{ title: 'The Spectrum (Buffalo, N.Y.) 1955-current, October 26, 1979, Page 19, Image 19', download_links: [ { link: 'http://www.loc.gov/rss/ndnp/ndnp.xml', label: 'application/rss+xml', meta: 'News about NYS Historic Newspapers - RSS Feed', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-10-26/ed-1/seq-19/png/', label: 'image/png', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-10-26/ed-1/seq-19.pdf', label: 'application/pdf', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-10-26/ed-1/seq-19/ocr.xml', label: 'application/xml', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-10-26/ed-1/seq-19/ocr.txt', label: 'text/plain', meta: '', }, ] }
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* ) * ’t by Seth Goodchild Spectrum Stuff Writer theaters, in Syracuse and Baltimore which receive $$00,000 and » $700,000, respectively, in operating expenses each year. Greene * noted that he had received renewed support from the Buffalo * Common Council and, in particular. Councilman George Arthur, jf Green doubts that Shea’s can make money on its own. Griffin, « however, claimed that it is indeed possible for the Theater to $ eventually be profitable. He added that he would like to see a | privately-owned Theater receiving limited public funding. Both sides are awaiting a management study to be conducted by g two members of Syracuse’s Onondaga Civic Center. The 5 study—beginning Monday and extending for two days—will % Utility bills threaten venerable Shea's Theater with closing Two major utility bills due November 1 have raised doubts concerning downtown Buffalo’s Shea’s Theater’s ability to meet operating costs. Recently, it was feared that the theater’s troubled financial state could lead to its closing. Buffalo Mayor James Griffin and Shea’s officials radically differ in their assessment of the difficulties afflicting the renowned theater despite their commitment to its continuation. Treasurer of the Friends of Theater Buffalo group Robert Greene reported that Shea’s has made a significant payment to the National Fuel Gas Company and has already arranged for payment to Niagara Mohawk Power Company. These efforts, he expected, will enable the Theater to keep utilities running “for a while longer.” Griffin asserted that the city’s commitment has been large enough and placed the blame on poor management, stating that there was, “no direction at the Shea’s.” The Theater’s Executive Director Bob D’Angelo, and Managing Director Curt Mangel were unavailable for comment. Griffin maintained that the city has given the Theater sufficient time to improve its finances and accused its leadership of not following through on their promises for change. The Mayor declared his lack of faith in the management and repeated his previously stated pledges to withhold further funds until an audit is conducted. determine how large a municipal subsidy is needed to maintain Shea’s and if another management arrangement would be more successful. It is expected to determine the best possible system for operating Shea’s. City study Green is hopeful that the completed study will bear out his contention that the Theater needs an appropriations increase. He said that there was a chance of this taking place, but explained that they will abide by the study’s recommendations. Griffin, however, is not so sure the study will help. He is already making his own evaluation plans that go beyond those of the Syracuse study. The city will hir r an independent accounting firm to review Shea’s financial sin iti j, Griffin told The Spectrum. He has also been in contact w. h he director of Toronto’s Royal Theater —a “top notch opera _i< t” —to gain additional input. Griffin has also comae ed representatives from a local prompting firm, Harvey and Corky, to attract some “famous” stage shows. The Mayor also r:ported that he would like to bring in films to run in the Theater, increasing its use to three or four days a week. ' . *■ \ Greene told The Spectrum he believes the problems extended beyond faylty management. “Some of the Mayor’s claims are valid,” he admitted, “but he really hasn’t studied enough other theaters.” Management study awaited He reported that the city has contributed only $30,000 this year, while similar operations located elsewhere receive six figure totals from their municipal governments. For emphasis, he pointed to Armed man tries to rob pair The Shea’s Buffalo is currently booked for the entire year and management is intent on fulfilling performance obligations, according to Greene. The Mayor repeated his pledge not to let the Theater close. “There’s no chance,” he asserted. “We’ll keep that thing going, no matter what.” Greenc r Jhpwever, is more realistic in his appraisal, “we’ll just have to keep plugging until everything runs out.” by Cathy Carlson Contributing Editor October 4 when UB students Kenneth Kloc and Evelyn Rivera were walking in Farbcr Parking lot. They were approached from behind and told to stop. After turning around, the couple saw the alleged thief, Leonard Benzin, pointing a 38 caliber gun. “Kloc grabbed the gun and a struggle developed. Benzin was thrown aside and Kloc ran towards the golf course,” according to Investigator Ronald Kane. Evelyn Rivera ran away when the struggle began. After firing a shot—which hit the ground— at the fleeing student, Benzin reportedly hid for two hours in the dugout at Peele Field. According to Kane, the alleged thief next attempted to rob Mister Doughnuts on Allen Street but was thwarted by an off duty Erie County Deputy Sheriff. The police officer chased Benzin down the street where he was apprehended by the Buffalo Crime Unit. Leonard Benzin has confessed to the attempted roberry and is currently being held on bail, at the Erie County Holding Center. The possible connection between an alleged thief and rapist spotted on campus has been discarded, leaving the UB Department of Public Safety searching for new suspects. The suspected rapist has been seen around the University Plaza and Amherst areas. In two separate attempts, a man tried unsuccessfully to rape two girls in the University Plaza. A composite sketch has been drawn from the girls’ reports and is being circulatecf'ihroughout the Main Street dorms. The sketcn “matched almost identically”—except for a beard—to a suspect picked up for the attempted robbery of two students according to Director of Public Safety Lee Griffin. However, in a subsequent line-up, witnesses disclaimed the connection between the alleged robber and the rapist. The attempted robbery occured the night of BITTERMANS Red Shield 3270 Main St. Lunches - Mon.-Fri. 11:30 - 2 pm Dinners - Mon.-Sat. 4<30 - 8 pm COCKTAIL HOURS POOL TABLE After 9:00 pm For Reservations call 838-4224 R H P H ITT O O cc o p o p YY II N G N G 355 Squire, MSC 8:30-6, M—F PR HH 00 TT 00 CC 00 PR YY N G N G 355 Squire, MSC
