With a new contract approved by a 4-1 vote tonight to allow Elizabeth Branham to run the day to day operations of the Roanoke Rapids Theatre, a strong push is being made to have more events at the venue.

Before the vote was cast later in the meeting, Branham, operating the theater under the name Taymac Productions, briefed city council on what has been happening at the venue since the November Old Crow Medicine Show concert and a New Year's Eve show and dance there.

Branham told council she plans to give regular updates on the theater. She said several repairs were done at no cost to the city, repairs which included fixing a leaking roof.

"Several different promoters have come through," she said. "More people are aware of the room and the technical ramifications."

The box office is open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Branham encourages the public to come for a tour of the facility.

Rental agreements will change to allow the lobby, where the New Year's Eve dance was held, and other parts of the venue besides the auditorium area to be used. Schools will also be using the theater, she said.

One thing that will change is the $2 per ticket sold clause, something Branham said  causes an unfair assessment of whether a show was or wasn't a success. "It's not in the best interest of the theater."

The approximately 700 people who attended the OCMS show, she said, translated to a phenomenal success. "That's 700 people selling the venue. You could have 1,400 people and there would be people who would say there should be 2,400 seats."

The manager of the Charlie Daniels Band has visited the theater. "Everyone who comes says it's a great facility," Branham said.

Branham said she is looking at children's shows for the theater and a schedule should be posted by February 1.

Meanwhile tonight, council approved the contract between the city and Branham.

The biggest change in the contract, City Manager Paul Sabiston told council, is the termination portion of the document which gives 10 days written notice instead of 30.

Rental fees for larger shows at the theater will be a matter of negotiation and could be based on the revenue potential, Sabiston said.

Council member Suetta Scarbrough made the motion to approve the contract and Ernest Bobbitt cast the second. Carl Ferebee voted against the measure.

Following the meeting Ferebee said  he voted against the measure because he didn't have time to thoroughly study the agreement, which was presented to council tonight.

While he said he believes Branham is the right person for the theater, he said he had concerns about the structure of the contract, "And us not working out a fee."