Lawmakers ask guv to help save historic theater

Two state lawmakers say Gov. Bill Richardson has pledged to help them find $500,000 in state money save the historic Fountain Theatre from an uncertain future.

The owner of the 102-year-old theater put it up for sale last month. The Mesilla Valley Film Society, which operates the historic theater as a venue for alternative films, was given a chance to buy the facility if it can come up with $525,000 before July 17.

Though the group is holding a number of fundraisers, it’s a long shot.

State Reps. Mary Helen Garcia and Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces took the opportunity while hosting a fundraiser for the governor’s presidential campaign on Friday to talk to him about the project. Garcia told the Las Cruces Sun-News that Richardson agreed to help seek $500,000.

“We mentioned the idea to the governor, and he made the commitment,” the newspaper quoted her as saying.

This is politicking at its best, or worst, depending on how you look at it. Raise some private money for the governor’s campaign and, while you’re doing it, ask him for some public money for a project.

Those who frequent the Fountain Theatre will be overjoyed.

A Richardson spokesman told the newspaper the governor “does want to be helpful… but the details still need to be worked out.”

The idea taking shape would be for the Town of Mesilla to own the theater and lease it to the film society.

Cervantes told the newspaper that officials are examining whether any of this year’s capital outlay money can be spent on the project. If not, under the proposal Garcia and Cervantes are putting together, a request would be made in January, and the seller would be asked to hold off until then to allow more time for the deal to be worked out.