by The Tears of Things
In a recent piece about Roosevelt Row, we mentioned two local public officials -- Phil Jones and Greg Esser -- and made sure to email both of them a link to the story with a short pointer. The photo-essay contains implicit and direct criticisms of their programs, plans, and policies; and, in Esser's case, his actual buildings. That was Monday, August 23rd.
No reply from either of them by the end of the week. Actually, nobody we mentioned replied, exclaimed, or protested. Big surprise. (Perhaps they are ignorant of this article. Perhaps.) Most of these people aren't obligated to reply in any way, of course; that still doesn't mean we are ignorable. We exposed them.
But these two men work for the city -- our city. So we figured we'd just bring it out in public on our open weblog, seeing as how they're public officials and all. It seems dismissive to duck us, don't you know. We've lived in this town almost as long as Mr. Esser or Mr. Jones have been alive, we've paid our dues and our taxes, and we want answers.
Let's be clear. We have no axe to grind: no property downtown, no prospects thereof, no interests, no angle. We don't want in. We don't want to play with these people. God forbid. What we do, we do in the good name of art, and in the name of good art. Both of these guys seem contemptuous of both of these banners.
So let's see what, if anything, they have to say in the next few days. We'll update everyone, of course; and be sure to check in for Part Two of "The Pride of Phoenix," very soon.
The texts of the emailed letters themselves begin after the jump. And we have copied Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon on the whole megillah.
August 28, 2004
To: Phil Jones, Executive Director, Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture
From: Jerome du Bois & Catherine King, The Tears of Things
Mr. Jones:
We recently posted, on our weblog, "The Pride of Phoenix, Part One: Roosevelt Row is Desolation Row," and emailed you the link. In that article, we implicitly criticized your seeming indifference to the lack of responsibility, self-respect, and citizenship of several of the leading lights on that dolorous street.
We now formally ask for a response. How can you set forth such tasty plums as the Evans-Churchill Draft Plan when the people you're going to give the money to don't give a damn about what's outside their own front doors?
Go look at modified arts, for example, and then remind yourself it's been there six years.
We've had our say, so far. What's yours? (Of course, this letter has been posted on our weblog, and the Mayor has been emailed all the relevant links.)
Sincerely,
Jerome du Bois
Catherine King
August 28, 2004
To: Greg Esser, Director, Phoenix Public Arts Program
From: Jerome du Bois and Catherine King, The Tears of Things
We recently posted, on our weblog, "The Pride of Phoenix, Part One: Roosevelt Row is Desolation Row," and emailed you the link. In that article, we implicitly and explicitly criticized your stewardship of both your own art galleries and the programs over which you preside. In fact, we asked you directly:
"Where is your civic pride, citizen?"
We repeat the question. We await your answer. This letter has been posted on our weblog, and the Mayor has been emailed all the relevant links.
Sincerely,
Jerome du Bois
Catherine King
The Tears of Things