From citizen “watchdog” C.Wayne Taylor:

Councilor Agelasto requested that Venture Richmond provide financial and other data to the Council’s Finance and Economic Development Committee. Jack Berry presented the information at the committee’s October 24th meeting.

I support Mr. Agelasto’s inquiry into the breadth and depth of the city’s involvement with and funding of Venture Richmond. While Venture Richmond is good at promotional work, it seems to have become a monopoly with excessive influence over the decisions made at city hall.

Mr. Berry is a very experienced promoter. He presents Venture Richmond’s view very effectively. As with most matters, there may be more to the story. He seems to be off on some of the facts included in his presentation. Regarding the amphitheater:

–Mr. Berry said that the planning commission proved the amphitheater project. The planning commission approved a concept plan. The final plan must still get commission approval.

–Mr. Berry refers to the canal’s configuration in the early 1800s. In past presentations he cites the 1850 to 1860 period.

–Mr. Berry repeats the claim that the amphitheater plan is necessary to continue the festival. He has not explained why.

It is noteworthy that councilors Graziano, Robertson and Samuels had no questions.

Also noteworthy is that some of the materials available on-line are very poor quality and some seem to be completely missing.

Presentation: (ed. note: click here to download large .pdf file from the City website)

Venture Richmond self-promotion on pages 9 through 101.
Venture Richmond financial data on pages 103 through 109.
[stop at page 109]

The two pages of financial data are hard to read and in some places illegible. Not all the figures Mr. Berry recites can be verified in the data.

The materials are incomplete. Several financial reports mentioned at the meeting are not included in the on-line documents.

Audio:(ed. note: click here to download .wma audio file from City website)

0:00:27 Presentation
0:00:35 Venture Richmond – Jack Berry, Executive Director
0:06:18 amphitheater – Berry: It got unanimous approval from the planning commission last month.
0:06:54 canal – Berry: The canal will be restored to its configuration in the early 1800s during the heyday of canal boat traffic on the James River and Kanawha Canal.
0:07:04 crowd – Berry: This is the crowd of people that are now at the main stage on NewMarket property that will need to move to that amphitheater in order for us to continue to host this big festival.
0:11:03 answers to budget questions [handout]
0:18:36 questions
0:18:48 Agelasto – future of Venture Richmond
0:30:07 Agelasto – top priorities
0:33:09 Agelasto – base-line services
0:36:27 Agelasto – sidewalk cleaning
0:39:40 Robertson – compliments Venture Richmond
0:43:53 Samuels – no comments
0:43:53 Graziano – thanks Venture Richmond