Artwork speaks to values that are for sale

     Some politico once said of opponents on a spending bill in the legislature, "They're voting against it now, but when the ribbon-cutting takes place, they'll be in the front of the line for pictures."
     That was the truest thing I ever heard a politician say. But exceptions test the rule.
     Case in point was the occasion of the unveiling of Toby Mendez' magnificent addition to the Mary Lou Dewey Sculpture Park at the Westminster branch of the Carroll County Library Friday.
     During the "speechifying" part of the public reception, some the usual political suspects were there, representing state, county and city government, but his colleagues left it to District 3 representative Dave Roush to speak for the board of commissioners. Commissioner Doug Howard stood to the side, but at least he showed up. Robin Frazier and Richard Rothschild did not. They'd probably tell you that this was happening in Roush's district, but that didn't keep them from horning in on meetings that Haven Shoemaker and Howard were having in their districts when there was an opportunity to pound on a podium for less spending, less gov'mint.
     Roush said nice things about the library and the dedicated people who work there, and about how the Main Street location was good for business and the overall community, and how it was an example of what you have when volunteers work together.
   Then Sandy Oxx, executive director of the Carroll Arts Council and vice chair of the state arts council, brought a check for $5,000, made possible by Gov. Martin O'Malley and the state legislature, which is dominated by -- shhhhh -- Democrats.
    Money talks, that other stuff walks.
    But a good library system, like a school system and recreational programs, and fire and emergency services, police and courts, and programs for senior citizens -- they all require public money, in addition to what is provided by donors and volunteers. And that's a sticky subject for any member of the current board of commissioners.
    They talk the conservative talk, which is the other stuff, but money is required for the quality of life we like to take pride in around here.
    It's easy in a county full of libertarians posing as Republicans to talk about less government; most of us don't want big government, but we like our government services, and our government supported programs. It's the money spent on what other people find important that irritates us.
    Go take a look at the heritage of the county as it was frozen in bronze so very well by Toby Mendez. It tells part of our story: The rural legacy depicted by farmers with a mule team taking in the hay.
     Nice to hold that in reverence, but our children will be needing good schools. And we will all need more and better means of transporting a growing population that has bought into housing developments where the hayfields were.
     As the sculptor says, he was looking for a thread that speaks to our values and heritage. The agricultural heritage of those farmers depicted in his bronze is under pressure from some so-called "business friendly, property rights" advocates who would sell it all for power and profits benefitting a privileged few.