L.B. Council Approves Plan for Symphony

Long Beach — The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved most of a task force’s recommendations for restructuring the beleaguered Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, which went dark in November because of a $575,000 debt.

In keeping with the Blue Ribbon Task Force recommendations, Robert Langslet, task force chairman, said he and Mayor Ernie Kell will meet this week to begin choosing 10 new symphony board members for a revamped executive committee.

The City Council set aside three recommendations for examination by its finance committee. Those recommendations are: The city should dedicate the proceeds of its new 1% bed tax to help major performing arts organizations; Terrace Theater rental should be reduced for local arts groups, and the Public Corp. for the Arts should be staffed to monitor and assist in financial and administrative organization for all major local arts groups.