Time for Tom It is past time for Tom Becker to retire. He tried to sell this project as a renovation when in reality it is a "tear down & new build". Many would label this approach an old fashioned "bait & switch". TB calls it "forward thinking".
J
Jeffry Harris
11 years ago
The amphitheater at Chautauqua is a gem and should be preserved, maybe tweaked a little bit if necessary, but CERTAINLY not demolished!!!!
G
Greg Koehler
11 years ago
The very idea of demolishing the Amphitheater is a travesty. I'm thoroughly disgusted.
J
James Halstead
11 years ago
Impeach Becker and bring in an adult. This has gone on far too long!
A
arwin townsend
11 years ago
PLEASE don't demolish this precious connection to the wonderful past of the institution!
J
Joe Suszczynski
11 years ago
Please abandon the current plan and come up with a reasonable compromise - but do not destroy the heart of Chautauqua
C
Colleen przybysz
11 years ago
If those walls could talk!!!! Save the amp!!!!!
L
Lawrence Wightman
11 years ago
IMPROVMENT, YES!
R
ROBERT RADZAK
11 years ago
THE PLAN TO CHANGE THE AMPHITHEATER, ITS UPARALLELED HISTORY, TRADITION AND MEANING IS INCONCEIVABLE AND THIS ACTION WOULD REPRESENT AN INSULT FOR WHAT CHAUTAUQUA HAS ALWAYS CHAMPIONED AND THAT IS THE ESSENCE OF ITS EXISTENCE. THE CHAUTAUQUA EXPERIENCE IS COMPLETELY UNIQUE IN THE WORLD. CHANGE THE AMPHITHEATER AND THIS WOULD CHANGE CHAUTAUQUA AND ITS PURPOSE TO THAT OF A PLACE THAT HAS NO DISTINCTION AND AN EXPERIENCE THAT WILL NEVER AGAIN SUSTAIN AND TRANSFORM THE THOUGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS. HISTORY, TRADITION, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE MUST CONTIUE TO BE FORGED IN THE CHAUTAUQUA CRUCIBLE OF INSPIRATION, CREATION, LEARING AND BELIEF THAT HAVE SUSTAINED THE AMERICAN IDEA AND ITS PEOPLE. THE AMPHITHEATER IS THAT SACRED EVENT. IT MUST REMAIN AS THAT SYMBOL FOR THE AGES.
A
Alice Roth
11 years ago
Why not work with SHPO and other Preservation groups to find the best solution
V
valera D'Esopo
11 years ago
We love the ampitheater !
N
Nat Comstock
11 years ago
I have a real problem with this petition process. I had to SIGN the petition in order to make a comment. I did not want to sign the petition. I wonder how many others are in the same situation.
1. Quote from Save the amp.org: "Most of landmark Chautauqua Amphitheater would be torn down under plan for a 'safer and more comfortable' replica" the word Most being the operative word. - The Buffalo News 9-15-14: Please tell me problem with this statement.
2. "As announced on November 23, the Committee to Preserve the Historic Chautauqua Amphitheater is partnering with CJS Architects to review engineering and other technical reports and to investigate what other options exist to near complete demolition of the Amp. Following a meeting on December 2 with CJS, Tom Becker, Chautauqua Institution President, informed Chautauquans promptly about his openness to any timely insight we could offer for retaining any of the roof structure -- which we all believe is essential for respecting the architectural and historic integrity of the Amp. We are happy to comply with the Institution’s request that our work is accomplished with deliberate speed. CJS Architects has requested the drawings and geotech reports necessary to complete this work. Isn't this what you wanted?
3. You state that it wasn't until the end of the summer that the discovered the problem with the roof. Yet, your campaign started years before. So, it's not about the roof.
4. Some say that 30 million would be better served with better programming. Do they understand that this money is private money given to improve the many problems with the amphitheater?
5. There was a letter to the Jamestown paper stating that "this is like the Taliban - excuse me? In the same article he mentioned that young people cannot stay still long enough to enjoy a program. My niece is extremely involved in the NOW Generation. She is part of a group of very intelligent and cultured (through the family's years at Chautauqua). They are
E
Erin Anheier
11 years ago
Please preserve the amp!
D
DeWain Feller
11 years ago
Featured
One of the great things about the Chautauqua Institution and the Amphitheater is the authenticity. If our authentic, historic, Amp is replaced with a faux replica, it will no longer be authentic or historic. We can upgrade the Amp without destroying it.
C
Cindy Boyer
11 years ago
I find the subterfuge of describing this demolition as a "rehab" very distressing, and a slap in the face of the founders of this site.
A
Arlene Wright Vanderlinde
11 years ago
With careful thought and planning, the historic fabric can be saved and the Amphitheater can be made state of the art. It's been accomplished many times. Look at Rochester's Hochstein Performance Hall. It may not be the easiest way, but it will certainly be the best.
L
Lorin Fogel
11 years ago
history and tradition are integeral to the chautauqua experience. a shiny new amphitheater is not. it is better to preserve the heart of our place of gathering than to build a new more facility laden, but one which adjuts the mood and simplicity of our shared tradition.
SAVE THE AMP
SAVE THE AMP
save the Amp!!!
Time for Tom It is past time for Tom Becker to retire. He tried to sell this project as a renovation when in reality it is a "tear down & new build". Many would label this approach an old fashioned "bait & switch". TB calls it "forward thinking".
The amphitheater at Chautauqua is a gem and should be preserved, maybe tweaked a little bit if necessary, but CERTAINLY not demolished!!!!
The very idea of demolishing the Amphitheater is a travesty. I'm thoroughly disgusted.
Impeach Becker and bring in an adult. This has gone on far too long!
PLEASE don't demolish this precious connection to the wonderful past of the institution!
Please abandon the current plan and come up with a reasonable compromise - but do not destroy the heart of Chautauqua
If those walls could talk!!!! Save the amp!!!!!
IMPROVMENT, YES!
THE PLAN TO CHANGE THE AMPHITHEATER, ITS UPARALLELED HISTORY, TRADITION AND MEANING IS INCONCEIVABLE AND THIS ACTION WOULD REPRESENT AN INSULT FOR WHAT CHAUTAUQUA HAS ALWAYS CHAMPIONED AND THAT IS THE ESSENCE OF ITS EXISTENCE. THE CHAUTAUQUA EXPERIENCE IS COMPLETELY UNIQUE IN THE WORLD. CHANGE THE AMPHITHEATER AND THIS WOULD CHANGE CHAUTAUQUA AND ITS PURPOSE TO THAT OF A PLACE THAT HAS NO DISTINCTION AND AN EXPERIENCE THAT WILL NEVER AGAIN SUSTAIN AND TRANSFORM THE THOUGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS. HISTORY, TRADITION, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE MUST CONTIUE TO BE FORGED IN THE CHAUTAUQUA CRUCIBLE OF INSPIRATION, CREATION, LEARING AND BELIEF THAT HAVE SUSTAINED THE AMERICAN IDEA AND ITS PEOPLE. THE AMPHITHEATER IS THAT SACRED EVENT. IT MUST REMAIN AS THAT SYMBOL FOR THE AGES.
Why not work with SHPO and other Preservation groups to find the best solution
We love the ampitheater !
I have a real problem with this petition process. I had to SIGN the petition in order to make a comment. I did not want to sign the petition. I wonder how many others are in the same situation. 1. Quote from Save the amp.org: "Most of landmark Chautauqua Amphitheater would be torn down under plan for a 'safer and more comfortable' replica" the word Most being the operative word. - The Buffalo News 9-15-14: Please tell me problem with this statement. 2. "As announced on November 23, the Committee to Preserve the Historic Chautauqua Amphitheater is partnering with CJS Architects to review engineering and other technical reports and to investigate what other options exist to near complete demolition of the Amp. Following a meeting on December 2 with CJS, Tom Becker, Chautauqua Institution President, informed Chautauquans promptly about his openness to any timely insight we could offer for retaining any of the roof structure -- which we all believe is essential for respecting the architectural and historic integrity of the Amp. We are happy to comply with the Institution’s request that our work is accomplished with deliberate speed. CJS Architects has requested the drawings and geotech reports necessary to complete this work. Isn't this what you wanted? 3. You state that it wasn't until the end of the summer that the discovered the problem with the roof. Yet, your campaign started years before. So, it's not about the roof. 4. Some say that 30 million would be better served with better programming. Do they understand that this money is private money given to improve the many problems with the amphitheater? 5. There was a letter to the Jamestown paper stating that "this is like the Taliban - excuse me? In the same article he mentioned that young people cannot stay still long enough to enjoy a program. My niece is extremely involved in the NOW Generation. She is part of a group of very intelligent and cultured (through the family's years at Chautauqua). They are
Please preserve the amp!
One of the great things about the Chautauqua Institution and the Amphitheater is the authenticity. If our authentic, historic, Amp is replaced with a faux replica, it will no longer be authentic or historic. We can upgrade the Amp without destroying it.
I find the subterfuge of describing this demolition as a "rehab" very distressing, and a slap in the face of the founders of this site.
With careful thought and planning, the historic fabric can be saved and the Amphitheater can be made state of the art. It's been accomplished many times. Look at Rochester's Hochstein Performance Hall. It may not be the easiest way, but it will certainly be the best.
history and tradition are integeral to the chautauqua experience. a shiny new amphitheater is not. it is better to preserve the heart of our place of gathering than to build a new more facility laden, but one which adjuts the mood and simplicity of our shared tradition.