Last month supporters of Metro Theater came out to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the opening of the Metro (nee Midtown) Theater. My neighbor, John Beattie came up with a great idea for a community fundraiser. He counted 76 lights under the marquee and suggested finding a sponsor for each light. John ran the idea by Albert Bialek. Albert was not initially receptive. He said there was a signed lease and renovation of the entire building was coming soon.

Friends of Metro Theater, the loose association of friends + neighbors that sprang from this petition in April of 2021, is restructuring - - or structuring, as we had no bylaws previously. Early in June I circulated an editable Google doc regarding FoMT rules and bylaws in response to pressure from [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] not to write about certain topics or speak about certain things.

Last week, [REDACTED] and other longtime members of Friends of Metro Theater created a spin-off group called New Friends of Metro Theater. The problem is, they are still calling themselves “the board” of Friends of Metro Theater. Some kind and knowledgeable about the situation recommended NY Peace .org for mediation.

(One may be reminded of Monty Python’s “People’s Front of Judea” scene in The Life of Brian:-)

if you would like to be involved in the creation of bylaws for Friends of Metro Theater, you may join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/738547113474034/?ref=share_group_link

or email me:

enniferj@gmail.com

Thanks for helping to build a kind, inclusive, vibrant society:-)

Jennifer (Jeanne J) Johnson