tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post9107000401009287410..comments2023-10-17T08:48:44.310-07:00Comments on Hoosiers For Fair Taxation: Taxpayers and city councilor call for cuts in arts fundingM Theoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01892309818226431745noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-38646861207102862932008-08-09T10:43:00.000-07:002008-08-09T10:43:00.000-07:00Nothing original here on this issue of cutting pub...Nothing original here on this issue of cutting public funding for the Arts! The talking points have been dispersed.<BR/><BR/>Watch this clip from C-SPAN.<BR/>It is Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO) speaking in Congress on cutting public funding for the arts (NEA). Listen to his words: the very words used by those in favor of cutting our local arts funding. <BR/><BR/>Lamborn is a rep. from Colorado Springs, one of the most conservative, military-saturated, right-wing, diversity-intolerant districts in the nation.<BR/>I know this from personal experience.<BR/><BR/>Do the people of Indy want to follow this lead?<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnAK4rjK2Xg&feature=relatedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-11828667082258165242008-08-09T07:39:00.000-07:002008-08-09T07:39:00.000-07:00"The ROI on the $2 Marion county residents spend i..."The ROI on the $2 Marion county residents spend in taxes each year for city funding for the arts comes from the economic impact it stimulates ($468 million annually), the jobs it helps support (15,000), and the additional tax revenue it helps generate ($52 million state/local)."<BR/><BR/>Where can I find a breakdown of exactly where this 1.5 mil/$2 per person goes? <BR/><BR/>If this 15,000 is based on tax filings, I am one of em, not for the art I make though, but rather I am designated "artist" because I paint bunnies in kids' rooms. that's how I count as an artist on paper.<BR/><BR/>I'll agree the $1.5 mil grants the city a huge bang for the buck, especially compared to other expenditures. But for the sake of accuracy, one cannot count these 15,000 jobs, and the economic stimulus generated, as a concrete result of the funding. <BR/><BR/>Some portion of the figures are directly the result, and some portion are indirectly benefited by the funding.But some of it is entirely unrelated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-86867436172182378542008-08-07T20:07:00.000-07:002008-08-07T20:07:00.000-07:00Hey Melyssa,I'm sorry, but I don't quite follow yo...Hey Melyssa,<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry, but I don't quite follow your point, and don't quite see what the facts are in it.<BR/><BR/>I think (and certainly don't want to put words in your mouth) that what you appear to be saying is publicly funded education in Indianapolis has problems and doesn't work as well as it should. That's a point many of us could agree upon. Our high school graduation rates are atrocious, and that's a problem that will haunt us for a long time.<BR/><BR/>I think it would be unreasonable though to suggest that the arts funding that is used for educational outreach programs is the reason that our public schools don't work as well as they should and that our kids aren't as smart as they could be (if that's in fact your point). My guess is the education the arts outreach programs is meant to provide is supposed to supplement the education kids receive from school, not replace it.<BR/><BR/>The ROI on the $2 Marion county residents spend in taxes each year for city funding for the arts comes from the economic impact it stimulates ($468 million annually), the jobs it helps support (15,000), and the additional tax revenue it helps generate ($52 million state/local). <BR/><BR/>I don't have the facts on this, but it might be interesting to know what kinds of grades kids at arts magnets earn compared to their peers at other schools (not claiming that arts funding plays any role in that, only that arts education leads to higher cumulative scores in other subjects and stuff). Again, there are plenty of studies out there stating kids who learn music perform better in math, etc.<BR/><BR/>As I've said earlier, I think this issue really boils down to how we choose to develop our community, how we choose to invest and spend taxpayer money and what the consequences of those choices really are. <BR/><BR/>So here's some questions for perhaps you or Ms. Scales: <BR/>Will the city be that much better if its deficit is $24.5 million instead of $26 million? <BR/><BR/>How so? <BR/><BR/>And what line items are going to be spared and why?<BR/> <BR/>Finally, how do they impact the lives of thousands of people, cost just $2 per person per year and stimulate millions in city tax revenue (I'm no accountant but I'm guessing the tax revenue the city receives from arts related spending is far more than what it's investing in the arts...and so how is what's being spared generating tax revenue like the arts do?) <BR/><BR/>JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-41967905015307448502008-08-07T17:57:00.000-07:002008-08-07T17:57:00.000-07:00I don't see a clear case for an ROI, as you say. I...I don't see a clear case for an ROI, as you say. I sell advertising, so ROI is something I work with everyday. <BR/><BR/>Let's talk facts concerning the ROI you claim exists. <BR/><BR/>Have you checked in on the kids getting government education in Indy lately? How is that arts funding working out for them? <BR/><BR/>Time to quit pretending the emperor is wearing clothes . There's nothing behind the curtain. <BR/><BR/>I'm not going away on this issue. Our taxpayers will not take on more debt so arts muckety-mucks can eat in top tier restaurants with other elites on our dime!<BR/><BR/>Bart underestimated me last year. Ask how that worked out for him last November.<BR/><BR/>And those of you who want to 'save' this charade (your taxpayer funded feed trough), have not even begun to hate me yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-25454656064751374792008-08-07T17:17:00.000-07:002008-08-07T17:17:00.000-07:00Melyssa wrote: "Stay tuned for more whining, taxpa...Melyssa wrote: "Stay tuned for more whining, taxpayers!"<BR/><BR/>I say, Enough already, Melyssa! <BR/>No more whining...Please.<BR/><BR/>I thank the others who enlightened me with facts and clear thinking on this arts funding topic.<BR/>It gets me thinking in new directions about how my taxes are best spent. The ROI is clearly on the side of the Arts in this case. No rocket science there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-6058021485623398752008-08-07T15:49:00.000-07:002008-08-07T15:49:00.000-07:00For the record, Slick-us Oil Stadium or other imp...For the record, Slick-us Oil Stadium or other imported "talent" in the form of athletes, etc., etc. (for those who require excessive enumeration in addition to unconstitutional remuneration), likewise does not justify STEALING , nor does "feeling" your way into someone else's pocket. Grow up, with your own money vs. forced patronage. <BR/><BR/>Forget light rail, these art thieves (whether by committee or?) need a heavy-duty logic train.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-26163546267719181372008-08-06T19:51:00.000-07:002008-08-06T19:51:00.000-07:00To Anonymous 4:11 pm"To some sour grapes, to other...To Anonymous 4:11 pm<BR/>"To some sour grapes, to others a fine aged wine."<BR/><BR/>I think that last phrase should have been "to others a fine aged whine." I agree with others that melyssa seems to be so vocal because she did not receive funding.<BR/><BR/>After reading Jenny Guimont's response, melyssa continues to attack the arts council when she was refused a grant from the ICDC and that the money was refused from private funds rather than public funds. If all that Ms. Guimont says is correct, melyssa is still not paying attention to details, and maybe that had something to do with not receiving the funding.<BR/><BR/>And where is Pete's outrage at even more money taken from us and more to be taken in the future to fund Lucas Oil Stadium while offering a lower return on investment than what the arts offer? And where is his complaint that the city is funding "outa town" athletes? I also know artists who were out of town at one point and after being "brought in," have since chosen Indianapolis as home.<BR/><BR/>I find it amusing how many people seem to be up in arms about arts funding when it is such a small part of the budget and yet are not bothered at all by a much larger percentage taken for something that yields such a lower ROI. If the arguement is that the budget is only for public safety, education etc. then that arguement should be true for ALL funding that does not fit that criteria. <BR/><BR/>That said, all of the arts offer many educational benefits - for instance: teaching how to think rather than just to regurgitate information for a test.<BR/><BR/>Finally, thank you Jim for remaining calm throughout your posts and for providing clear responses backed up with facts and figures.<BR/><BR/>DanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-9588419455649384162008-08-06T16:11:00.000-07:002008-08-06T16:11:00.000-07:00To some sour grapes, to others a fine aged wine.To some sour grapes, to others a fine aged wine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-62425211219438604322008-08-06T13:32:00.000-07:002008-08-06T13:32:00.000-07:00Hi Christopher,We have something in common! I lef...Hi Christopher,<BR/>We have something in common! I left the republican party too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-86724099457258407332008-08-06T12:49:00.000-07:002008-08-06T12:49:00.000-07:00Every time I think I'm becoming more conservative ...Every time I think I'm becoming more conservative someone like Melyssa comes around and reminds me why I left the Republican Party in the first place. Thank you Jenny Guimont for responding with the facts and exposing these sour grapes for what they are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-5666593931988762472008-08-06T10:50:00.000-07:002008-08-06T10:50:00.000-07:00I wrote:"Oh well. It was a good lesson in what won...I wrote:<BR/>"Oh well. It was a good lesson in what wonderful projects can be produced that put money directly into the pockets of local artists WITHOUT public funding."<BR/><BR/>No sour grapes from me. I'm happy I didn't get the handout because I worked so much harder. And hard work is good for a person. <BR/><BR/>And thanks to Jenny Guimont. I got more attention from you today on this blog than I did from the arts council back in 2004 when I submitted that grant proposal. <BR/><BR/>No sour grapes here. Just doing my part as a taxpayer to look out for the city's financial health and will keep on supporting our local culture and arts like always.<BR/><BR/>Stay tuned for more whining, taxpayers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-6412627841344128562008-08-06T09:32:00.000-07:002008-08-06T09:32:00.000-07:00Melyssa's posts (especially the one on August 5, 2...Melyssa's posts (especially the one on August 5, 2008 10:22 AM) reveal the most common motivation that may lie behind her mission against Arts funding...SOUR GRAPES.<BR/><BR/>Melyssa "gave warning that there will be crying and whining...."<BR/><BR/>Well here it is.... from Melyssa herself:<BR/>"I also applied for a cultural tourism grant through the arts council..... I spent 55 hours writing the proposal..... My proposal was ignored.....I had to call Jenny Guimont many times after the timeline I was to hear an answer......Finally several weeks past their deadline for an answer I got a letter that said only that the event did not meet their criteria...when indeed it did."<BR/><BR/>Whah, whah, whah.......the arts council didn't give Melyssa her grant, now Melyssa wants revenge, and all local artists must pay.<BR/><BR/>What a joke.<BR/><BR/>Signed,<BR/>A local artist who is NOT a member of a clique, does NOT schmooze with ANYBODY, yet has been assisted by the Arts Council and is grateful for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-30968588414518599392008-08-06T09:21:00.000-07:002008-08-06T09:21:00.000-07:00Melyssa,I feel that it is important to step in at ...Melyssa,<BR/><BR/>I feel that it is important to step in at this point and provide the facts about your accusations of me and the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission (ICDC).<BR/><BR/>The grant for which you applied was a 2004 Fast Track grant for the “Erotic Arts Ball 2004” through the ICDC – not the Arts Council as you previously stated.<BR/><BR/>The application was dated July 28, 2004, adjudication took place on August 20, 2004 and the notification letter was sent on September 2, 2004. The 2004 application stated, “Notification of award recommendation will generally occur within 4 weeks of date of application”. Other timing details were clearly articulated in the application guidelines. There was no delay in communicating the denial to you.<BR/><BR/>The funding request of $5,000 was denied based on the determination that the project was not the best or most appropriate use of the ICDC’s funds.<BR/><BR/>In 2004 the ICDC was an equal public/private partnership between the CIB and Lilly Endowment. The Fast Track program has always been funded by the private side of that partnership. No public funding is used for this program.<BR/><BR/>Your proposal was not “ignored” as you said in your post. Each and every application submitted through the Fast Track program is handled in the same way and given the same level of attention. The applications are reviewed by committee and ratified by the entire ICDC. Your indication that this was decision made by a “clique” is unfortunate. That simply has never been the case.<BR/><BR/>Throughout the history of the Fast Track program, I have made myself available to applicants both before submission of an application and after notifications have been made. I would have appreciated the opportunity to talk with you about your application at that time. It is understandably much harder to do so four years after the application was submitted and through a public blog.<BR/><BR/>For the record, to date the Fast Track program has dispersed over $850,000 to over 140 organizations and individuals. Since the beginning this program has been highly competitive, and only the strongest projects that align best to the Commission’s goals receive funding.<BR/><BR/>For more information about the ICDC and our programs, please visit us at www.culturalindy.org. Thank you for the opportunity to clarify this information.<BR/><BR/>Jenny GuimontAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-42391906411278475452008-08-06T06:30:00.000-07:002008-08-06T06:30:00.000-07:00melyssa,sounds like you're doing a great job, so l...melyssa,<BR/><BR/>sounds like you're doing a great job, so let me get this right, all artists need to be able to go out and generate their own events, funds, and create art...okay, i'll be sure to pass that message on and see how well it is received.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-57614194747452698632008-08-06T05:54:00.000-07:002008-08-06T05:54:00.000-07:00Gee! I'm an artist who is too busy doing my work, ...Gee! I'm an artist who is too busy doing my work, to take my tin cup and go begging. I heve never taken "government" money for anything, other than a commissioned piece.<BR/><BR/>If your work can't stand on its own merit, then why should I be forced to pay for it?<BR/><BR/>From what I have seen, most of the Indianapolis "Art/Artist's" groups, are little more than mutual admiration societies for those of limited talent...Who like to make themselves feel better, by assulting others.<BR/><BR/>If you have talent, it should be rewarded. (Mine fed and raised a family) If you don't have talent, accept it and move on--DON'T PICK MY POCKETS! I work too hard for my money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-31318183413934529112008-08-06T02:28:00.000-07:002008-08-06T02:28:00.000-07:00Hi Melyssa,I'm sorry, I'm apparently not making my...Hi Melyssa,<BR/>I'm sorry, I'm apparently not making myself clear here.<BR/><BR/>My point isn't to "save the arts" (nor the artists). I don't believe arts organizations are immediately endangered by the potential cuts we're discussing, nor individual artists, either. <BR/><BR/>What I am concerned over are the likely outcomes. Just as you've demonstrated via your personal example, the arts organizations will continue to work hard in order to exist, and will do the things necessary to raise money to help offset losses in revenues.<BR/><BR/>However, as many of us do in our personal cost-cutting, it will be the "extras" that get cut out. And as I pointed out in an earlier post, in the case of the arts organizations, those extras will likely be the programs that benefit those among us who have the least, i.e., the impoverished.<BR/><BR/>As someone said earlier here, the mayor promised to make cuts, and that's true, he did. Now that he's about to realize those promises, it's important to judiciously weigh which cuts make sense, and why compared to which don't. <BR/><BR/>If folks have all the information and facts, they can make an informed decision and then choose to cut, adjust or leave this budget or that one alone. <BR/><BR/>So my point, solely, is that the less than $2 per person is an incredibly sound and smart investment (especially compared to others we've made) that pays off each year, and will likely yield community development benefits for many years to come. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps the mayor and city council might demonstrate or explain how that $1.5 million savings would benefit the community other than simply cutting or balancing the budget? Or, to quote someone else, what are the community-wide benefits of a city budget that's $24.5 million in the red versus $26 million? Does that benefit outweigh those that will be lost by cutting that funding?<BR/><BR/>It might also be interesting to see if there is any other city budget item with a similar rate of return that's also being completely zeroed out. My guess is there isn't, and if not, shouldn't we know why? <BR/><BR/>Thanks...<BR/><BR/>JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-80939229740131333852008-08-05T18:14:00.000-07:002008-08-05T18:14:00.000-07:00John Billington,I don't recall the exact time fram...John Billington,<BR/>I don't recall the exact time frame that they gave for a reply because it happened four years ago. However, I can tell you that she did not come even close to meeting the deadline and I had to nag them to get an answer. <BR/><BR/>Worse, it was leaked to me before I sent the proposal, and obviously before it was read, that I would not receive funding.<BR/><BR/>Would have been nice after investing 55 hours of my life writing the proposal to know why I was turned down and to get their answer within the time frame set forth by their published guideline. <BR/><BR/>Oh well. It was a good lesson in what wonderful projects can be produced that put money directly into the pockets of local artists WITHOUT public funding. <BR/><BR/>Did I mention that I gave $1000 away in art prizes that night too?<BR/><BR/>I raised that $1000 in cash to give away WITHOUT public funding. The catch was that I had to back up every promise I made to produce that project with my own funds.<BR/><BR/>Go figure.<BR/><BR/>P.s. I am happy to teach anyone who wants to "save the arts" how to produce art projects without city funding that support and promote our local arts and arts culture without using a penny of taxpayer monies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-18113047342947884102008-08-05T17:37:00.000-07:002008-08-05T17:37:00.000-07:00I'm not the best at math, but if we're $26 mil sho...I'm not the best at math, but if we're $26 mil short and we cut the arts budget, would not that make us only $24.5 mil short? <BR/><BR/>How much interest do the bond banks charge on borrowing $1.5 million to pay for arts funding? How long will it take the taxpayers to pay it back? <BR/><BR/>It would seem that more than $1.5 million of taxpayers' labor is at stake here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-17264304707529863832008-08-05T17:34:00.000-07:002008-08-05T17:34:00.000-07:00melyssa,Again, its lack of attention to detail and...melyssa,<BR/><BR/>Again, its lack of attention to detail and facts that has me annoyed. You're refering to a grant from another organization, NOT the Arts Council of Indianapolis. And it probably took her some time to get back with you since Jenny is the ONLY person running that program.<BR/><BR/>I do not have a job dependent on public funds, I have no investment in the arts other than my love of great art.<BR/><BR/>Thanks Jim for numbers and facts, it really helped put it all in perspective. <BR/><BR/>- john billingtonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-48316936282220882642008-08-05T17:23:00.000-07:002008-08-05T17:23:00.000-07:00CUT THE CRAP. Stealing lunch money from one perso...CUT THE CRAP. <BR/><BR/>Stealing lunch money from one person to feed another is STEALING, no rationalization changes that fact.<BR/><BR/>Public funding for the arts is a scam where bureaucrats pretend with other people's money, as they wine & dine imported talent (generally speaking, high profiled, outa town artists, some I know personally and who see the scam for what it is) with whom they can rub elbows to make themselves feel important and tell you there doing something worthwhile on "your behalf." I've seen it, again and again and again...<BR/><BR/>The US & Indiana Constitutions don't waste ink pretending the government has a role in telling us what "art" is. Let's instead require government to meet its legitimate, first charge, to protect the people (public safety) and make the streets safe for citizens and commerce.<BR/><BR/>It's called the FREE MARKET, go to your grotesquely and illegally funded Central Library and "read more about it." That big guv-mint thang is the FEE market, or the art of FAILURE.<BR/><BR/>Art exists because there are artists, people who are COMPELLED to produce it. NEA "art" tends to look like what it is; stuff that no one can justify purchasing or wants to buy- other than that, it's great.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-21638714163405720202008-08-05T17:14:00.000-07:002008-08-05T17:14:00.000-07:00Anonymous 5:06 I could not agree more. I remember...Anonymous 5:06 I could not agree more. I remember that Mayor Ballard said many times during his campaign that he did not expect to be re-elected if he didn't keep his promise to make city government open, accessible, accountable, get crime and our city's budget under control. <BR/><BR/>Looks like he is doing what the electorate voted him into office to do for us.<BR/><BR/>I would also like to see sports subsidies cut at the knees, as they say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-46923862140011714832008-08-05T17:06:00.000-07:002008-08-05T17:06:00.000-07:00If the city really wants to save some money cut ou...If the city really wants to save some money cut out any money that it spends on any sporting event. Where is Mayor Ballard going to come up with the $10 million per year to maintain Lucas Oil Stadium, the stadium that Jimmy Irsay is going to make big bucks off of every event in the new stadium.<BR/><BR/>Cutting the city's funding of the arts is cowardly. Cutting the city's funding of anything related to sports would be brave.<BR/><BR/>Mayor Ballard is setting himself up to be a one termer if he's not carful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-86097757079260130242008-08-05T16:13:00.000-07:002008-08-05T16:13:00.000-07:00Hi guys! We could use your help in beating up on ...Hi guys! We could use your help in beating up on the CIB a little bit in regard with where the money from scrapping the RCA dome is going to go. We don't like sports subsidies either. Let private funding do it!Hoosiers For Fair Taxationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07769828590881686787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-5503169611943667982008-08-05T14:54:00.000-07:002008-08-05T14:54:00.000-07:00Steve and Jim, All those wonderful arts you menti...Steve and Jim, All those wonderful arts you mentioned are going to live on without city budget funding. Trust me on this. <BR/><BR/>I've produced an event like the guys that put on Oranje and Art vs. Art. I also know they get a $5,000 grant to help do it. <BR/><BR/>I did a similar project (attendance 1000) without city funding. I just put my saleslady hat on and went out into the PRIVATE business world and helped business owners see why it made sense for them to advertise in my program and sponsor the event.<BR/><BR/>And guess what? Joe Everhart, the realtor...well he didn't know me from Adam and ponied up $100 to be in the event program. Several other local businesses did the same<BR/><BR/>Turns out Everhart ended up getting a multi-million dollar real estate deal from the networking in the arts circles that I helped facilitate for him. He did the Fletcher Pointe condo deal with the owner of Fletcher Pointe. I think some of those condos are selling for a million plus. <BR/><BR/>Now, if I got a grant I would have been lazy. I would not have gone out into the community to get sponsors because I would be riding easy on my handout. And worse, Joe would likely have never gotten that deal. <BR/><BR/>See what can happen when folks are forced by the marketplace to work hard? <BR/><BR/>My point is that all of these great events will still happen. They'll just get done a different way...through private VOLUNTARY funding, ticket sales, artist entry fees, and sponsorships. <BR/><BR/>We don't need city administrative middle people to dictate who gets the money and who doesn't. It's not fair to all those hard working folks (like me and most of the artists in this town) who aren't in their clique. <BR/><BR/>In fact, in retrospect, I was better served for not getting city money...for it FORCED me to work hard to make the vision I wanted for the arts world to come into reality that year. <BR/><BR/>Penrod, the theaters, and other great organizations and events are not going to go away. I promise.<BR/><BR/>These worthwhile projects will just get done a different way...privately, as they should be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4679367111526265280.post-42196236399783082462008-08-05T14:08:00.000-07:002008-08-05T14:08:00.000-07:00Hi Hoosiers for Fair Tax,I'm not quite sure what p...Hi Hoosiers for Fair Tax,<BR/>I'm not quite sure what point you're making with "50 of them add up to $100" other than being frugal is good, and I'm not arguing against that.<BR/><BR/>I'm not arguing for a private or publicly funded arts council, either, nor am I asking that you be "forced" to fund art (or anything for that matter, though we're all ultimately "forced" to fund education, transportation, sewage, government, etc in order to make this a livable city).<BR/><BR/>The community should decide what it deems to be the best use of its money and in an ideal world, would take into account what the return on its investment really is. If you can turn that $2 into greater value, that's cool, by all means, cut the funding and everyone should find a way to use that $2 to his or her benefit. My point is that given the return that's already in place, and that these funds are tantamount to low- and no-cost performances and outreach programs, it's a pretty smart investment that will be difficult to beat. <BR/><BR/>Put another way, I don't have children within the city's educational system (don't have kids period), but I'm game for doing whatever it takes to help make kids smarter and have a chance for happier lives, even if it means paying higher taxes. Smarter kids are less likely to be involved in crime, have better careers, earn more, create more businesses that employ others, contribute more to the tax base, etc. <BR/><BR/>It's simply a different philosophy about community development, not necessarily right or wrong. All I'm asking is that folks look at it for what it really is...an investment we're about to switch from one thing to another (and let's be honest: anyone who's ever worked within a governmental agency knows that "admin" will suck up that $1.5 million faster than Kool Aid into a paper towel). <BR/><BR/>JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com