YES to the Capital Legacy Plan
Abbotsford Civic election is just a month away on Nov 19, 2005
The ballot includes an important referendum question about the Capital Legacy plan
I have been very impressed and encouraged with the solidarity and atmosphere of unity that has been evident in the members of the Capital Legacy task force in Abbotsford. As President of one of the visual arts organizations in Abbotsford, B.C., The Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild, I and our members are in full support of the Legacy Plan. Artists and member groups of the Abbotsford Arts Council have long supported the vital need of an arts center and art gallery in Abbotsford that would match the size and quality of life of our city. The Capital Legacy Plan is our "Field of Dreams". If we build, they will come. Let us dare to dream!
A recent survey of members of the Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild, brought some of these responses:
-This sounds very exciting and I support it one hundred percent even though my taxes will go up. Hope it goes through.
-This is the best news for the arts community I have heard since I came to live here. I think it deserves a wholehearted - GO FOR IT!
-You have my YES, to go ahead with the Proposals of The Tax Force , We have to start from somewhere , and now is better then later.
YES! Abbotsford needs an Art Center
I am in full agreement with this visionary Plan that has thoughtfully considered the good of the entire community and which proposes a practical and innovative financial plan to make it actually happen. I am especially excited that sports, arts and other organizations are working together in partnerships. This plan will bring much needed changes to Abbotsford, making it more liveable and will address needs for public safety, such as improvements to the Police Communication systems and to the fire halls. There is also something for seniors. One clear advantage of this plan is that it will launch Abbotsford towards being prepared to welcome visitors to the 2010 Olympics. Abbotsford's airport may well be the first point of contact with visitors to B.C. We need to be prepared with proper sports facillities and centers for the arts and culture. As a visual artist, I will, however, speak for the need to have an art center in Abbotsford.
An arts and cultural center in Abbotsford is important, not only for artists and musicians, but for all the citizens and future generations of our city. A center for the arts would be home to a broad spectrum of arts and cultural groups. Arts and culture provide a unique vision that can unify and inspire community awareness, which, I believe, is a necessary prerequisite for a community to flourish. Richard Dreyfuss at the 38th Grammy Awards stated that “ It is from creativity and imagination that the solutions to our political and social problems will come.” Dr. Mike Moses, Commissioner of Education of Texas, maintains that "Participation in the fine arts engenders discipline, a sense of community, trust, and teamwork.”
An Arts Center would have immediate practical use by providing space for member groups to meet, create, and hold workshops, but most importantly, it is a focal point for cultural activity. Culture in Abbotsford is still somewhat of an underground activity that takes place in rented spaces which do not have any permanent connection with the Arts. A permanent Art Gallery in Abbotsford would enhance our community’s tourism and also help to support and promote the high caliber of art produced by our local artists. The way art and artists are presented has a major impact on the development of audiences for the arts. If there is a wide range and variety of arts then there is a greater chance of more people discovering and enjoying the arts. Joseph Calahan, Vice President of Xerox states that "Arts education aids students in skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate; the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence"
The Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild is one of the oldest art clubs in Abbotsford, founded in 1977. http://www.geocities.com/graphicguild
The Graphic Guild has represented many fine artists over the years and have the vision to promote artistic activities in our community through art exhibitions, workshops and opportunities for artists to network and learn from each other. Our activities and exhibitions have been held in various locations in the Fraser Valley. The Graphic Guild holds bi-monthly figure drawing sessions in both Mission and Abbotsford as well as participating in community events and fairs.
I enthusiastically welcome an arts and cultural center in Abbotsford. The importance of art to a community is exemplified by Kit Dunlap president of the Chamber of Commerce in Gainesville Georgia who believes that it is important both for quality of life issues and economic growth. "If a community has a strong arts program, it shows it is healthy economically, it shows its sophistication . . . its level of education. Our level of arts plays an important part in attracting quality jobs and companies." If you are interested in learning more about how the arts generate economic prosperity, take a look at http://www.artsusa.org/information_resources/economic_impact/
Civilizations are most often remembered for their art and thought. By establishing an art center, we have the unique opportunity to help create a flourishing culturally rich community in Abbotsford that will benefit us directly and also be remembered and appreciated by future generations. I believe this is a unique opportunity for the City of Abbotsford to do something that will have a long lasting effect, and can only bring benefits to our community. Let's do it!
I attended a meeting on Oct 14th with members of the task force who drafted the Legacy plan and here is a bit of an update. This is more for those who live in Abbotsford, but the outcome will also impact neighboring communities. On November 19, Abbotsford voters will be asked if they want the City of Abbotsford move forward to develop a business plan to build much needed new fire halls, police stations, cultural and sporting facilities over the next three years under the Capital Legacy Plan. Many organizations including the Abbotsford Arts Council, Chamber of Commerce, and various sports organizations have endorsed the Capital Legacy Plan and believe it is absolutely vital for the City of Abbotsford to proceed immediately. Because the Capital Legacy Plan is so important, in the next few weeks, there will be a published list of all candidates who have publicly endorsed moving forward with the plan.
Write Letters and Emails to say YES!
If you are a citizen of Abbotsford, it is important to get out and vote yourself and also to encourage or bring as many people as you can to vote as well. The citizens task force called YES-CAPITAL LEGACY is asking to ONLY vote for people that are on the list of candidates who have committed to moving forward with the Capital Legacy Plan. YES-CAPITAL LEGACY will be providing more information in the next few weeks and will need assistance from everyone to forward emails and write letters to the editors of Abbotsford newspapers in favour of this plan. The intent of the letter writing campaign is to get a range of letters to the editor that are not just in favour of only the things that would benefit your own organization. Remember also that a hand written letter carries much more weight than an email.
See http://www.aclu.org/TakeAction/TakeAction.cfm?ID=12062&c=242 for some information on how to be an effective activist.
Take the time to write to your council members and other leaders as well as to the newspapers. Talk to your friends and neighbours. After all the Capital Legacy Plan will benefit all citizens, not just a few special interest groups.
If this plan goes through it can have the potential of creating opportunities that would otherwise be missed, especially in being prepared for the 2010 Olympics. But if it is voted down, most of these things in the Legacy plan will still be done, but more on a "pay as we go" basis. That means with inflation and rising costs, by the time they are eventually built, everything will be more expensive and if things are built, the designs may be based more on what money is available, than the actual need. As well, there will be many opportunities missed, (and potential income lost) especially in being prepared to welcome Olympic teams to our city and for tourists who may want to be located in Abbotsford. The potential is that with the Legacy plan there will be income generated for the community as well as looking after some very needed upgrades to fire halls and police communication systems. This plan requires an investment and it will cost us something. It will cost us some money, but it will also cost us commitment and vision to see it accomplished. Our investments for the future will generate a good return. We will live in a safer healthier more prosperous city, and that is like money in the bank! The Capital Legacy Plan will benefit us and our children for many more years long after 2010!
Cities far away from Abbotsford are already hosting various athletic teams in preparation for the 2010 Olympics. Kamloops has annonced that it is having the Austrian ski team to train there in preparation for the Olympics. Austrians will be in Sun Peaks for between two and three weeks next month. They will train there in early November each of the following three years and again prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games that are scheduled for Whistler and Vancouver. Mission will be hosting a Swiss hockey team.
And Abbotsford? Abbotsford has been very slow in making these connections and to date only have put in 2 applications for anything connected to the Olympics. Where is our vision? What have our elected leaders been thinking? We need to wake up to the fact that Abbotsford is now a city, no longer is it a small rural village. Fortunately there are a few progressive visionary thinkers on council, but the spirit of caution and fiscal restraint still seems to cast a shadow over Abbotsford's city hall. The Capital Legacy Plan is our "Field of Dreams" If we build, they will come! Let us dare to dream!
If the Yes to the Capital Legacy plan passes, there will be a further business plan to lay this out in more detail and will again go to the voters to approve, so this referendum is an important first step in putting the plan in motion.
YES! Let us dare to dream!
If you are in favour of this plan and care about Abbotsford’s future, vote Yes to the Capital Legacy plan in the November 19 referendum/election.
The ballot includes an important referendum question about the Capital Legacy plan
I have been very impressed and encouraged with the solidarity and atmosphere of unity that has been evident in the members of the Capital Legacy task force in Abbotsford. As President of one of the visual arts organizations in Abbotsford, B.C., The Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild, I and our members are in full support of the Legacy Plan. Artists and member groups of the Abbotsford Arts Council have long supported the vital need of an arts center and art gallery in Abbotsford that would match the size and quality of life of our city. The Capital Legacy Plan is our "Field of Dreams". If we build, they will come. Let us dare to dream!
A recent survey of members of the Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild, brought some of these responses:
-This sounds very exciting and I support it one hundred percent even though my taxes will go up. Hope it goes through.
-This is the best news for the arts community I have heard since I came to live here. I think it deserves a wholehearted - GO FOR IT!
-You have my YES, to go ahead with the Proposals of The Tax Force , We have to start from somewhere , and now is better then later.
YES! Abbotsford needs an Art Center
I am in full agreement with this visionary Plan that has thoughtfully considered the good of the entire community and which proposes a practical and innovative financial plan to make it actually happen. I am especially excited that sports, arts and other organizations are working together in partnerships. This plan will bring much needed changes to Abbotsford, making it more liveable and will address needs for public safety, such as improvements to the Police Communication systems and to the fire halls. There is also something for seniors. One clear advantage of this plan is that it will launch Abbotsford towards being prepared to welcome visitors to the 2010 Olympics. Abbotsford's airport may well be the first point of contact with visitors to B.C. We need to be prepared with proper sports facillities and centers for the arts and culture. As a visual artist, I will, however, speak for the need to have an art center in Abbotsford.
An arts and cultural center in Abbotsford is important, not only for artists and musicians, but for all the citizens and future generations of our city. A center for the arts would be home to a broad spectrum of arts and cultural groups. Arts and culture provide a unique vision that can unify and inspire community awareness, which, I believe, is a necessary prerequisite for a community to flourish. Richard Dreyfuss at the 38th Grammy Awards stated that “ It is from creativity and imagination that the solutions to our political and social problems will come.” Dr. Mike Moses, Commissioner of Education of Texas, maintains that "Participation in the fine arts engenders discipline, a sense of community, trust, and teamwork.”
An Arts Center would have immediate practical use by providing space for member groups to meet, create, and hold workshops, but most importantly, it is a focal point for cultural activity. Culture in Abbotsford is still somewhat of an underground activity that takes place in rented spaces which do not have any permanent connection with the Arts. A permanent Art Gallery in Abbotsford would enhance our community’s tourism and also help to support and promote the high caliber of art produced by our local artists. The way art and artists are presented has a major impact on the development of audiences for the arts. If there is a wide range and variety of arts then there is a greater chance of more people discovering and enjoying the arts. Joseph Calahan, Vice President of Xerox states that "Arts education aids students in skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate; the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence"
The Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild is one of the oldest art clubs in Abbotsford, founded in 1977. http://www.geocities.com/graphicguild
The Graphic Guild has represented many fine artists over the years and have the vision to promote artistic activities in our community through art exhibitions, workshops and opportunities for artists to network and learn from each other. Our activities and exhibitions have been held in various locations in the Fraser Valley. The Graphic Guild holds bi-monthly figure drawing sessions in both Mission and Abbotsford as well as participating in community events and fairs.
I enthusiastically welcome an arts and cultural center in Abbotsford. The importance of art to a community is exemplified by Kit Dunlap president of the Chamber of Commerce in Gainesville Georgia who believes that it is important both for quality of life issues and economic growth. "If a community has a strong arts program, it shows it is healthy economically, it shows its sophistication . . . its level of education. Our level of arts plays an important part in attracting quality jobs and companies." If you are interested in learning more about how the arts generate economic prosperity, take a look at http://www.artsusa.org/information_resources/economic_impact/
Civilizations are most often remembered for their art and thought. By establishing an art center, we have the unique opportunity to help create a flourishing culturally rich community in Abbotsford that will benefit us directly and also be remembered and appreciated by future generations. I believe this is a unique opportunity for the City of Abbotsford to do something that will have a long lasting effect, and can only bring benefits to our community. Let's do it!
I attended a meeting on Oct 14th with members of the task force who drafted the Legacy plan and here is a bit of an update. This is more for those who live in Abbotsford, but the outcome will also impact neighboring communities. On November 19, Abbotsford voters will be asked if they want the City of Abbotsford move forward to develop a business plan to build much needed new fire halls, police stations, cultural and sporting facilities over the next three years under the Capital Legacy Plan. Many organizations including the Abbotsford Arts Council, Chamber of Commerce, and various sports organizations have endorsed the Capital Legacy Plan and believe it is absolutely vital for the City of Abbotsford to proceed immediately. Because the Capital Legacy Plan is so important, in the next few weeks, there will be a published list of all candidates who have publicly endorsed moving forward with the plan.
Write Letters and Emails to say YES!
If you are a citizen of Abbotsford, it is important to get out and vote yourself and also to encourage or bring as many people as you can to vote as well. The citizens task force called YES-CAPITAL LEGACY is asking to ONLY vote for people that are on the list of candidates who have committed to moving forward with the Capital Legacy Plan. YES-CAPITAL LEGACY will be providing more information in the next few weeks and will need assistance from everyone to forward emails and write letters to the editors of Abbotsford newspapers in favour of this plan. The intent of the letter writing campaign is to get a range of letters to the editor that are not just in favour of only the things that would benefit your own organization. Remember also that a hand written letter carries much more weight than an email.
See http://www.aclu.org/TakeAction/TakeAction.cfm?ID=12062&c=242 for some information on how to be an effective activist.
Take the time to write to your council members and other leaders as well as to the newspapers. Talk to your friends and neighbours. After all the Capital Legacy Plan will benefit all citizens, not just a few special interest groups.
If this plan goes through it can have the potential of creating opportunities that would otherwise be missed, especially in being prepared for the 2010 Olympics. But if it is voted down, most of these things in the Legacy plan will still be done, but more on a "pay as we go" basis. That means with inflation and rising costs, by the time they are eventually built, everything will be more expensive and if things are built, the designs may be based more on what money is available, than the actual need. As well, there will be many opportunities missed, (and potential income lost) especially in being prepared to welcome Olympic teams to our city and for tourists who may want to be located in Abbotsford. The potential is that with the Legacy plan there will be income generated for the community as well as looking after some very needed upgrades to fire halls and police communication systems. This plan requires an investment and it will cost us something. It will cost us some money, but it will also cost us commitment and vision to see it accomplished. Our investments for the future will generate a good return. We will live in a safer healthier more prosperous city, and that is like money in the bank! The Capital Legacy Plan will benefit us and our children for many more years long after 2010!
Cities far away from Abbotsford are already hosting various athletic teams in preparation for the 2010 Olympics. Kamloops has annonced that it is having the Austrian ski team to train there in preparation for the Olympics. Austrians will be in Sun Peaks for between two and three weeks next month. They will train there in early November each of the following three years and again prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games that are scheduled for Whistler and Vancouver. Mission will be hosting a Swiss hockey team.
And Abbotsford? Abbotsford has been very slow in making these connections and to date only have put in 2 applications for anything connected to the Olympics. Where is our vision? What have our elected leaders been thinking? We need to wake up to the fact that Abbotsford is now a city, no longer is it a small rural village. Fortunately there are a few progressive visionary thinkers on council, but the spirit of caution and fiscal restraint still seems to cast a shadow over Abbotsford's city hall. The Capital Legacy Plan is our "Field of Dreams" If we build, they will come! Let us dare to dream!
If the Yes to the Capital Legacy plan passes, there will be a further business plan to lay this out in more detail and will again go to the voters to approve, so this referendum is an important first step in putting the plan in motion.
YES! Let us dare to dream!
If you are in favour of this plan and care about Abbotsford’s future, vote Yes to the Capital Legacy plan in the November 19 referendum/election.
posted by Neil at 8:27 PM
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