Follow the Leader and the Jasper Community Arts Commission

First I’m happy to lead the other two mayoral candidates to a decision on the present proposed bio-mass plant, as well having taken the lead on creating a dialog with the public by way of monthly debates.  I believe everyone knows where I stand on Jasper building a new Library.  I expect my opponents to follow suit by also stating their opposition on this issue.  I must state that I can’t understand why Mr. Seitz thinks this year’s Strassenfest is more important than the election of Jasper’s future mayor.  That said, I can only logically think Mr. Seitz is looking for the November election to get here as fast as it can.  I will let my readers to determine why, but I will give everyone a hint.  Perhaps ‘The more you know’ is what worries Mr. Seitz.

I believe The Herald picked up on the 231 by-pass issue I raised which was addressed to the primary candidates during last October’s forum held at VUJC.  I had publicly first heightened awareness on this issue in the local newspaper, The Herald, as they ran an article relating to my announcement to run for mayor of Jasper on the independent ticket.  There will be more for the opposition to follow.  Please keep abreast of my publicly announced positions and those rendered in subsequent posts to my blog.

I truly hope the Republican and Democratic candidates continue to follow my lead as your next mayor.  One would not expect them to completely get out of the political scene altogether.  I would expect and appreciate their support.

As I end this writing I want to apologize for a mistake I may have made concerning Jasper having the only publically funded community arts program in the Midwest.  I received an email from David Dudine informing me “It (sic) is simply untrue that Jasper is alone in having city funded arts, as your web site states.  Bloomington also has had their Arts Commission for many years.  The city even hires artists to produce public art for the city.” 

I haven’t vetted this information, but once done I will admit I was wrong, if so, and will remove that particular reference about the JCAC from my website.  Regardless of whether Bloomington has a city funded arts program, I will continue to believe Jasper should not use public funds for the few at the expense of the many.  There are enough wealthy individuals in this city.  There should be no need for all of the public to foot the bill for programs not attainable by all of the citizens.  Public art is a different matter.  If the majority of the people of Jasper vote for public art, I would support our citizen’s decision.

I will let the readers know tomorrow if Mr. Dudine’s facts are correct, and if I am guilty of misinformation, I will publically apologize.  Also tune-in tomorrow to discover where I received the misinformation regarding the JCAC being the only publically funded arts program in the Midwest.  Until then, I will give you a helpful suggestion – dare I say one of the other two candidates may have stated this information publicly prior to me picking up on it?   Yes.  Make your pick.

Mack