It has been brought to my attention by rumormongers and other purveyors of gossip and innuendo that there is an abundance of un-booked space available at the Pendleton Art Center.

Heaven only knows that Mr. Verdin owes a debt of gratitude to the arts community of our fair city. Perhaps he would be so kind as to accommodate the good folk at Arts Central Foundation.

I give all due respect to the late Mr. Thatcher and his philanthropic activities, which I admire greatly.

However, it is not a legitimate purpose of municipal governments to confiscate taxes from the working poor, those on fixed income, and other struggling citizens of their municipality in order to provide free goods and services to the arts community.

Therefore Arts Central Foundation, and any other similar organization, must quickly make arrangements to begin paying fair market rates for city-owned real estate, or find new digs.

Perhaps you, SWOhio, and the other patrons of the arts in Middletown who seem to like to act as if they are in a socio-economic class above the majority of the citizenry, should contribute to organizations such as Arts Central Foundation at a higher level???  I am certain that the Arts Central Foundation would welcome YOUR increased endowment!!!

I offer, for your consideration, a few excerpts from this week’s City Manager’s newsletter:

“While we are working as quickly as possible to complete the financial picture for the Cincinnati State project, it may be several months to a year before we see the hotel open again. “