A coalition of Jersey City non-profit organizations hosted an arts-centered mayoral debate at White Eagle Hall last night, with six of the seven candidates on the ballot participating.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
The forum was moderated by Ann Marie Miller and the event was held at White Eagle Hall.
Former Board of Education (BOE) President Mussab Ali led off by lamenting how unaffordable the city has become for many, including artists.
“We actually want to take vacant property so it can be used for artists … theaters: I want to make Jersey City into an arts destination,” he argued, reiterating that he has called for the creation of a city department voted to philanthropy, which would bolster artistic endeavors.
Police Officer and student Christina Freeman said that she wanted to connect artists to small businesses, noting that many in the city are being priced out, including artists.
“The arts imbued us with a sense of life,” began former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who called for workforce, affordable, and senior housing, plus a new cultural grants office.
Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2) started off by saying he worked to preserve the historic Loews theater while he was still the Jersey City Ward B councilman.
“We saved that theater from the wrecking ball,” he declared, further stating that renovations will be completed by next year.
Ward E Councilman James Solomon said he wanted arts organizations to thrive under his watch.
“We need to demand landlords put in 20 percent affordable housing,” he argued, also committing to increasing city allocations to the Arts and Culture trust Fund and attracting more philanthropic donors.
“The arts is a community that could bring people together … I will increase the arts trust fund,” Council President Joyce Watterman asserted. She also offered cooperative leasing as a solution to affordable housing.
Watterman argued that many south side children haven’t been exposed to much art, proposing a city-run art clinic.
Miller then noted that the arts are underfunded and asked what the candidates would do to address that.
Freeman wanted to persuade companies to support the arts, while McGreevey thought businesses could donate more as well. He also thought a grants office could help.
Furthermore, he pointed out that Art House Productions Executive Director Meredith Burns is running for council-at-large on his ticket (she was one of 15 host committee members for the event, where Olga Levina and Samuel Pott served as the co-chairs).
“We would negotiate with a developer … a cultural arts benefit agreement,” McGreevey contended.
O’Dea wanted to help artists pursue grants. He called for the city to pursue state art grants through the Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program.
“I’d like to see another performing arts facility on the south side,” he added.
Meanwhile, Solomon said he helped ensure that the Arts & Culture Trust Fund came to fruition.
“Some folks criticized it, and it was the right thing to do,” he argued, adding that he worked on the 575 Summit Ave. development with Levina to foster affordable housing for artists.
Watterman also called for a strong city grant division.
“They don’t know how to fill out the paperwork,” she exclaimed, also saying that the city could benefit from a small loan division as well.
Ali praised incumbent Mayor Steven Fulop and the city council for creating the Arts and Culture Trust Fund but said it is time to build on that.
“Why not go to another referendum and double it? … Why can’t we make this the destination people are coming to?”
“What strategies would you implement to high-quality arts education?” Miller asked for her next question.
McGreevey called for arts and literacy education increase in funding.
“We have a great camp, Camp Liberty. We used to have free summer camps in Jersey City. But during this administration, they have all gone away,” noted O’Dea, recalling that he helped secure a music education grant for Public School No. 7.
“We have a plan for 1,000 summer jobs,” Solomon declared.
He said it would include art jobs funded by the city and donors. Solomon also noted that his administration would have a department mayor for education, who would act as a liaison with the public schools.
In Watterman’s response, she vowed to revamp the city’s recreation department and partner with local artists on the curriculum.
Ali said he helped invest in STEAM education as BOE president, which includes the arts.
“The arts are not a throwaway subject. They’re a main part of the curriculum,” he declared.
Miller then asked about if they would still support the Centre Pompidou project and none of the candidates indicated that they would see it through.
“A lot of money has been wasted on this: Everyone up here is going to tell you it’s DOA (dead on arrival). I don’t know how you recoup the money,” O’Dea declared, joking that he doesn’t have a passport to go to France.
As an alternative, he suggested that he wanted to create a performing arts high school at 808 Pavonia Ave.
Solomon, who came out early against the second iteration of the project, said the city is going to be on the hook for a $150 million tax abatement given to the KRE Group, which he voted against, and says he thought it would be difficult to rescind it.
“Folks asked me to take a trip to Paris and I said no. We need better community spaces: My plan is to partner with the community,” noting that a decision would be made based off of their feedback.
Watterman said she initially supported the Pompidou because she envisioned it as a destination for underprivileged children, but she now said the location would be better served as a recreation center with a youth arts program.
Ali said he liked the idea of a rec center there to give struggling young men healthy activities to participate in.
“I live in Journal Square. I have never heard anyone in my neighborhood say they want a French museum,” he explained.
“It’s a firm no,” Freeman said succinctly, also calling for a community hub with art facilities included instead.
McGreevey said he has been opposed to Pompidou from the get go, calling it a sign of poor budgeting and policy.
“I see the building being used for an educational piece,” he noted.
Miller asked what they’d do to help art organizations with art event issues like serving alcohol, communications, and cutting through red tape.
“All we do is ribbon cuttings: It’s like a waste of space,” Watterman declared regarding the city’s communications department. She called for them to feature more artists and artistic events.
“We should have a city newspaper,” Watterman added to applause, stating that many seniors don’t go online.
Ali said the city’s website needs a complete overhaul since many links do not work and it is tough to navigate.
“City Hall should be an ally to everyone looking to celebrate,” Freeman argued.
“Our permitting is horrific,” added McGreevey, calling for a special arts liaison to be created to address it.
Additionally, O’Dea pointed out that he helped former Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey launch an annual music festival in Lincoln Park by dealing with the red tape himself.
“If we can do it there, we can do it across the city!” he declared, calling for more local minority filmmaker support to applause.
“We must have a Master Plan for the arts. You have my firm commitment to deliver that,” Solomon declared.
Kalki Jayne-Rose is the only mayoral candidate who did not attend.
