Proposed Arts/Cigarette tax?

[Mike Deneen]

As many of you are probably aware, there is an effort underway to put a 30 cent countywide tax on cigarettes to support local arts.

Eric Fingerhut, who I like and respect, is leading the effort. However, I have not yet found a website detailed information on the plan. Although I am not a smoker, this proposal rubs me the wrong way. What do you think?

I have some issues:

1. Although arts are very important, I think our first priority should be to education and infrastructure. This goes not only for Lakewood, but all of northeast Ohio.

2. I have concerns about how the money would be distributed. Would the commercially viable "big boys" like the Orchestra and Playhouse Square take the lions share? Or would smaller groups like Cleveland Public Theater get the majority? I would feel a little better about the idea if I knew that the smaller organizations were getting a bigger cut of the money. These types of groups do more for neighborhoods and are more in need.

3. Much like conservatives attacking gays, the demonization of smokers by the left is getting really old.

4. From a purely Lakewood level, how does the Beck Center fit in? Would they be getting a cut of the county money? If so, it would look to many of us like another step out the door to Westlake.

[Jim O'Bryan]

As many of you are probably aware, there is an effort underway to put a 30 cent countywide tax on cigarettes to support local arts.

....

4. From a purely Lakewood level, how does the Beck Center fit in? Would they be getting a cut of the county money? If so, it would look to many of us like another step out the door to Westlake.

Mike


Good stuff.

Why do you think that would hasten the move?

I have been talking with some people that have raised some interesting points on the move, that is on no one's radar. Sometimes abstract thought is the best.

Will it be a grant slush fund, or a state slush funds with a tap to the arts?


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[Kenneth Warren]

Mike:

The idea rubs me the wrong way as well.

Building the arts on the backs of nicotine addicts reminds us that the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome were built on slavery and empire.

It's a telling and disturbing sell-out of values - both artistic and moral - fully commensurate with the nature and deeds of our decaying empire.

Smoking is a class marker.

The elite is looking to give the working class a classic smoker's cough.

Kenneth Warren

[Mike Deneen]

I don't think it would necessarily hasten the move. In fact, it doubt it matters one lick. Beck will take the money if it's there, regardless of where they are located.

Like most citizens (at least the ones I talk to), I believe Beck is leaving, period. That's not necessarily a bad thing, just the way folks see it.

However, unless I am mistaken Beck is the only current art institution in Lakewood. Therefore, if we approve this tax, all money generated in Lakewood would be exported....mostly to Cleveland, but also partially to Westlake.

To put it bluntly, Lakewood smokers would be further subsidizing Crocker Park.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mike

I do not believe that the Beck is the only arts group. I know of one group trying to generate "Arts areas" I know of two more that are already speaking of theater and arts that might hit the ground running anytime now.

Also are you so sure The Beck Center will be able to retain it's status if they move to Crocker Park?


Jim



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[Mike Deneen]

Jim:

The Beck is the only one out there NOW. Everything else is just talk. I have grave doubts that the "fund manager" would give money to a start-up group over established groups like the Orchestra.

When you ask if the Beck can retain its status, what specifically are you asking?

If you mean its government status as a nonprofit, I would assume the answer is yes.
If you mean its status in the overall Cleveland area arts community, I would also say yes.

[Stan Austin]

I have a problem with the cigarette tax. I do think that the County govenment should be active in the arts.

But it seems to me that the poor old cigarette tax might have reached it's limit (10 years ago).

This, increasingly limited revenue source, is expected to pay for parking garages, the Jake, the Q, and Brown's Stadium.

I just don't think that there is any more left in this revenue source for anythng.

Stan Austin

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mike

I think we are putting the cart before the horse. First let's see how much makes it to the arts, and what they call art.

But the time the checks get written it might be for faithed based art programs only.

As for the Beck Center, I got two intersting letters I know one was sent to Congress and the State House. Not only did they demand that no tax-payer money be used to move the Beck, there was a pretty good argument on 501(c)3 status.




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[Ivor Karabatkovic]

2. I have concerns about how the money would be distributed. Would the commercially viable "big boys" like the Orchestra and Playhouse Square take the lions share? Or would smaller groups like Cleveland Public Theater get the majority? I would feel a little better about the idea if I knew that the smaller organizations were getting a bigger cut of the money. These types of groups do more for neighborhoods and are more in need.

I personally think that the Cleveland Orchestra wouldn't need funds and they should be excluded from the fund.

if they Lakewood Project Rock Orchestra can pay me cash, then the Cleveland Orchestra wouldn't need a cigarette tax fund!

what if this only went towards schools and art programs in schools? kindergarten,elementary,middle and high school. We could send our outstanding art students to national competitions and watch them succeed in them by having this fund available. Because some family's, or school's even.. well.. they just can't afford a plane ticket for a student no matter how high their talent level is.

We constantly get asked to donate our left over art supplies at the end of the year when we clean our lockers... think of all the underprivileged kids that this could help.

Think about it, smokers would have an impact on society other than raising risks of cancer in public. Instead of trying to ban smoking in a community, it would be considered a way of giving back to the community since funds from your purchases could possibly send one of our own to represent Lakewood at a national level.

I guess sometimes abstract thought is the best.
Don't sell that to someone that's trapped in a tunnel, though.

Peace

[Mike Deneen]

If I recall correctly from the previous arts tax proposal (which failed), schools were not a direct beneficiary. However, I am sure many of the arts groups in town do outreach to schools, so some may argue that there is a secondary benefit (the mirror image of second hand smoke!)

I think Jim may be onto something with the "faith based" art. Once Ken Blackwell becomes governor, we can spend the money on black velvet paintings of Jesus. And don't forget lots of "praying hands" sculptures!

As for the Beck Center...I don't know who wrote those letters Jim is referring to, but I doubt it will make a lick of difference. Tax dollars are used all the time to relocate businesses (and yes, that apparently is what the Beck is), so I don't see why this would be any different.

To paraphrase Stephen Colbert...."Beck Center....you're dead to me!"

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mike

Can you hire a non-profit to help you make a profit?

When does a non-profit become a failed for profit?


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[Mike Deneen]

I'm not sure what you mean by the terms "you" and ""hire".

However, if you are asking if a for-profit business can form a relationship with a non-profit organization, even if the underlying motive is to increase profit for the business? Seems to me the answer is a great big "yes"....most charitable work is done by big companies with an eye on improving their public image. It's a symbiotic relationship.

A good example would be some of those products that work with the MDA telethon. Some companies link their donation directly to product sales. For example, "for every box of Acme detergent sold in August, we'll donate 25 cents to Jerry's Kids". The kids may get a few bucks, but the corporation is gaining by luring you to try their product.

[Joan Roberts]

And count me among those who believe that "arts" and "government" don't belong in the same sentence.

Arts education is one thing, but it's not the government's job to let you hear Bartok (or for that matter, the Lakewood Project), stare at Kandinskys, or watch Odets

A liberal politicians definition of "art" can be pretty horrifying.

And a conservative's view can be far worse. Trust me on this one.

Love...Joan ("Can We Have a Tax-Subsidized Bread Concert, Please) Roberts

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[Ivor Karabatkovic]

I am sure many of the arts groups in town do outreach to schools

I don't see a reason not to.

Hear me out:

Would we be able to propose a tax here in Lakewood, on tabacco products, or alcohol, or anything if someone comes up with a better product, that would go only towards projects and schools here in Lakewood?

Whether it's public or private schools. School in a church or not, it doesn't matter. Great Art in a community is a great addition because it can be used towards beautification of the city in many ways. Oh, and there's this little Art Festival that's been going around for a little while that is also a great time

And the money could be kept away from The Beck Center, because it can be used towards better things.. like businesses that want to stay here in Lakewood and want to benefit our city.

Or what if businesses themselves added 10 or 15 cents to their prices and had those funds put together to make a Art Fund.

Jim, would you charge 10 extra cents per print/ad/banner/shirt you printed if that money produced beautiful murals and art in Lakewood like the one across the street from the office?

[DougHuntingdon]

Why don't we just have all individuals and businesses in Lakewood have their paychecks or sales deposited at city hall? Let the government decide how to spend it. That's really where this thread is going.

This reminds me of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs in Utah. Maybe he is hiding out in Lakewood, or maybe he has hacked into some users' Obervation Deck id's???

At least Joan makes a good point.

Doug