Christopher McConnehey // City Council, District 1 // Grade: B-
How have the arts, culture, and/or humanities impacted your life?
Answer: Most of our lives are shaped by arts, culture, and the humanities whether we realize it or not. You hear a piece of music and in transports you to a fond memory, you see a play and it broadens your perspective of the world, or watch a movie to be transported to another place where you see characters learn and grow. These experiences shape our perception of the world and teach us how to engage with those around us. They bring balance and life to an otherwise monotonous and dreary world.
Would you like to be considered for endorsement by Utah Cultural Alliance?
Answer: Yes
Utah's humanities and arts employ 112,000 Utahns, provide $4 billion in earnings, and $16 billion in sales. This is a larger economic impact than agriculture, mining, and real estate. Do you consider the arts and cultural sector an economic driver in Utah?
Answer: Yes
Government investment in arts and humanities organizations at fiscally responsible levels.
Answer: Strongly support
Government investment in my local arts council at fiscally responsible levels.
Answer: Strongly support
Cultural Districts (gov't can designate, fund, and create incentives/zoning ordinances to attract creative businesses to a district).
Answer: N/A
Low rent housing and studio space for artists.
Answer: Strongly support
Facilitating partnerships between tourism and culture.
Answer: Strongly support
Facilitating partnerships between businesses and culture.
Answer: Strongly support
Reducing regulations of creative businesses.
Answer: Strongly support
Capital investment (in museums, performance/concert halls, studios, galleries, nonprofit office space, etc.).
Answer: Strongly support
Increased investment in public art projects to encourage murals, sculptures, utility wraps, and more.
Answer: Strongly support
Reduced fees (land/building use, garbage, utilities, etc) for festivals and special events.
Answer: Strongly support
Artistinresident at my city or county.
Answer: N/A
Fiscally responsible government investment in the arts and humanities means to me (could be the right $ amount for the local arts council and/or its grants, etc.).
Answer: Amounts that are consistent with other programs currently supported (i.e. youth theater funding should be consistent with youth soccer funding).
7 counties and 33 cities have passed a RAP (recreation, arts, parks) tax. They are:
Counties: Cache (RAPZ); Duchesne (RAP); Salt Lake (ZAP); Summit (RAP); Uintah (RAP); Washington (RAP); Weber (RAMP)
Cities (all are RAPs unless otherwise designated): American Fork, Aurora, Blanding, Bountiful, Brian Head, Cedar City, Cedar Hills, Centerfield, Centerville, Clearfield, Fairview, Farmington, Green River, Gunnison, Helper, Layton, Lindon, Mayfield, Monticello, North Salt Lake, Orem (CARE), Payson, Price, Provo, Redmond, Richfield, Roosevelt, Salina, Syracuse, Spanish Fork, Tooele City (PAR), West Bountiful, Woods Cross.
I am: My city or county has not yet passed a RAP tax
I support the RAP tax.
Answer: Neutral
I make sure that the arts and humanities receive at least a 1/3 of RAP revenues.
Answer: Neutral
I will support putting a RAP tax on the ballot to be decided by voters.
Answer: Neutral
I will make sure that the arts and humanities receive at least a 1/3 of RAP revenues.
Answer: Neutral
Optional: explain your answers.
Answer: While I generally support putting tax questions to the voters, we need to first create a plan showing how funds would be spent. West Jordan tried a Rec Center initiative earlier one lesson learned is although there is an appetite for additional amenities, especially on the west side, there has to be a solid plan that is well communicated if it should have any chance of success. Without such a plan I would be neutral.
Percent for public art programs, which optionally designate 1-2% of government capital costs for public art.
Answer: Neutral
I support increasing my percent for art ordinance by .25-.5% to cover maintenance (vandalism, weather, etc.).
Answer: Neutral
(if applicable) My municipality's redevelopment authority should have a public art ordinance.
Answer: Neutral
Incentives (such as tax breaks) to encourage private developers add public art to projects.
Answer: Neutral
Design standards.
Answer: Neutral
Friendly ordinances that encourage public and private mural creation.
Answer: Strongly support
Increased investment in public art projects to encourage murals, sculptures, utility wraps, and more.
Answer: Strongly support
I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-Public buildings.
Answer: Yes
I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-Transportation.
Answer: Yes
I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-Utilities.
Answer: Yes
I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-Private developments.
Answer: No
I believe percent for art ordinances should apply to:-All government capital projects.
Answer: No
Anything else you'd like us to know about you?
Answer: "In the time I've sat on the West Jordan City Council I've been a vocal proponent of the arts. I have spent six years working with the West Jordan Arts Council as their liaison, and worked actively to procure a home for the arts in West Jordan. I've been supportive of measures to sell unneeded surplus properties which has resulted in over $6 million in revenues currently slated to be used for an arts facility. I personally met with representatives of SLCo as I compiled a grant to request an additional $2 million in county funds for this same facility. You can see some of my comments shared back when we started the endeavor for a permanent structure at the link below. While other candidates may speak highly of the arts (which they should), I have a long track record that shows I can make a difference and push for results. I would welcome UCA's endorsement.
Thank you,
Chris McConnehey
http://www.westjordanchris.com/2014/12/the-future-and-history-of-west-jordan.html"
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