Still Cool - The Full Editorial

In the October 2006 On The Town Artistic Expression column, my full editorial was honestly scarificed to the limited space avialable. (It happens when the subject runs high on my word count.)

So in the interest of not being silent on this issue, I will reprint my updated editorial here for those who wondered how I really feel about Dick DeVos'ill advised plan to cut the Cool Cities program in Michigan.

These are my words and thus my opinion as an columnist who has spent the last two years covering this program. The interview with the Governor can be found on Page 22 of On The Town.

Still Cool
by Tommy Allen

Just a little over two years ago I was granted the opportunity to sit down with Governor Granholm as she unveiled her Cool Cities project. This visionary project recognizes that a community that embraces and values the youthful creative spirit can be translated into real dollars for a community. Two years later, the project is working.

On the eve of her re-election bid, her opponent, Dick DeVos has said in a Detroit Free Press article that the Cool Cities project would be cut if he were elected. (6/8/2006)

In the eyes of one who has written about this program and the positive impact it is making on Grand Rapids, this would be a terrible shortsighted mistake. For one to sacrifice this program to partisan grandstanding is dead wrong.

This tactic is nothing new for those in the arts as we are forever sacrificed as not being valued come election season. Programs, arts education and even cultural grants, all become causalities during an election year.

When those in the arts raise their voice, they are told to sit down or have the opinions discounted as not being grounded in reality.

So as I spoken with many voices within this community, many on the street express concern that the arts and the creative cool we bring to this region is in real danger.

But losing the much-desired under 40 demographic is not the only “brain drain” casualty. It has been reported that for the emerging medical mile to be a success, it will need a strong creative environment to attract the medically “creative” professionals to Grand Rapids.

For those who think that this program should be measured in dollars and not human capital, I point them to the On The Town August 2006 piece where we reported that in 2006-2007 over 10 new development projects totally $178,000,000 in investment would commence around the Division Avenue Cool Cities project.

Grand Rapids has come a long way over the 25 years I have been in this town. To single out Cool Cities as a frivolous program is just a misguided out of touch statement by a politician equally out of touch and looking to capitalize shamelessly by preying upon the arts.

The artist (and those who love art), understand the arts are tremendous force in this community. The Cool Cities program has brought many exciting changes and deeply enriched the fabric of our community.