I have a dilemma…it concerns the 'so called' art that is currently hanging on the walls of our Shelburne town hall. I know many of these artists and their capabilities and can only assume that these pieces are to signify to the violence inherent in our society. Example - the recent killing spree in a school in America. It's been done before - "Guernica".

The problem is, that in acknowledging violence, they are, in a sense, perpetuating it. These are violent pictures. Why not remind us of the beauty around us - in Canada - in the spring, instead of adding to and perpetuating the violence.

And now they have placed a cross in my little park in Shelburne, which is supposed to be a place of beauty and tranquility. I can't think of anything more violent than the memory of a man, with nails driven through his hands and feet, hanging there in agony until he dies. We are told that this was allowed by a loving father in order to intone for our sins. It hasn't worked - we've been sinning ever since. There are some who will, no doubt, feel a violent re- action to this truth.

When I was young my parents did not allow me to go to movies depicting violence. Now the kids are inundated with it in various forms. It must be a sort of 'norm' for them.

I have been in habit of visiting our local high-school to talk to the carpentry teacher about an addition to the park, mentioned above, which the class is going to build for the horror that has happened in the U.S., I can't do that now. I will insist on a pass pinned to my chest or an escort.

See my dilemma?

Jack Downing

Shelburne