IRVINE : Council Candidates Differ on Arts Issue

The three candidates vying to fill a vacant seat on the City Council offered different ideas for funding arts programs during an election forum last week.

The forum focused on cultural affairs issues, which have received considerable attention from the City Council over the past year.

Candidate Marc Goldstone said he supports imposing a hotel tax or development fee that would be used to fund arts programs. Goldstone’s two opponents, Greg Smith and Alireza Jazayeri, opposed the tax idea and said the arts should be funded primarily with private money.

The forum last Wednesday night was sponsored by Care 4 Irvine, a local arts advocacy group. The City Council angered some members of the arts community earlier this year when it decided to lay off the city’s cultural affairs manager.

Goldstone, a planning commissioner, argued that long-term city support for the arts is crucial.

“Art is a valuable part of the city. . . . It makes Irvine a special place,” Goldstone said. “There needs to be a sustainable revenue source, not just a onetime handout.”

Jazayeri, a community services commissioner, expressed concern about raising taxes or increasing city support for the arts while the economy remains sluggish and Irvine’s tax revenue continues to suffer.

He said the city should provide office and clerical support for a private group dedicated to raising money for the arts.

Smith suggested that the City Council “take a leadership role” in working with the arts community to create a list of long-term objectives. “But that doesn’t always translate into direct funding,” he said.

Smith, a member of the Irvine Unified School District board, said he opposes an arts tax in part because it might cause conflicts with other special-interest groups.

The three candidates are scheduled to meet again on Wednesday for an Irvine Chamber of Commerce forum.

The event, which is open to the public, will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the chamber offices, 17200 Jamboree Road, Suite A.