My resignation [in October] as chair of the arts council was in protest to the harm caused to volunteers when Mayor Andrew Lucas attempted to lay off the obligations of the administrator on individual volunteers. He also supported criticism that the arts council [remember Township Committeeman Richard Klauber’s “you people” comment?] was too independent.
Worse, Mayor Lucas supported Mr. Klauber’s “We don’t answer to you, you answer to us” comment, reflecting a total disregard for the dignity of volunteers who compose the electorate. My protest was separate and apart from the resignation of conductor Chiu-Tze Lin and by the way most of the symphony, which occurred in May.
Apparently it has taken over six months of work to cobble together another performance group. Marty Gelfond is a hard worker and should be congratulated.
What’s missing are facts, particularly the costs. Deputy Mayor Michelle Roth made costs and payment a huge issue; indicating budgetary constraints. The article (“Council Plans Symphony Performance, Charity Ball,” News Transcript, Oct. 24) makes no mention of how the township “raised the money” to support this new symphony – in particular what it is paying this conductor.
The article fails to state side-by-side cost comparisons. How could the township suddenly have the money to support a new symphony when it had no money to support the former symphony?
Where did the money come from if the budget, which resulted in a 28 percent tax hike, was already as “tight as possible” as suggested by the mayor and the Township Committee?
As a taxpayer, resident and one intimately involved with the arts council, I was under the impression Manalapan had little or no discretionary money. What happened to allow the new symphony to suddenly appear? More interesting than the costs of the conductor are the costs for professionals.
One of the complaints voiced by Deputy Mayor Roth and supported by Mayor Lucas was that “professional musicians” were inimical to a community orchestra. Yet, now there are professionals. In fact, this new symphony is heavily reliant on professionals. Where are they getting the money to pay these professionals?
Why are they different than the former professionals whose payments were “held up” by Deputy Mayor Roth for several months? [Most of whom refused to join]. Again, a side-by-side cost comparison would be illuminating since the public is paying for this performance group.
Finally, the article is correct that the spirit of the arts council is alive and well. Together with an existing group of terrific individuals we have gone forward and begun planning cultural events – without the burden of government involvement.
Our focus is on individual dignity and respect as reflected through the arts. Unlike a government group we don’t need permission to express ourselves and we don’t have politicians limiting our ability to build relationships. We hope to create a presence that will enhance quality of life in western Monmouth County.
Bruce K. Brickman
Manalapan

