We appeal to the Dallas City Council to maintain the Office of Cultural Affairs as an independent organization. We do not want OCA merged with the Library Department and lose their voice and seat at the Council Table. Dallas is trying to position itself as a world class art city and most every major city in the US has an independent Arts or Cultural Affairs Department. We respect and appreciate the hard work the City and Council are doing to fund the deficits we are facing as a result of decreased income from property and sales taxes. However it is just as important to protect your citizens cultural needs as it is to protect their physical ones. Art feeds the soul from the very young to the elderly. This move could potentially result in a "brain drain" of many talented individuals from Dallas to cities that are more embracing of the arts in the community. Let's not lose sometime we will never regain. We know cuts need to be made. But keep OCA independent and charge them as an independent entity to find operating efficiencies and expense reductions. Thank you for your consideration.