Opinion: Cerritos Mayor Pro-Tem Bruce Barrows Actions Cause Collateral Damage

Only 206 people attend country event at the CCPA.

By Brian Hews, Publisher

This past Friday the Frontman of Country played at the CCPA. The band members were:

Larry Stewart-over 5 million albums sold; ACM Award winner; 7 Time CMA Award nominee; 4 -time Grammy Award nominee. Hits include: “I’ll Still Be Loving You”, “The Bluest Eyes in Texas” , “That Rock Won’t Roll”, “Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right)”, “Fast Movin’ Train”.

Tim Rushlow-over 11 Million albums sold; ACM Award winner; CMA Award winner; 3-time Grammy Award nominee. Hits include: “What Might Have Been”, “God Blessed Texas”, “You and Forever and Me”, “Amy’s Back in Austin”, “She Misses Him”.

Marty Roe-lead singer of multi-platinum selling group Diamon Roe who won a Grammy for the Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album.

Sounded like a great concert, and our resident critic Glen Creason agreed.

Despite the talent, only 206 attended the concert, that’s right only 206 people.

This is an all-time low for the CCPA and a real embarrassment to the iconic theater; none of this the fault of CCPA staff.

Back in June, despite Dianne Cheney, Executive Director of the CCPA showing strong evidence that advertising sells tickets, the Cerritos City Council cut most print and radio advertising (LA Times, OC Register, Los Cerritos Community News) to the CCPA.

If you read this paper you know why they cut the budget; Mayor pro tem Barrows led the council to cut the budget because of our coverage of his assault of Jay Gray. Who know what Barrows offered the council to vote 5-0 I am sure we will find out at the next Mayoral transition.

There is a direct correlation between the council cutting the print/radio advertising for the CCPA and the Friday turnout. As Cheney said, “60-70% of our sales come from the mailed brochure, the remaining 30% from advertising.”

It is a real shame that the anger of one misguided councilman can cause so much collateral damage. Barrows wanted to hurt this paper for our coverage of his assault, and it did not matter who else was in the way not even the venerable CCPA.

As VAL LYNDER DEFENDER OF ALL THAT IS TRUE would say-while slamming her polka-dotted umbrella on the desk, “this is terrible and something needs to be done”!

I agree VAL.