Sources say things are not as they seem in the Dana DeMartino resignation. You may recall DeMartino was named Director of the Arts Council in the summer of last year. From the beginning, the director drew some odd reactions. DeMartino drew negative feedback several months ago when she appeared on KALB-TV’s Noon news and insulted the community by saying central Louisiana residents fill venues for monster truck shows but do not support the local arts. Whether that is true or not, it surely is not the way to encourage residents to take part in arts events. I remember sending emails back to the viewers thanking them for their concern and simply stating this was Ms. DeMartino’s opinion, not KALB-TV’s.
Now as the news of her resignation hits central Louisiana residents it is revealed DeMartino was difficult to work for and that five employees with the Arts Council have left since she came on board. Apparently, DeMartino was to be evaluated soon. Could this be the reason she is hitting the road? Have you had contact with the Director? We’re listening.
Sources say things are not as they seem in the Dana DeMartino resignation. You may recall DeMartino was named Director of the Arts Council in the summer of last year. From the beginning, the director drew some odd reactions. DeMartino drew negative feedback several months ago when she appeared on KALB-TV’s Noon news and insulted the community by saying central Louisiana residents fill venues for monster truck shows but do not support the local arts. Whether that is true or not, it surely is not the way to encourage residents to take part in arts events. I remember sending emails back to the viewers thanking them for their concern and simply stating this was Ms. DeMartino’s opinion, not KALB-TV’s.
Now as the news of her resignation hits central Louisiana residents it is revealed DeMartino was difficult to work for and that five employees with the Arts Council have left since she came on board. Apparently, DeMartino was to be evaluated soon. Could this be the reason she is hitting the road? Have you had contact with the Arts Director? We’re listening.
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14 comments:
Anonymous said...
to Nick:
Will TextCaster operate on weekends? We received on weather forcast on Saturday. Will emergency developements, both news and weather, be sent over weekends?
April 28, 2007 6:51 PM
Anonymous said...
to Nick:
sorry, I meant that we received NO weather forcast . . .
April 28, 2007 6:53 PM
It always amazes me that people who often speak of culture, as meaning paintings by the masters or orchestral music, to not look at all definitions of the word culture. Webster's Online Diction includes, among its definitions of "culture":
b : the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time popular culture, southern culture c : the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization; a corporate culture focused on the bottom line d : the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic; studying the effect of computers on print culture....
Therefore, it is safe to say that our local culture is more country and cajun music than classical music, and hunting, fishing, bullriding and monster trucks more so than an art museum or polo. It is very snobish to suggest that one culture is suprior to another. They are all "culture", just different. In fact, here locally, perhaps money should be spent on public rifle or bow ranges, rather than golf courses and performing arts centers. At least an outdoor shooting ranges will not have leaks. Are is it that our tax money is spent only for the entertainment of the upper classes?
Could it be she was "encouraged" to leave since her entire staff has practically quit??????
to Neck Rouge,
Culture is also how they raise germs and make yogurt but that does not mean that we would not benifit from exposure to the classics.
To elitist snob: I don't think anyone said we should not be exposed to the classics. He or she was simply saying that if the public has to pay for your cvlassics then you should also have to pay for wresling and monster truck events. Now isn't that fair?
I know for a fact that 5 employees did quit. One was a friend of mine. They said that working for DeMartino was the worst working experience they ever had. DeMartino makes all her employees feel like nothing they do is ever right and never credits them for anything. She berates, belittles and insults all her employees, even people that do not work for her. These people would rather work with her staff instead of talking to her. She makes her employees feel incompetent, but in fact DeMartino is the incompetent one! She is not very computer literate and relys heavily on her poor staff to make her look good. She is almost legally blind which makes it difficult for her employees. Everything has to be in huge print so she can read it. I do believe she left before she was asked to leave. I pity the people that has hired her. She has damaged the image of the Arts council with her snobbery and insults. We need the next Art Director to be someone local that knows the people of Central Louisiana and the local Art scene. I hope the Arts Council will rehire any former unemployed employees. They did a great job even though they were working in very trying work conditions. I just wanted everyone to know the real truth about DeMartino.
I had the experience to work with Ms. Martino and found that not only was she very difficult to work with, but seemed to possess no actual knowledge or experience in any of the areas that she had been hired for by the Arts Council.
She was totally incompetent. I do not know how she got hired, other than the fact that she is a darn good actress. She had many of us fooled and most of the men "charmed." What a fake!
She had no knowledge of computers, no knowledge of finances or budgets. She had her staff doing everything and then she would take the credit for it all herself. She would throw fits in the office, call people names and bad mouth people all the time.
The only reason the Arts Council is in the black now is because her entire staff left and she has all that salary money to use to get rid of the deficit. She was incapable of "turning things around." It is too bad she had to stay here this long. The only thing she accomplished during her stay was to destroy all of the programs of the Arts Council and alienate every arts organization in town. The Central Louisiana arts community has so many good things to offer and it will take alot to rebuild after the wrath of Dana.
Hate to nag but what is the word on weekend weather and news texting? T'would just be good to know. Thank ya
Hi there and thank you for your persistence. I am implementing a plan for the weekends and yes we certainly will give updates. We have a new staff member starting soon and will look forward to getting the ball rolling this weekend.
It is time to re-evaluate the role of the arts council as it relates to our struggling arts organizations and how to grow the arts district as an integral part of downtown revitalization. It has been proven time and again that government + the arts is the successful route and that it takes collaboration and vision to accomplish this important hurdle into the future for our city. We need a serious conversation with our leaders and our arts organizations about survival for all of us - and our downtown. Its not my neighborhood or yours - it's the heard of our city - and The arts - in all its forms are the voices and dreams of our people. And for those citizens who can't seem to find a voice or a dream - the arts can save you. I know that for a fact.
cmp there are some organizations doing quite well IN SPITE of the Arts Council. The Arts Council drove a wedge between many of the groups and itself when Randy was there and it only continued with the new leadership. The new leadership has to be someone who can build a sense of community with all the groups and not constantly be at in an adversarial position. You can't nickel and dime some of the smaller groups to death and then ask them to support you.
I am in agreement with you - the council aught to be identifying the needs of the groups and doing what it can to support those groups and build community - your comments are exactly why I said we need to re-evaluate its role.
...but on the upside I hear she has a lovely singing voice!
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