2023 Candidate Questionnaire – Town of Pineville
Ahead of Election Day 2023, candidates running for election for Town of Pineville Mayor and Council were provided a survey to complete and share their position on arts and culture. Below are the verbatim responses we received, grouped by question.
Eric Fransen: As I run for Pineville Town Council, the Black Lives Matter Mural on Tryon St. is still impactful to me and is something I will never forget. Art mirrors society’s values and challenges. It provides unity, fostering discussion and bridging diverse communities. My vision for Pineville embraces the power of art and I will continue to be a supporter to beautify our town through art.
Eric Fransen: My arts and culture priorities for Pineville are twofold: Preservation and Promotion. My first priority is the preservation of our town’s artistic and cultural landmarks. This not only maintains our historical identity but also enhances Pineville’s charm that so many of us hold dear. Secondly, I aim to actively promote arts and culture by advocating for increased funding for public art projects and events. This includes support for local artists, art education in schools, and facilitating community events that celebrate our cultural diversity. Collaborative public art projects, such as murals, can play a pivotal role in community building. By fostering partnerships between local artists, businesses, and community groups, we can create spaces that resonate with Pineville’s unique character and tell our collective story.
Eric Fransen: If elected to Pineville’s Town Council, my vision, rooted in the principles of ‘Balancing Progress with Preservation,’ extends to ensuring that the arts are accessible to every resident, irrespective of background or economic circumstances. I recognize the value of diverse perspectives. I’ll initiate dialogs with community members to grasp the specific challenges they face in accessing the arts. Ensuring financial accessibility will be key, and I’ll champion grants or subsidies to make participation in arts and cultural events affordable. I’m also interested in fostering diverse representation within our arts committees and amplifying varied voices in our cultural decisions.
Eric Fransen: My vision for Pineville revolves around ‘Balancing Progress with Preservation.’ This extends deeply into the realm of arts and culture. With a nod to our town’s character and future aspirations, I plan to spotlight, bolster, and elevate this invaluable work. Financial support is pivotal; hence, I’ll champion grants or subsidies, ensuring our artists are equipped to innovate and flourish. It’s crucial they have stages—be it festivals, community gatherings, or community spaces—to proudly display their work.
Eric Fransen: The arts, sciences, and history programs are fundamental to the rich tapestry of our community, and I’m deeply supportive of initiatives that bolster these sectors. However, I must candidly admit that, at this moment, I’m not fully apprised of the specifics of what’s possible regarding public funding for these programs in our town. Once elected, a key priority will be to dive deep into our budget and funding avenues to determine how best we can allocate resources to these crucial areas.
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.)
Mayor, Town of Pineville
David Phillips
Ed Samaha
Town Council, Town of Pineville
L.R. (Les) Gladden
Danielle A. Moore
Amelia Stinson-Wesley*