Letters From the Creative Bureaucrat, April

I write a monthly column in Northern Arizona's arts and news monthly publication, The Noise. My column is called "Letters from the Creative Bureaucrat." Here follows "part one" of two part series on the BBB as published in the April issue column... (pick up a copy of The Noise, too).

I love lists. I will make “top five” or “top ten” lists for just about anything: favorite movies, best cocktails at a party, favorite holidays, worst actors of all time… the possibilities are never-ending. In fact, I could create a list of “top ten interesting lists to spur fun debate with your friends.”

Here in this fertile literary world of The Noise, for both this month and in May, I intend to wax on about a little thing called the BBB. And I intend to do so by using lists, regardless of my own inner voice that warns me that lists are a little lazy when it comes to writing a column (you’ll forgive me, I hope).

The first list, here and now, will be to expound upon the benefits and values of the BBB. No, I’m not talking about the Better Business Bureau. I’m talking about the City of Flagstaff’s Bed, Board and Booze tax revenues, which contribute heavily to setting Flagstaff as a shining example of a community in Arizona (one of the few) that is willing to invest in arts and culture, among other things.

So to the task at hand: Just what do the BBB Revenues do for Flagstaff? Here are five important highlights…

1. The BBB Revenues are an investment in the strength of our local economy. “Investment” is the key word. These are not programs that simply make us feel all fuzzy inside (although that does happen). BBB funded programs create jobs in the creative sector (arts, tourism, science, economic development), encourage visitation, and help to attract and retain business and the creative class. BBB funding fortifies our local economy, which is why Flagstaff has not suffered as heavily during this national recession as some other communities.

2. The BBB provides funding for art and cultural programs throughout the Flagstaff area. These are quality programs that make the arts accessible to everyone, such as (watch as I employ the “list within a list” technique):

• Free concerts and performances on Heritage Square and elsewhere, Festivals such as the Celtic Heritage Festival and Pickin’ in the Pines,
• Youth art and theatre programs that give local youth healthy avenues to express themselves and build confidence,
• Dry Creek Arts Fellowship’s program to provide arts workshop to local cancer patients, and the P.E.A.C.E. Project that uses theatre to teach healthy relationships to local youth, and,
• Many more arts, culture and science programs that YOU enjoy (like this very publication).

3. The BBB encourages greener living. Did you know that BBB Revenues directly fund the FUTS (Flagstaff Urban Trails System), a city-wide network of non-motorized, shared-use pathways that are used by bicyclists, walkers, hikers, runners, and other users for both recreation and transportation? There are over 50 miles of these awesome trails, with a total of 130 miles planned.

4. The BBB funds tourism attraction. Tourism attraction means a stronger local economy and helps to drive larger audiences to arts and cultural programs locally. Festivals, concerts, art galleries (and thereby local artists), and local businesses all benefit when we have the ability to attract visitors. Especially during a challenging nationwide economic recession.

5. The BBB funds Flagstaff’s beauty. That’s right, BBB supports beautification and public art efforts. Don’t downplay the importance of beauty… it is one of the essential reasons that so many people see Flagstaff as an attractive place to visit and live. Trees and mountains don’t do it on their own – we have built a small city here, and it is important that we work to develop beautiful parks, urban design and public art that serve to fit into the natural surroundings.

I could list another five benefits easily, but space is limited. In short, the BBB is a huge part of what makes Flagstaff so special – and part of what is keeping us afloat during tough times.

And I haven’t forgotten: the second list I will create on the BBB – this is your teaser for next month’s thrilling episode – will be a debate, with myself, about whether or not the BBB should be renewed via election by Flagstaff voters on May 18. Don’t fret about that one – I perform admirably in conversational battle with myself all the time. Just ask my neighbors.