New arts group needed in Cape

To the editor:

I am writing this because I feel I should have the right to respond, since my name was mentioned. I am a local filmmaker and the founder of the Cape Filmmakers Cooperative. I was, until recently, the chairman of our film group. I have been removed from an organization I created because I have been a vocal critic of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and a chief proponent of the formation of a new arts group, the Cape Artists Council.

Our membership was all behind this new organization until "Killshot" came to town and it became a political tool to be used by the powers-that-be to divide the filmmaking community. CFC members were told to distance themselves from me or keep me quiet. Many caved in to these demands so they could work on the film. Our local film community is now divided and fractured.

Those of us in the arts community who refuse to pay fealty to the arrogance of the powerful will continue to make our films and art. And we will make haste to form our new arts group. It is needed, now more than ever, to save the arts for the artists and our community.

MICHAEL HUNTINGTON, Cape Girardeau