Date: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:14:56 -0400
From: Cathy Holt
Subject: arts in Chatham
Last night I was at a meeting held by the Chatham County Arts Council.
It was nice to meet many of the former board members from over the 30 years of the Council’s existence that had gathered there.
At one point it was brought to our attention that the current Chatham County Commissioners refused to give any money to the Arts Council last year and that now there is not even a situation in place where the Arts Council can apply to be included in the county’s budget.
To me, this is shameful. We are so lucky to have so many wonderful creative artists in this community. They have brought so many benefits to our area, and we are known statewide as a pocket of talent and creativity in NC. And instead of celebrating and supporting that fact, a fact that would be enticing to people interested in moving here, the current County Commissioners chose to give no support or even an understanding that this is good for economic development. As Jim Crawford, who is a candidate in the next election for County Commissioners said last night, for every one dollar spent on the arts, the economic return to an area is $5.00. Karen Howard, another candidate stood in agreement.
I hope that you will get out and vote in this next election and see if we can’t bring back some Commissioners to our county that know how to think long range in their decisions and that reflect the values of this very special county.
Cathy Holt
www.cathyholtyoga.com