Mr. Sevigny,

Huh?

Mike

Economic Colors

Not only artists benefit from the oil tank project.

A.  Why do artists not have the backing from the public businesses and the State of Maine for this project?

B.  Why does the public at large believe that most artists are not moderate income individuals who need to pay their bills also?

C.  Is the public not - - - 1 - the truckers who deliver the oil to these oil tank companies
                          2 - the industrial businesses who will benefit by selling their paint for the oil tank project
                          3 - also the industrialist workers who use other business products to paint these oil tanks

Last but not least “We do have a state who at the present time is out of the economic color picture and not overly concerned about the oil tank project.”

Alberta M. Sevigny
Maine Artist

Rather than painting the tanks which certainly does not have the backing of the public, this non-profit should find a way to donate the proposed 1.2 million dollars to the low and moderate income residents of South Portland who will have to choose between heating their homes this winter or buying food, clothes, or medicine.

Oil tanks and gas stations do not exist because of consumer demand.  They exist because of a long standing contrived manipulation of energy policy by big oil and their bidders like Dick Cheney.  Snuffing out cafe standards, buying up patents for alternative energy inventions in order to keep innovation out of the market, and lying about global warming is what this industry is all about.  They have no interest in doing whats right for America or the world. Next to big tobacco these people are the bottom of the barrel.  Thats why Art All Around is so absurd, it’s goofy painting contest seeks only to help a despicable industry which seeks to wring out every last dirty drop of oil they can. And based on the public response so far, it can be argued that Maine will actually suffer a public relations nightmare once this ridiculous project is completed.  Not only do citizens find the art ugly but they know now more than ever what a stranglehold the industry has on their very ability to survive and prosper in America.  Perhaps we should suggest to the five entries that they withdraw their work. This is particularly true for the two entries from South Portland.  They might not get the prize money but they will be able to hold their heads high by acting courageously to do whats right.  Now that would be a real statement.  Its not always about the money is it?

The quote is, “They rarely get involved in the community.”
That my friend is not an opinion. That is a statement. That is like saying “a car just drove by” and then when challenged on whether or not it happened claiming that it was your opinion that a car went by. And just because you haven’t met them at one of your “events” does not mean they don’t have a positive impact on the community. “Events” are quite often staged so that those that give something to the community can make sure their “gift” is widely known and heralded. I too have attended many “events” and typically they make me want to throw up.
Perhaps PPL, like a lot of us who make it a point to make some small positive impact on the world each day, doesn’t give a hoot about having everyone know about what they do. Maybe they do good because they - and we all - simply should.
The oil tanks on our waterfront stage oil on its way to Eastern Canada. The oil tanks, like gas stations, Wal Marts, and the annoying coffee houses that have popped up on every street corner, exist because of consumer demand. When Eastern Canada no longer requires oil, the tanks will be dismantled. Just because I think something is unsitely does not mean it should not exist. There is one particularly offensive house on Willard Beach that would be the first to go if I chose what remained and what was torn down based on my finely tuned sense of what is tasteful. I think you may know the one.
But on the other hand, we really should hate PPL because they make billions of dollars. That makes a ton of sense. Bad capitalists! Bad!

Mike you may be right on all your points except me being uninformed. MY OPINION comes from knowing who the business leaders are of many of the area companies because they attend events and participate in the community. I have NEVER once met anyone from Portland Pipeline at any of the community events or seen them as a sponsor or donor. They are making billions of dollars, so why don’t they have a bigger presence in South Portland? They make billions of dollars, so why didn’t they just give the house to the society from the beginning? I would feel better about PPL if all I know of them wasn’t just the ugly green tanks that litter our waterfront. Just my OPINION…not right or wrong or uninformed…just an opinion. Thanks.

OhBoy,

You couldn’t be more wrong about the Portland Pipeline’s community involvement if you tried. The Pipeline has been an OUTSTANDING neighbor to South Portland and continues to work with the community at every turn. Their latest move? Offering the house at Spring Point to the South Portland Historical Society FOR FREE. Please, know something about the subject matter before you write. The Pipeline should be a model for more American businesses. They win environmental stewardship awards year after year for going absolutely above and beyond the call of duty, they are famous for being terrific to work for, and they are a conscientious member of our business community. Throwing out uninformed statements sells them short and too many people will take your statement to heart without researching it. Don’t get me wrong; oil tanks are ugly and a blight on our waterfront. But they are there, and they are not leaving (unless all of Atlantic Canada ceases to consume oil), so hate them for that if you want, but they are a terrific neighbor to us.

Sorry, SoyBoy, but we are stuck with the drab green tanks. The only tanks being considered in this “contest” are the white ones owned by Sprague. I believe the green ones are owned by the Portland Pipeline. They rarely get involved in the community, so I doubt there is any painting of those drab green tanks in the near future.

They are currently white not drab green.  Which tanks are you looking at?  Replacing them with cotton candy and saltwater taffy colors will certainly make things worse.  Just looking at them could be hazardous to your health.

I love the designs. Great colors. It seems we’ve had to look at the drab green for 30 years.