2 Entrepreneurs + The Oneonta = Very Promising Combination

2-12-10

Government help is great, as are non-profits.  They can make good things happen that wouldn’t otherwise.
But it’s a sign that a local economy is on the make when private enterprise starts to invest.
That’s why what Tom Cormier and Jon Weiss are trying to do with The Oneonta – former vaudeville house and cinema – is so exciting.
They have identified a need – for rock ’n’ roll – and are determined to fill it, even in the iffy economic climate.

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Both men bring valuable resources to the table, or the stage, if you will.
Cormier has a growing business installing satellite dishes in most of New York State and all of Pennsylvania outside Philadelphia.  His crews topped 1,000 installations in one week for the first time recently.  And he knows buildings, or The Oneonta would be a daunting one.
Weiss is a partner in the Warsaw @ The Polish National in Brooklyn, which New York magazine called “one of the city’s premier nightlife destinations – in any borough.”  He’s an originator of Cavestomp, an annual celebration of garage bands and “one-hit wonders.”
Both men are old enough to have experience, but youngish enough to have the energy to make things happen.
The link to the New York City scene, in particular, promises great things.

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Oneonta is a city with multiple arts venues. 
The Foothills Performing Arts Center is going to be a great catalyst for downtown revival.  Have you seen the little theater in the former Eagles’ Aerie – Muscles in Motion is there now; very neat.  SUNY Oneonta’s Goodrich Theater was refurbished in 2004-05.  There are numerous very fine church halls.
There’s plenty of space for everyone to do whatever everyone wants.
The Friends of the Oneonta Theater had hoped to use the cinema for movies, and perhaps it still can in collaboration with Cormier and Weiss.
If it can’t, there are other places – the small theater in Foothills’ production facility is very adaptable.  Regardless, The Friends deserve the community’s thanks for achieving its goal by spreading the word of The Oneonta’s availability.

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With entrepreneurial flexibility, who knows what Cormer and Weiss can accomplish.
Perhaps they will tap the talent of SUNY Oneonta’s 600-major music industry department.  Perhaps they will help catapult one of the many fledgling local bands to fame.
Perhaps ... The point is, this is all very good.