Niagara Falls

(Candidate completed the survey, but did not leave additional comments.)

(Candidate completed the survey, but did not leave additional comments.)

(Candidate completed the survey, but did not leave additional comments.)

Arts, culture and heritage contribute to the quality of life, identity and economic vitality of Niagara Falls. They can strengthen neighbourhoods, support tourism, contribute to downtown revitalization and help make our community a place where people want to live, work and invest. I support a municipal role in making cultural opportunities accessible to residents, protecting our heritage, supporting appropriate cultural facilities and programs, and reducing unnecessary barriers to creative uses of property. I also believe arts and culture should be considered as part of broader economic-development and tourism planning. As with all municipal spending, public support should be transparent, accountable and based on clear objectives and measurable community benefit. I would support continued consultation with local arts, culture and heritage organizations so that decisions are informed by the people working in the sector as well as by the residents whose tax dollars support municipal programs. Niagara Falls has an extraordinary history and a worldwide tourism profile. I believe our local arts, culture and heritage sector can play a meaningful role in ensuring that visitors and residents experience more of Niagara Falls than simply its best-known attractions.

By investing in our own culture, education, and people, we can build a healthier community and a stronger, 12-month economy. Let’s turn Niagara Falls from a place people just visit into a place creators want to live. Our city took a great first step by investing in The Exchange. Now, we need to leverage that momentum. When elected to Council, I will advocate for expanding on the leadership at The Exchange by actively acquiring surrounding properties to establish a permanent, dedicated art gallery and live music venue. For too long, we’ve focused entirely on mass tourism, leaving our downtown streets quiet while the tourist hill stays busy. I will champion this creative growth using three practical steps: • Expand The Exchange District: Let's strategically acquire nearby vacant or underused buildings to grow a true civic anchor for live music and visual arts. • Keep Talent Local and make it attractive for artists to think of NIagara Falls as a home: We can partner with Niagara College and Brock University to build a creative incubator right in this new district, giving our graduates a real reason to stay. • Put Local Art First: We must work with major tourism players to ensure our local musicians, artists, and performers get hired first to showcase our city's identity.

(Candidate completed the survey, but did not leave additional comments.)

(Candidate completed the survey, but did not leave additional comments.)

(Candidate completed the survey, but did not leave additional comments.)

Together with my husband Phil (Me lol) we have supported arts and culture in Niagara for a few decades and in a plethora of ways. It has enriched our lives immeasurably and we'll always be grateful to the community we love so dearly. We intend to continue to grow and learn together for as long as we both shall live. Amen.