Fox Theatre Admits “Misstep”, Looks To Resolve Patten Dispute
Decatur Metro | September 3, 2010Patten dispute! Get it??
Anyway, looks like the Fox is finally doing a little back-pedaling on this whole Joe Patten kerflaffle. From the AJC’s latest article…
Fox Theatre general manager Allan Vella admitted Thursday that a letter delivered to longtime resident Joe Patten was heavy-handed and gave the misconception that the venue needed the apartment that the 83-year-old man has called home for nearly 31 years.
“There is no immediate need for that unit, for that apartment,” Vella told the AJC in an interview Thursday afternoon. “It’s not really the pressing issue that I think [the letter] appears to indicate, and I think that was kind of really a misstep on its part.”
…Vella and Fox officials have softened their stance against Patten’s new long-term living arrangement as a result of it, saying that there’s “very little” that can’t be worked out.
“I think what is clear to us is that there may be some arrangements and some accommodations that can be made,” Vella said.
Latest from Decaturish
gotta love the effects of bad press. however i’m still convinced they want him out asap.
Well, I kinda thought it was a corporate-type concern over potential liability given Mr. Patten’s increasingly delicate condition. No doubt the Fox’ risk management person would feel that way as well. While that is understandable, I thought also it was the wrong way to go about addressing that concern.
Whether brought about by cooler heads or the bad press, kudos to the FOX for moving in the right direction. One so seldom sees that in today’s world of entrenchment, common sense be damned (Congress, are you listening? ).
Here’s to Mr. Patten and the FOX continuing their unique and wonderful relationship.
Fox Theatre’s Facebook comments are loooooooooooong on this issue. They even shut down their FB page for a while. They made some comment that they never expected such a reaction to their actions! What kind of empty heads (and hard hearts) are running the Fox Theatre nowadays? I am sure they are insured up to the hilt, and one more person inside the building with potential problems is not going to change their liability one blip. They need to take several steps back from their previous position and language, and make things 100% right for Mr. Patten to keep his home intact for as long as he lives or chooses to live there.
I’m glad for the moment that this has seemed to work out. I can’t imagine the pressure and stress this put on him. This wasn’t just a place to live for him.
I hope he is able to live there with whatever peace he can find with the situation, and without any further harassment.
Just an example and not saying that the FOX folks weren’t being insensitive:
SCENARIO: Mr. Patten has a medical emergency at 3AM…falls, heart attack, whatever. Calls 911.
Medics arrive but cannot get to him because he is behind all those locked gates and doors. Clock is ticking. Trying to locate someone in the middle of the night who can unlock that safety gate on ponce, then the door that actually lets you into the building, then the door to Mr. Patten’s apt. TICK…TICK…TICK…these type of obstacles could mean the difference in life or death for Mr. Patten. Lawyers would be ALL OVER that, unfortunately.
This is just an example of a possible reasoning position. Another is that the manager of the FOX wants to live there. Or maybe Paris Hilton wants a pad in Atlanta.
Yes, this is what I was thinking, as well.
I see your point, but this could have happened at any point during the last 30 years. It seems there has to have been some sort of plan for this eventuality. I’m going to Joe’s apartment tomorrow and will ask.
I can’t imagine that the Fox Theatre doesn’t have security personnel on the job 24/7. If they don’t, they SHOULD. As for ER crews, they have “ways” to enter a locked building, trust me. Do you think that every person who calls 9-1-1 is able to unlock their door to make entrance easier for help to access them? In any case, if Mr. Patten chooses to remain in his home knowing the risks involved, that’s his business. It would not create any further liability for the theatre. Mr. Patten could give the theatre a signed release of liability if that’s what they require. Just sayin’…
My point was the ADDITIONAL obstacles that a single home/apt. doesn’t present. JUST SAYIN’.
My gut tells me the Paris angle is the real reason.
It’s sad that it takes an uproar from the public for Fox board to do the right thing.
True, but VERY typical of corporations.
Actually, Atlanta Landmarks is a non-profit run by a volunteer board of trustees. Just goes to show that corporations don’t have a monopoly on bad behavior.
“…[the letter] appears to indicate, and I think that was kind of really a misstep on its part.”
See? it’s the letter’s fault.
It wrote and delivered itself. Bad letter!
Even letters take on a life of their own if no one watches them carefully. Best unplug those Fox computers at night, so the beast can’t write these kinds of letters to anyone.
While I agree these are encouraging signs, it’s WAY too early to declare this matter resolved and Joe’s status secure. For those who care to stay involved, Delta, Coke and Lexus are all major corporate sponsors of the Fox and are in a position to influence AL’s management to do the right thing. After all, these company’s don’t want their brands associated with the eviction of an old man from an institution he saved (twice) and has pretty much devoted the last half of his life to. They all have Facebook pages and pay attention to what their customers have to say, so that’s a great way to help.
I’m peripherally involved in this saga and can tell you that Joe is immensely grateful for all the support he’s received over the past week. Even if the AL management has forgotten, it’s good to know that the people of Atlanta remember the indespensible role Joe played in saving this treasure.
The lesson for us all: Don’t be old and in the way.
Thanks for this reminder to contact the Fox corporate sponsors. I have already contacted Coca-Cola and Delta. Now I will send off some kind of letter to Lexus. It never hurts to make SURE they know what is being done with their money and their good brand names. Their investment in Fox Theatre is meant to boost their own marketability, not degrade it. I’m VERY GLAD that you have made sure that Mr. Patten is aware of all the support the public is giving him now, and in the future.
The same day Allan Vella made those statements, Atlanta Landmarks had a letter hand-delivered to Joe, and it didn’t seem conciliatory. Read about it here: http://intownwriter.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/whos-running-the-fox-circus/
You can also read all of the documents for yourself here:
http://intownwriter.wordpress.com and click on “Just the Facts, Ma’am: All The Documents You Need.”
Also, if you care about Joe, join us for a rally down at the Fox Monday from 5-8 PM. For info, check out the “Save Joe, The Phantom of the Fox” Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/keepjoeinthefox