Welcome to the Dark Side

WAIT!! Can you hear it?? That breathing---that dark sinister sound that preceeds the presence of the Dark Lord of Sith? Or is that sinister laughing the mad scientist uses before he throws the switch? Whichever it is--it isn't a pleasure hearing it. You know something evil or bad is just around the corner.

Well--wake up Middletown--because the Dark Side is just around the corner and while you are sleeping, it is slinking it's way into your everyday life that you won't like. If you don't wake now to stop the Dark Side, it will be too late.

For those not in Middletown that drop by here to read what's up with the video project or the art studios, let me enlighten you. In the Colonization!! post, you read my rant about the tax levy failing and how some in this community, backed by some on the council, have hijacked council meetings. Well, evidently the Dark Side has won yet another victory. Our City Manager announced last night that he will resign. He stated in his resignation that he heard the rumors (or was it the breathing?), 3 councilman have called for his resignation and the last thing Middletown needed was another crisis in the form of the city manager being fired. Not only do I hear the sinister breathing...but I hear the footsteps. So much for good will to men and peace on Earth!!

I just finished watching the council meeting. I think we need to start calling them something different. It's really starting to remind me of the Galactic Senate in Star Wars, just before Senator Palpatine declares himself Emperor (after a motion from another Senator who was used as a pawn--I don't think I have to identify the players here) singling the death of the Republic. "So this is how democracy ends - with applause?" The mother of Luke Skywalker asks. So to, is democracy, the republic....the common decency that once existed in this council dying. Does anyone hear the applause?? To top off the evening, we have one councilperson in public asking if an action of another councilperson is competent. We have a council full of hate of each other and the barrier is getting thicker and thicker.

It is so evident that certain members of this council are so hungry for the so called power of "running" the city that they will use whatever tactic needed to get what they so desire. (Needless to say that any Mayor post directly elected or otherwise does not have that power in a City Manager form of government--but hey why should that stop them..) And when the councilperson achieves the position he so lustfully desires--shall he call himself Emperor and overturn the city charter instituting a mayor form of government? I'm certainly wondering where all this will end. Certainly we can't be this fired up about being mayor for the great pleasure of setting the council's agenda at council meetings.


You see, as they spin their web of deception, they themselves, don't see just how much of their wrongdoing is hurting the city. All for the simple pleasure (or displeasure) of being called Mayor, cutting a few ribbons at business openings, setting the council's agenda and providing limited direction to the city government. Nothing is going to change with a directly elected mayor. Why? Because the city charter hasn't changed. It is still a city manager form of government. The City Manager is paid full time to administer to the city--not the mayor. The mayor is a ceremonial mayor--that's it!!!!! So my only conclusion since I don't trust this council is that when the Emperor appoints himself to this position, the Emperor will in fact overturn the city charter and make the mayor position all powerful. The call has been made---"the City Manager should be fired---the Economic Director and other heads of the departments should report to the council!!" I remember the quote from the stormtrooper who shouted this from the disguise of a citizen's mandate. It's not my mandate....but I said that already.

And like Darth Vader--I'm not saying there isn't good here--it's just being done incorrectly. By the time this council and city government is turned to the good side, it just might be too late.

Enter the appointment of two "new" councilpersons. Enter the rumors that the candidate has already been chosen. Enter the rumors that even more resignations are in the wings.

Hopefully, it won't take the extinction of the city charter to wake us up and realize what is facing us. Maybe it is time to recall all the members of this council. Maybe it is time to revisit the city manager form of government. After all, with all this infighting and hate, who in their right mind would want to walk into this firestorm and take that city manager position? Oh--but wait--I think I just questioned the competency of those who want to continue down the Dark Side. ;-)

Holiday gifts

Happy Holidays everyone!!

The season is in full swing (since October in the retail shops!!) and the weather is turning a bit cold as well. I can do without the snow though...even though a little dusting of white would be nice on Christmas Day!!

Of course with all the season's cheer, comes shopping for loved ones. A wonderful Christmas gift to someone creative would be lessons on pottery, oils, drawing, or any of the arts for that matter. I am now accepting reservations for my beginners classes (oil and drawing) for people of all ages. Classes will be offered as well as individual lessons if that is preferred.

In the beginners classes, you will start with simple lessons dealing with shapes and light effects on the shapes. You will start with a limited palette of blue, red, yellow and white. Even though this is a limited palette you will learn color theory and how these colors actually provide you with more color range than all the tube made products. We'll develop your eye to see color (this is very important)! After completing the lesson paintings, you will be able to choose a painting you want to do and we'll work together in creating your first painting. There will be some formal instruction and then 1:1 instruction while you are painting. The first class session will be a 10 week term.

The same will occur in a private tutoring session, but you will be one on one with me the whole time. Of course, private sessions cost more than the class sessions. Appointments for the private sessions will be made at each session, no term rates will be offered for private tutoring--providing more flexible scheduling for the student.

Don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions.
Enjoy the seasons and we look forward to working with you to make 2007 a great and colorful year!!