Quote:
Originally Posted by highwater
I actually think this is some of the best news I've heard in a long time. Council is investing in the arts sector - a sector that is a proven economic engine. You really want the likes of Lloyd Ferguson and Dave Mitchell doing their own "research and homework" on the arts in this city? We need more Jeremy Freibergs in this town, and I am glad to see council recognize the expertise of citizens like him, instead of arrogantly assuming they know what's best.
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I'm in agreement that investing in the arts is a good idea. And it's an investment in a study, not an investment in arts at this point.
I think I've always been a big booster of the local art scene on this board, and in my everyday life. My goal in suggesting the cancellation of the study was not to cancel the investment in arts, but to save the money from the study.
My point was to make decisions based on analysis of the facts on hand, not the commission of another study where we already know what's going to be suggested, i.e. Arts are a good investment.
Heck, I'll write the study for $75K. Or pay me $150K and I'll give $100K back directly to local arts groups. Actually, maybe that's an idea. To write a shadow study and see how closely it mirrors the actual one. That way we could evaluate if the city got any value for it's $150K.
If Lloyd and Dave can only make decisions based on studies and are unable or incapable to do proper research themselves, can we be sure they even read the results of the studies? If we have councillors who can't make decisions without consistently needing the backing of studies costing hundreds of thousands of dollars then perhaps we need different councillors. Besides they are only 2 on council and maybe when they are forced to work for answers the answers they come up with will be better?
I stand by my assertion a cost cutting move would be to limit the number of studies that are required. Run the city more like a business and make decisions based on the facts at hand.
Off the top of my head, with my preditions;
1. Arts Study - $150K, The result = Arts are a good investment
2. Lead Study in Lower City Children - $250K, The result = Lead in children under 6 is present in a greater % than expected and needs to be addressed. Zero % should be the goal. BTW, the $250K could have replaced the lead service pipes for approx. 170 - 200 lower income families with children under 6. Sorry to those children, their families and social service agencies.