HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-25-2020 Public Comment - E. Funk - Ellen Theatre SignFrom:Eric Funk
To:Agenda
Cc:John Ludin
Subject:The Ellen vertical sign / typo repaired (sorry, thanks)
Date:Tuesday, February 25, 2020 5:01:56 PM
Item #19418
Dear City Commission:
My father's family dates back to the mid-1800s in the Gallatin Valley and Bozeman, all nineof my uncles and aunts graduates of Gallatin County High School, my Uncle Don "Blackie"
Funk an MSU football star in his day. Having been in Bozeman every summer to visit mypaternal grandparents, I know the Bozeman that saw 7th as a beautiful street like Willson and
N Rouse as a dirt road, long before the freeway was built.
Over the years I've heard SO MANY people grieve over the razing of both the Opera Houseand the old Longfellow School, stately beauties that they once were. Many folks lament the
passing of landmark buildings while seeming to forget their regrets when looking at currentpreservation. Grand structures like The Ellen Theatre and efforts to assist those folks working
in earnest to "dress her back up" need to regard her historical importance. I've done a coupleof fundraisers at The Ellen and for The Ellen, events that saw capacity crowds willing to spend
hours and money to keep her as she once was.
There have been so many significant performances of music, theater, comedy, variety,important film premieres, et. al. that I sense a series of action statements that together clearly
announce the Arts and Culture of Bozeman, Montana as preeminent. Other cities in Montanahave nicknames (The Electric City, The Queen City, Magic City, Garden City, City of Eagles,
etc). Bozeman is starting to be called The Music City (instead of Bozangeles).
I believe it's a small concession to allow the vertical ELLEN sign to be put back into place. It's not an eyesore. It's a banner. I worry when I see the bumper stickers that read "The great
thing about Bozeman is that it's just fifteen minutes from Montana!"
I realize change is afoot and that all places slowly evolve toward something better. And Iapplaud our Bozeman City Commission for working diligently to oversee our expansion and
guide the zoning codes toward something that affords a meaningful future. I would hope thatthis stewardship will always include a dedication the historical preservation that makes
Bozeman unique, lets the past shine through into the future.
Sincerely,Eric Funk
composer, professor of music MSUArtistic Director & Host of Montana PBS TV "11th & Grant with Eric Funk"
2018 Distinguished Provost Lecturer2013 James & Mary Ross Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching2012 Humanities Hero Award2011 Innovation in the Arts Award2009 Distinguished Service Award University Honors Program2007 President’s Excellence in Teaching Award recipient2002 Governor’s Award for the Arts-- Eric Funk
www.ericfunk.comericfunk@ericfunk.com