Trying to waste my tax dollars at lightning speed.
Running along the ridge, the horses’ manes whip in the wind. Their muscular bodies are silhouetted against the blue sky.
But these horses never move. They remain on the ridge, captured in mid-stride, part of a monumental public-art project near Vantage on a hill overlooking Interstate 90.
It has been nearly 20 years since the first 1,200-pound, steel horse was bolted into place, and the project, “Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies,†is only half finished. State officials have had trouble finding the money to complete it.
…..blather which attempts to pull on the heartstrings of those less fiscally sensible, blah, blah ,blah…..
State Sen. Chris Marr, a Spokane Democrat, would like to see the state pay to finish the project, estimated to cost $350,000.
Fuck that.
My tax dollars should not go to fund some “artists” lifestyle. Especially one who cannot count well enough to give their funding benefactor a final total cost and who cannot read a calendar well enough to give a completion date.
Governments excel at wasting taxpayer dollars, and “public art” is one of the very worst abuses.
Here in Washington State, as well as in most of the lesser governmental bodies, we have a one-percent rule that tacks onto the final cost of any project an extra 1% of the original budget for “art”.
Who’s art? Well that depends on who is kissing the ass of the person in charge of the project.
A couple years back King County rebuilt their northernmost transfer station in Shoreline. Guess what, it has art.
$225,000 worth of fucking art.
They built a new pump station at the wastewater treatment plant and renovated the Youth Detention Center at about the same time.
Another $70,000 between the two of them for “art”.
It wouldn’t be so bad if the government agency has a specific idea of what they want and commissioned a sculpture or a painting. But instead they give the dimensions of the space to be filled and let “the creative ones” go nuts and hope for the best.
Let the artists survive by creating things people want to buy.
My tax dollars are not a jobs program for people who can’t hold down a real job but can kiss an ass really well.
Why the heck don’t they ask for voluntary contributions? I’d happily contribute, but you’re absolutely right, tax dollars have no business funding “art”.
Hasn’t Tim Eyman gotten together a measure that would repeal the “1% for art” rule of public projects?
Attilla, in the State of Washington, free market solutions are verboten, don’t ya know?
And RD, I couldn’t tell you.
Hey, they are going to fire 40-60 county cops in 09 but still give millions to “Art”, nothing new here, move along, move along..oh and don’t call 911 OK?
Mean while Ron (tax to the max) Sims plans to borrow 48 million to fix the county computer system he frittered away 60 mil on in 07 just before the election, which was never mentioned by the Times or PI. Strange that…
Any general contractor worthy of that title can, should, and will make the 1% mandate slide directly into his or her own pocket without wrinkling the crease of the pants. And shame on any who don’t.
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