As the creator of the contentious trash cans, I feel that the Oct. 16 news article “Putting a lid on trash cans raises stink in Olneyville” missed a few crucial points.

There is an assumption that because the client was surprised by the final product, I somehow manipulated the dialogue to hide my intentions, failed to go through the process of review, and even expected or wanted this result. Midway through project development I brought my text to the Steel Yard and asked if I had support to present this history. I acknowledged the changes from my initial proposal and suggested another review with the client. It was felt that the most important thing was having unanimous support for my expression of this perspective within the Steel Yard community, and at a staff meeting a year ago it was agreed that I could move forward and produce the work.

From there I worked closely with Howard Sneider in laying out and laser-cutting the text. I never misrepresented what I was doing, nor concealed my text, and went through the necessary design process on my end. The Steel Yard regrets not having a final text review with the client, which at that juncture was thought to be the Olneyville Collaborative.

I know this controversy has put a strain on many relationships. Unfortunately a few initial outraged reactions set a tone that disabled gracious deliberation and community process. I do feel that the rejection of the content is significant, that the conversations generated about these cans are important, and that power struggles within the debate continue to reveal social inequities in the area. I thank everyone who has worked on this issue for their time and support, especially for the time it has taken away from the Olneyville Neighborhood Association’s more important struggles. I respect the Steel Yard for supporting me to make the cans in the first place, hosting a public forum, and for working now toward installment. I would like taxpayers to know I was paid $750 for my work, not $3,000 as was reported.

LU HEINTZ

Providence