Dissolution of arts panel is loss for community

Articles in The Daily Herald and The Kane County Chronicle the week of Aug. 20 informed everyone that the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission (GCAC) was terminated by the City Council. As reported, our city's administration asked the current city attorney to review the ordinance that created the GCAC in 2006, which the then-city attorney had fully approved.

The current city attorney found that, despite 17 years of successful operation, it did not comply with his interpretation of the Illinois home rule law and state statutes. As a result the city of Geneva no longer has an official role supporting any of the cultural arts.

This dissolution does not send a positive message to businesses, visitors and residents.

For 17 years, the commission worked very diligently developing a variety of artistic and cultural creations and activities for Geneva residents as well as the many visitors from across the country who came to our city for those events.

We regret that popular GCAC-sponsored events and activities such as River Park Concerts, Steeple Walk, Shakespeare in the Park, Geneva Short Story Contest, Eat your Art Out, Dancing with Geneva Stars and other select public art projects will no longer be available for Genevans to view, participate in or attend. There will be no new Sculptured Bike Racks commissioned or Bus Stop Murals done by Geneva Middle and High School Students.

We thank Geneva residents and visitors for supporting our endeavors over the years. We also thank past commissioners, numerous volunteers and so many artists who gave their best to sustain the commission and make Geneva a community known for supporting the arts. During those years we have enjoyed and been privileged to bring art and we trust, joy and involvement to everyone.

Tim Vetang, Kent Gallagher, Dana Teichart, Kathy Sabaini, Michael Ploszek, Amy Cook

The Final Geneva Cultural Arts Commissioners