Escondido weighing cost of Moore's speech
By: ERIN MASSEY - Staff Writer
ESCONDIDO ---- If controversial documentary filmmaker Michael Moore comes to Escondido to speak, the city wants to get paid enough to cover security costs, city officials said Friday.
Cal State University San Marcos' Associated Students Inc. has been fighting all week to bring the director of "Fahrenheit 9/11" to North County, and specifically to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
City leaders say they can't control who comes to the arts center, which is operated by a private foundation, but they do have the right to demand reimbursement for the extra costs of traffic and crowd control.
"The license agreement before the city and the center gives the center the right to determine programming decisions," said City Attorney Jeffrey Epp. "They do receive public money, but it is a private foundation, so they have the right to say yes or no" to which entertainers can perform.
Officials from the arts center met in private Friday afternoon to discuss the issue. Afterward, foundation board Chairwoman Elizabeth Pinter would only release a one-sentence statement.
"No lease agreement has been signed at this time between the center and the university student organization with regard to the appearance of Michael Moore," she said.
On Monday, Cal State President Karen S. Haynes vetoed the university's plans to bring Moore to North County next month because she said there was too little time before the November election to provide a "balancing perspective."
Students responded by raising $41,000 from the community to pay for Moore's visit. The students must pay $25,000 for Moore's speaking fee and another $12,000 in lodging and travel expenses.
Arts center spokesman Fred Tracey said he didn't know what rate the students would be charged. The arts center typically charges $2,000 to commercial companies and $1,500 to a nonprofit group to use the 1,500-seat concert hall for three hours in the afternoon or evening, he said. The cost also depends on how much equipment, staff and help are needed to stage the event, Tracey said.
Escondido Councilman Ron Newman, a retired San Diego police caption, cautioned city leaders at a council meeting Wednesday that if Moore does come to the city-owned arts center, the city should make sure it doesn't lose money on the deal.
"People are going to feel passionately about this, and that leaves a potential for confrontation," Newman said Friday. "We need to look at whose responsibility it is to clean it up. It is going to fall on the (Escondido) police and there is a cost to that."
At the Wednesday council meeting, Newman asked city officials to start working with the arts center to make sure the city's bill is added to the rental price.
City staff members agreed.
Police Chief Duane White said Friday that he always works with the arts center and passes along extra costs when major events come to town. He added he plans to do the same for Moore's speech.
"The arts center has some security, but they would probably request assistance from the city and we would charge for those services," he said. "The taxpayers wouldn't lose any money."
So far, the arts center hasn't asked to meet with Escondido police about Moore's appearance, White said.
Assistant City Manager Jack Anderson said he hasn't been contacted by the arts center either, but the city would have to be included soon to give an estimate of the cost of hosting Moore.
Contact staff writer Erin Massey at (760) 740-5416 or emassey@nctimes.com.
that fat slob needs MORE money?
what's the story with Sean Hannity and he having a face off at another campus, BTW?
...there's a McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Pizza Hut and KFC that he can waddle to without breaking a sweat.
Tell Moore to drive up to Orange County when he is here!
How about a lawsuit, preventing public tax dollars from being used to pay this man's speaking fee?
What's he going to talk about for $37,000? How much he hates people who exploit war for profit.
Just privately rent a hall or stadium and invite Mr. Moore to speak. Why should the University hike tuition year-after-year to host political ideologues whatever their politics? Parents, take back the education of your children!
If he does come, sounds like a good time for a Bush rally!
$12,000 if lodging and travel exepenses? Wow. 20 foot u-hauls are $40 a day, motel 6 around CSUSM are $75, so that must mean fat boy sucks down $11,975 in food.
$12,000? I guess he is not flying coach and staying at Motel 6, now is he?
$12K for EXPENSES??
For A COUPLE OF DAYS??
That's a lot of Big Macs and Super-sized fries!
1st class R/T flight; Presidential Suite at the North County Four Seasons; several hookers; filet mignon and caesar salads for 4 (Moore plus three hookers); limo service to/from the North County Four Seasons; Beluga caviar and New Zealand kiwi fruit continental breakfasts for four; 3 copies Farenheit 9/11 DVD (tip for hookers); 1 copy of The Manchurian Candidate.
If Michael Moore was accidentally assasinated by the Washinton D.C. Sniper, would the bullet be able to pierce all that fat?
HYPOTHETICALLY PEOPLE!!!
"The cost of Moore's visit has been pegged at roughly $37,000"
That's a lot of money for propaganda.
Maybe this money could be better used by sending it to the victims of Islamofascist murderers in Russia.