This past week, controversy began brewing in my hometown. We are very fortunate to live in a small town (college town) that is known on a national scale for writers (Faulkner, Grisham, Brown to name a few...), painters, potters, artists, and more. Yes.. the ARTS are alive and well in Oxford, Mississippi.
Yet, this week our local board of supervisors voted 3-2 to revoke a mere $15,000 to one of the groups who supports the community with art programs. YAC (Yoknapatawpha Arts Council). The Arts Council is the official arts agency for Oxford and Lafayette County, with one full-time staff member, a twelve member Board of Directors, and volunteers working to transform the creative works of artists, performers, musicians, and writers into programs that create jobs, attract tourists, and enrich our community. How effective is the arts council? In 2009 the arts council working with local artists fostered over 315 days of art programs. These programs ranged from gallery exhibits, live music, performing arts, and special events including free dance lessons for all ages, free arts classes, and a writer’s series that featured nationally recognized authors.
So, as you're reading this, you're probably saying... that's wonderful what the council does for your community. Well, you're right... it is wonderful, yet our supervisors voted to revoke funding due to mis-information regarding an art show that included partial nudity. The supervisors did not have all of the information yet, they voted anyway. They had heard complaints from 1 or 2, maybe 5 or 6 that the art show contained some partial nudity and was going to be held at the Powerhouse, which is home to YAC. Now... because of the voices of a few... all of a sudden this single show is the reason for every good thing that the art council does to not get funding. The sad part... is that if the supervisors had TABLED the vote until they could verify their concerns instead of voting without all of the information, they would have found out the following: No Council funds were used for the art exhibit, which was moved to a nearby location on private property in a tent after a handful of community members expressed concern that the show, “Scratch and Sniff” was too racy to be held at the Powerhouse.
The community was in an outrage over the vote and groups were formed to help support. I guess the one good thing that came out of it is that now YAC is planning a fundraiser to help so that they don't have to rely on government funding so much, but even with that said... the funding should not have been revoked in the first place.
I am sure that the supervisors who voted to revoke the $15,000 had a barrage of emails and phone calls The voices of many were loud and clear. What really had me upset is that this local board could be influenced by 1 or 2, 5 or 6... instead of reaching out to the entire community that they represent. How can you vote on something that obviously you don't have all the facts?
(Well... long story short.... 2 of the 3 who voted against, will not be returning to office in January and the 3rd one has had a change of heart and has said that he asked for the funding issue to be placed back on the agenda in November and he will change his vote.) Advice for the newly elected - please get ALL the information you need to make an insightful vote against something that impacts the community. Do not vote unless you can do so with having all of the facts. So, for now, it appears that the controversy will be averted by a "re-do" of the vote, but the question that lingers in my mind is how many votes have happened that the local board didn't have all the information and yet... they cast a vote aye or nay. As an elected official, you have the responsibility to represent your district, community and city with the best interests, therefore, in order to do so... know what it is you are voting for or against.
So... how does this tale of controversy lead up to the fact that the older I get, the more like my mother... well, those of you who were blessed to know her... know that she loved nothing better than to voice her opinion against the politicians and debate every issue she disagreed, yet many, called her their friend. I have had many tell me she helped them more than she would ever know. Why? Because she stood up for what she believed in... and fought for what was right. My single voice might not make a difference, but it makes me proud to know that I voiced it out loud for others to know where my support was on this particular issue. Maybe.... I will start tuning in to all of the supervisor meetings and see exactly what they are doing in there. Maybe... we should all do that.
On another note... The world is feeling quite a loss with the passing of Steve Jobs. I am trying to get my arms around my own thoughts about the impact that this single man has had on our society. Even as I sit here typing.... on yes, an Apple Macbook Pro.... listening to itunes...... answering my iphone..... and knowing that I'll pick up my ipad... at any given moment... it's hard not to try and grasp it.
Jobs will leave a legacy for changing the world when his own beginnings were that of a struggle. He was born out of wedlock, put up for adoption, bribed in the 4th grade to "learn" with $5 and candy, and used a passion for something he loved - electronics to change the world as we know it. Jobs shared his passion and intensity with the world, yet at the end of the day, he would have said... I am just a man. It will be a long time before another CEO, or individual has the impact that he has had on our society. He's probably up in heaven creating yet another app...God Bless.
"You can 't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Address, June 2005
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