I know I am not going to be the most popular person after writing this editorial, as I have a tendency to step on someone’s toes with each keystroke. But this time the questions concern Snoqualmie’s funding of the arts and the plan to add 1 percent to each city project.

I can understand wanting to fund the arts and even dedicating a portion of each building project to works of art. But there are two things that need to be added to any ordinance regarding percentages. A cap should be considered, one that is reasonable and fiscally prudent. In these times of economic floundering, it really seems difficult to provide large amounts of funds to the arts when so many social programs are being cut. Not that belt tightening isn’t needed all around, but to fund works of art when we must confront issues like public safety, the local economy or social programs doesn’t seem to be the best use of resources.

I was glad to hear that a committee of community members would be created to review proposed art projects. I would hate to see us get stuck with something that was an eyesore. It’s kind of amazing how much an eyesore can cost to purchase, and subsequently, cost to haul away.

Another idea for arts funding using a similar concept is to build a pool of money from projects that come in under budget and have a committee review art proposals. This way, we are not asking the public for more money. It would be money already earmarked for a project.

I do have to admit, my cultural diversity might be lacking a little. But taxes are taxes and using them prudently these days seems pretty important.

Of course there is the flip side: Having grown up in the Snoqualmie Valley without direct funding of the arts may have shaded my thinking a little. If there had been funding all along, then maybe I would be helping lead the charge for dollars. After all, I think a huge log on the back of a log truck in a parade is pretty artistic.