Category: Editorials

QUESTION #1 The policies of any government should allow for the development and fostering of arts and cultural/historic tourism, and certainly not stifle or regulate their development. It is not government’s role to judge art. Having lived for over 20 years in Portland, Oregon before coming to St. Augustine in 2000, I directly experienced the…

Visit full text article “Candidates and the Arts: F. Peter Romano” »

QUESTION #1 The arts are an integral part of a tourists experience because it separates St. Augustine from other tourist destinations. We must offer activities and experiences which will make repeat visitors of our tourists. A returning visitor not only brings disposable dollars but is a potential investor in our community. For this reason the…

Visit full text article “Candidates and the Arts: Leanna Freeman” »

1. PUBLIC FUNDING AND THE ARTS Will you support public funding for the arts after you are elected? Yes I will support the arts as much as possible through the TDC and encouragement to continue to explore every initiative possible to help fund existing as well as new programs. I will continue to strongly encourage…

Visit full text article “Candidates and the Arts: Ken Bryan” »

QUESTION #1- Public funding for the arts: YES – I support it.

As your membership should be aware, I am a champion for the arts on the commission. That said, we are in difficult fiscal times. The good news is that our county is faring well by most standards. Our current budget is a “bare bones” document but our county, due to what has transpired in the…

Visit full text article “Candidates and the Arts: Ben Rich” »

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…

Visit full text article “Candidates and the Arts: Mark P. Miner” »

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.