Each year, Arts Services Initiative of WNY asks candidates for elected office to share their positions with the voting public, with an emphasis on the roles of arts and art education in the community. Candidates for each office are asked the same questions; their answers are presented unedited. This round of respondents are candidates for seats on Buffalo’s Common Council.

 JOE GOLOMBEK, North District Common Council, Democratic, Conservative 

Occupation:
 Incumbent

Please list your top three priorities if elected: 

1. Fiscal Responsibility

2. Community Revitalization

3. Fight crime

(all three help make Buffalo a destination location)

What is the role of arts and culture in our community in general, and specifically in Buffalo?
Arts and culture enhance the quality of life in Buffalo. Companies recruiting or seeking to expand look at the role of arts and culture in a community.

What is the role of arts and culture in your plans for economic development in Buffalo?
I have worked closely with the arts and culture community in the North District to revitalize Amherst Street. I am the cofounder of the Riveroctoberfest in Black Rock and Riverside … Arts and culture are a arge part of making Buffalo a destination location.

How would you develop cultural and heritage tourism in Buffalo? 
I believe the continuation of large and small arts events will continue to develop cultural heritage tourism in Buffalo.

In what ways would you support young people’s access to the arts in order to foster the creative thinking skills needed to ensure a solid future workforce in Buffalo?
I support arts being taught in the Buffalo Public Schools. I also support festivals, such as the Elmwood Festival of the Arts (personally and financially) that include youth participation.

If elected, will you decrease, hold steady, or increase operational funding for cultural organizations and establish a merit-based, peer review process for cultural funding allocations such as the Buffalo Arts Funding Advisory Committee?
I will do my best to hold steady operational funding for cultural organizations. If the finances of the city continue to improve I would support raising funding.

Will you fully enforce the One Percent for Public Art ordinance already on the books that requires all projects receiving city funding to allocate one percent of the total project to public art?
I believe the ordinance needs to be looked at and tightened. I would be willing to promote legislation that does just that.
  

 DAVID RIVERA, Niagara District Common Council, Democratic 

Occupation:
 Councilman

Please list your top three priorities if elected:
Improve Infrastructure

Increase transparency

Support funding of community organizations

What is the role of arts and culture in our community in general, and specifically in Buffalo?
Arts and culture play a vital role in creating creative space for our residents. Experimentation and innovation are what drive an economy, and the srts provide inspiration for that.

What is the role of arts and culture in your plans for economic development in Buffalo?
A strong arts and culture presence attracts investment and development.

How would you develop cultural and heritage tourism in Buffalo? 
I would support our institutions that promote and highlight our historic jewels.

In what ways would you support young people’s access to the arts in order to foster the creative thinking skills needed to ensure a solid future workforce in Buffalo?
I have supported organizations that provide programming in our schools and summer programs. Additionally public art is vital to developing a safe, critical thinking space.

If elected, will you decrease, hold steady, or increase operational funding for cultural organizations and establish a merit-based, peer review process for cultural funding allocations such as the Buffalo Arts Funding Advisory Committee?
I would increase funding and support the creations of a merit-based committee to recommend allocations.

Will you fully enforce the One Percent for Public Art ordinance already on the books that requires all projects receiving city funding to allocate one percent of the total project to public art?
Yes. The re-establishment of the ordinance came on a project I was heavily involved in on Niagara Street where we exceeded one percent for public art.

ASI Candidate Survey: Buffalo City Comptroller
ASI Candidate Survey: Erie County Legislature
ASI Candidate Survey: Erie County Executive
ASI Candidate Survey: City of Niagara Falls