Public officials (I won’t call them “servants”) in Raleigh want to create a new public safety center in downtown for $205 million. They’ll have to raise property taxes to do it.

Meanwhile, blogger Joey Stansbury of the Wake Community PAC points out to the News & Observer of Raleigh that the city plans to spend $705,000 on public art for the building.

Recession? What recession?

Interesting to note, though, is that all art for the $222-million convention center in Raleigh was paid for with private funds. That includes $1 million donated for the shimmer wall.

I’m sure Wake County taxpayers could find plenty of better uses for that $705,000.