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Greetings Arts Vote Toronto: Thank you kindly for writing to me with your questionnaire. I was unable to open your file so I am writing off the top of my mind feelings about Toronto and the Arts Community. My name is Mitch Gold. I am well aware of the shameful cutbacks that have faced the Artistic Community at all levels of government. This is unacceptable in our society. I will support the reversal of this trend. And moreso!. My past: I have been an artist myself in the medium of oils, acrylic and ink. (over 100 paintings) I have been a writer, of songs and poetry and even a publisher. Through my companies, I have been a producer of plays, a producer of music, producer of radio programs (100 hours of unique programming), producer of television (426 1/2 hour shows) , producer of radio and television commercials (hundreds - winning over 72 Cleos for advertising excellence worldwide), and even the Second City Theatre owes its I am now a social artist in the spirit of Jean Houston's social artistry and communication of ideas called Jump Time. Let Toronto be known as the meeting place of the worlds' artists where Cross cultural artistic phenomena emerges to thrill the mind and touch the heart. Music Dance and poetry should be everywhere. Which walls should not be painted? Which buildings, areas, sidewalks, big walls should not contain the expressions of the people? I know of none. Of course private people may choose to have their own private walls blank. That is their choice. I want my campaign to be an expression of artists around the City. When do we express ourselves? any time - all the time. Jump Time. I Challenge all artists of Toronto to enter Jump Time and come with me when it is time to campaign for voters and support the very fibre of Jump Time - the time when social artistry reigns in our city. I would like all artists to express their art when it comes time to vote. Please send representatives to each electoral meeting and challenge the people running - invite them to Jump Time - ask them to sing a song - engage in a dance - tell a story. Let's see what the others have in mind for artistic expression. Let us make this election an expression of the artistic community to shape social change. How will we design the $17 billion dollar waterfront development? Would you have an airport? I do not think so. What great buildings might we like to have on these port lands? Let the artists come and develop the infrastructure. Local competitions to demonstrate who we are and how we think about beauty - yet always acknowledging the heritage of these lands. the Lands of the First Nations peoples. I invite you into my campaign. I invite you to lead my campaign. Which role will you play? Every one has a role - a secret desire to shape the world. Non polluting, revenue building, hotel and restaurant filling activity that the arts community satisfies needs to be championed at all levels. Then we will have a City we can all be proud of. I will be your champion. I propose at least 3% of all building costs will go towards artistic expression. Yes we can Jump Time, but we need to do it together as social artists invoking the spirits of those that would enable beautiful thoughts to pervade our consciousness. What song will you sing? When will you sing it? Go to meetings and sing your song. Read your poetry, play your drums. I will encourage you to do this while I run for Mayor, challenging the political system - and most certainly even if not elected. This is not about being elected - this is about expression of the individuality of social artists of the 21st Century. We will make change together. I invite all social artist to write songs about Gold, tell stories about Gold, paint pictures in Gold, heal people with Gold, and above all - to vote Gold.!!!! What commitment would you ask of me? but to be who I am, expressing myself freely as an individual in search of truth and introducing to the people the Great Mind. I am a Peacemaker. Today I carry the sacred Unity Drum of the White Buffalo Calf Prophecy of Chief Arvol Looking Horse - a drum I made myself on the Unity Ride hosted by Chief Ernie Sundown. I am welcomed by spiritual wise people around the world - because of my heart and my commitment to peace. Together we can make peace, beautify our city and realize the destiny of Toronto - the Meeting Place - the Meeting Place of Artists. May peace prevail on earth. Mitch Gold Mayor in waiting P.S. If this does not satisfy the questionnaire as to my intentions and policy regarding Arts Vote please forward to me the form contained in the body of an e-mail and I will respond accordingly a.s.a.p. PS 2: Lets have a meeting and make this happen!! Let's bring together artists and have them ask me questions - petition me, challenge me. This is an opportunity that we ought not leave to the perfunctory activity of filling out questionnaires that invite speculation and prevarication.. let's do it!!!! in a good way - with an ongoing 30 day party. This will get the attention of the media and the world and the voters. Let us start tomorrow.
ArtsVote is a volunteer, non-partisan network involving 10% of the city's I am in charge of "The Report Card" which is an informational tool created It is designed to: 1-mobilize the cultural sector on election day 2-assist voters in making an informed choice when they exercise their vote 3-serve as a guide to voters as to which candidate is running in what ward 4-illustrate the level of support for the arts from all candidates The report card results are based on the responses to the questionnaire that I, on behalf of ArtsVote ask that you fill out this questionnaire in order Thank you for your cooperation and best regards, Merika Ramundo Chair, Report Card Committe |