Ann Arbor Cuts Cops With $1.5 Million Surplus Sitting in Arts Budget

Michigan Capitol Confidential ^ | 8/16/2011 | Tom Gantert

[MichCapCon]

While the City of Ann Arbor has laid off police officers and eliminated positions from the fire department this year, it is sitting on $1.5 million that it has set aside for public art. The city has raised $2.7 million for public art since 2009, but has only spent $1.1 million on two art projects, according to a city official and public documents received in a Freedom of Information Act request.

The city set up its “public arts” fund in 2007, with the City Council agreeing to take 1 percent of the money that went into capital improvement projects that were $100,000 or larger and set it aside for art. Most capital projects involve streets, sewers and water.

Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator, said there are several projects planned. For example, the city wants to put $150,000 of art in its Ann Arbor Justice Center police and courts building.

[Mikey_1962]

Good call especially with that campus rapist they cannot seem to capture.

[NonValueAdded]

For example, the city wants to put $150,000 of art in its Ann Arbor Justice Center police and courts building.

A pity that there will be fewer cops to appreciate the art. Perhaps the remaining officers can express their appreciation with a touch of civil disobedience (or spray paint).

[Hodar]

Are “Dead Body Outlines” considered ‘Art’?

[Moleman]

Nice move... While rapists run amok. Same city wants to ticket people for idling their car longer than 5 minutes. Insanity in AA.

[Arm_Bears]

Notice to All Womyn of Ann Arbor: When physically threatened, call an artist!

[SVTCobra03]

Financially supporting the arts is not a proper function of government.

[Tzimisce]

Another day in Obamaland.

Now why don’t you make yourselves useful and pay your taxes? :)

[Mr. Jazzy]

Hahahaha! Michigan! What a joke you are on YOURSELF!!!

[grobdriver]

the city wants to put $150,000 of art in its Ann Arbor Justice Center police and courts building

Priorities.
Gotta have a pretty building, even if it's empty.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

This is typical. The state doesn’t get all the money it demands so it “punishes” the citizen/serfs by cutting critical programs instead of back office administration or useless arts programs.

[cripplecreek]

Good call especially with that campus rapist they cannot seem to capture.

I've been watching that. Those people are freakin morons. When the police suggested that women not go out alone at night the feminazis started screeching about sexism.

[cripplecreek]

This isn’t the state, this is the Idiot Empire of Ann Arbor. A while back they were laying off firemen so they could build a fountain.

Given the choice between vaporizing Detroit or Ann Arbor, I would eliminate Ann Arbor. Detroit may be a parasite but its an indifferent parasite. Ann Arbor is an angry self righteous parasite.

[holden]

When I lived in Arbor in the late nineties, I came to understand the preferred term was "Public Safety employees," and it was only us old fogies that still called them "police officers." Their vehicles all said, "Public Safety Department", IIRC.

HF

[Mikey_1962]

Are “Dead Body Outlines” considered ‘Art’?

On the lower East Side of Detroit they when I lived there: At Easter we'd put bunny ears on them. At Thanksgiving we'd put Pilgrims hats on them. I wish I were joking.

[DJ MacWoW]

47 Days And FR Is Still Short Of Its Goal
Take FR Across The Finish Line

Click The Pic To Donate

[from occupied ga]

Notice to All Womyn of Ann Arbor: When physically threatened, call an artist!

Just about as effective as calling the police. Whatever happened to armed self defense (I forget is Michigan a shall issue state?)

[driftdiver]

if the money was raised for art, it should be used for art

[harpu]

Duhhhh...it’s Ann Arbor!!

[blueunicorn6]

That, is a good one.