The following letter was sent by a member to the Mayor and each Council Member.
Mayor and Council Members:
Primitive peoples are identified by the stone tools they crafted. Civilizations are identified by the art they produced. Nations are identified by their culture and art. The great cities of the world are all know for their cultural and artistic contributions. Right here in Arizona if one thinks of culture and the arts Sedona, and Scottsdale come immediately to mind. The arts and culture put little places on big maps. They provide a very strong and visible focal point drawing people and their money into an area.
To cut funding for the arts here in Gilbert is not shortsighted, it suggests that that the town council has no real interest in economic development, and expects housing development alone will provide a large enough tax base to support necessary services. If one moves here to Gilbert and wants to decorate their home, where do they go? Elsewhere, that’s where. If one wants to hear a concert or see a play, or visit art galleries and/or museums. Where do they go? Not Gilbert! No not Gilbert, and all the money they spend, and do spend, goes with them to other communities who understand the necessity of providing art and culture. The arts, all of the arts, bring revenue into a community, potentially lots of revenue. Instead of cutting the budget the town council should spend some of their time attempting to attract more art and culture into the area.
People hungry for art and culture spend millions of dollars in Sedona, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Chandler every year. How can the Town Council be so blind? Instead of eliminating the Arts and Cultural position and program they should find a way to expand the program. My guess is that there has been no serious discussion of eliminating cost of living increases for city employees! It would be nice if the council would look past their own wallets, or today, of even next year and consider the long term benefits of promoting the arts in our community and what it could, and would provide in the way of long term economic development and growth. Shortsighted solutions are rarely if ever GOOD SOLUTIONS! Lastly, I would like to suggest that if lost revenue is such a problem, the SERIOUS enforcement in speed limit laws, in just the extreme southeast portion of Gilbert, could easily provide several millions of dollars for the arts and other needed services. It will save gasoline and perhaps even a life or two!
Mayor and Council Members, do all the citizens a huge favor and please consider the very negative message being sent to the community. If we are to become more than just another small rural community among many other small relatively unknown rural communities we need more not less art and culture!
Jim Davis
