Local News

Arts Council Reports Success
By April Avison (Eagle Staff Writer)

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

The Arts Council of Brazos Valley has increased membership, paid debts and garnered more state funding over the past year, an agency official told College Station City Council members Thursday.

The City Council requires its three contract partners -- the Arts Council, the Research Valley Partnership and the Bryan-College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau -- to provide annual updates. The agencies are considered contract partners because the city offers a combined $1.8 million to the groups each year and they, in turn, provide a benefit to the community in terms of tourism.

About $440,000 is allocated annually from the city to the Arts Council.

The Arts Council has been under more of a microscope than the other contract partners, however, since its former executive director, P. David Romei, was indicted last year on charges of theft and misapplication of financial property. He is accused of stealing roughly $40,000 from the Arts Council and the city of College Station. Romei has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in August.

A subcommittee of three City Council members was formed last year to study the Arts Council's financial policies and determined that it was comfortable with the way the organization was operating under new Director Padraic Fisher's leadership. Ron Gay, a former city councilman who was vocally critical of the Arts Council and repeatedly asked that it not continue receiving city funds, was ousted from office in a May election.

Since Fisher took the helm of the arts group in mid-2006, about 17 affiliate agencies have joined the organization, he told elected officials Thursday. The Arts Council also paid off a $40,000 loan it took out last year to cover legal fees and accounting expenses. Individual memberships increased by about 15 percent, and the Arts Council at least $10,000 more than it has received in the past.

City Council members said Thursday that they were pleased to see the arts agency thriving.

"It's really good to see the breadth and vibrancy of the Arts Council after a very difficult year," said Councilman John Crompton

Published Friday, June 27, 2008

Free HIV Testing to be Available

From the Bryan-College Station Eagle

The Brazos County Health Department will administer free HIV tests from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday.

The event is in recognition of National HIV Testing Day on Friday, part of an annual campaign by the National Association of People with AIDS that encourages everyone to get tested.

The health department is at 201 N. Texas Ave. in Bryan. A photo ID is required to get a test.

An estimated 180,000 to 280,000 people nationwide don't realize they are HIV-positive, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, which attacks the immune system.

The Community Health Center will offer free HIV testing at Revolution Café & Bar from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday.

Published Friday, June 27, 2008