Arts center urged to embrace city's multicultural heritage
Guest opinion
By Pamela Castro

In reading all of the articles written about the High Street Theater during the past several weeks, I had some questions myself.

On April 26, 2006, according to Councilwoman Mikos, it was the City Council who directed that the new general manager of the High Street Theater "raise the bar" by offering seasonal "higher quality" productions. This decision effectively changed the course of how the High Street Theater was made available to community groups in the past.

In denying other community venues of facility use, is it not these same "higher quality" productions that have been poorly attended, thus "raising the bar" of indebtedness? What business would eliminate the expansion of their target market for increased revenue?

Councilwoman Mikos wants us to have patience, hoping for more revenue from the limited venue. I agree that support should be provided regardless of a plus or minus bottom line; however, why can't all of the needs of the community be accommodated, thus bringing in additional income while the "higher quality" productions take off or not? There is simply not a good enough reason not to.

Being a longtime downtown resident who is Hispanic, I have often envisioned having a Latin comedian night, a mariachi festival or folkloric performances there. It would be a perfect location because it would be within walking distance for many downtown residents who don't have cars. Now, would this mean that venue would not be "classy" enough to be granted?

What about serving the needs of a culture that comprises a substantial number in Moorpark itself, much less the downtown area alone. Our dollar is just as green. This is, after all, what all this fuss is all about, is it not? Or is it?

Of all of the articles, opinions and finger pointing, it was the article written by Mr. Walsh that, I feel, best captured how downtown residents feel about the loss of a treasured tradition of the family entertainment venue. As uncomfortable as it may have been for Mr. Walsh to mention a possible benefit others (unlike him) may think bringing "class" to downtown can have, it simply needed to be said: That belief of benefit is that by bringing a "higher class" of production, it would bring a "higher class" of people temporarily visiting the downtown area. This "upper class'" very presence would create enough of a discomfort zone and thus result in "getting those Mexicans out of the area with eminent domain." What changes will occur thereafter in order to accommodate and assure an acceptable "comfort zone" for these new, but temporary, visitors to downtown?

An excellent example that this "discomfort zone" does, in fact, exist was in another article in the Jan. 11 Moorpark Acorn. The article referenced "that there were three liquor marts on High Street" and stated that "if there were fewer liquor stores then maybe more people would be less afraid to go to the theater."

Yet, between Ralphs and Albertson's on Los Angeles Avenue, there are eight stores/merchants who sell and serve liquor. Should one be more or less afraid to attend the Maverick Theater?

I had to agree, in part, with Mr. Bahn's perspective in that sometimes elected representatives can rely so much on hired so-called professionals to help make decisions that directly impact a community and its culture without relying heavily on the public they serve. The eminent domain issue was a prime example of this.

I hope that the City Council is hearing that the majority of this multifaceted community wants to keep our treasured, historic downtown High Street Theater, even if it is a money loser. They don't want a limited venue- they want a multicultural, multifun, multifamily both serious, classy or cheesy choice.

Let's focus on not only preserving High Street's theater, but in saving its heart- the entire community it serves.