Arts Services Initiative Candidate Surveys

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Arts Services Initiative Candidate Surveys

/ Nov. 2, 2017 9am EST

Every year, Arts Services Initiative of WNY, Inc. sends out surveys to candidates for public office, asking those candidates their positions on various issues relevant to the offices they seek, with a focus on government support for the arts, arts education, and cultural institutions. Respondents ar told their answers will appear unedited in The Public. Below are the responses (or lack thereof) that ASI received from candidates who will appear on ballots in this Tuesday’s general election:

City of Buffalo Mayor

Name: Hon. Byron Brown

Office Sought: Mayor of Buffalo

Candidate chose not to respond to the survey.

Erie County Legislator, District 1

Name: Hon. Barbara Miller,Williams

Office Sought: 1st District Erie County Legislator

Candidate chose not to respond to the survey.

Erie County Legislator, District 2

Name: April Baskin

Office Sought: 2nd District Erie County Legislator

Current Occupation & Employer: Executive Director, The College Simulation Experience

Will you vote for annual operating grants for Cultural Organizations at or above the current overall levels?

Yes

Optional Comment:

I am a graduate of Buffalo Performing Arts High School and I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Dramatic Arts. All my life I have been dedicated to the arts—my first job was as a theatre director for an after school youth program and the organization which I founded, The College Simulation Experience, integrates arts in education by using theatre and drama to better prepare students for college life. I will gladly champion arts funding for cultural organizations in Erie County as I believe they enrich the quality of education for our youth, the quality of life in our neighborhoods, help to grow our local economy, and attract visitors to our region.

Will you continue to financially support the Public Art Initiative, a collaboration between Erie County, the City of Buffalo, and the Albright Knox Art Gallery to increase public art throughout the county?

Yes

Optional Comment:

The Public Art Initiative is a tremendous collaboration between local government and the Albright Knox Art Gallery. Public art creates a sense of place and activates spaces, often resulting in greater community engagement and vibrancy. I will gladly partner with the Albright Knox and neighborhood leaders to ensure public art is placed in the second legislative district and I will gladly support continued funding of this critical initiative.

Will you work to include cultural leaders in county efforts such as appointing them to commissions both within and outside of county government?

Yes

Optional Comment:

It would be pleased to promote cultural leaders for appointments to various boards and commissions. Cultural leaders often bring a unique perspective and a different approach to critical thinking and problem solving. Having their unique perspective and talent set would be an asset to any board or commission.

Erie County Legislator, District 3

Name: Anthony Baney

Office Sought: Erie County Legislature (District 3)

Current Occupation & Employer: General Labor

Will you vote for annual operating grants for Cultural Organizations at or above the current overall levels?

Yes

Optional Comment:

I would review all appropriations to ensure that monies spent, would not lead to a loss that would impact the County budget.

Yes

Will you work to include cultural leaders in county efforts such as appointing them to commissions both within and outside of county government?

Yes

Name: Peter Savage

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator, 3rd District

Current Occupation & Employer: Erie County Legislator, 3rd District

Will you vote for annual operating grants for Cultural Organizations at or above the current overall levels?

Yes

Optional Comment:

Yes, I have always supported annual operating grants for cultural organizations through the Erie County budget process, and have also recommended and allocated increases.

Yes

Will you work to include cultural leaders in county efforts such as appointing them to commissions both within and outside of county government?

Yes

Erie County Legislator, District 4

Name: Kevin R. Hardwick

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator — 4th District

Current Occupation & Employer: Canisius College Political Science Professor/Erie County Legislator

Will you vote for annual operating grants for Cultural Organizations at or above the current overall levels?

Yes

Optional Comment:

This assumes sufficient funds are available.

Yes

Optional Comment:

This assumes sufficient funds are available.

Will you work to include cultural leaders in county efforts such as appointing them to commissions both within and outside of county government?

Yes

Name: Brian Phillips

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator, 4th District

Candidate chose not to respond to the survey.

Erie County Legislator, District 5

Name: Mr. Ruben Cartagena

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator, 5th District

Candidate chose not to respond to the survey.

Name: Thomas A Loughran

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator, District 5

Current Occupation & Employer: Owner Operator Loughran’s Bar and Restaurant

Will you vote for annual operating grants for Cultural Organizations at or above the current overall levels?

Yes

Optional Comment:

As a sitting Legislator I look for opportunities to assure our arts and cultural organizations have the needed funding to remain strong and vibrant.

Yes

Optional Comment:

Public art is the mark of a community that cares about its people and institutions. Public art enhances everyone’s life on a daily basis and and draws people to the spaces where it is installed.

Will you work to include cultural leaders in county efforts such as appointing them to commissions both within and outside of county government?

Yes

Optional Comment:

Including arts and cultural leaders on commissions and councils not only brings another perspective to community endeavors it also strengthens existing efforts and forms a chain of information about what others are accomplishing and keeps our community vibrant.

Name: Guy Marlette

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator — 5th District

Current Occupation & Employer:

Alternative Information Systems, Inc — Vice President

Will you vote for annual operating grants for Cultural Organizations at or above the current overall levels?

Yes

Optional Comment:

I would support increasing operational funding for cultural organizations without increasing taxes. This could be done by using a larger portion of bed tax revenue for tourism and cultural promotion. By supporting cultural organizations, the county will see more tourism bringing economic spending to our region.

Yes

Optional Comment:

The Public Art Initiative will attract more people to the county showcasing what our area has to offer. When people come to our county they spend money on dining, entertainment and lodging supporting our local businesses. The tax money collected from people traveling into the county can be used to support more cultural efforts, as well as other beneficial services to the county such as repairing our infrastructure.

Will you work to include cultural leaders in county efforts such as appointing them to commissions both within and outside of county government?

Yes

Optional Comment:

It is important to have a wide variety of opinions and viewpoints when deciding on matters that affect county residents.

Erie County Legislator, District 6

Name: Hon. Edward Rath III

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator, District 6

Candidate chose not to respond to the survey.

Erie County Legislator, District 7

Name: Hon. Patrick Burke

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator, District 7

Candidate chose not to respond to the survey.

Erie County Legislator, District 8

Name: Mr. John Bruso

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator, District 8

Candidate chose not to respond to the survey.

Name: Hon. Ted Morton

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator District 8

Candidate chose not to respond to the survey.

Name: Mr. Victor Canastraro

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator District 8

Candidate chose not to respond to the survey.

Erie County Legislator, District 9

Name: Lynne Dixon

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator

Current Occupation & Employer: Erie County Legislator

Will you vote for annual operating grants for Cultural Organizations at or above the current overall levels?

Yes

Optional Comment:

I’ve supported and voted to increase funding to cultural organizations the last few years, and will continue to support cultural organizations. But these decisions need to be made budget by budget.

Yes

Will you work to include cultural leaders in county efforts such as appointing them to commissions both within and outside of county government?

Yes

Name: Mike Quinn

Office Sought: 9th District Erie County Legislator

Current Occupation & Employer: Partner at Collins and Collins and at-large Hamburg Town Councilmember

Will you vote for annual operating grants for Cultural Organizations at or above the current overall levels?

Yes

Optional Comment:

In 2016, Erie County dedicated $5.83 million to funding cultural organizations throughout the region. Unfortunately, Western New York is full of high quality organizations that make a big difference but it is often isolated to specific areas due to funding gaps. I am fully in support of increasing funding for cultural organization that are making a difference in Erie County. With organizations like the Albright-Knox, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the TR Inaugural Site proving to be major draws to our region, investment in our cultural organization is a proven measure that drives not only our economy but truly invests in our human capital.

Yes

Optional Comment:

The recent increase in public art throughout Erie County is remarkable, from engaging murals to innovative programming. The Public Art Initiative was instrumental in making this a reality. I am in full support of continuing cooperative planning with Erie County, Albright-Knox, and the City of Buffalo to create stronger neighborhoods and encourage accessible public space and involvement in the arts.

Will you work to include cultural leaders in county efforts such as appointing them to commissions both within and outside of county government?

Yes

Optional Comment:

I will advocate for the inclusion and involvement of cultural leaders both inside and outside of county government. As a lifelong Western New Yorker I have seen, first hand, how cultural leaders can positively effect change, from their grassroots organizing skills to their uncanny ability to interact with the community. Cultural leaders truly have their finger on the pulse of what’s going on in our communities, and they need to be involved at the highest levels of local government.

Erie County Legislator, District 10

Name: Ms. Michelle Schoeneman

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator, District 10

Candidate chose not to respond to the survey.

Name: Joseph Lorigo

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator, 10th District

Current Occupation & Employer: Attorney in private practice and Erie County Legislator

Will you vote for annual operating grants for Cultural Organizations at or above the current overall levels?

Yes

Optional Comment:

Since taking office in 2012, I have consistently supported funding for cultural organizations in the Erie County budget. In fact, I have voted to increase cultural funding levels higher than originally allocated by the County Executive. In addition to supporting cultural organizations in the budget process, I also take the time to visit and meet with many of the organizations who receive county funding. Since 2012, I have personally met with dozens of cultural organizations and their directors as a way to better understand their needs, expectations, and services. This outreach has helped foster a positive working relationship between cultural organizations and other members of the Legislature, since I can attest to the good they do firsthand. While some days have been jam-packed with whirlwind tours, they have been some of the most enlightening and enriching days of my tenure. I look forward to continuing the relationship.

Yes

Optional Comment:

I think the Public Art Initiative has been one of the most successful collaborations between Erie County and the cultural community. I think Aaron and Janne are doing a phenomenal job incorporating art into our public spaces around Erie County. The initiative has truly added to the quality of life for all those who take the time to enjoy it.

Will you work to include cultural leaders in county efforts such as appointing them to commissions both within and outside of county government?

Yes

Optional Comment:

I support including people who have vested interests in our community as a whole in many conversations, commissions, etc. that impact how county government operates. I know that many members of the cultural community are multifaceted, and active in several aspects of our community as well. It is only natural to continue to include anyone who cares and take an interest, including cultural leaders and board members.

Erie County Legislator, District 11

Name: John J. Mills

Office Sought: Erie County Legislator, District 11

Current Occupation & Employer: Erie County Legislator, District 11 and Owner, Founder of J. Mills Distributing

Will you vote for annual operating grants for Cultural Organizations at or above the current overall levels?

Yes

Will you work to include cultural leaders in county efforts such as appointing them to commissions both within and outside of county government?

Yes

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