To the Editor,
Re: Study charts arts economic impact, Nov. 12.
Many of us are thinking it. Someone has to say it.
What is it that a few in the arts community have on bureaucrats and council?
This month the city unveiled a seven-year cultural plan. The report calls on taxpayers to fund a public art reserve and hire a manager to look after all this new tax handout. Among dozens of other recommendations it also calls on increasing per capita cultural operating grant funding to arts groups and insists on a 10 per cent increase to events and festivals grant funding each and every year.
I want free city money too. And now. Cut my taxes!
The city needs to start saying no to the blackmail. Dishing out money this way will not feed our hungry, house our homeless or put a little extra cash in my pocket to buy a new pair of socks. It is merely funding the extras in life that are not needed to survive.
In an effort to circumvent my or anyone else’s opinion the plan calls any questions “threats” to cultural development in the city. No. It is watching where my money goes.
If the arts community wants more of this and that, have at it. But work for the money, fundraise and contribute your own.
Citizens have had enough of beggars constantly wanting more from the public trough.
R.C. StearmanNanaimo