City Commission candidates address arts issues

All nine City Commission candidates touted their love of the arts during a candidate forum Feb. 8, which was sponsored by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, formerly the Sarasota County Arts Council.

The candidates fielded several arts-centric questions, such as, “How do you see the arts being helpful to the city? And would you support funding the arts?”

Richard Dorfman: “We have to use budgets more effectively and dig down a little deeper and realize the arts come with a cost.”

Linda Holland: “Arts organizations can help educate the community, which doesn’t understand as well as it shoud the value of the arts.”

Willie Shaw: “Bring arts onto MLK Boulevard to make it a destination point to revitalize teh community.”

Frederick Williams: “Let’s have our children job shadow those in the arts to instill in them a love of the arts. In the future, they will become patrons and employees in the arts.”

Paul Caragiulo: “I’d rather subsidize (local arts organizations) than Johnny Mathis (at the Van Wezel).”

Dick Clapp: “We do give space to some arts organizations at a nominal fee and support arts fairs. It’s good for us. Talk to us and give us ideas. We’re supportive.”

Diana Hamilton: “Arts are our most important asset. When it comes to the arts, I’m willing to un-balance the budget.”

Shannon Snyder: “I can’t sit here and tell you I will support more (funding), because the budget has big issues. I will help with making the festivals smoother, instead of nickle-and-diming them.”

Pete Theisen: “We’ve got tension between the city and arts organizations. I would pledge to appeal a noise ordinance, (which could find live music in violation).”

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].