That JLT floor controversy just won't go away
September 24, 2014


What's this? Just a small reminder of the devastation of the Joplin Little Theatre's lobby floor that served as a memorial to those associated with the theatre past and present.

by Mari Winn Taylor, editor

Tony Flint, president of the Joplin Little Theatre's Board of Directors, doesn't like me very much. He wants long forgotten any reminder of the destruction of the theatre's lobby floor and the memorial tiles that for many years were part of it. Based on the sticker on his car [correction: truck], he has a tea party attitude. Most tea partyers that I've met push their own agenda and rile at any controversy. That stance doesn't do the Republican Party any good and it can't be beneficial for the Joplin Little Theatre either.

Flint in an e-mail allegedly wrote:

Including the articles, and I use the term loosely for what can best be described as a personal blog and/or opinion piece, from the joplinindependent.com site is hardly wanting people to ' know both sides of the issue.' Desecration of the floor The articles contain factual errors. The letter statement that the 'Board offered unsubstantiated reasons for the need of their removal' is also incorrect."

Well, Tony, I have to admit that "articles," if you want to call them that, were biased. If one believes in a basic morality--and tearing up the floor without notifying the memorial contributors--does smack of indecency, then what was written under my byline was justified. Providing misinformation in order to present a balanced viewpoint is not an idea of good reporting. Many theatre-goers believe that there was little wrong with the black and white tile floor that warranted tearing it up. Admit it. You and the board just thought you were jazzing up the theatre--creating a "new theatre experience." Forget about tradition. Forget those people who contributed money specifically to honor themselves or loved ones by purchasing memorial tiles. That black and white tile floor had to go. (Articles in question are linked here.)

Walking into the theatre lobby now is a saddening experience. The replacement flooring, a gray wood facimile, contributes to the gloom, especially compared to the theatricality of the former floor. I and the Joplin Independent support the group wanting to restore the floor to its original design. They say they have money to do this without any financial loss to the theatre. That is very generous of them as true supporters of the theatre.

Yet you keep pushing the photo mural (there's that tea party in you coming out again). Well, you might consider it a good idea for the next JLT fund raising campaign (unless its tackiness gets in the way of receiving donations). Don't consider it a replacement for those who earmarked their memorial contributions. specifically for floor tiles. By the way, I hope the theatre newcomers have as deep pockets as the patrons you continue to antagonize.

--

For those interested, a floor/mural committee, newly chaired by board members Bill Welsh and Jesse DeGonia, will meet beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014, at the theatre. It is our understanding that a discussion from the audience to reinstitute the memorial floor will be made at that time. And hopefully an agreement can be made that will ward off any talk of a class action lawsuit.

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