ENCINITAS — The Arts Alive banner exhibit will proceed as planned according to organizers after a rocky start.
The event was originally going to be dedicated to the late City Council member Maggie Houlihan who died Sept. 16. Danny Salzhandler, coordinator of the project, said more than 100 banners with a sketch of Houlihan on the backside of the banner were given out to participating artists weeks ago.
“A situation that started with the best of intentions and now it’s turned into a real bad scene,” Salzhandler said in an earlier interview.
The Downtown Encinitas Mainstreet Association was initially granted the permit to use the city’s light posts to hang the banners along Coast Highway from La Costa Avenue to Cardiff’s restaurant row.
However, Salzhandler asked that when the organization’s board of directors voted to use banners without the late council member’s image, that it instead rescind the permit to avoid any potential conflicts and allow the 101 Artists Colony to apply with the original design.
The Arts Alive banner exhibit is a joint effort by the 101 Artists Colony, the Downtown Encinitas Mainstreet Association, Cardiff 101 Mainstreet and Leucadia Mainstreet. In its 13th year, Salzhandler said the participating artists are an exceptionally talented group.
Salzhandler said the city denied his application but approved a modified version with the sketch of Houlihan painted over.
The timing of the new permit should allow for the program to continue with its original schedule of a Feb. 4 unveiling ceremony.
6 comments
Thanks for the explanation, Jim. I emailed Gus Vina but didn’t get an answer. The special event celebrates the arts, which Maggie supported when she was alive. So there is no disconnect between honoring Maggie and celebrating the special event. There is a disconnect between the political concerns of the Council majority who hired and direct the City Manager, and the community that wants to celebrate the arts. The only solution is to change the Council majority, so the City Manager gets different direction about how to serve the city.
I also agree with Lookingforchange that it would be more appropriate to paint over the likeness of the super majority who have continued to hide information from the taxpayers.
Is there anyone out there who really believes Jerome Stocks hasn’t pressured others to take the fall for his decision to attempt to obliterate the incredible, undeniable legacy that Maggie Houlihan bequeathed to this city with her last ounce of conscious energy? I am appealing to the over 13,000 voters who supported her in 2008 to tune into the tyrannical behavior he often exhibits at city hall meetings with any residents who question his positions. If you check the Leucadia Blog, you will find many examples. It isn’t just his ego that is over-infated. The price of the land acqusitions he is involved with are also usually inflated well over the market price like the old Nissan lot on Encinitas Blvd., the Hall property that after 10 years has still not had even one phase completed and now as the voice of SANDAG, he has been instrumental in the purchase of the South Bay Expressway, previously valued at $287 million, but purchased recently by the county for $345 million. This alone should send record numbers of voters to the poll to remove him and his cronies from office. Our tax dollars are being wasted and if we challenge his positions, we are insulted or demeaned. Reclaim our democracy in Encinitas and make authenticity and commitment to the general good attributes we expect from all candidates. Character counts should be our mantra for the 2012 election, both on a national and local level. Make your voices and concern heard by making a pledge to do your homework. The future of our unique coastal paradise depends on it as does the future of our children throughout our great country.
Gus Vina, our new city manager, said he made the decision not to let Maggie’s pic be on back of banners. I asked him in person to send me the city code governing his decision. He was very nice and sent me the code. This he said was the important part where it starts ‘Said banners…’sentence ends in ‘events’:
D. Banners over public rights-of-way shall be permitted subject to the standards established by the City and approved by the City Manager or designee. Said banners are for civic and nonprofit City-wide recognized special events. The banner shall not exceed 45 square feet in area and shall be located only on City approved structures. The banners may be displayed no more than 14 days prior to the start of the event and must be removed within 3 days of end of the event. Installation shall be to City specifications. Fees to recover City costs in reviewing the applications shall be established by the City Council. (Ord. 97-17).
I don’t get it, but that just me, I guess. Gus in a later email said to me that there was a ‘disconnect’ between Maggie on the back of a banner and a ‘city wide special event.’ because Maggie was/is a political figure.
Jim Kydd
My job here is to present facts in this forum. I can write an editorial (so can you) and say whatever I (you) think. Ciao.
What does this mean “Salzhandler said the city denied his application but approved a modified version with the sketch of Houlihan painted over”? Isn’t it more offensive to paint over Maggie’s likeness? It would be more appropriate to paint over likenesses of the current supermajority on the Council! I’d like to know WHO approved the modified design. It never made it to the City Council to vote on.
Congratulations to Danny Salzhandler for his determination and perseverance to recognize and pay tribute to Maggie Houlihan’s tireless and altruistic efforts on behalf of our community!
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