I'm so mad...

that I could spit nails! Doug Morten has done it again. He has made a decision that affects the entire city and has made it, very quietly, on his own.

The Paper Arches sculpture that caused so much commotion a little over a year ago has been removed and destroyed at the direction of Councilor Morten, who apparently determined it was not safe for children.

Whether you liked the piece or not is beside the point here; read on. Over the course of many months and much bad-mouthing, the City Council determined that the Arts & Cultural Commission would be allowed to make the decision about how and when the piece was removed.

Read that last sentence again.

In the past three meetings of the Arts & Cultural Commission there has been discussion about partnering with the library to do an Earth Day event (in April). At last night's meeting, in fact, a date was selected. The idea was to do an entire celebration around removing the arches, including discussion and hands-on projects for all ages that would tie the sculpture's decay to Earth Day, recycling, etc. Everyone thought it would be a fitting way to remove the arches.

But, thanks to Doug, forget it. With a brief email sent to a rarely used email address, Public Works Director Dale Goodman notified ONE person that the piece would be taken down. Thank you, Doug. No discussion with the ACC or Council or City Administrator or even the never-present councilor assigned to the Arts & Cultural Commission, Charles Grant. No approval. Just rip it out and keep it quiet. Even at last night's meeting, when someone said they had just received an email about taking the arches down, Phil Barlow said clearly that the Council had decided some time ago to leave that decision and its timing to the Arts & Cultural Commission.

I would love to know just how and why he thought he had the authority to remove the piece. And, I'm not buying public safety. It wasn't ever a hazard to anyone--especially as it has been flat on the ground for months.

You may remember that in an earlier post here I said that Doug had attended an ACC meeting to rather harshly chastise the commission for placing the Paper Arches without consulting him. So, is this his idea of retribution? Or is this yet another example of how these councilors can do whatever they want?

I'll be in the corner spitting nails if you need me. I'm likely to be joined by the Arts & Cultural Commission. Hope we have enough nails. Tell Doug to avoid that corner.