Posted: Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Kayo Parsons-Korn
I am glad you are so respectful Susan. I wish the Tao Fellowship were so respectful. If they were really so interested in spreading world peace, where better to start than at home? It is obvious they have riled up many people who live here. Some oppose the park based on their own religious tenants. Some just think the park is unattractive. Whatever the reason, it has hardly fostered peace and goodwill.
I would invite the Tao Fellowship to move their sculpture park down to their retreat property and simply put a nice sign out at 89A pointing to their retreat and the park. Then if people want to check out their sculpture park they can do so, without it being forced upon everyone who must use 89A daily.
The Tao Fellowship continues to insist they are right, you must accept our way of seeing things. They are as intolerant as the evangelical Christians you say persecute them.
Actions speak louder than words. Let the Tao Fellowship take the higher path and remove the statues to their retreat property. Then I will believe they really desire peace.
Posted: Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Article comment by:
Too big and out of place
dear Susan
I am not by any means a fan of Korean art! So what your saying is we have to appreciate it even though we don't think it's art? When I first drove by it my first impression was what the hell is that(because of it's size) I than laughed!! Not with any disrespect intended to your so called art, but it is just too big and out of place for the valley!!
So common it's not art for everyone, we simply don't like it.
with respect Ken
Posted: Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Article comment by:
The law is the law
No offense, but I don't see the point about watching our neighbors back to see if they got permits or not. It's the law. When my husband and I wanted to build a shed, we called Planning & Zoning to see if we needed a permit and what was permissible. When we decided to change the exterior finish of our house, we called Planning & Zoning to see if we needed a permit. When we decided to change part of the fenceline, we called Planning & Zoning to see if we needed approval and a permit. If we found we needed a permit, we went down there and bought one. We always make sure we follow the laws and codes regarding our property. So, now, because the Tao Fellowship has decided not to do so, we're all supposed to ignore it? I don't think so. Had the group followed proper channels, the statue may or may not have been approved and it may or may not have been that big. The group, however, chose to circumvent the system, so here we all sit arguing about it after the fact. Not a pleasant position for anyone to be in. Personally, I think that statue needs to be downsized to meet code and any lighting needs to meet code. Oh, and Susan, by the way, check with the appropriate planning departments, I bet the church got their permits and inspections. I bet they dotted their 'i's and crossed their 't's. If anyone had an objection, they had ample opportunity to voice it. That is much more than the Tao Fellowship allowed us and I don't think they should be rewarded for it by allowing that statue to stand at its present height. If the statue is approved knowing it breaks our current statutes and codes, I guess I need to wonder why the rest of us have to follow the codes. It would hardly seem fair.
Posted: Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Innocent Bystander
I can't believe that people want to waive the zoning laws for the big plastic Mag-strosity. Maybe McDonalds should say that Ronald McDonald (or McMago!) is a god, and His restaurants are temples where He feeds the multitudes. Or maybe smog (S'mago!) is a god, so we can't have pollution laws any more. Yep, this will really put Cottonwood on the map - as the nuttiest place on earth.
Happy Mago-days, everybody!
Posted: Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Article comment by:
george d
As being one of the "CO-AUTHORS", and rightly proud of the effort put into it, I see many arguments on both sides of the debate. Making the statue of appropriate size to conform to the sign ordnance and the use of appropriate lighting are legal issues. If the statue will be lit the lighting must follow code and must be lit from above and be fully shielded. The citizens may not be able to stop such frivolity from taking place but we can see that such displays conform to city standards. On which side is the city council ?. A "CADILLAC RANCH" we don't need, a sensible community and city government we do. As for myself I am on the side of the, no longer, "SILENT MAJORITY".
Posted: Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Susan
Who is worshiping the statue,or saying they don't believe in God as Creator?The only people calling it pagan,or an idol are those making noise against it.Good heavens, it's simply Korean art which they use to symbolize peace on earth. If you refer to it's size-who can even see it past the Church, which blocks views in every direction? If you refer to permits-Verde Valley residents and business people, should backs be watched, as neighbors that are yelling about permits, may be checking on everyone next? Or,are they not neighbors,but malicious anti-Dahn people using VerdeValley people for their own agenda? With respect,Susan
Posted: Monday, December 28, 2009
Article comment by:
HUGE joke
Light it up, what a great idea!! Than maybe we can have Paul Bunion And Blue on the opposite side of the road? hey we could even put the HOLLYWOOD sign next to that!!!!!!. Draw the line somewhere this is a HUGE joke.
Posted: Monday, December 28, 2009
Article comment by:
This is truly bizarre
After following all the newspaper stories, I had to go out and see it for myself. More disturbing than the Mago statue were those weird little gnomes out front, with their buzzed eyes staring at the Catholic church. Those have got to go! The circle of statues, painted a god awful gold, (is this suppose to emulate real bronze cast statues?) are not much better. Throw in the Kokopeli with brightly colored children running around under it... this is truly bizarre looking.
My condolences to the Catholic parish.
Posted: Sunday, December 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Thanks Mago
One of the things we so enjoy is our unobstructed views and wonderful starlit skies. It looks like Mago will be ruining both.
I can understand wanting a religious symbol as we have crosses in our home and wear them, but why on earth does it have to be so big? Why does it need to be lit so as to ruin the wonderful starlit skies?
And, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but up close, it keeps making me think of those ugly cement garden statues that were so popular for awhile. Also, is it really made of plastic? Wouldn't have made more sense to have it made of earth-friendly natural products, like stone?
Posted: Sunday, December 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Roy Belcher
I guess the Cottonwood City Council has been MAGO indoctrinated. You see, IT"S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009
Article comment by:
David Thornburg
Reference: Mago Statue
If one sees the Mago statue as a religious symbol, then anything one can imagine could so be qualified, and thus be untouchable. We all could express ourselves in any manner we feel fit. However the City of Cottonwood sign code clearly spells out this statue as a sign, and must be regulated as such. If the Mago statue is described as 39 feet in height, then standing on the pedestal it is probably about 50 feet above grade, and thus exceeds the maximum allowable height of 10 feet, and most certainly not acceptable under the City Ordinance.
14. SIGN - Any identification, description, illustration or device which directs attention
to a product, place, activity, person, institution or business by such means including
words, letters, designs, symbols, pictures, colors, or illumination and which is visible
from any public right-of-way, neighboring property or public area. P. 78
3. Height: No sign shall project above the top plate line of the building to which it is
attached. On parapet walls or on vertical building walls signs shall be placed flat on the
wall and may not extend above the top of parapet wall or roof line. No freestanding sign
shall exceed ten (10) feet in height above grade. P.86
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009
Article comment by:
Emily
I am NOT in favor of the huge mago statue. Mother earth? Give me a break. Father God created the heavens, the earth,plant life, sun, moon and stars,all living creatures the land and sea and you and me. She didn't have a thing to do with it then or now. To add insult to injury, the Bread of Life Mission in Camp Verde was told they had to take down their Cross. What is AMERICA coming to? Each time we allow things like this we lose the best part of ourselves. The beliefs and values this country was founded on. God help us.
Posted: Friday, December 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Vera L Parson
My husband and I and 2 of our grandchildren went out to look at the Mago statue yesterday. We know it stands out, because we can see it from out by our home, but of course anything is going to stand out if it is very large because there is nothingelse out there except for the catholic church. We were pleasantly surprised at what we saw. Some of the colors are pretty bright but we found it to be interesting and was pleased to see all the other statues of Christ, Mary, Moses, Budda and other great leaders including the American Indians I am LDS and no there isen't a statue of Joseph Smith, but thats OK, Christ is there and he is the foundation we lean on. We found it to be a very peaceful place. While there we also looked at the Catholic Church, what a beautiful example of a Mission style Church I thought it was lovely. let's all try and live in peace and love here in our beautiful Verde Valley.
Posted: Friday, December 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Is there a lawyer in the house?
Logic question: If the Mago Retreat is currently in VIOLATION of Yavapai county Land Use Law for operating a resort business on residential land, and therefore may not continue to do business leagally, why would the Commission need to continue extending the use permit for the Visitor's Center? Is there a lawyer in the house?
Posted: Friday, December 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Yes, time is up!
Yes, time is up! The Commission was being very 'nice' in my opinion to allow the largest plastic structure ever in the Verde Valley. But sometimes being nice causes more problems than simply sticking to the rules. My grandmother, rest her soul would have said, "If you give them an inch, they'll take a mile!"
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