Editorial by Matt Marquardt –
I like art as much as the next guy. I take pictures of trees and buildings and I have been to my share of museums. I’m not against art and I think it has a role in a community.
Mason City has always believed this, too, and has believed it so powerfully that the city subsidizes the MacNider Museum to the whopping tune of $262,099 in this year’s budget. Each year, the museum gets this kind of money, give or take.
By the way, the MacNider trust has over $800,000 in it as of the end of June. I confirmed today that MacNider will be asking for $16,000 from the City in the next budget to replace their sign.
Right now, tonight, the City will decide if you and I will give $40,000 more for “art” (sculptures) for a “non-profit” backed by the Chamber of Commerce, the farthest thing from a non-profit that you can get, an outfit that doesn’t give two red cents what your hourly wage is or if you have a job at all, as long the bottom-line of it’s biggest members looks good. The City Council has already “endorsed” this deal; tonight’s vote is a formality. The only question is will this be another 6-0 vote.
Mason City loves art, it already pays big bucks for it every year. Let’s not forget the millions on the Streetscape and other recent projects. Can the City afford to spend more at this time?
8 thoughts on “EDITORIAL: City already spending thousands on art”
Matt Matt Matt please help me can’t take it anymore how about since they have 800k in a trust the city give the 1/2 of the budget 131k and use the other 131k to clean this city up, this kind of money properly used goes a long way, this is river city again river city get it to bad river city is going to hell, try cleaning up the rivers down town so the tourist can enjoy river city, there are full grown trees growing from the middle of the rivers, good time to do some work. No water down there, hire some privet contracts so this can get done, because we know city employees are too busy 1 person mowing & 4 watching really they are so overworked and how about the bike trail unkept tree branches hanging, trash & not kept up really city leaders if that is what you call yourselves try going to Lansboro, MN big bike tourism or Dubuque, Iowa. You will see a progressive city the city employees very visible working on parks city streets really just look around, and it’s not that hard to clean up our town!! please!!!!!!!!
Back again Peter? I see you still haven’t found that ledge to throw yourself off.
For me this is exactly the kind of thing Mason City does need to spend its money on. This places has to improve or it is just going to turn into anyplace, usa. I know it is not popular but streetscape and environment matter.
Are city taxpayers paying for art acquisition at the museum? I thought that the Friends (or whatever the name is)is paying for acquisitions and that City support covers the operation of the museum (salaries, heat, electricity, etc).
I also e-mailed our Mayor and city council members. The only one to respond was the Mayor. My council person is Solberg. I have sent several respectful e-mails to her since she has been in office and she never answers. Who does she think voted for her and what does she think her job is? Wonder if her attitude affects her insurance business… or maybe she doesn’t care about that either.
I too have written Solberg.
I too have never heard a word back from her.
She needs to go, immediately!
I didn’t know she had an insurance business… I’m going to find out if she’s involved with my agent. If so, I’m changing, and letting Clint know why.
Drive down her road at a high rate of speed then maybe she will talk to you! Nah thats just a waste of gas, she is pathetic!!! I didn”t vote for her last time and sure as hell won’t this time!!!!!
We absolutely can not afford to spend our money on this crap. Not that my opinion or anyone else’s opinion will matter. The elite will get their way and we will pay for it. It has always been that way and probably always will be. Maybe they could look at reducing taxes to the value of our homes today, but that will never happen either. Maybe they could put on another cop or two but that won’t happen either. I e-mailed all of the council members except the two pieces of fluff and only Kuhn bothered to answer. That just shows how much interest they have in our opinion.