Hell Hath No Fury

Not a Concept You're Familiar With has left a new comment on your post "Public Perception":

"Several said it wasn't perfect but it could be improved."
They also made the point that it wasn't perfect for either side, which happens in negotiations. I believe it was an attempt at being conciliatory.
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When I fail  to persuade, I am left with the feeling the failure is mine. I've learned to live with that.
The Church Street School  discussion has been going on for three years. I  responded to every point made.
The basic principle has been expounded ad infinitum.
I am  compelled to conclude  unwillingness to accept the core argument  the people  who pay the taxes ,were  entitled to be  asked whether or not they were prepared to shoulder the burden of providing cultural services .. 
The decision was slyly and furtively imposed upon them.
That is not acceptable. 
The  missing  party at the  discussion table  was the community itself. .
In the last election,  a clear and unmistakable  decision was made.
Except for three  Councillors, key protaganists of the former Council,those  seen as responsible for the betrayal were tossed. 
Five new members were elected, who gave every sign, particularly the Mayor,of understanding the issues.He was certainly  well-briefed and coached along the way.
The fact is, a governing board for a relatively small facility has no  reason for being,  except  to make the facility financially self-sufficient.. 
It was recognised that would take time. Seed funding was to be provided on the understanding ,the need would be reduced by
$100,000.a year, reaching the goal of self-sufficiency in four years.
Other than free use and maintenance of the building, the service would have been self-sufficient in four years. 
I did not oppose that plan. 
But the plan was changed.A contract was signed making  no reference to the publicly stated   objective.
Weeks went by before it was realised there was to be no museum. 
Questions were dodged. Accountability was  obscured.  
The primary purpose of  the investment of public resources had been  deliberately sabotaged and displaced . 
That Council believed they had the power to impose without consultation, a concept  for which no public input was ever sought.  No public pronouncement  were ever made. 
Deliberate deception was perpetrated.
They learned at their cost the limits of their power. . 
This council  has continued along the same path with a new agreement.
Councillor Michael Thompson argues no Museum, Art Gallery or any such facility functions without public support. It may be true.
He made no such statement at the time of the election. 
The Mayor says the best argument for the contract was the ability for high school students to organise their own art show.
What  does the contract have to do with Church Street School being a  perfect  place for an art exhibit?
What did the  Board have to do with the decision to spend millions of dollars of public resources  to renovate the building to its current state?  
In  general committee, the Mayor  noted how convenient and how inexpensive to be able to listen to a piano concert by a world famous artist at Church Street School rather than have to drive to the Sony Centre and pay for parking?  
The Culture Centre Board  currently has a beautiful advertisement   for a concert  in February featuring a singer and piano accompanist  in a cosy cafe environment with free refreshments. Tickets are $15.00 plus HST with free parking.
No doubt the  room will be filled to capacity,what with chairs and tables and  servers an' all. And a good time will be enjoyed by all. 
Taxpayers can feel all warm and fuzzy about how much they contribute  to culture in the community. 
Someone  mentioned in a comment  the last board was swept out. 
Well no, they were not. 
As far as is publicly known, they quit of their own accord. 
There's nothing to hold them . No challenge. No satisfaction in providing a valuable service at none or little cost to  residents.
And awareness of " growing fury"  in the community  about  how   all  this came about.
When the electorate votes, they give their trust. 
When trust is betrayed, hell hath no fury to compare.