West Side Art Project: Waste of Taxpayer Money

Dr. Joe, Dan, Janet (Supporters of West Side Art Project in Question):

I think this proposed west-side art that some may aptly describe as a porcupine while others believe may be more reminiscent of a military tank trap-the system of steel beams driven into the ground by combat troops to delay tanks, shows just how limited the “artists” are here in this City. If this is the best of the lot among the many designs proposed to the Arts Board, then maybe it’s finally time to say no and fix up the decaying art already in place with the 1% arts funds-as the good Councilor Lewis proposes, or defer any spending this year completely. Even the “Chevy on a Stick” on Lomas is better than this abstract, incoherent design.

It appears that the “arts community” whomever they are, and City Arts Board believe that because they are hard working volunteers that the general public has no right to pass judgment on what “art” they select-as if they are the sole experts on what is attractive and what is not and how we should spend our arts dollars.

Remember it’s our tax dollars they are spending-not their own. The “hard work” they put in and (what many believe is their questionable) judgment on this design are NO reasons for the City proceeding with something so bizarre to me and possibly to many other taxpayers.

Ask again for more art designs or repair what is already there.

Just my thoughts from one who has had a good number of art courses in college-likely no fewer than the self-professed City “experts” and have viewed art personally throughout the world. I know what’s eye-pleasing to me.

Regards,

Silvio
President EANA
Vietnam Vet

P.S.

While we are on the subject of City paid art, tell me again why there may be a (KOB-TV reported) proposal/Council bill for big taxpayer funding forthcoming from Councilor Sanchez to put a full time Vietnam vet (possibly homeless) guard in a City purchased manufactured home on the site of the Vietnam memorial on the NE corner of Louisiana and Gibson? The good Councilor Sanchez never donated even one dollar from his District 1 account toward that memorial and now sees the recent vandalism and theft as a reason to waste our tax dollars on a self-serving/personal “see how much I NOW care for Vietnam vets” guard project.


This inconsistency in thinking is much like his call (along with Councilor Garduno) for the firing of Susana Martinez’s senior prosecutor for merely passing along a internet joke about the killing of a Mexican that was in very poor taste while ignoring my call for the firing of those in the City who defamed/destroyed the name of my APD executed (non-Mexican) neighbor Chris Hinz with the baseless “criminal history” statement. Is it all about style over substance Mr. Sanchez?

From: JOEVALLES@aol.com [mailto:JOEVALLES@aol.com] Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 7:55 AMTo: jlaros1@comcast.netSubject: Fwd: FW: Westside Art Project

Janet...per your request on behalf of Coors Trail NA...your request has been 'blind copy' forwarded to a substantial list...Dr. Joe

From: jlaros1@comcast.netTo: info@abqwestside.orgSent: 7/11/2010 10:20:27 P.M. Mountain Daylight TimeSubj: FW: Westside Art ProjectMy name is Janet Laros and I am President of Coors Trail Neighborhood Association. I recently sent this email to our community and would appreciate if you could forward this to all the Associations on the Westside since this effects all of us. Please call me at 507-2403 if you need additional information. I recently learned the Land Art Project that was approved for the corner of Coors and Bosque Meadows last year has been placed on hold or eliminated completely. This is very disheartening for our community. We fought hard to be part of the selection committee and were excited when it was approved. Now I find out the project has been rejected so I would like the City Art board to explain why.My concern is the hard work and many hours that volunteers spent into selecting this piece only to have it taken away without any regard to their efforts. I have heard the decision never even went to the City Council as planned so we would like to know why.There is a meeting scheduled for Saturday, July 17, 10:00 at the Open Space Visitor Center. Please attend this important meeting. The City Art Board has agreed to be there, the artist that was approved will be there and I have invited City Councilman Dan Lewis to attend as well. I need your support on this very important issue to Coors Trail NA.Janet Laros President, Coors Trail Neighborhood Association
890-0657 / 507-2403