VIDEO: Song Protests Arts Cuts at Town Board Meeting

You've got to have art.

That was the word at Tuesday from a large group of Huntington arts supporters who broke out in song and dance and gave numerous speeches at a public hearing to rail against proposed to Huntington arts programs by the Town Board.

About midway through a lengthy public hearing, dominated by comments from dozens of members of the arts community concerned about possible cuts in funding, local performer Patricia Shih stood at the podium and began to sing before other audience members stood and joined in.

Borrowing a melody from the "Damn Yankees!" Broadway show tune "You've Got To Have Heart," the group switched the lyrics to stress the need for the arts and protest $250,000 in possible cuts to various town programs including the , at , , , Whalen Museum, , and others. 

"It's not just restaurants and shops that make Huntington tops by far," sang the group. "We need art!"

During the meeting, others warned against $370,000 in possible economic losses if funding is cut to arts programs, while others suggested the proposed budget cuts could destroy the arts, which they called one of Huntington's best assets.

Town Board members stood, danced and clapped along to the makeshift song. said a committee will be formed to review the cuts before a final decision is made later this year.

The proposed $174 million budget, released last month by Petrone, calls for spending cuts for the third straight year, a freeze on employee wages and the possible elimination of 10 vacant town positions.