Two Questions For The Candidates – Brighton

I as a councillor I sit on our Culture and Events committee and believe that we need to support the Arts in all forms. Our Applefest, Winterfest, Waterfront, Proctor Barn Theatre, Presqu’ile Christmas Bazaar, to name some of our activities, draws huge crowds to our area. The spin off for these events is invaluable. I certainly see the value in promoting our area through the arts.

I have supported and will continue to support the arts in all future economic plans.

Mary Tadman, Mayor, Brighton

If it is true that a business that cuts its advertising budget to save money in difficult times is cutting its lifeblood and hope for recovery, then such is also true of the Municipality that cuts support to the Arts sector of the Community.

Local government support of the Arts, however, is much more than a simple acknowledgment during budget considerations. It is a continuing leadership role in including representatives of the Arts in the appropriate decision processes and ensuring that the voice of that community is heard at the Council table.

I will give my best effort to be aware of the need for involvement of the Arts community on a continuing basis.

Brighton has a local Economic Development Committee. A healthy Arts sector promotes tourism and development, becomes a factor in industry relocating to the municipality, impacts to an extent the decisions of health care providers to relocate here, and generally contributes significantly to the 'Quality of Life' issue that is so important to people.

With this truth in mind, I believe that it is essential that a representative of the Arts sector participate in the strategic planning process and as part of the Economic Development group and I will strive to make that happen.

Craig Kerr, Councillor Brighton

The Municipality of Brighton should continue to support the Arts community as an important factor in enriching the lives of citizens. In addition we could do a better job of taking advantage of economic opportunities in this area.
One of my major campaign issues is the need for a comprehensive Strategic Plan for our community. If elected I will ensure input from the Arts community into the planning process so that their perspective, needs and ideas are included.
Dave Cutler, Councillor, Brighton

Many of the campaign platforms have included the commitment to increasing tourism in Northumberland County. The Arts and cultural organizations are critical to the achievement of this goal. A study executed by McKinsey & Co in 2006 proves that the Arts community makes a significant contribution to our economy, citing a positive return of over 200% based on direct and indirect benefits. However, the Arts can only succeed when they have access to stable and long term funding that has been amalgamated into the strategic plans of each municipality.

Including the Arts in all future economic development plans is an acknowledgement that the artistic and cultural success of a community is directly related to the transition of that community into destinations of choice for skilled people in all occupations. When we speak of attracting a "clean air" industry to this municipality we have to realize that employers and business owners are attracted to communities that value quality of life issues. I firmly believe that as we map out the future of this municipality we must recognize the importance of the Arts in creating a vibrant town and township.

In closing I will quote the economist John Kenneth Galbraith, "Those communities that are richest in their artistic tradition are also those that are the most progressive in their economic performance and most resilient and secure in their economic structure."

Anna Moskaluk, Councillor, Brighton

I think the only way to ensure that our local art and artisan communities become a viable economic force and tourist draw is to support the arts community. In Brighton, I am proud of Municipal Council's support of our local arts council (Brighton Arts Council) and happy to say that the municipality contributes financially to aid in the arts council's success.

Including the art and artisan communities in economic and tourist development is essential to both the growth of our local economies and to the ongoing progress of our local artists. It is essential to Brighton and Northumberland that we focus our efforts on ecocomic and tourist development and one element of that success will be to draw the arts community into that fold.

Brian Ostrander, Councillor, Brighton