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?
