2008 Legislative Candidates
Click here for the questions we asked candidates
State Assembly-73rd District candidates
Nick Milroy (D) - no response as of 9-22-2008
Jeffery Monaghan (Ind.)
Jeffery
Monaghan
Question #1
Music - I attended a few guitar sessions at Red Mug Cafe in Superior,
WI.
Visual Arts - I attended a photo gallery event at Univ of Wis - Superior.
Other - I attended an event at Big Top Chataqua in Washburn-Bayfield,
WI.
Comments - I enjoyed them all!
Question #2
I think we need to work with educational institutions to promote
the idea of actually making money selling or marketing their art at churches,
the local mall, and at outdoor festivals. Also, our county fairs need
some funding in this area and could possibly be self-sustaining if the
productions are profitable. We need inspiration and leadership more than
money in northern Wisconsin. Art happens in a society that welcomes it.
Question #3
Well, with the current state budget deficit, that's difficult to
envision. However, if we cut spending to balance our state budget, build
a reserve fund, and cut the taxes which harness our citizens we would
then have more dollars in our economy for discretionary public spending.
I support the idea, but we need to create profitable investments which
bring revenue back into our state government so we can allocate these
needed cultural and artistic ventures. Not to support the arts is a sad
commentary on our society and the culture of a Wisconsin lifestyle. We
need this goal. Have faith, and we'll get there.
Question #4
Participation in artistic discovery and creation are vital to our
development as human beings. John Quincy Adams articulated the process
of a maturing society in his diaries written during the youth of our nation.
The greatest level of maturity, as he suggested, was studying the classics
and the arts. He had good reason to suggest this because he himself was
a student of history and learned what the renaissance meant to Europe.
When we mature in our public policy, we will embrace the arts. We need
leadership. We need resolve and inspiration.
Question #5
I know there will be a huge debate about funding our public schools
in the next term of our state legislature. I am committed to funding public
schools -- from preschool to high school graduation. I also believe we
need to teach students a marketable skill before they graduate. When they
enter the job market they should have to go into insurmountable debt for
their higher education. They should be ready and able to find a job right
away. People can make money being artists; those skills are marketable.