Happy Daily 3875 — In Defense of Outdoor Movies (and Highlander)
Wilkesboro is cutting the movies and concerts out of the budget, and Brian has something to say about it. Specifically, he has something to say about Highlander, Wild Thing, and what happens to a generation of children who never get to watch important films outside under the stars. Episode 3875 of the Happy Daily — it's a big number and a bigger show.
Apple Podcasts Wednesday’s Happy Daily came in at episode 3875, which Brian noted is a significant number — not a round one, but significant in the way that any number starts to feel significant when you’ve been showing up long enough.
The main topic was the proposed Wilkesboro town budget, which includes a one-cent property tax cut but would eliminate town-sponsored concerts and movies in the downtown commons. Brian understands budgets. He said so. He just also understands that there is a generation of Wilkes County children who will now grow up without seeing Highlander under the stars, and he is not prepared to let that go without comment. He made the case — earnestly and at some length — for Wild Thing (1987), The Goonies, Armageddon, and Big Trouble in Little China as the kind of civic infrastructure that a one-cent tax cut cannot replace. He also offered to perform a free concert himself, given the circumstances, and suggested that if folks wanted to let their commissioners know what they thought, they were welcome to mention that Brian Kilby sent them, and that Brian Kilby might make a reasonable county commissioner. Or governor. He’s open.
On the news front: Wilkes County commissioners approved more funding for Wilkes County Schools and Wilkes Community College than originally proposed, and the Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership kept its Main Street America designation after a strong year of investment and business growth downtown. The Wilkes Medical Center Foundation also welcomed two new board members.
Jack did not enjoy the rain. This was noted.
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