Grimsby

I have always been a supporter of the arts community. Grimsby will continue to be a strong advocate of community art programs and initiatives throughout the community. A robust and vibrant arts community is integral in Grimsby’s positive livability quotient.

Arts, culture and Heritage opens your eyes, expands your mind to a world that surrounds us. Listening to local Authors, visiting our Heritage is how we keep our minds learning.

I strongly support investment in arts, culture and heritage as essential parts of a healthy, vibrant and economically successful community. I am an art lover and a strong supporter of heritage, so I recognize that I have a personal bias. But the case for supporting the arts goes well beyond personal preference. Around the world, investment in arts and culture has been an important catalyst for revitalizing neighbourhoods, attracting visitors and businesses, creating gathering places, strengthening local identity and encouraging people to invest in their communities. The arts can bring people into an area first, and economic activity often follows. I believe heritage should be viewed in much the same way. Our historic buildings, streetscapes and cultural institutions tell the story of who we are and help give our community a distinct identity. Protecting them does not mean preventing change. It means finding thoughtful ways to preserve the character and history that make Grimsby unique while allowing the community to grow. My involvement with the arts and culture community includes more than a decade of volunteering with the Grimsby Public Art Gallery, volunteering with the Grimsby Public Library and many years supporting the Grimsby Authors Series. My wife has also served for more than a decade as Chair of the Grimsby Public Art Gallery Board, so arts and culture have been an important part of our family and community life for many years. Whether you approach the issue as an artist, a heritage advocate, a parent, a business owner or an economist, I believe there is a strong case for supporting arts, culture and heritage. They enrich our lives, strengthen our sense of place and can contribute meaningfully to economic and community development. As a councillor, I will continue to support responsible investment in these areas while ensuring that public dollars are spent thoughtfully and deliver value for the community.