Candidate’s Info:
Jody Percy
2051 Amiens Ave
Windsor, ON
N8W 1T3
Ward Ward Four, Windsor
519-982-8451
jodypercy4ward4@cogeco.ca
www.jodypercy.com
1. Implementing the MCMP:
The Municipal Cultural Master Plan represents a strong commitment by the City to significantly support the arts in a variety of ways that will help to harness the economic and creative potential of the entire arts community, however, there has not yet been a firm commitment in terms of schedule or budget to realize any of the new proposed initiatives in the MCMP. Of the 15 as-yet-unrealized recommendations in the MCMP, which ones would you prioritize and complement with the necessary financial support and political commitment in order to successfully implement them?
Jody Percy: I believe that adopting the vision statement, and creating the two recommended positions contained in the first few recommendations are a good start. I also believe there is value in realigning Cultural Affairs within the Parks and Recreation department. The museum feasibility study and the creation of a committee to evaluate and direct funds are also easily supported.
Where I think the difficulty lays in terms of full implementation will come down to political appetite for increased funding committed in a stable manner in the years ahead. I think the best way to ensure that this file continues in a forward direction is to implement the recommendations that will have the least impact on the budget, while still starting the process in a meaningful way. If there is no compromise, I do not believe the political and public support will materialize. I think if we start this process smaller, and are able to show some success we can begin to galvanize public support and perhaps increase the pace of implementation in the coming years.
2. Arts Infrastructure:
Given the substantial economic, cultural, and social successes realized by other North America cities through the development of exceptional arts facilities, given the enthusiasm for multiple arts organizations in the region to work together and the proven track record of such facilities to transform the urban landscape, and given the recently adopted Municipal Cultural Master Plan’s directive to provide capacity-building support for arts organizations, how will you support our region’s infrastructural needs for multi-use, multi-organization arts and culture facilities such as the Capitol Theatre and Armouries-Palace?
Jody Percy: I support a collaborative effort with community partners to bring together resources in order to realize the preservation once and for all of both the Armouries, and the Capitol Theatre. I feel the involvement of the WSO, U of W, and St Clair College is a critical component to this endeavour. There are many synergies to be had with a cooperative effort in this file. I feel the involvement of educational institutions will provide opportunities for alternative funding sources from senior levels of government and perhaps endowments.
One of the major benefits of this project will be the preservation of significant heritage properties.
I further believe that this project has the potential to be a catalyst for downtown revitalization. Additionally, I hope that this will give Windsorites a reason to return downtown.
3. Economy and the Arts:
Artists and arts organizations across the region bring in millions of dollars every year in revenue through grants, sales, private investment, and donations, infusing additional millions of dollars back into the local economy. Over the last twenty years, across the province, arts and culture industries grew 14% more than the rest of the economy. As the arts are a long-proven driver of economic development in the city and beyond, what will you do to ensure that the arts and culture community can bring even more investment, talent, and dollars to the region?
Jody Percy: I don’t need to be convinced that, given the right support, the arts can be a significant piece of the puzzle in terms of our economic revitalization.
Again, I have to be realistic and submit that one councillor cannot make these concepts reality. There must be some compromise. We must elect councillors and a mayor that understands this, and are willing to work to make it happen. Also, I believe that some fund raising on the part of the arts community would go a long way to help gain public support, thereby making the political decision to provide help, much easier.
I firmly believe that we must begin this process of transformation. We must signal the private sector our intentions with respect to the revitalization of downtown, and the arts in general. The private sector will have the opportunity to plan and invest if they have a sense for what direction we are going as a city.
4. Arts and Culture Funding:
Strong financial investment in arts and culture has direct and tangible economic and social returns, as measured by economists such as Richard Florida, Statistics Canada, and the Conference Board of Canada, and as demonstrated in cities around the world. This investment engages residents and draws new talent, assists in fostering new businesses, and creates a healthier and more vibrant community. With that in mind,how much of the municipal budget would you allocate to arts and culture, and how would you justify that spending to your constituents?
Jody Percy: I would focus less on defining a specific dollar amount, and more on identifying what level of support can garnered. Once we figure out what that level of support is. We can begin to strategically allocate resources with the goal being the achievement of short-term demonstrable successes. With these successes the case for an accelerated pace and funding model can be justified to some of the staunchest opponents of public support for the arts.
5. Your vision for our Region’s Arts and Culture:
Please briefly describe your vision for the near, medium, and long-term future for arts and culture in Windsor and/or Essex County.
Jody Percy: My vision for the arts in our region is that of a vibrant culture that is both beneficial in terms of quality of life for Windsorites and economic opportunities for workers and the private sector.
Near-term I envision the arts community partnering with educational institutions, to begin to revitalize infrastructure and heritage buildings.
In the medium term I see venues filled with Windsorites enjoying their downtown. I see students living and working downtown. I also see Windsor attracting new talent and entrepreneurs to take advantage of a burgeoning community.
In the long term, I see a re-invention of Windsor. I see a Windsor where we increase the overall expectations of what we can be. I see us going in directions that we still have yet even imagined. Our transformation is long overdue. We must expect more from our leaders, and we must also expect more from ourselves. Complacency is an enemy that we must vanquish from our community. We must endeavour to achieve a strong, vibrant, and diverse community and economy.
