Letters

In the 1980s the public art process was such that you could actually select an artist and work with him or her to develop the art work that met your criteria and wishes while staying within the allocation.

Choosing art made less fun

In the 1980s the public art process was such that you could actually select an artist and work with him or her to develop the art work that met your criteria and wishes while staying within the allocation.

In the 1990s this process was changed so that you could only choose from among the items in the “approved” collection.

In line with your editorial on April 9 (“Make art funding fun”), the earlier process was much more “fun” and meaningful for the community!

Susan Kaelin

Tumwater

Art process

is time-tested

The Coupeville School District has an opportunity for the Coupeville Junior/Senior High School to develop a meaningful public art project by applying for $30,000 from the state’s artwork pooling fund.

The Washington State Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places Program was established by the state Legislature in 1974. Washington’s program is the second oldest percent for art program in the nation and is one of only four to include the public school system in its programming.

The artwork selection process does not involve purchasing existing artwork. Instead, local committees work with Arts Commission staff to develop artwork that responds to the community. These Art Selection Committees develop criteria based on local needs, select an artist from the Public Artist Roster, review artwork proposals, and make all of the final artwork selection decisions. It is a process driven by the people in the communities that receive funding and facilitated by our staff, using a time-tested process.

We invest in public art because these projects contribute to the public’s experience of our shared spaces. The arts connect individuals in a community. Together they offer diversity, they enhance mutual understanding, and they promote active participation by citizens. The arts are a valuable part of communities, economic vitality, and the quality of life in Washington state.

We look forward to working with the Coupeville School District, and districts, public schools, universities, community colleges, and agencies across the state to ensure that all Washington citizens have access to public art.

Kris Tucker,

executive director

Washington State Arts Commission

Donations may

be deductible

In response to the “Sound Off” in Saturday’s paper: IRS publications 1771 and 526 beg to differ with the writer’s take on tax laws. Also, check any receipt that Oak Harbor Youth Football League gave business owners. It specifically states that it is a tax deductible donation.

I have IRS publications to back me up, so I think it is out of place for the writer to call it a false accusation. If asking an organization to become legal and to own up to their mistakes is wrong, I will take that hit. I will say that since the letter I wrote, they have agreed to let us see the “book.”

Odette Akers

Oak Harbor

Men might be worth a vote

A few days ago, while my barefoot and pregnant wife was cleaning the kitchen and ironing my shirts, I had the opportunity to read Sharon Embleton’s April 12 letter, “Don’t vote for a man,” in The Whidbey News-Times.

I didn’t pay too much attention to the letter, I just skipped to the end where it said not to vote for a man. But it did give me a chuckle. In fact, my barefoot and pregnant wife asked me what it was that was so funny so I read the letter to her. What happened next flabbergasted me! She actually proceeded to give me her opinion on the article. Can you believe that, a woman giving a man her opinion? I stopped my barefoot and pregnant wife right there and said, first, why are you speaking to me before the kitchen is clean? And second, even if that kitchen is clean and it had better be I can’t hear you; there isn’t a beer in my hand. So my wife got me a beer and then finished giving me her opinion on Sharon’s letter. I am not sure what she thinks about it though because I didn’t pay attention to what she was saying. But I am sure it was interesting nonetheless.

Actually, I am joking (well, my wife is pregnant) about all that. It’s just a rhetorical way of making a point, namely, that generalizations are unfair. The truth is that I read Sharon’s letter and thought it was great. But as passionate as it was, I don’t agree with her opinion that we shouldn’t vote for a man. That idea seems too short-sighted to me.

I think that men and women should vote for who they believe will be the best president for our country regardless of whether the candidate they choose to support and vote for is a man or a woman. To exclude someone based solely on their gender, color, religious affiliation, etc. seems to be an idea that history has proved over and over again to be erroneous. Besides, men have given us some great things like Coca-Cola and Sticky Notes! Gives us poor suckers a chance, Sharon. Thanks!

Jimmy Sloan

Oak Harbor

Council run

was memorable

I’d like to take a moment to thank the residents of Oak Harbor for enduring my city council interview and an certainly grateful for the laughter at my joke! Many thanks to Jessie Stensland from the Whidbey News-Times, and Paul Boring, for their photos and articles by Ms. Stensland and the attempts by Mr. Boring to contact me.

You’re a good man, Mayor Slowik! (I was not paid to write that.) And you’re backed up by a competent council — I say that because you all laughed the loudest at the joke!

Anyway, kidding aside, I believe Oak Harbor will run well with your team at the helm. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to join your efforts.

Also, thanks to Connie Weaver and the administrative staff at City Hall. All are very helpful and friendly.

Lastly, two of us got the hook and one of us got the nod! Best of luck to Mr. Severns, who I met. I know you will be an excellent addition to the council.

Walt Caravan

Oak Harbor

Turning 95

with friends

A great big thank you to my good friends and family who helped me celebrate my 95th birthday. That was some surprise! Yo know it’s so fun to get old when you feel great everyday. God is so good to me, to be keeping me healthy and all the rest. Thanks again, I love you all.

Helen Pedersen