HISTORIC CITY NEWS

As your membership should be aware, I am a champion for the arts on the commission. That said, we are in difficult…

1) Will you support public funding for the arts after you are elected?

Yes

My vision for St. Johns County encompasses a diverse range of goals, included are our county’s arts and culture.

We are facing some very troubling financial times as the result of the passing of Proposition 1 coupled with the present Board of County Commissioner’s failure to prepare for the decrease in state revenue for St. Johns County as a result of Proposition 1 passing.

For instance, lowering the millage rate from six to five, cutting Capital Improvements for Fire Services by $25 million while lowering the fire millage rate from 1.20 to 1.09 and also the cutting of $48.6 million in Capital Improvements designated for Transportation.

I believe that the most important role of government at all levels is Public Safety.

I do support public funding for the arts but believe we need to ensure we are sufficiently funding services such as public safety and transportation first.

Something that is very important to me and is on the top of my priority list is job creation and business development in St. Johns County. 40% of our workforce, or 30,000 St. Johns County residents leave the county daily to go to work. I believe that bringing more commercial growth into St. Johns will not only generate more tax revenue so we can afford to fund things such as the arts,
but additionally many business are very supportive of arts and cultures in the communities in which they operate.

In other words, the opportunity for additional business funding and sponsorships for arts also comes with successful and well planned commercial growth.

Arts and culture are fundamental elements in a well rounded and successful community. It is the obligation of our representatives to ensure that our history and culture are preserved and protected without sacrificing innovation and economic stability. I do not believe it should have to be either / or.

I would be proud to be a leader in working to better coordinate efforts between organizations such as the Board of County Commissioners, the Cultural Council, the School Board, the Tourism Development Council, the Economic Development Council, the Airport Authority and other organizations to help expand the role of arts and culture in our community.

Question #1

General Fund Revenue will be very difficult to come by for the foreseeable future due to Federal and State mandates, rising costs for essential services and continued mandates for property tax reductions.

1. Public Funding and the Arts

Public funding is available in the form of grants (federal and state), private/corporate, other philanthropic organizations. There are likely many more sources of funding that I’m unaware of. It’s imperative the TOC and Cultural Council share ideas and strategies and work together to maximize the opportunities. If not already existing a full time grant writer/strategist could be appropriate.

Mutual understanding of the overall mission to attract tourists is critical especially with the 450th Birthday celebration in 2015. This singular event WILL create worldwide interest in St. Johns County and, I believe, put St. Augustine and the county on the tourist map for years to come.