A conversation with Ernest and Joseph Gallo
Unfinished Business
Mayor Carmen Sabatino
The Bee headline says, "Arts center rebounds". Really?
The red ink continues to flow. Why not just admit the truth and enjoy what we have at the Gallo Performing Arts?
Do we want to continue to discuss private management for the Centre Plaza? The subsidy will continue and the long term result will be worse. But who is listening?
You should know the total amount of yearly subsidy provided to the Gallo Center. The City of Modesto has been "privileged" to not participate in that subsidy.
"The Gallo center is a public-private partnership that relied on a $15 million gift from Stanislaus County in 2000 and $3 million from Foster Farms. It continues to benefit from a $15 million operating endowment from Gallo families and the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation.
Supporters hoped City Hall would show similar largesse, but leadership at the time refused and voters throughout the city in 2000 turned down a ballot measure asking for a higher hotel tax with proceeds benefiting the center. The city eventually contributed street improvements valued at about $1 million."
Reporter Garth Stapley follows the Bee policy that Mayor Sabatino and his term of office be ignored unless it can be presented in a negative context. Stapley says that, "leadership at the time refused". That leadership would be Mayor Sabatino and the City Council at the time. Bee policy was also that the Mediterranean Market and Grill was "off-limits" to Bee employee's.
The following is an excerpt from a forth coming book.
A conversation with Ernest and Joseph Gallo
As I assumed the office of Mayor there were unresolved issues that had to be dealt with. A significant issue was whether or not the city of Modesto was going to contribute $15 million to the new performing arts center. Ironically the vote to contribute the money was to have been taken a few weeks before my election.
I contacted the city's director of finance and asked him if he could get $15 million he replied that it was possible but said, "Mayor you will not like the balloon payment."
Even though the county had already committed to their $15 million because they were able to sell the tobacco tax money that was coming to the County. I decided that I could not commit to $15 million we did not have.
I invited Ernest and Joe Gallo to the Mayor's office for lunch. I informed Ernest Gallo that the city simply did not have the money. He replied why am I not surprised. I then asked him if he wanted me to tell Marie Gallo and he replied, no, I will tell her myself. I have always felt that Ernest Gallo was truly not surprised at the city's financial condition and was satisfied with my decision.
Later the council did commit to sidewalk and street improvements around the center.
Today the County subsidizes the Gallo performing arts for $1.2 million a year. The councils decision not to participate was met with widespread presentment but I can take satisfaction in the fact that the city of Modesto does not face the burden of a $1.2 million subsidy.
At another meeting with Ernest and Joseph Gallo at the Mediterranean market and Grill Mr. Gallo asked me what I thought of the performing arts center. I asked him if he wanted me to be "blunt" and he said "no", so I was blunt.
I suggested that he get it over with and write a check for the center and take it out of Joe's inheritance. He asked Joe what I said and Joe said, he wants you to take it out of my inheritance. He indicated as if it were a possibility with his maybe hand movement and a twinkle in his eye.
