Comments for At a Crossroads at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 37 out of 20 comments http://www.theind.com Thu, 23 May 2013 06:08:28 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-16487 In spite of the wonderful successes, ACA is troubling in that it seems model itself as a "Ministry of Arts and Culture". European style, with the new building as it's palace. Prefer a less centralized and omnipotent arts scene, myself. - C. Cous Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:25:27 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15917 It is hard to fathom - Crossroads without Todd - I will not attend. In light of the other articles published, I'd recommend that Crossroads be spun off into its own entity and let Crossroads evolve into a separate and distinct organization so as to avoid the administrative problems which ultimately led to Todd's resignation. If not, then I recommend that Todd consider putting together a similar platform in a private capacity. Best of luck Todd, we will miss you, but hopefully not for long. - sad sack Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:14:01 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15909 I have been on this earth long enough to know that when I read the comments above and hear the amount of discussion that is being paid to this issue at the Acadiana Center for the Arts, that there is a problem going on and quite possibly, serious problems within the administration of that organization. Keep in mind that this arts organization receives monies from federal, state and local dollars so it is a community issue. Notice I am saying the “administrative level”, for there are employees at this organization who despite any problems around them, continue to do their jobs and carry out the mission of a community arts organization everyday. It might be time for the executive level to look at true grassroots arts organizations in the Acadiana area that continuously keep the mission of the arts as their primary goal and pay attention to how they are run from the top on down. There are grassroots organizations like this located right in downtown Lafayette and communities surrounding Lafayette within the Acadiana region that consistently represent all of Acadiana in the diversity of their staff, volunteers, organizers, artists, board of directors, patrons and the programs offered. These organizations continue to function with little financial support and create environments that nurture the arts and artists as well as their employees and volunteers. There are ways to administer a staff and arts community in which everyone benefits and learns. Remember that everyone has strengths and everyone has added to the success of a place and program. And that is a message that consistently needs to be given to the staff and to the community. Some of the above letters refer to the “egos” of the parties involved. The arts are a product of many individual talents and yes, the reality of the situation is that “egos” do get involved when the product that is being created and given is such a personal one. That’s when the most important factor is the skills of the person at the top – to be able to deal with these situations and personalities. When the individual at the top allows their ego to get in the way – problems consistently occur. Good programs will continue to come out of the ACA but unfortunately so will problems. - A Patron of the Arts Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:38:33 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15908 I have been on this earth long enough to know that when I read the comments above and hear the amount of discussion that is being paid to this issue at the Acadiana Center for the Arts, that there is a problem going on and quite possibly, serious problems within the administration of that organization. Keep in mind that this arts organization receives monies from federal, state and local dollars so it is a community issue. Notice I am saying the “administrative level”, for there are employees at this organization who despite any problems around them, continue to do their jobs and carry out the mission of a community arts organization everyday. It might be time for the executive level to look at true grassroots arts organizations in the Acadiana area that continuously keep the mission of the arts as their primary goal and pay attention to how they are run from the top on down. There are grassroots organizations like this located right in downtown Lafayette and communities surrounding Lafayette within the Acadiana region that consistently represent all of Acadiana in the diversity of their staff, volunteers, organizers, artists, board of directors, patrons and the programs offered. These organizations continue to function with little financial support and create environments that nurture the arts and artists as well as their employees and volunteers. There are ways to administer a staff and arts community in which everyone benefits and learns. Remember that everyone has strengths and everyone has added to the success of a place and program. And that is a message that consistently needs to be given to the staff and to the community. Some of the above letters refer to the “egos” of the parties involved. The arts are a product of many individual talents and yes, the reality of the situation is that “egos” do get involved when the product that is being created and given is such a personal one. That’s when the most important factor is the skills of the person at the top – to be able to deal with these situations and personalities. When the individual at the top allows their ego to get in the way – problems consistently occur. Good programs will continue to come out of the ACA but unfortunately so will problems. - A Patron of the Arts Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:36:14 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15897 Ashamed of this community, maybe the reason the story seems slanted towards Todd Mouton (and the reason the vast majority of comments on this story are Pro Todd) is because we know Todd Mouton and all of the hard work and dedication that he put into LA Crossroads and the ACA. Yes, I'm sure there are some people who want this story to just go away...get swept under the run and just move on. The problem with that is that the arts community suffered a huge loss with Todd Mouton's departure! Todd has a vast knowledge of the music industry in this area; not to mention the respect and reputation that the local entertainers have for him as a person and a professional in the industry. Do you honestly think just ANYONE could fill this void??? Questions should be asked about what caused Todd Mouton to quit a project he has put his heart and soul into. For you to try and minimize the effect Todd's leaving will cause only shows your ignorance! - Knowledge is Power Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:36:29 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15892 I found the reporting to be fair and unbiased. The comments are what they are---honest concerns about the many problems at the ACA and its director. - stirrin' the pot Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:34:42 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15875 This story is obviously slanted towards Mouton and against the AcA, as are most of the comments. Yes, Mouton has contributed much to this community over the years, but HE QUIT. Time to move on. - ashamed of this community Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:41:12 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15839 I read the list of ACA board members with a sinking heart. With so many mingled personal relationships, I'm not sure they will come to their senses on this one. The ACA is run by an individual whose narcissism and shallow judgments will always cloud its vision and direction. Although, the loss of Todd Mouton has me wondering what that even is. BOOOOO! - Outside Looking In Sun, 20 Mar 2011 06:29:37 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15838 Hmmm. It seems unlikely that the board of the ACA will be motivated to replace Wuesteman when so many of them have personal friendships with him. Can this board come to it's senses and replace Ego/Persona with someone who genuinely understands and cares for our beautiful, indigenous artistic community? I hope so. There's too much good here to continually be wrestling down such negativity. - Outside Looking In Sun, 20 Mar 2011 06:13:31 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15835 Without any doubt whoever decided to place 125 thousands in the hands of Crossroads believed they were placing the money in the hands of the man who created Crossroads out of nothing and established it as a brand and brought it to a level of excellence as a concert series. Now the money will fall into hands of carpetbaggers. Ah, Looooooisinnna! Ya just gotta love it! - The state grant issue Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:06:12 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15831 Todd and Vickie thank you for 10 great years of music and conversation, we have been there from the beginning. We will support you in your new endeavors wherever it may take you. We will also continue to strongly support the ACA because of what it means to our community and the great opportunities it will bring to Acadiana. - KenandDebsupporters Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:47:44 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15830 Here is a list of the Board Members. Sorry, the AcA website didn't post their email addresses. As expected, very few of them (I think only 1)are musicians, performing artists, visual artists, theatre owners/managers... Edward
C.
Abell

(President)
 Onebane
Law
Firm
 Michael 
Morton
(President
Elect)
 Lafayette
Center
for
Yoga
 Philip
Gould
(Secretary)
 Photographer
 Michele
Ezell 
(Treasurer)
 Tsunami
 John
Bernhardt
 Empire
Energy
Corporation
 Daniel
Frey,
MD

 UMC
 
 Nancy
Naomi
 Paul’s
Jewelry
 Vincent
 Miholic,
 PhD
 
 Cathi
Pavy
 BBR
Creative
 Tom
Shannon
 KADN
Fox
15

 
 Sharon
Moss
 Moss
Motors
 James S.
Mallia
 Dwight
Andrus
 Mary
B.
Neiheisel 
EdD
 Director ULL
 College
 of 
Nursing - Shamed Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:35:30 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15829 Guys…a small reminder…we are a land of immigrants. Gerd should be judged based on his actions and not the fact he is German. Doing so negates any possible argument each of us make regardless of how good it is or not. Having said that, I’m pretty sure that right about now Gerd , Ed Abel and other supporting board members are patting one another on the back saying that all of this will blow over, that “people say things”, that it really isn’t a big deal…really? I think it is a huge deal and an awful blow to an already unstable arts community. It is an embarrassment and I hope, that the AcA Board fully understands the magnitude of this unfortunate situation and step up and do what is right. What is right? Launch an in depth independent investigation into the actions of Gerd. W. in regards to not only Todd’s departure but also his job performance [Gerd’s] as a whole…once folks get past the superficial polish, past the “well he raised 1.5 million” you will find an organization that does not represent the interests of Acadiana. And while we are at it, we should also talk about who makes up the board of directors…how diverse is it, where do they live, if they own a business, where and what is their level of expertise in relation to the arts. Other than keeping a seat warm, what do they bring to the table. I want to know who is deciding how to spend my tax dollars and the level of expertise. I want to know how 'they' feel about Todd leaving. Gerd is only a part f the problem and as long as long as we don’t ask the questions that need to be asked then we’ll get what we’ve got. And what about the $125,000 state grant to bankroll the TV production? So, Todd’s gone…I feel zero confidence that Gerd will be able to pull that off. This is how I see it, the state should require a stipulation…that Todd Mouton produce the event. And as tax payers, we have a right to make that request. Does anyone know where this grant originates? What department? Once we find out then each of us should send a letter making this request to the appropriate department. And LEDA...surely you guys have an out clause in the contract? Can't you guys make the same stipulation? - Shamed Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:24:35 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15828 This is a sad turn of events. Having worked with Todd Mouton from the earliest days of Crossroads to secure funding from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, I am as aware as anyone of his commitment to the series. He has established the brand through years of hard work and if Crossroads goes on to prosper it will be because of that foundation, and it will be without the spirit of love and friendship Todd brought to it. One door closes, another opens. I look forward to Todd's next successful project. Onward and upward. - Scott McCraw Sat, 19 Mar 2011 06:16:35 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15827 Gerd W., a megalomaniac in our midst? Todd Mouton’s departure from Crossroads is yet one more symptom of problems that exist with the AcA. Instead of serving the needs of the Acadiana community as a whole, it has become a beautiful glass palace that feeds the delusional fantasies of wealth, power and omnipotence. This obsession with grandiose and extravagant things, especially during this economic crisis is disgusting and as a taxpayer, I am disappointed that I have played the role of a silent witness watching the AcA rise to the pinnacle of a sexy phenom. In a small way, I allowed for this to happen. I did it by continuing my AcA membership…I did it by supporting AcA programs…I did it by saying good things about the AcA…I did it by not questioning authority at the helm. I love Acadiana and I love the arts but neither begins nor ends at the fragile glass walls of the AcA. I’ll spend my money elsewhere, thank you very much. And by doing so, have more impact on those organizations that impact Acadiana as a whole Todd? I predict that Todd will be fine. He will land on his feet with a resounding thud. His career will flourish exponentially. I wish I could say the same for the AcA. - Shamed Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:33:01 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15824 Wow! Lord Chamberpot. I think you reached into your pot. A non agression pact? In place of ascertaining truth, simply publishing truth? We all deserve the truth and those who care about the arts council hope the truth is that Gerd was emminently qualified for the position, had a sterling record at ULL, and was an excellent selection by Abel, and the resignation of the Director of Crossroads is not a sympton of larger leadership issues. To want truth is not agression. It is the opposite and it calls for careful and reflective examination of the actual facts. There was nothing agressive at all in the article that came from quotes of the former Director of Crossroad or those who praised him. Gerd came off in the article as being agressive, arrogant and absurd and plainly stupid to state that Crossroads "is stronger than ever" when it has lost its creator and driving force. From what platform does Gerd make such a statement? Who is he, where did he come from and what was his empolyment history in Lafayette and how did his peers and superevisors view his adminstrative skills etcetera. Why is "Crossroads stronger than ever" in Gerd's opinion? Who are the people directing the concert series and what is their background with this community, culture and music? No, Lord Chamberpot. No. What this calls into question is the leadership of the council and let us all hope Gerd's credentials are impeccable and those who he has chosen to replace the former Director have the kind of credentials the longtime Director had. This needs to move beyond personalities to truth, to facts. - Responding to Lord Chamberpot Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:08:44 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15812 Perhaps a non agression pact would be in order. - Lord Chamberpot Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:31:04 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15811 Just another wonderful downtown "development" - IANDT Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:16:12 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15783 The responses to the story about Todd and his creation"Crossroads" are wonderful! Having known Todd for many years, I as well as anyone that knows him, realizes that his talent, intelligence, people skills, positive energy, integrity and creativity make him a " big fish in a little pond"! His creation for ACA speaks for itself. Todd's resignation will surely prove to be a loss for Crossroads as I personally doubt that it will ever be the same. As for Todd, I am certain this will end up being the beginning for him of a much bigger and brighter future! His talent will take him as far as he wants to go! A terrible loss for ACA but ONLY the beginning for Todd! Todd, thank you for all you have done for music in Lafayette! Now it is your time to shine in a much bigger way..... where many more people will have the good fortune of benefitting from your talent! What a tragedy for the Arts Council that they did not have the where with all to keep someone of this magnitude. Now is the time for the director of ACA to create something own his on that can contribute to the culture of south Louisiana and the ACA as much as Crossroads has! - An avid Todd Mouton fan! Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:05:10 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/7949-at-a-crossroads-#comment-15775 Walter Pierce, this has gone on too long. Too many comments have been made above. The story you published left all the real questions unanswered. You have an obligation to your readers to get the real questions answered and publish them. You owe your readers the whole truth. Maybe you did not treat Gerd Wuestermann fairly and maybe the fallout on Ed Abel is not fair either. We readers know nothing about Gerd Wuestermann except he is a German guitar player. We deserve to know more about Wuestermann and how qualified he is for the position he holds or how unqualified he is. Nowhere in your story is there but a slight mention of the prior employment history of Gerd Wuestemann in our community at ULL? Was Wuestermann a tenured as a professor, highly respected by the faculty and administration and had he demonstrated excellent administrative skills and gotten along well with the faculty and administration at the university? Was he well qualified for the position Ed Abel gave to him? Was Wuestermann regularly promoted at the university or was Wuestermann actually fired from the faculty of the university? Exactly what was Wuestermann’s resume and employment history in our community that convinced Ed Abel to hire him and place him in an all-powerful administrative position in charge of facilities valued at ten to fifteen million dollars, and empowered him to act in a way to drive off the Director of Crossroads who obviously loved his work and performed at the highest level, making the concert series the showcase of the Arts Council? Did Ed Abel act prudently in fulfilling his responsibilities to the community in selecting Mr. Wuestermann. Should we be proud of both Abel and Wuestermann? Did Gerd Wuestermann come to ACA with an impeccable employment background at ULL or had Wuestermann already had a history of being unable to work with others? Had he been fired from the university on one or more occasions? There is all kind of street talk, but only you can find and report the truth in the public record. If that truth is that both Ed Abel and Mr. Wuestermann deserve the same accolades being heaped on Todd Mouton, that truth needs to be reported and Abel and Wuestermann deserve the same accolades Mouton is receiving. Ed Abel invested heavily in Wuestermann - - Ed Abel acted for us in investing our public trust in Wuestermann? Why, Walter Pierce? Why did Abel select Wuestermann? What was Wuestemann's employment history in our community that qualified him for his present position? You are a journalist. You wrote a piece that described Todd Mouton's background which probably all readers in community are aware of which are impeccable in the view of both a great musician with a worldwide reputation, Sonny Landreth, and the head of LEDA. Mr. Pierce, you need to write the truth about Mr. Wuestermann. Perhaps he has been treated unjustly in all the comments above. Perhaps he was imminently qualified as a result of his tenure at ULL. Perhaps Ed Abel made a good decision in selection Gerd Wuesterman. It seems to balance the story or publish the whole truth it is incumbent upon you to visit with Mr. Wuestermann again about his background, and visit with Ed Abel about why he chose Gerd Wuestermann for the position, and visit with Mr. Wuestermann’s prior employers and colleagues at ULL and then inform readers of exactly who Mr. Wuestermann is and what his employment history has been in our community, and what qualifies him for the position he has been empowered with. Thus far from your reporting we’ve only read that he’s a German who plays the guitar well. We deserve to know more, for obviously being a German guitar player is not the full picture of his background and hardly the reason Ed Abel hired him. Maybe an investigation, Mr. Pierce, would bolster Ed Abel's decision to grant so much authority to Wuestermann and bring quiet to the outcry shown in the comments above, balance the story. Maybe an investigation would show something different that would raise the outcry to shouts for Gerd Wuestermann’s resignation. This is not a story about the former Director of Crossroads, Todd Mouton. It’s a story about something far more important – the leadership of our arts council supported by public funds. So let’s all calm down and give Gerd Wuestermann and Ed Abel the benefit of the doubt and rely upon Walter Pierce to find and report the truth. Wuesterman may be highly qualified for the position based on his work resume in our community as a faculty member at ULL, or maybe he is just a German guitar player whose background at ULL might have led persons other than Ed Abel to pass him over when seeking a Director. Yes, Mr. Pierce, the truth matters and your readers deserve the truth, Mr. Wuestermann deserves the truth, Ed Abel deserves the truth. What is the truth, Mr. Pierce? You know the truth or can find and report the truth. It’s your job, your responsibility. We await the truth about the leadership of the arts council and the employment history of Mr. Wuestermann in our community where he previously was a faculty member at ULL. All of us hope that the arts council is in the good hands of Mr. Abel and Mr. Wuestermann. The departure of Todd Mouton created an serious doubt about this as no one believes Mouton would have walked away from what was his vocation in life if the leadership was not terribly flawed. Get to the bottom of this, Mr. Pierce. We await the story on Gerd Wuestermann’s background and the reasons Ed Abel empowered him. Maybe there need to be more changes at the arts council, a new Director, a new Board President. An investigation of Gerd Wuestermann's background and Ed Abel's actions in hiring him will answer the real questions. - Crtical QUESTIONS For Walter Pierce Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:01:43 +0100