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10 / Elk River Star News / Wednesday, April 2, 1997 ArtS Continued from page 1 tionship is not as strong as it could be, particularly regard- lng scheduling facilities. Elk River Area School Dis-. trict Superintendent David Flannery observes the strong connection between school- based boosterism for sports, but points out that similar ~hinEs have not developed for the arts. 'We should respond to the ~nothlng to do' for youth with expanded art opportunities," Flannery said. Flannery would like to see the schools emulate Burnsville, with its after-school arts instruction in painting, photography, dance, editing and garage bands. Eileen and Robert Bowersox, director and an actor in the Northern Lights Children's Theatre, are particularly Flag Continued from page 1 American flag is the American flag," Hohngren said at a council' meeting Monday night. 'It,s not a sign I~s not a structure." Were the flag a sign, it would be limited to 35 feet in height. If it were a structure, as the city contended, it would face a 45-foot height limitation. Holm~ren proposed Monday night to withdraw his motion critical of Community Education, which they say raises road blocks and fosters ~Community Education con- tinually,brings in artists and art progroms from outside the community to teach its class- es. It seems contrary to the concept of community edUca- tion to ignore the large body of extxemely talented artists within the community in favor of bringing in outsiders to compete with its community artists. "It also fosters the idea with- in the community and among students that Elk River artists are somehow inferior to artists from other areas. This has a very big impact 6n area artists."' Having only a small 'theater limiting Perkins to a 50-foot flagpole and remove any height restrictions on the flag pole. But City 'Attorney Peter Beck said Roberts Rules of Order require that the motion to reconsider be made at the council's next regular meet- ing, which was last week. Having missed that opportu- ' nity, it now appears Perkins in the high school leads to con- flict, says Doug Johnson, a lone-time backer of communi- ~There is a sincere desire on the part of the school and arts groups to cooperate as much as possible; however, the facil- ity is inadequate,, and this leads to compromise and con- flict." Not all are critical of the schools. Craig Anderson, director of the Land of Lakes Choirboys, praises the school district for being very cooperative and collaborative. . · Not acknowledged The Citizens League notes in its findings that arts-related activity is not acknowledged as an important element of will have to reapply to the city for the 70-foot pole,' go through the public hearing rocess and have the request eard by the Planning Commission and City Council. Holmgwen said he's willing to shepherd Perkins through that process. He said earlier that he began researching the'flag matter the day after the March 17 local economic development. Dennis Chuba, former presi- dent of the Elk River' Area Chamber of. Commerce says, "I am on the Economic Development Committee of the chamber, and I never hear arts mentioned as economic development." Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson notes that more Minnesoto_ns attend arts activities than professional and collegiate sports combined. Tourism, the report says, is the second-largest employer · today and by the end of of the century it will be the world's largest industry. Arts mean mone~ big money: $36.8 bil- lion for businesses wifhin the communities, $790 million for. local government, $1.2 billion for state government and $3.4 meeting, when he got a call 'from. Eleanor Todahl asking him to reconsider. :~ He then met with Dan Smith of Perkins to hear the restau- ranl~s position in detail. ~I was made aware that there are 12 to 15 sites that Perkins has that sit elevated above highways and all th~se communities allowed them to have the 70-foot pole," billion for the federal. Paul Steinman, Elk River's economic development direc- tor, says the arts 'tend to soft- en the community's image and attract some economic devel- opment in their own right while giving the community some status or class. ~The Elk River area should keep in mind that strong arts opportunities attract addition- al residents for the local labor market and in turn attract more industry and profession- al. leaders. Arts can provide substantial return on public investment," according to Steinman. The Citizens League also scores the community for lack of leadership to stimulate strong support for local arts. Eileen Bowersox says cur- Holmgren said. (One of the .issues raised in Elk River is that Perkins sits 20 feet above Highway 169, essentially giv- ing a 70-foot pole a 90-foot vis- ibility.) . Holmgren then met with Sherburne County .Veterans' Service Officer Harold Novotny. Novotny was aware of some written federal regu- lations on the flag and con- rent leadership seems not to appreciate the contributions that local talent might offer, casting outsiders in plays here even though other communi- ties see Elk River area talent as worthy for castinE theirs. Anderson fears the current arts scene is a bit disjointed. Johnson observes the leader- ship base needs to be expand- ed beyond a few. dedicated souls to a broad-based team with ties to each of the arts. "We need a charismatic per- son who will add the spirit necessary for pulling in the funds along with getting the various arts activities to work together harmoniously," he said. . tacted Sen. Grams' office. The next day, Grams' office sent out the ~Our Flag" beok- let, with areas pertinent to the Elk River situation high- lighted. "Upon reading the book and discussing the situation with Harold, I concluded that I had made an error in judgment," Hohngren said. ELK WEST ROGERS PET CLINIC CHIROPRACTIC