Phoenix set to OK $2.4 mil aerial artwork

[nitram]

I totally agree with VN. Couldn't that money been used for a better cause. How about the homeless, the indigent, the veterans, the sick, the poor, the...that really need money or help.
This will be just like the park downtown, after a few years they'll get tired of it and want to do something different. As long as it's public money who in charge cares!

[HX_Guy]

No, it can't be. There is an ordiance that says a certain percentage of money has to be spent on public art, there is no way around it. I have to say, I'm glad there is this ordinance, there are certain things that make a city interesting and great, and art is one of them. Yes, money could go to help the poor and homeless...and a few hundred would benefit, but I fill a lot more people can benefit and enjoy public art...being either this piece or something else.

[joninaz]

Originally Posted by nitram

I totally agree with VN. Couldn't that money been used for a better cause. How about the homeless, the indigent, the veterans, the sick, the poor, the...that really need money or help.
This will be just like the park downtown, after a few years they'll get tired of it and want to do something different. As long as it's public money who in charge cares!

You can throw every penny at the mentioned groups and it will never be enough. There's no city in this country nor any city in any country throughout history that hasn't had segments that weren't in need. If anyone disagrees, please share an example. I'm not saying they aren't worthy nor am I saying help should be discontinued. The simple fact is the situation is never ending.

That said, there comes a point where a community needs to diversify the distribution of their fortunes. Some of it goes back into maintenance. Some into new services. A portion, as most would agree, goes towards educating the next generation. And some should go into public art and other endeavors that make the city more attractive to potential residents. After all, it's those folks who will continue to fund the central budget and as their population grows, so do the funds for those in need.

How it gets spent is another question.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by nitram

I totally agree with VN. Couldn't that money been used for a better cause. How about the homeless, the indigent, the veterans, the sick, the poor, the...that really need money or help.

Agreed, except I'm not too crazy about giving money to the homeless. I've learned through experience that any money given to them is usually spent on alcohol, cigarettes, or even drugs. I'd rather see the city use two million dollars for law enforcement, street improvements, 911, and fire services. A lot of elderly people need help too. They've contributed to society all their lives, and many have served their country ... yet, quite a few are struggling financially.

Originally Posted by nitram

This will be just like the park downtown, after a few years they'll get tired of it and want to do something different. As long as it's public money who in charge cares!

Yes, and remember the big laser light show that Patriot's Park had when it was "revitalized" in the 1980s? What a waste of money & effort that was. After all the hype about the laser, and after about a year or two of operation, the city axed the whole project. Patriot's Park became an eyesore shortly thereafter. I'm glad there are plans for Patriot's Park to be demolished once and for all ... and I hope CityScape goes through in its entirety.

[Phoenix Taxpayer]

The reaction people would people would have to the Phoenix Jellyfish are likely:

1. To laugh (thinking a marine animal would be associated with a costal city - a jellyfish would die immediately here, and we typically don't have the breeze to make it move in the "Valley of the Sun").
2. Feel sorry for us (thinking our city officials are inept as we wasted a lot of money, first on SR51 pots, and now on something that will only last 10 years).
3. Forget about it (as they'll there is no mnemonic association between Phoenix and Jellyfish).

Why didn't they listen to the City Manager?

http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T...E4ncygTZurSiDQ