Are the Art Kids coming back to I.B.

Sunday April 20, 2014, Imperial Beach, CA

Had a conversation with Serge Dedina at the Egg Hunt on Saturday. He was there helping and taking photos for the Patch. Did not see the Mayor nor any of the City Council. Seems to make a sad statement when none of the present city government does not make it to an event such as an annual egg hunt. 100's of kids and parents gathered for the event. You would think someone from the city would e there. Serge and I talked about the lack of involvement from our local government. We also talked about why, "The Art Kids," do not make Imperial Beach their home anymore.

The Art Kids of San Diego County grew up in the Imperial Beach area. In fact the first nine years of classes were taught at the Pier Plaza. The group is now in Chula Vista because of the lack of support received by the Mayor and City Council. We were somewhat forced to leave as one of the city employees falsified a complaint forcing the Art Kids out of the public parks for 10 weeks. Not one member of the city council came to their assistance nor did the Mayor do anything, this especially after all of the free services had been given to the community by the Art Kids. The issue was completely ignored by everyone in the city government.

The falsified complaint was investigated and found to be a bogus complaint. There was no justification for the move on the part of the city. The issue was never truly resolved as it took the city 10 weeks to decide that instead of using six tables The Art Kids were only allowed to use four. It was the city at its finest hour.

Both the city and the B.I.D. showed their real colors when The Art Kids left. The paint the box program went to one individual and the kids were out of the picture. There was no apology from the city for their mismanagement of the complaint. Serge told me that he wants to bring art back to the community and welcome The Art Kids with open arms when he becomes Mayor of Imperial Beach. The Art Kids have worked with Serge before and found it to be very pleasant. I feel he will make a great Mayor of course anything would be better than what we have for a Mayor now. I believe Janney is a perfect example of a Lame Duck politician and its time for him to be put out to pasture. 

Anyway, it would be nice to be able to have classes again in Imperial Beach but only if there is a change of mind set on the part of the city council and Mayor.