Holly Town Trustees Approve Theater Improvements

Holly Theater, Site of Future Renovations

Kammie Cathcart of the Holly Pride Committee discussed structural improvement plans for the Holly Theater with town trustees during their monthly meeting, Wednesday, August 1.  Cathcart explained that $30,000 will be needed to bolster a supporting wall which separates the theater from Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel on South Main Street.  The wall has been in need of repairs for several years and seating inside the theater has been altered to accommodate support for the wall.  The improvement plans also call for a new roof which will be slightly lengthened to cover a proposed extension of the theater which includes additional bathrooms and space for other activities. 

Cathcart said the funds needed to replace the outdated projector and sound system are on hand, but equipment won’t be installed into the exterior improvements have been made.   The theater is one of the oldest continuously used buildings in Holly, and the building is 100 years old.  The trustees approved the budgeted $30,000 for initial improvements and the Holly Pride Committee said their fund-raising efforts will continue for future upgrades.    City Administrator, Marsha Willhite provided the trustees with a five year financial analysis which showed the theater has received $26,000 in support from the town, mostly through utility payments. The theater now seats 173 persons, Cathcart said and several may be eliminated to make way for a proposed stage. 

Donnie Suefer, candidate for Prowers County Commissioners for District One, spoke to the trustees and explained what he hopes to accomplish if elected in the November ballot.  He stated how water rights along the river will be one of his prime concerns, and how that water needs to be protected for development in the Arkansas Valley.  Suefer said he’s optimistic about Holly’s future growth in the county and he pledged to be accessible to board members and the general public as a commissioner.  He commended the efforts of PCDI to improve the business climate of Prowers County and said he appreciated the new information regarding economic developments in the county he gained from attending the past monthly board meetings.

 City Administrator Willhite briefed the trustees on the Crew Report for this past July.  Twelve new, touch-read water meters were installed, replacing older models; the town has received several positive reports on the new U.S. flag pole installed on South Main Street.  A water main at the north end of North Park was repaired and a new fire hydrant was installed and a new chlorine pump was put on the east well.

Willhite, an ARPA board member, distributed a power grid transmission map displaying ARPA’s coverage area to the trustees to help explain any future dealings with town trustees may have with the power company.  Trustees also discussed comparative power charges and power use purchases from Lamar Light and Power and ARPA between 2011 and 2012. 

Trailside Liquor and D-m Liquor had their liquor license renewals approved by the board.  At the owner’s request, the liquor license renewal for Toni’s Lounge was removed from the Trustee’s agenda.  Monica Leiker was approved to fill an unexpired term on the town’s library board, and a dance license was granted for the town complex for August 11.

By Russ Baldwin