I would like to set the record straight on a few things concerning the Ro-Na Theatre and the Tri-State Artistic Friends.

Where have we gone and where has the money gone?

This question is being asked by some and I feel it should be answered. We are still here waiting for the air to clear after our name was smeared by some in the city government.

We jumped in with both feet and immediately started planning events that would raise money for this project.

The White Elephant Sale being the first of many in the works. We raised $5058 with this project.

Most everything was donated, but there were some expenses that had to be covered including security, food and drinks for the concession stand that were purchased at a cost of $364.17.

The majority of people that donated were very specific that the money we raised not be turned over to our city government, but go directly to expenses for the theater.

We felt that the best way to do this project was through a non-profit organization, in order to keep the cost down by as much as 40 percent by using volunteer labor and donated or “at cost” materials.

It did not have to be our organization, but the city needed to turn the project over to a non-profit organization in order to qualify for available grants, donations, and other funding.

One grant that could have been applied for was for as much as $250,000 for non-profit arts organizations. This application closed on April 2.

But, apparently, the mayor does not agree with turning this project over to a non-profit. So the city has formed a steering committee specifically to put the roof on the building and are advertising for bids.

The steering committee does not include any of the original volunteers, other than my husband and current councilman, Frank Murphy.

This committee is now soliciting donations for the theater.

In all of the publicity that they are now trying to generate by naming contributors, they have failed to acknowledge Tri-State Artistic Friends again.

At the mayor’s request, we paid for the dumpsters that were used when the building was being cleaned out by volunteers. Those dumpsters were at a cost of $1589.07.

This leaves a balance from the White Elephant Sale of $3104.76. We also have in storage collectible items and one-of-a-kind crafts that were donated to be used for the auction.

We have not turned our back on this project because it is vital to rejuvenating our downtown. We have only put our fundraisers on hold, i.e. an auction, cookbook, concerts, chili cook off, dances, and future White Elephant Sales until the city comes and asks us for our help or turns it over to a non-profit organization.

I feel responsible to those of you that donated, supported and volunteered for this project and asked that we remain accountable for this money and not just turn it over to the city.

It saddens me to know that in a community this small, that people can’t work together for the better of the community without all this drama and back-stabbing.

Cristianne Murphy

Ironton