Letters: Stop picking on One Columbia

The April 5 article “Arts group faces cuts in its taxpayer funding” left the impression that One Columbia was a rogue private group siphoning off taxes for expensive parties and payroll. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The organization was created with the backing of Mayor Steve Benjamin for the purpose of promoting the city’s cultural activities. This means its entire budget should be paid by the city, including the costs of meetings and payroll.

Columbia does not have a cultural affairs office. One Columbia was created to fill that gap, and it has done very well under Lee Snelgrove.

Are the restaurants of Columbia, who collect the taxes that pay for One Columbia and help fund other cultural activities, unhappy with One Columbia? I suggest that the City Council should talk to these taxpayers.

One Columbia has been at the heart of the Nickelodeon, Agape and all the new investment surrounding us. Why do critics and the newspaper not provide this balance?

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 2:59 PM with the headline "Letters: Stop picking on One Columbia."