Editor:

Fortuna's City Councilmember Glaser's crusade against the public art as "pacifism" and "liberalism" seems quixotic ("Friendly Fire," Sept. 12). If the art poles are verboten in the good councilmember's world, might as well ban Volkswagen buses in Fortuna. It could be driven by a Wall Street investment banker to no avail, nothing screams liberal hippie like a VW bus.

 John Dillon, Eureka

Editor:

It pains me to write this but Dean Glaser is right ("Friendly Fire," Sept. 12). "Believe there is good in the world" is a wuss motto; butterflies, like facts, have a well-known liberal slant.

Fortuna deserves better. If the butterfly-painted pole is allowed to stand, at the very least conservative Fortunans deserve conservative poles. I humbly offer a selection of potential pole mottos, but I'm certain Mr. Glaser can do better: "All you need is cash," "Life is hard, grow up!," "Visualize shutting your big mouth," "Fortuna *hearts* CO2" and "Nice people suck."

Mitch Trachtenberg, Trinidad

Editor: 

Reading "Friendly Fire" (Sept. 12) and Fortuna City Councilmember Dean Glaser's perspective on the newly installed "Artists Pole" at the Fortuna Monday Club very much reminded me of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Why would anyone be opposed to art that reflects a positive message about being kind, being happy and looking for good in the world? Given the recent atmosphere in our country, I welcome the effort of people in our community who take steps to uplift the people living there. In fact, recently I was at a four-way stop looking at the back of a store on the corner of Main and Ninth streets, thinking about how great a mural would look there. The panoramic mural at Ray's Food Place is a vibrant collage reflecting the heart of Fortuna. The mural on Green's Pharmacy is a historical remembrance of days gone by.

There are many empty storefront windows that I would like to see something creative done with. In addition to the painted poles, front windows of vacated stores could act as museums, 4-H or civic clubs could advertise their activities and artists could do installations based on a theme. Rather than look like a ghost town, the presence of art brings life to a community. Perhaps the "Peace Pole" terminology triggered something within Mr. Glaser that is much more personal within himself. I applaud and support the Fortuna City Council and its efforts to bring art and friendliness into the community! 

 Mairead Dodd, Eureka