Local Issues (City & Counties)
May 20, 2008 Primary Candidates Respond to Arts & Culture Questionnaire
The following candidates are running for Mayor & Commissioner for the City of Portland. Those with links responded to the RACC and Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts (NW/BCA) questionnaire on the arts sent out March 13. Responses were first posted on April 1st. Most candidates submitted their responses before that date, unless otherwise noted. The responses have been reproduced exactly as they were sent to us, and not edited in any way. The question is placed before each response. Those with no link have not yet responded.
WINNER - Refers to the winner of the May Primary on 5/20. They will take office January 2009.
NOV RUN-0ff - Two finalists selected in November 2008 election
CLACKAMAS COUNTY
County Commissioner #1
Lynn Peterson WINNER
County Commissioner #3
Ray Nelson
Martha Schrader WINNER
Patrick Reed
County Commissioner #4
Charlotte Lehan NOV RUN-0ff
David Mowry NOV RUN-0ff
Matthew L. Green-Hite
Craig Gingerich
County Commissioner #5
Ron Adams NOV RUN-0ff
Jim Bernard NOV RUN-0ff
Lori De Remer
Emil Hnidey
Kami Kehoe
Trent Tidwell
_______________________________________________________________________
County Commissioner #1
_______________________________________________________________________
County Commissioner #3
Ray Nelson
[Editor’s note: These answers were submitted to RACC on 3/28]
1) Arts and culture activities add measurable value to our region and quality of life, but the Portland metropolitan area lags behind the national average in public funding of the arts per capita. How much public funding do you believe is appropriate for arts and culture in the region, and what steps will you take to ensure increased public investment in Clackamas County.
I have a profound love of the arts. I was blessed by having the best art project in competition way back in the 3rd grade and I was hooked from that point on. I minored in drawing and painting in college and art and music is an important part of my lifestyle today. I believe 5 to 10% of the budget should be the funding target. In the case where government does not allocate money, private business should be given incentive to cover the void. I would be a strong advocate for the arts and use any influence I might have toward that goal.
2) A coalition of arts organizations, school districts, governments and private funders are working together to achieve a measurable impact on learning by integrating the community’s arts and cultural resources into the education of every K-8 student in the region’s school districts. If elected, what resources could you bring to this “Arts Partners” collaboration?
My background in art and over 30 years in sales management could be an asset to the end goal of promoting the arts.
3) In what specific ways have you supported arts and culture – as a private citizen, as a public or private employee, and/or as an elected official?
I have financially supported the arts in the past when called upon. I supported my son in founding a company which has done hundreds of school presentations encouraging students to participate and appreciate the arts.
Top of Page
Martha Schrader WINNER
[Editor’s note: These answers were submitted to RACC on 3/31]
1) Arts and culture activities add measurable value to our region and quality of life, but the Portland metropolitan area lags behind the national average in public funding of the arts per capita. How much public funding do you believe is appropriate for arts and culture in the region, and what steps will you take to ensure increased public investment in Clackamas County.
Data indicates that the nonprofit and culture industry generated slightly over $300 million dollars in the Portland Metropolitan area last year and the industry generates $27 million in local and state government revenue. Because arts and culture activities are economic drivers in Clackamas County and the region, I support the Oregon Cultural Trust’s initiative that gives donors a 100% tax credit for their donations. I know this initiative has already generated significant dollars for arts and culture, and is the most efficient mechanism for increasing statewide, regional, and local public funding. I also support Clackamas County’s Tourism and Development Council (TDC) in their efforts to leverage lodging room taxes for continued support of arts, culture, and heritage tourism in the County. Finally, I have supported the “Work for Art” giving program that gives county employees and other individuals an opportunity to make gifts that support our community’s art and culture assets.
As an elected official, I know that public art contributes to the livability of our communities and the beautification of public spaces. The County has always supported an “Art in Public Spaces” policy that has guided our commitment to artwork in our Sunnybrook Service Center (SSC), our silver LEED certified Public Services Building (PSB), and our new --just being constructed--Development Services Building (DSB). We have worked with RACC and local arts organizations to incorporate public art into every aspect of our new Red Soils Campus development.
2) A coalition of arts organizations, school districts, governments and private funders are working together to achieve a measurable impact on learning by integrating the community’s arts and cultural resources into the education of every K-8 student in the region’s school districts. If elected, what resources could you bring to this “Arts Partners” collaboration?
In Clackamas County the Arts Education Program has funded arts education funding for a dozen schools. As a former school librarian, I know that quality arts education and an art rich environment is an essential part of every child’s school experience. To that end, my work with the Workforce Investment Council of Clackamas County (WICCO), our Economic Development Commission (EDC), our Tourism Development Council (TDC), and the Clackamas County Business Alliance (CCBA) positions me to advocate for additional business partnerships in promoting arts education.
(3) In what specific ways have you supported arts and culture – as a private citizen, as a public or private employee, and/or as an elected official?
As an elected official I have supported the “Work for Art” giving program in Clackamas County; an “Art in Public Spaces” policy that has guided our commitment to artwork in our public buildings; and with RACC, an initiative to incorporate public art into every aspect of our new Red Soils Campus development.
I serve on the Board of Clackamas Heritage Partners (CHP) and as an owner of a National Trust Property, have been a champion of supporting historic preservation as an integral part of arts and culture in Clackamas County. Under my leadership, our County will become the first “Main Street” County in the state, promoting the preservation and redevelopment of downtown cores, their businesses, and their historic facades. I believe that preservation and heritage tourism are integral parts of the arts and culture movement.
Top of Page
_______________________________________________________________
County Commissioner #4
Charlotte Lehan WINNER
[Editor’s note: These answers were submitted to RACC on 4/1]
1) Arts and culture activities add measurable value to our region and quality of life, but the Portland metropolitan area lags behind the national average in public funding of the arts per capita. How much public funding do you believe is appropriate for arts and culture in the region, and what steps will you take to ensure increased public investment in Clackamas County.
The quality of life for communities is greatly enhanced by a rich environment of the arts and cultural programming for all ages, from early childhood through our oldest citizens. While it is not possible for me to commit to a specific amount of public funding for any budget item in absence of knowing the needs for all the other budget items, I would look for opportunities to leverage funding for the arts wherever possible.
2) A coalition of arts organizations, school districts, governments and private funders are working together to achieve a measurable impact on learning by integrating the community’s arts and cultural resources into the education of every K-8 student in the region’s school districts. If elected, what resources could you bring to this “Arts Partners” collaboration?
As an early childhood educator, I know the importance of art in education from the earliest learners on, in everything from music to visual arts to movement and the performance arts. No one would consider an early childhood program complete without a rich arts component, so I’m not sure why we decided it was not necessary for older children. Numerous studies indicate that music education especially is important to the intellectual development of children and adolescents. I am not familiar with the specifics of the Arts Partners collaboration, but would support both public and private efforts to restore and enhance arts and culture funding in our schools.
(3) In what specific ways have you supported arts and culture – as a private citizen, as a public or private employee, and/or as an elected official?
In my role as interim director of Friends of Historic Champoeg, I was very involved with cultural/historic programs and funding. I serve on the Oregon Heritage Tree Board which selects trees around the state to represent important aspects of Oregon history. I started the local Heritage Tree program in Wilsonville and currently run a website for Pleasant View Cemetery in Clackamas County. In the time that I have been mayor of Wilsonville, the city has supported a wide range of arts and culture programs, in the expansion of our library, the addition of a revolving outdoor sculpture program that partners with our business community to bring art to public spaces, and in our commitment to excellence in landscape architecture demonstrated by the addition of three Robert Murase parks and water features. We have a long relationship of supporting the Wilsonville Arts and Culture organization and contributing to arts festivals which have proven very popular in the community. I am also a photographer and producer of multi-media slide presentations.
Top of Page
Matthew Green-Hite
[Editor’s note: These answers were submitted to RACC on 4/1]
1) Arts and culture activities add measurable value to our reqion and quality of life, but the Portland metropolitan area lags behind the national average in public funding of the arts per capita. How much public funding do you believe is appropriate for arts and culture in the region, and what steps will you take to ensure increased public investment in Clackamas County.
I am a strong believer in public seeded funding and economic incentives (example - Oregon Cultural Trust) as opposed to direct purchase of art through specific dollar outlays. Furthermore, I believe in public - private partnerships; which - even if tracked financially, are not accurately tracked because of the high percentage of donated time, labor, and materials. Going into our current national recession, it seems unlikely that total dollars will increase for arts and culture. Looking at the library situation in Clackamas County - a very basic cultural service - it is very possible that total dollars will decrease, rather than increase.
I believe instead of in MORE private - public partnerships. Starting and supporting projects through public dollars, but managing and completing through the private sector. One such project was the Sara Hite Memorial Rose Garden (North Clackamas Park).
Through the first phase, North Clackamas Parks District allowed us to act as General Contractor at no charge; but all of the funds raised by the Friends of the Milwaukie Center (501c(3)) were required to be paid to the District; and Clackamas County bid out phase I - the Garden. The project was completed, and donated. It cost approximately 150% of architect estimates. When phase II (the Gazebo) was started, the Board for the Friends insisted on private control. It was built at approximately 65% of architect estimates; and then the project itself was donated to the District. The efficiencies were gained by allowing donated time (Representative Mike Schaufler did the concrete work!), materials, and thus eliminating BOLI wage scales that must be paid by the Government. The end result was the same - a privately funded ($250,000) project that is now part of the Parks District. Yet, these dollars will not show up in "public funding" other than the $80,000 grant recieved from Clackamas Tourist Development. (In addition to being the General Contractor for both projects, I serve on the Board of the Milwaukie Center; and wrote the Tourist grant.)
Another such project was the Liberty Park project in Oregon City. The County was owner of the old Liberty Theatre building; which was in such poor shape it had to be demolished. Rather than fight the public, and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars building a park, the project was given to the North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Class / 2005. As a member of that group, I participated in countless hours of discussion, design, and funding. Project design and public interaction was completed through a charette process; which was donated by the Leadership Class, several architectural firms, and Cogan & Cogan, a Portland firm. The funding itself was through Clackamas County, Oregon City, and the Oregon City Urban Renewal. I represented the class through the public process of funding from Oregon City. In the end, we ended up with a better project, produced much faster (weeks rather than months!), and much less expensive to the public.
As a Commissioner I will fight for public dollars for Clackamas County - while realizing that the sources of dollars will probably shrink; and that their best location is in public - private joint ventures whenever possible.
2) A coalition of arts organizations, school districts, goverrnments and private funders are working together to achieve a measureable impact on learning by integrating the community's arts and cultural resources into the education of every K-8 student in the region's school districts. If elected, what resources could you bring to this "Arts Partners" collaboration?
My father was teacher at Oregon City High School; so I fully understand the importance having an impact at an early age. As a prior member of North Clackamas School District's budget committee, I know many of the decision makers involved; and have maintained those connections as a member of the North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce. I currently work with the Gladstone School District (I am a member of the new high school design team, and teach a Biodiesel Class, for example); and have a great working relationship there as well. I believe I would be an excellant resource for the "Arts Partners" collaboration.
3) In what specific ways have you supported arts and culture - as a private citizen, as a public or private employee, and/or as an elected official?
As mentioned above, I was instrumental in the Sara Hite Rose Garden project; and a participant in the Liberty Park project in Oregon City. As a Board member of the Friends of the Milwaukie Center, I have also supported many other art and culture projects as well (art shows, quilt shows, theatre, symphony in the Rose Garden, Music in the Parks, etc.). At many of these projects I also served as a volunteer as well.
In addition, I served 6 years on the Willamette Falls Symphony board of directors. If you go to Willamette Falls public TV website (www.wftvaccess.com/pages/producer.html) you will find my name as producer of public TV. And if you go to www.artsactionalliance.org/visual.jsp you will find my name listed as well.
I believe that my actions speak louder that my words as a supporter of Arts and Culture in Clackamas County.
Top of Page
_______________________________________________________________________
County Commissioner #5
Ron Adams
[Editor’s note: These answers were submitted to RACC on 3/23. Mr. Adams preferred to respond as follows]
I will not be responding to your questionnaire. I support the Arts and look forward to the discussions, but I have no basis for answering specifics in advance of budget discussions. I do participate in those discussions as a member of the Clackamas Community College Board.
Trent Tidwell
[Editor’s note: These answers were submitted to RACC on 4/9]
1) Arts and culture activities add measurable value to our reqion and quality of life, but the Portland metropolitan area lags behind the national average in public funding of the arts per capita. How much public funding do you believe is appropriate for arts and culture in the region, and what steps will you take to ensure increased public investment in Clackamas County.
As a county commissioner, I would get to decide the amount of funding that annually goes to RACC for distribution to arts organizations and projects in Clackamas County. I would vote to keep and advocate for increasing the amount of funding. I would also advocate or leverage funding for the arts in the area of: increasing arts funding for schools, a % for art program in Clackamas County, a workplace giving program that would encourage a check-off for the arts in Clackamas County. I would support a regional funding option, especially if it did not decrease funding for other priority services in the county. The polling in encouraging - it says people understand the importance of the arts and would be willing to pay a little more to insure that students and adults both have access to the arts of music (opera and symphony), drama, visual arts, literary arts, and graphic design.
2) A coalition of arts organizations, school districts, governments and private funders are working together to achieve a measurable impact on learning by integrating the community’s arts and cultural resources into the education of every K-8 student in the region’s school districts. If elected, what resources could you bring to this “Arts Partners” collaboration?
I have been a beneficiary of arts in the schools, and it has meant a lot to me during my life. All studies show that if given arts opportunities at a young age, students learn better and also become supporters and an audience of arts events in their later years. The county could become an arts partner with the schools in Clackamas County, and community college, and offer awards or recognition for arts partners that step up to the plate to invest in the schools in significant or creative ways. The county could offer a funding match to bring back/keep the arts in schools. A precedent has been set by previous county commissioners that has brought public art to county facilities, such a the galley at Sunnybrook Center near Clackamas Town Center.
3) In what specific ways have you supported arts and culture - as a private citizen, as a public or private employee, and/or as an elected official?
I enjoy live theater, stage productions, and films. I support the Clackamas County Art Action Alliance and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Tourism is a great venue for people coming into communities and supporting local artisans and craft people.
_______________________________________________________________________
Return to local advocacy page.
Top of Page
.
RACC Staff to Contact
Mary Bauer
Communications Associate
503.823.5426
mbauer@racc.org
| 
