Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
2008-02-05
Section: Opinions
Edition: Tarrant
Page: B12
At the last minute
Star-Telegram
Keller City Councilman Jim Carson seems to relish his times in the political spotlight, and his contrarian ways often are a magnet for that bright beam. That's not a bad thing. His questioning makes other council members and Keller residents think hard about important public policies.
Still, Carson's latest initiative — an effort to delay or scuttle the long-planned purchase of a sculpture for the city's Veterans Memorial Park — will require some explaining on his part. It makes no sense and is an awkward misfire at reconnecting with his 2006 campaign platform.
Carson was elected in 2006, largely on the strength of his vocal opposition to a council-pushed bond election for a $7.6 million library in Keller Town Center. Voters soundly rejected that proposal and elected Carson on the same May ballot.
But in that election, Carson also staked out a position opposing taxpayer funding for public art. In the Voter's Guide published by this newspaper, he listed first among his priorities the need to "restore fiscal discipline by reordering priorities and eliminating superfluous programs like the public arts board."
Now, having failed to pursue that plan effectively for three-fourths of the term to which he was elected, Carson has decided to target one project, which he let slide literally until the last minute.
On the agenda for today's 7 p.m. meeting, the council is scheduled to consider a contract with Arlington artist Darrell Davis for Protector of Freedom, a sculpture of an eagle. The council previously budgeted $55,000 for the work, with another $25,000 to come from donations. Davis' proposal for the park sculpture was picked in October after a competition among artists.
Carson is pushing a resolution that calls for the project instead to be placed on the ballot this May so that voters can decide whether to fund it. His belated objection rings hollow.
Were he to frame the issue in broader terms about the use of public money for any art project, he still should explain why and in what way that question should be put to voters. Should the elected council members duck every tough decision in favor of a public referendum?
Carson's council seat is up for election in May. He should explain why he let this proposal and the issue of art funding slide for so long. Surely he's not raising it now just to draw the spotlight and ride the controversy to re-election — is he?