CPI board turns Finke Theatre over to Friends group

CPI President Mike Staton signs the necessary documents to transfer ownership of the Finke Theatre from CPI to Friends of the Finke Theatre.
CPI President Mike Staton signs the necessary documents to transfer ownership of the Finke Theatre from CPI to Friends of the Finke Theatre.

The CPI Board was informed at the Thursday, Sept. 18, meeting that ownership of the Finke Theatre was officially transferred to the Friends of the Finke Theatre by California Progress, Inc. (CPI). The documents were signed Wednesday, Sept. 17, by the necessary CPI Board officers with the ownership transfer registered the next day.

Although the official transfer was Sept. 18, the new ownership will be celebrated at a special event to be set later, tentatively in mid-October. Properties owned and renovated by CPI must be transferred to new owners eventually, but the CPI must maintain ownership of those properties for five years. CPI took ownership of the theater five years ago and oversaw the facility restoration into the working Finke Theatre as it is now.

The annual fundraiser "Wine, Dine and Win" event was discussed. It is currently set for April 11, 2015. Although a bid for the menu was received, the board approved, after discussion, submission of a specific menu for solicitation of bids from several caterers.

In addition, California Historic District (CHD) committee activities were reported. Two planters have been installed in front of the Finke Theatre in the historic district. Donors are being sought for several more. The planters are $200 with $100 a year needed to take care of two plantings each year.

In other CHD business, a Missouri Mainstreet workshop is being held in Branson Oct. 16 and 17. A Missouri Main Street training session for the committee members is scheduled for Sept. 30. Keith Winge will discuss branding, imaging for the city and social media opportunities.

A new copy machine has been purchased for a total cost of $298.97 including ink cartridges. The board approved purchase of a shelving unit for approximately $100 for the CPI office.

The board also discussed candidates for the CPI Board of Directors for the coming year to be elected at the annual business meeting. Candidates for new CPI Board officers for the coming year were nominated. The election will be at the October meeting.

The next regular board meeting is set for noon, Oct. 16, at the library.