David Bennett, executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission has been dumped -- given a choice of resigning or being fired by Gov. Phil Bredesen. What will this do to the state's struggle to bring in more film production? Bennett was one of the good guys who labored mightily to get the General Assembly on board with a $10 million incentive package that passed last year.Here's the news story by Mike Lollar at the CA and go here for commentary from Pith in the Wind with the Nashville Scene.
This truely is a sad day for our state. We could have really used the jobs and spending here in our state, given the school situations, healthcare needs, and not to mention the rising crime. The money would've really went a long way toward improving these areas. Now, we can only hope that the Govenor will do the right thing and carry through with his promise and by putting a" QUALIFIED " individual in place to carry the torch. He sure has some mighty big shoes to fill, let's hope he's up for the task. In the event that neither is true, don't be silent and take it lying down, voice your concerns and remember when election time returns.
ReplyDeleteThere are people in this world who do things. People of stature and character who envision great things and make them happen. These people are the drivers of most things good in the world.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great shame that their great actions are so threatening to others.
David Bennett is one of those men of action. It is a great shame that we are losing him due to petty politics.
I know he will continue to be the man who gets things done. I just wish it were still on our behalf.
Why can't Nissan pay for itself? Why can't Yamakawa Steel pay for itself? Why can't Saturn pay for itself? Why can't United Technologies, who took an untold amount of public money and then turned around and closed the largest air conditioning plant in the world in Middle Tennessee, pay for itself? Why can't everybody in downtown Memphis recieving tax freezes pay for themselves? Why can't FedEx pay for airport upgrades without state money? Why can the Grizzlies get away with fraudulently taking $6 million to build a parking garage and then making money by charging the same taxpayers who they just defrauded to park there to see a shitty, overpaid basketball team? And just how much are the Titans sucking off the government teat? Why can't all those farmers pay for themselves without agricultural subsidies?
ReplyDeleteI don't have any love for this Bennett character. I never met the guy. I hope his replacement is better at his job than he was. But every other industry in the state gets corporate welfare. I agree wholeheartedly: let the public be public and the private be private. But until that happens, why get bent out of shape about subsidies for the film industry when there are a lot of people taking a lot more money from the public purse with exactly the same results?
Thank you "D.B.A.Fool" for your passionate yet strangely anonymous comments. You obviously have some personal stake in this issue.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'd also thank you not to attempt to speak for my own personal experiences with the man, which of course you do not share.
My assesment stands, as do the facts that before he was in office we had no significant film incentives package, and after his tenure we do (for the time being anyway.)
Perhaps in some other world there is a way to court big hollywood with a smile and a handshake. If you've found it please explain it for us.
Unfortunately it seems to take a great deal more than that, especially given the monumental competition our state faces from other states and countries who have realized the incredible financial and ancilary benefits of a successful courtship.
I would venture to say that those people didn't succeed with a mere gift basket of preserves.
So I respect your oppinion and your obviously well placed sense of fiscal responsibility. I certainly believe public money should be spent responsibly.
I just feel that the arts should be very much a part of that equation.
We have a bevy of sports complexes, a fine new museum, an unriavaled symphony hall, and other performance halls and music venues. Hundreds of millions of dollars contributed to these worthy ventures. But as for film, until recently we've had very little.
For my part. David Bennett will be missed. You may not share my feeling. That's fine with me.