Honorable Mayor and Council Members:  

The Art Commission was started over 20 years ago. It has served the city well, until a very short time ago. At that time, all seven standing commission members resigned their positions. Generally the Council advertises, posts and solicits new members. Approx. four years have passed without an active Arts Commission. As a result the logical question that is prompted is this,  

                                     Is the Arts Commission dead or alive?
 

It is uncharacteristic of you, and the city, to have a Commission appearing  

1. On your website
2. On the multi-Commission Application form
3. Perhaps referenced in your Municipal Ordinance

and not have a single person on it.  

What does this symbolize? What does this imply? What should and can be done?  

Perhaps instead of simply leaving it dangling, year after year, as a mystery, some clarification should be made. For instance,  

1. Should the Art Commission be killed?
2. Should the Art Commission be reactivated?

Kindly put the issue out of its misery. Either you stand for the Art Commission, or you are against it by the inaction, indifference and silence. It may not be fair to you or the community in its present status.  

As leaders in the community, the citizens look to you to provide services that meets it's needs. As guidance in helping you to make a decision, you may find of interest that from an Arts Commission standpoint, nearly every STATE IN THE COUNTRY, AND NEARLY EVERY COUNTY AND CITY IN CALIFORNIA has an active arts program. You need not look very far to see one offered in  

1. Atherton,
2. Palo Alto
3. Mountain View

and many, many other governmental agencies.  

In making your decision, please keep in mind that  

1. Art has the potential to make a difference in one's life,
2. Art may be the icing on the cake, the pizzazz that makes a difference, and
3. Art adds to our culture.

For my nickel, the Arts Commission should be reactivated. Please consider allowing interested and sincere citizens dedicated to helping make Menlo Park one of the BEST CITIES IN AMERICA. Put in another way, should our citizens be forced to look OUTSIDE OUR COMMUNITY for lively arts, or should more of it be  available in this community?  

In deciding, please keep in mind some opportunities on the horizon, as follows:  

1. The new multi-million dollar MENLO-ATHERTON CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS is under construction. Who will be in charge?
2. The Visioning Committee for El Camino Real and the downtown area are recommending changes for the future. Will there be an art component?
3. The new luxury hotel is under construction on Sand Hill Road. Will there be any public art?
4. The Bohannon Project, the Derry Project, the 1300, 1706 & 1906 El Camino Real projects and many more may soon be built. Will art be considered?
5. Art comes in many forms, such as dance, music, sculpture, theatre, opera, paintings and so on. Will the last of art be STAINED GLASS WINDOWS along Santa Cruz Avenue created approx. 25 years ago by Gini McAfee, in year 1982? Is this the legacy you wish to be remembered by?

IS IT TIME TO ...... FISH OR CUT BAIT? Put another way, IS THE TIME NOW AND THE PLACE HERE?   You decide. It's your choice...... as leaders in our community.

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(http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) Received on Wed May 7 09:57:10 2008