #47 building.
-To prevent this, the “Musicians Club” was created.
THE MUSICIANS CLUB:
-Each “Musicians Club” member is also a Member of Local #47
-Each “Musicians Club” member is a “Co-Owner” of the property.
-Now, 40 years later, this “Musicians Club” legal document has
“Serious legal repercussions”
-regarding JOINT OWNERSHIP IN THE PROFITS FROM SALE OF OUR BUILDING!
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
-The original intent of the “Musicians Club” was to prevent the AFM
from taking over our building.
-However, in 1992, some of those same “Certain Local #47 members”
began to plan to sell the building.
-They realized that each “Member in good standing” of Local #47 stood
to share EQUALLY the profits.
-These “Certain members” arbitrarily CHANGED THE TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP
in the “Musicians Club.”
-Legally, each Member in good standing is a Co-owner of the property.
Legally, according to Real Estate Law, whenever terms of ownership are
changed, those desiring to make that change MUST NOTIFY ALL CO-
OWNERS in writing, and –
1) Be able to prove notification to all Co-owners, (usually by signed
CERTIFIED LETTER;)
2) Be able to prove that all Co-owners were given an opportunity to
vote as to how ownership was to be changed.
3) Provide the results IN WRITING of the change.
However, in the case of the Local #47 building:
1) The only “Notice” given to the Co-owners was a 1992 document,
AFTER THE FACT, stating the “arbitrary changes,” and sent by regular
US Mail.
2) THIS WAS ILLEGAL UNDER REAL ESTATE LAW!
3) Fellow members, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR BUILDING REAL ESTATE.
Please do the following:
1) If at all possible, come early to this meeting,
2. Hopefully armed with your “Musicians Club” document!
3. If you are a licensed Real Estate Attorney, please come
prepared to speak during Member comments:
-State the law as applying to this circumstance!
-Be aware that “Certain members” will attempt to prevent
any comment, “end discussion,” and “jump to a vote!”
Announcements are innocently stating that discussion will include:
-Selling our building
-“Reinvesting” some of the sale monies in a new building, and using
the balance for “Providing for future expenses”
While this is a worthy discussion,
-We must insist on FULL DISCLOSURE of our legal options under Real
Estate Law!
-Not simply allow the “Certain members” to dictate the outcome.
Please be there!
Please speak up!
Regards,
Lisa Haley
President,
Freelance Musicians Assn
[EC: A couple of small points:
1) We have been told repeatedly that
there will be NO VOTES taken at the meeting.
2) Unless they’ve pulled a fast one (or a curve), ALL
members in good standing, outside of inactive life
members and suspended members, are eligible
to vote in the referendum.]
======================================
IV. RECAP: A LITTLE CLUB 47 HISTORY
It was always a rumor we heard since moving here that if the building were sold the
monies were supposed to be divided up between all the members of club 47, i.e.
members of Local 47.
In truth, according to our sources at the local, that is only true if the Local itself
is dissolved, not if the building is sold.
1972 CLUB 47 BYLAWS
Here is everything that is mentioned in the 1972 bylaws of Club 47 concerning
liquidation of Club Property:
—–
ARTICLE XI – DISSOLUTION
Section 1
This corporation cannot be dissolved as long as it has sixteen (16) members
or more, and then only by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of existing members.
Section 2
In case of Dissolution, any property or funds of this corporation (Club 47)
shall be given unconditionally to the Musicians’ Union, Local 47, American Federation
of Musicians, of Los Angeles, California.
—–
We do not know if the bylaws were adjusted between 1972 and 1992, but there are many
more details in the Bylaws amended in 1992.
According to our sources, the bylaws were amended in 1992 because of a conflict
between the bylaws and Franchise Tax Board rules.
—–
1992 CLUB 47 BYLAWS
ARTICLE IV
SECTION 2: Subject to Section 1, of Article IV, above, only the membership of this
corporation (Club 47) shall have the authority to authorize or approve the sale,
transfer or hypothecation of that real property, located at 817 North Vine St.,
Hollywood, California (Hereinafter “the property”), to which the Musician’s Club
currently holds title. Such authorization shall be obtained or granted only through
a mail referendum vote in which all members in good standing of the corporation
shall be entitled to vote.
Provided, however, that any such referendum to authorize the sale, transfer or
hypothecation of the property shall only be effective and binding upon the Corporation
should (1) 50% + 1 of the members on good standing of this corporation vote and (2)
of those 50% + 1 voting, a majority thereof vote in favor of approving, authorizing
or affirming any such proposed sale, transfer or hypothecation of the real property.
Provided, further, that only the Board of Directors of the Corporation, upon a duly
adopted resolution, may call for any such referendum through which the members
of this Corporation will be requested to approve and/or authorize the sale, transfer
or hypothecation o the real property.
Provided, further that notwithstanding Article XIV, Section 1, this Article IV, Section 2,
may only be amended if (1) 50% + 1 of the members in this Corporation cast a ballot
on the question of amending this Article IV, Section 2, and ; (2) of those 50% + 1
members who cast a ballot, a majority thereof vote to amend this Article IV, Section 2.
—–
That is the sum and total of the verbiage concerning the sale of the property in
the Club 47 bylaws, amended in 1992.
—–
We want to know more.
1) Who is the realtor for the Local?
2) Are they affiliated with the Local in any way shape or form? (They shouldn’t be.)
If the building sells for 18 million the realtor stands to make between 2% and 2.5% of the
sales price ($320,000 to 410,000 dollars) or even more if the percent has to be split
between two realtors.
3) Shouldn’t an independent arbiter tally the membership votes on this matter?
4) What specifically will the general membership get out of the sale?… and the huge profit
to be enjoyed by the local? (Free rehearsal rooms?; Free dues for members for some length
of time?)
What questions do you have? Are you pro or con.
Whatever comment you send to us, please make sure you send it to the Overture as
well, and specifically demand it’s printing in the next edition.
We deserve a much more far reaching and balanced discussion before our building goes
up for sale.
The recent attempt to shut down the committee mailings speaks volumes about agendas.
THE COMMITTEE
=========================================
VI. 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.
9/29/15
September 30
TBA
The “Corbin Lounge”
19616 Ventura Boulevard, Tarzana
Free Admission/ONE Drink Minimum
Persons under 21 years of age not admitted
—————
11/8/15
LISA HALEY AND THE ZYDECATS
SUN 11.8.15 LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA – 2PM
AMERICANA VETERANS FESTIVAL at Lake Arrowhead Village
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MORE UPCOMING SHOWS
NOVEMBER
HUGE BUNCH more 2015 & 2016 Shows In the Works –
Everywhere! Canada, Europe, and Asia –
Come out and dance!!
CAJUN PROVERB OF THE MONTH: – “Go after what you love in life.
Don’t take no for an answer – just take the next small step!”
================================
You can read all previous offerings at:http://www.responsible47.com
UNTIL NEXT TIME,
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47