Town of Cary Wastes $16,000 of Your Tax Money On Tree Skirts (2013, home)

[johnpd]

Artist Helen Lessick was paid $16,000 by the Town of Cary to hang 16 skirts in the trees in downtown Cary.

That's right, $1,000 per tree. https://abc11.com/amp/community-even...f-art/4071755/

In 2013, the Town spent $40,000 on that fire sculpture that was so ugly they moved it 1/4 mile away at a cost of $25,000. $65,000 total and its hidden from site. https://www.wral.com/cary-plans-move...ture/12732283/

I understand the importance of art but when is this reckless and wasteful spending going to stop?

[SFspiderman]

No, Cary paid a total of $16,000 to six artists who did different artwork installations. So if the money was split equally, they paid her $2666.67.

[Poggly Woggly]

A beautiful tree deserves a beautiful skirt don't you think

[hertfordshire]

Someone's reading comprehension could use a little work.

[wheelsup]

Those look creepy.

[RedZin]

Here... go read the brochure. They paid 16k for ALL OF THE ART.

https://www.townofcary.org/recreatio...-projects-asap

[mvarghese84]

If you're going to complain about something at least make sure your facts are straight before you do so.

[raleighsocial]

Cary is the second safest city in America right now. You think it got that way because it refuse to spend money on art and other quality of life public services? You do realize taxes are pretty low in North Carolina comparatively to other desirable regions in the US? So what are you complaining about?

[m378]

Originally Posted by raleighsocial

Cary is the second safest city in America right now.

A. I'd like to see a source for that.

B. How's that possible when Cary isn't a city? If they're basing it on population alone, Cary is an enormous town geographically.

I've lived in places where armed robberies, armed home invasions, etc were unheard of. They are pretty frequent in Cary, not to mention the rampant theft.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by johnpd

...
In 2013, the Town spent $40,000 on that fire sculpture that was so ugly they moved it 1/4 mile away at a cost of $25,000. $65,000 total and its hidden from site. https://www.wral.com/cary-plans-move...ture/12732283/

...

Wrong.
TOC DID spend $40,000 on a piece of performance art.
It was intended as an event, and never intended to be permanent.

After it was performed, the resulting mass was moved due to anguish and outcry from people who did not grasp the intended ephemeral nature of the event.
So, the town spent $25000 to placate those people.

It is not "out of sight." It is on the east side of Kildaire Farm Road, just south of the elementary school.

I was not particularly impressed with the event or the cost, but the accurate story needs to be recognized.