Councilmember

SEATS AVAILABLE: 2

Illece Buckley Weber

City: Agoura Hills City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up.

I grew up in Encino California. My family traveled quite a bit and my fondest memory at age 13 was our visit to the Accademia in Florence, Italy to see Michelangelo’s David. From that point on, I became a fan of art and my love of art has brought me to the 21st century’s live street art and everything in between. As a teenager, I became a lover of music and from the 1970’s through the present day, I frequent venues around the world for all genres of music.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

As Mayor of the City of Agoura Hills this past year, I successfully pushed for the expansion of our Cultural Arts Council. Among its many events this past year to highlight cultural arts in our community, the CAC purchased the City’s 21st piece of art for our Art in Public Places, held its first Celebrate the arts event with a tribute/film festival spotlighting screenwriters and continued its teen fine art competition and solo artist show. I am a strong supporter of the arts and am proud of highlighting the issue during my term on the City Council.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

My vision for Agoura Hills absolutely includes art and culture which brings the community together. From our Art in Public Places to our fabulous antique stores in the historic Whizin Marketplace, our residents support our programs that focus on art and culture We expect the development of the Agoura Village over the next few years and I will advocate for public gathering places for moving art installations. We are also looking at the necessary infrastructure to display art at our new Recreation and Event Center.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

During my term on the City Council we have established a Tourist Improvement District with the City of Thousand Oaks. We are marketing our two cities as a great place to visit and culture and arts in the region are critical to its success. Between our two cities, we have numerous venues to promote the arts and culture. We have a website, www.91301.org, specifically to inform visitors of what’s happening locally. I estimate that half of the working residents in the City of Agoura Hills are employed in the creative sector so it’s critical that we embrace it.

Linda Northrup

City: Agoura Hills City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up.

Participating in the Agoura High School Marching Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble as well as the amazing theater arts programs. I was president of the Thespian Club my senior year of high school and we presented a program at the Renaissance Faire and in local elementary schools. My musical claim to fame was appearing on the same bill as Sarah Vaughn and David Gates at a local school fundraising event.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

Agoura Hills just opened its new Recreation Center and can now launch more programs in the arts and culture through our Cultural Arts Council and its 91301.org programs. Our City Council should support and foster such programs for our residents.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

Agoura Hills enjoys a small town feel with a vibrant cultural arts scene that is drawn from the community of artists in our midst. My vision is to expand the scope of programs that are offered through our Cultural Arts Council, both to enrich our residents, particularly our young people, as well as to support our local artists.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

Enhancement and expansion of cultural arts programs in the City of Agoura Hills supports both local tourism as well as regional cultural tourism. I am honored to have the endorsements of some of our amazing local artists, as well as members of our Cultural Arts Council and look forward to working with them on new and exciting programs after I am elected. You can view my complete list of endorsements at www.northrup2015.com

Meril S Platzer

City: Agoura Hills City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up.

My passion as a young child was to be a cartoonist As a young girl, I attended Saturday classes at Pratt Art Institute in Brooklyn New York There a number of artists in my family two cousins one a well known muralist whose works are part of the San Francisco-Oakland backdrops famous works including the Mitzvah with my maternal grandmother in the center of the table next to The late Harvey Mik and Diane Feinstein, mural near the Opera house and the Jack London mural to name a few My paternal cousin is a jazz musician in the SF area

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

A rt and Music enhance the City of Agoura Hills. It adds depth to the City and its population. Not only adding beauty to the landscape but attracts tourists from outside of the area. It also provides the local residents pride in their city and also an avenue to show their talent I feel the City Council should support the Arts. Also, as a Neurologist who specializes in Alzheimer’s Dementia and also on the advisory board of Cognitive Dynamics in Tuscaloosa, Alabama., Art Therapy helps those patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s Dementia.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

I would like to see more programs in the Arts and Music to help those patients with Neurological conditions such as Alzheiemr’s and those who suffer from other disabilities including Down’s syndrome, stroke, and Autism.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

Art to be done by the local residents especially those with disabilities I.e Autism, Dementia patients,Down’s syndrome etc. to be able to contributes to their city..outside art either to sell their works and help their pride. Also, local residents to put on plays, music performances, and art shows etc to attract tourists and help provide an avenue for their budding talents.