Mayor's key to the city endeavor raises councilmen's hackles
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Saturday, June 07, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- Mayor Mike Hobart's plan to create a "Key to the City" program has opened the door to another dust-up at City Hall.
Fellow council members criticized the mayor for failing to include them in the plans and for using only artwork crafted by members of Siouxland Artists. Hobart and his wife, Shari, belong to the group, although the mayor said he is not an artist himself.
"It is pretty arrogant for the mayor to start a whole program that affects the city staff and the council's image as a whole," Councilman Aaron Rochester said. "He is only allowing his wife's organization to be a part of it. He is using his authority as mayor to sell their artwork. That's a conflict of interest upon a conflict of interest."
On Friday, Hobart unveiled the program at City Hall, showcasing about a dozen paintings, sketches, wooden keys and other designs made by club members.
Only members of that organization were invited to present items, which will be featured on the Siouxland Artists' Web page. Businesses or individuals who want to present the award would buy the artwork from the artists, with 10 percent of the sales earmarked for the group and the other 90 percent to go to the individual artists. Shari Hobart said the prices will range from $25 to $300.
The mayor reported the group has filed for nonprofit status. The organization would use the proceeds to help finance scholarships and other community endeavors. No city dollars would be used, the mayor said..
When asked why other artists were not invited to participate in the design program, Hobart replied: "Students and artists can join this group. It's only $20 a year to belong. I chose this group because it's a charitable organization. This group has been in existence since the 1930s. I'm a member, and my wife is a member."
Siouxland Artists is the only locally based organization for artists, according to Al Harris-Fernandez, Sioux City Art Center director.
Council members displeased
Councilman Dave Ferris said, "I hesitate to say anything because it looks like we're always beating on him. Sometimes he goes off without asking for any input. Out of respect, I think we all should have been consulted on this. ... I have a real problem with the program because I believe it's a profit situation."
Councilman Brent Hoffman said, "While I certainly support the concept of the program, I most certainly do not support how it's been handled. It's both inappropriate and illegal to use City Hall, titles or resources for personal financial gain or advocacy for an exclusive organization."
Rochester added, "He is doing this as mayor of Sioux City, not as Mike Hobart, a resident of Sioux City. ... The mayor just went off on his own again. Frankly, we're getting a little tired of it."
Later Friday, Hobart said he had learned of his colleagues' concerns and had consulted City Attorney Andrew Mai.
Hobart offers 'cure'
"One of the things we would do is for her (Shari) to withdraw her art from consideration. The idea was never for her to profit from it. I wanted to encourage participation of the artists in city government. Hopefully, this will cure the problem. ... There probably should be council approval of the program instead of the mayor alone instituting the program."
This is not the first time Hobart has faced a controversy involving his wife. When the mayor learned in February that the council had failed to support Shari Hobart's bid to be named to the Art Center Board of Trustees, he e-mailed the other four council members, saying: "thank you gentleman for your support. I am sure my wife is proud of this Council."
On Friday, Hobart said his "Key to the City" program would allow individuals or businesses to buy artwork to present to people they choose. "It could be awarded for their contributions to Sioux City or also to welcome people to Sioux City," he said.
Hobart envisioned he would present the artwork to the honorees.
The mayor recalled, "When I was a kid growing up, it was very common that such an award was given. It's an excellent way the city can partner with local businesses and artistic organizations."
Rochester said he asked City Manager Paul Eckert and City Attorney Andrew Mai to address the matter.
"At this point, I'm looking at it," Mai said.
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynn.zerschling@lee.net
Some of the artwork:
Wanda Veltkamp, the group's president, did two oil paintings based on Historic Fourth Street. She attached gold-painted skeleton keys to the frames.
Eileen Stickels' pen and ink drawing featured the 1895 train bridge, monuments and the arches. Phyllis Bennett presented two pieces -- a framed drawing of the Sioux City Art Center and a wooden piece featuring a key.
Diane Cloud, of Danbury, Iowa, said she used mostly black, white and gray acyclic paint to showcase Sioux City landmarks. Woodcarver Ray Stallons carved two keys.
Fellow council members criticized the mayor for failing to include them in the plans and for using only artwork crafted by members of Siouxland Artists. Hobart and his wife, Shari, belong to the group, although the mayor said he is not an artist himself.
"It is pretty arrogant for the mayor to start a whole program that affects the city staff and the council's image as a whole," Councilman Aaron Rochester said. "He is only allowing his wife's organization to be a part of it. He is using his authority as mayor to sell their artwork. That's a conflict of interest upon a conflict of interest."
On Friday, Hobart unveiled the program at City Hall, showcasing about a dozen paintings, sketches, wooden keys and other designs made by club members.
Only members of that organization were invited to present items, which will be featured on the Siouxland Artists' Web page. Businesses or individuals who want to present the award would buy the artwork from the artists, with 10 percent of the sales earmarked for the group and the other 90 percent to go to the individual artists. Shari Hobart said the prices will range from $25 to $300.
The mayor reported the group has filed for nonprofit status. The organization would use the proceeds to help finance scholarships and other community endeavors. No city dollars would be used, the mayor said..
When asked why other artists were not invited to participate in the design program, Hobart replied: "Students and artists can join this group. It's only $20 a year to belong. I chose this group because it's a charitable organization. This group has been in existence since the 1930s. I'm a member, and my wife is a member."
Siouxland Artists is the only locally based organization for artists, according to Al Harris-Fernandez, Sioux City Art Center director.
Council members displeased
Councilman Dave Ferris said, "I hesitate to say anything because it looks like we're always beating on him. Sometimes he goes off without asking for any input. Out of respect, I think we all should have been consulted on this. ... I have a real problem with the program because I believe it's a profit situation."
Councilman Brent Hoffman said, "While I certainly support the concept of the program, I most certainly do not support how it's been handled. It's both inappropriate and illegal to use City Hall, titles or resources for personal financial gain or advocacy for an exclusive organization."
Rochester added, "He is doing this as mayor of Sioux City, not as Mike Hobart, a resident of Sioux City. ... The mayor just went off on his own again. Frankly, we're getting a little tired of it."
Later Friday, Hobart said he had learned of his colleagues' concerns and had consulted City Attorney Andrew Mai.
Hobart offers 'cure'
"One of the things we would do is for her (Shari) to withdraw her art from consideration. The idea was never for her to profit from it. I wanted to encourage participation of the artists in city government. Hopefully, this will cure the problem. ... There probably should be council approval of the program instead of the mayor alone instituting the program."
This is not the first time Hobart has faced a controversy involving his wife. When the mayor learned in February that the council had failed to support Shari Hobart's bid to be named to the Art Center Board of Trustees, he e-mailed the other four council members, saying: "thank you gentleman for your support. I am sure my wife is proud of this Council."
On Friday, Hobart said his "Key to the City" program would allow individuals or businesses to buy artwork to present to people they choose. "It could be awarded for their contributions to Sioux City or also to welcome people to Sioux City," he said.
Hobart envisioned he would present the artwork to the honorees.
The mayor recalled, "When I was a kid growing up, it was very common that such an award was given. It's an excellent way the city can partner with local businesses and artistic organizations."
Rochester said he asked City Manager Paul Eckert and City Attorney Andrew Mai to address the matter.
"At this point, I'm looking at it," Mai said.
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynn.zerschling@lee.net
Some of the artwork:
Wanda Veltkamp, the group's president, did two oil paintings based on Historic Fourth Street. She attached gold-painted skeleton keys to the frames.
Eileen Stickels' pen and ink drawing featured the 1895 train bridge, monuments and the arches. Phyllis Bennett presented two pieces -- a framed drawing of the Sioux City Art Center and a wooden piece featuring a key.
Diane Cloud, of Danbury, Iowa, said she used mostly black, white and gray acyclic paint to showcase Sioux City landmarks. Woodcarver Ray Stallons carved two keys.
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