Letter from D. Screech Re: Notice of Motion - Amend CRD Arts Funding
Letter from the former Mayor urging Council not to reduce its level of regional arts funding.
Sept 2/2024
Dear Mayor Tobias & Council,
I write in regards to Councillor Rogers notice of motion on the agenda for Tuesday regarding View Royal’s participation in the CRD Arts service. I personally feel that these motions coming forward with no community or staff input fly in the face of all principles of inclusive and good governance.
I hope this motion will die on the floor from lack of a seconder but in the event that is not the case I offer the following.
The CRD Arts service transcends any local or sub regional programs. Victoria and Saanich for example still fund their own more local organizations while funding the CRD Arts service as well. Please take the time to understand the number of organizations who depend on CRD funding and who would be hurt by a cut in funding, especially in this post Covid world where many are still struggling to get back on their feet.
Councillor Rogers is incorrect when he states that View Royal joined as a Level 1 participant. We joined as a Level 2 initially. The majority of Council soon realized that there was no good reason why View Royal residents should be paying less per capita than our neighbours in Esquimalt or Saanich. We also realized that a high number of View Royal residents enjoy the vibrant Victoria arts scene and many do go downtown for these events. The decision was made to change from a Level two to a Level one. Please do not reverse this decision.
To give a little context consider these numbers. In 2023 the Level 1 contributors combined invested $2,860,139 in the regional arts. The level two contributors combined invested $96,156.00 in the regional arts. There is simply no comparison. There is also no reason to think that Langford and Colwood will join the service soon as is suggested as they have steadfastly refused to this point.
I served on the Regional Arts committee for over 8 years and I was both chair and vice chair. The work done there is exemplary and leads to a vibrant and rich arts scene in the capital region. Please don’t do anything to hurt that.
If View Royal should choose, after consulting with its residents, to fund a performing arts centre on the West Shore that could be done as a separate initiative. But I can’t help but think that funding the new police building without a crippling tax increase should be the main focus at the moment.
Lastly this motion will just pit View Royal against other local governments in the region. There would have to be a vote with 66% of the participants agreeing to let View Royal reduce their share. It is my firm belief that you will not get this support. And that would make one wonder why we would want to damage our relationships with the other local governments, all who face the same sort of financial challenges but most without the benefit of a casino.
Thank-you for bearing with me and I apologize for the long letter. I have long been passionate about support for arts in our region and I am happy to talk to any of you should you wish.
Yours truly,
David Screech