Officials Applaud Maumee Indoor Theater’s 2007 Operations
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
The Maumee Indoor Theater has received the thumbs up from city officials.
At a meeting on May 5 Maumee City Council approved the theater’s 2007 annual report.
The report showed a financial loss of $345.34; however, city officials consider that to be insignificant.
“Even if we were losing $10,000, which we’re not, the theater is way more important to the community,” council president Richard Carr said, referring to a report in another local newspaper that the theater had lost $10,000 in 2007.
“It’s a great investment and it adds value to the community just like places such as Rolf Park Pool,” Carr said.
The report showed a mix of 40 percent movies and 60 percent rentals and events – a trend managers are pleased with.
“I feel good about it. The financial side is really only one part of it,” explained Jim Walter, president of Great Eastern Theaters, the managing company responsible for theater operations.
“Overall, it’s doing what it was intended to be used for and that is to be a venue for many activities for the city of Maumee,” he said.
Rental space includes two auditoriums and a basement area.
The theater was rented for special events and live performances 286 times in 2007, a 3 percent decrease from 2006. Because rental fees were increased by $25.00 in 2007, revenue from those rentals totaled $114,346, an 11 percent increase from 2006. In addition, the number of patrons in attendance for paid events was 47,901, a 10 percent increase from 2006.
It was also noted that theater rental is more labor intensive and requires the theater to be open longer, which contributes to higher utility costs – an increase of 14 percent over 2006.
Maumee Mayor Tim Wagener said theater rentals have a proven track record.
“I get compliments from people who have rented the theater for the first time and those who are repeat customers,” he said. “They are pleased with the way they are treated by the staff and the quality of the facility.”
On the film side, “Wild Wednesdays,” which offers movie admission, pop and popcorn for $1.00 each, continues to generate the most revenue, more than Monday, Tuesday and Thursday movie revenues combined.
Average attendance for Wild Wednesday in 2007 was 289.
There were 65 second-run movies shown last year, and the top grossing movie, Wild Hogs, brought in $7,667 with an attendance of 3,311.
The highest attended film on a given day took place on August 1, when 1,047 people turned out to see the dual running of the animated films Shrek the Third and Meet the Robinsons.
Total movie attendance in 2007 was 36,925, which generated $82,000 in revenue.
Total gross revenue from all sources in 2007 was $319,741, while operating expenses totaled $320,087.
The report states that goals for this year include maintaining and growing the customer base, especially for rentals and live performances, and controlling variable costs.
Theater management and the advisory board would also consider creating an endowment fund or foundation to build funds to offset future expenses.
Maumee Schools Celebrate Arbor Day By Planting Trees
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
This year’s Arbor Day celebrations at Maumee elementary schools invoked a special tribute for individuals with strong ties to the Maumee school district.
Wayne Trail Elementary School, which held a ceremony May 9, honored former school principal Dick Huffman and retiring guidance counselor Allison Fisher by planting two flowering crabapple trees in front of the school.
Fairfield Elementary School, which held a ceremony May 8, recognized retiring third-grade teacher Doug Ambroza, counselor Linda Tallman and speech pathologist Sue McEwen by planting a redspire pear tree.
A blue spruce tree was also planted in front of Fort Miami Elementary School on May 9.
The city of Maumee donated the trees.
Students gathered for each celebration and Mayor Tim Wagener was on hand to congratulate the honorees.
“We can be so proud there are people like this in the city of Maumee who take care of our children,” the mayor said on the lawn of Wayne Trail Elementary School. “Trees are a lifetime living reminder of what people like them do for our community.”
Huffman, who served the school district for 30 years beginning in 1957, was the principal of Wayne Trail Elementary School for 20 years before retiring in 1987.
He also served on Maumee City Council.
Throughout his tenure he witnessed significant growth in the school including a staff that swelled from 22 to 50, and student enrollment that increased from 300 to 850 students.
While reflecting on his years of service, Huffman said every day was a good day.
“I enjoyed my first day as much as my last day,” he said. “I enjoyed it all the time I was here.”
Retiring guidance counselor Fisher served the school district for 25 years teaching learning-disabled and developmentally handicapped students at Fairfield and Wayne Trail Elementary Schools, Gateway Middle School and Maumee High School.
Since 1992, she has been a guidance counselor serving Wayne Trail and Fort Miami.
Referring to her as the “real deal,” Wayne Trail principal Jim Wilson said Fisher would be missed next year.
“She is the true and sweet blossom of the flowering apple family, and we shall miss her calming presence among our staff members next year,” he said.
Regarding her work in the Maumee district, Fisher said, “It’s the best job in the world.”
Fairfield Elementary honored Tallman for her 35 years of service, Ambroza for 38 years of service and McEwen for 35 years of service.
Fairfield principal Joe Taylor said the three have contributed greatly to their respective areas.
“Each of these teachers has made tremendous contributions to the Fairfield family over the years and will be missed by the students, their colleagues and the community. We all wish them the very best in retirement,” he said.
Maumee City Schools Settles Suit With The Brint Electric Company
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
Maumee City Schools has settled its legal dispute with Brint Electric Company.
At a special meeting on May 5, the school board unanimously agreed to settle a suit brought forth by Brint for work completed at Gateway Middle School as part of the district’s total renovation project.
In a resolution, the board agreed to pay Brint Electric $115,000, which includes $61,426 it had retained while the suit was pending.
The lawsuit stems from work performed by Brint Electric beginning in June 2004. The company claims that the district failed to provide a proper schedule for work, which resulted in time lost and added costs.
In 2007, the company sued the school district for $300,000.
The amount settled upon was determined through mediation.
“The board agreed that accepting the resolution was the best fiscally responsible resolution,” said district communications specialist Nancy Sayre.
According to Sayre, the funds will be paid from bond money in a reserve fund. She also said the board denies the allegations against the district.
Also at the meeting, the board took the following action:
• Authorized district treasurer Paul Brotzki to complete the sale of the former district administration building, which was sold at auction.
• Authorized bidding for repairs at Kazmaier Stadium.
• Approved retirements for Karen Meek and Barbara Wilson along with several employment nominations.
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