2023 Candidate Questionnaire – Town of Cornelius
Ahead of Election Day 2023, candidates running for election for Town of Cornelius Mayor and Board of Commissioners were provided a survey to complete and share their position on arts and culture. Below are the verbatim responses we received, grouped by question.
Denis P. Bilodeau: Downtown Cornelius has buildings which are boarded up and in disrepair. I personally commissioned a local artist to paint a boarded window with the likeness of a favorite town historian which provided a point of interest vs a point of embarrassment in our downtown. The community enjoys the art work to this day.
Woody Washam, Jr.: SERVED ON ASC BOARD A NUMBER OF YEARS. HEADED THE MAJOR GIFTS FOR CAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS, CORNELIUS, SERVED AS ORGANIST FOR THE LOCAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOR 50+ YEARS. MINOR IN MUSIC FROM CATAWBA COLLEGE AND FORMER STUDENT AT DAVIDSON COLLEGE
Colin J. Furcht: As a current Town Commissioner, there have been countless projects and programs that have helped folks in our community. We have supported this organization for many years and plan to continue to do so.
Bob Menzel: The Cain Center for the Arts has made a huge impact on my connection to our community. It is literally and figuratively in heart of our community and downtown Cornelius.
Denis P. Bilodeau: If elected Mayor, I will continue to provide support for an “arts district” which will encompass the entire downtown area. I am a founding Board member of The Cain Center for the Arts and as a current Town Commissioner I have advocated for continued town support of this wonderful event center. The Cain center continues to attract interest from businesses that will compliment the Arts Center. I will continue to advocate for the Arts and support our signature downtown arts events such as Tawba Walk and Second Friday. I introduced the Social District approval vote in downtown Cornelius and will continue to advocate for it’s expansion. I am a past Board Member of ASC and continue to advocate for the organization.
Woody Washam, Jr.: ASSURE THAT THE TOWN OF CORNELIUS IS CONTRIBUTING APPROPRIATELY TO ARTS THROUGHOUT OUR TOWN AND REGION. JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENTS WITH ARTS ORGANIZATIONS ARE CRITICAL.
Colin J. Furcht: With the recent addition of the Cain Art Center in Cornelius, we plan to expand and grow our place in the arts.
Bob Menzel: The Cain Center for the Arts will be my priority for promoting arts and culture in our community because the Center is a unique source of creative expression for the people of our town and the Lake Norman region.
Denis P. Bilodeau: The Cain Center is a center for all. I will continue to support and advocate for scholarships to programs and events for those unable to afford participation. I will also advocate for our arts and diverse cultural events like Prayer in the Park and Jazz Fest which attract a diverse crowd.
Woody Washam, Jr.: GRANTS TO UNDERPRIVILEGED RESIDENTS EMPHASIZING CHILDREN IS CRITICAL. PROVIDING ARTS PROGRAMMING TO THE LOCAL SCHOOLS. PROMOTING ARTS FUNDING AT THE STATEWIDE LEVELS ARE IMPORTANT AS WELL.
Colin J. Furcht: We have many programs for low income children to give them access to many different kinds of programs to help them learn and thrive.
Bob Menzel: The Cain Center for the Arts will be an important resource for providing access to the arts for our entire community. In fact, the Center has already partnered with local community service organizations to provide tickets to events, at no charge, for those who might not otherwise have access to performances at the Center. An important theme for our campaign is “One Cornelius” (https://bobmenzel.com/2023/08/one-cornelius/) and that theme includes access to arts and cultural activities.
Denis P. Bilodeau: I support utilizing local artists to help build points of interest like murals and sculptures in and around town. I will make the arts a vital part of a newly created ‘listening committee” dedicated to improving/building diversity, small business and the arts in Cornelius.
Woody Washam, Jr.: AS CURRENT MAYOR, I AM PROMOTING AFFORDABLE/WORKFORCE HOUSING FOR OUR COMMUNITY. SPECIAL FESTIVALS AND PARKS PROGRAMMING ARE ALSO NEEDED AND WILL BE SUPPORTED BY THE TOWN.
Colin J. Furcht: As I have stated, we plan to use the Cain Arts Center to grow our programs and access.
Bob Menzel: To quote The Cain Center for the Arts website, “Visiting an art gallery is a great opportunity to learn, find inspiration, build your community and entertain. Cain Center for the Arts is proud to announce the presentation of exhibitions during the 2023-2024 season for the public to enjoy in both of our facilities. Take note of the opening and closing dates and make plans to join us for the reception for each exhibit, where you will have the opportunity to meet the artists and enjoy an evening of artist talks with light refreshments provided.” (https://cainarts.org/exhibits/). As a commissioner, the Center will be an effective means to support the creative community in our town and throughout the Lake Norman region.
Denis P. Bilodeau: Leading by example, I have personally given significant financial support to the Cain Center and the various events and festivals in our town. I will continue to advocate for our Town to grow our identity as an arts and culture regional destination by advocating for a greater arts and culture impact in the Lake Norman area as well as reaching out to Charlotte for continued partnerships with Charlotte Ballet , the Orchestra and other organizations.
Woody Washam, Jr.: I HAVE CREATED A MAYORS TASK FORCE TO CREATE A HISTORY MUSEUM FOR OUR TOWN. I SUPPORT PUBLIC FUNDING FOR ALL SECTORS. WE PLAN TO PURCHASE A HISTORIC BUILDING IN OUR TOWN TO HOUSE OUR HISTORY MUSEUM AND A VARIETY OF ARTS PROGRAM IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING FUNDING TO CAIN CENTER AND ASC.
Colin J. Furcht: I sit on the Grant Committee and expect we will be partnering for many years.
Bob Menzel: The citizens of Cornelius have a rich history of investing in their community, including investments in Arts & Culture. As a commissioner I will support continued public and private initiatives as well as investments to benefit the Arts & Culture communities.
ASC did not receive survey responses from the candidates below. (Candidates with an asterisk did not have campaign contact information available from the Board of Elections or were unable to be reached at the phone number or email address provided.)
Robert Carney
Scott Higgins*
Susan Johnson*
Michael (Mike) Miltich
Charmaine Nephew
Michael Osborne
Thurman Ross
Todd Sansbury