Can art play a role in Colorado’s State House District 6 Campaigns?
Being a part of the Centennial State comes with a lot of pride. America’s most revered anthem besides the national anthem is possibly America the Beautiful. Katharine Lee Bates wrote the poem that became a song from the majestic heights of Pikes Peak, Colorado. Such creative inspiration has yet to guide state leadership to overcome critical social and economic issues facing at risk citizens. The Art Quarterly recently sat down with a group of potential new leaders at the State and National level to explore voter options during this coming election season. Our first candidate interview is with Mark McIntosh, candidate for Colorado State House District Six.
Election Core Issues:
The core issues in 2016, beyond national safety and immigration, are budgets, education, poverty, environment and employment. These issues seem to never change. The leaders do and should.
RISE UP with MARK McINTOSH
Mark McIntosh is an exceptional option for public office. True to Mark’s character, he has always found a way to rise-up when others would give up. His enthusiasm to empower the community stems from his community experience with at risk teens and athletics. McIntosh is a recognizable champion. He was previously a leading sports anchor for Denver’s Channel 4 and a host for Colorado & Co featured on Denver’s 9News – KUSA. Like so many in Colorado, McIntosh has been a competitor all of his life. Raised in Kansas City, Mark was a multi-sport all American athlete, whose skill earned him a baseball scholarship to the University of Missouri – Columbia. However his collegiate and pro career ambitions were cut short by a freak on-court basketball accident.
Youth gain from art, theater and athletics, especially in a creative based society.
McIntosh’s strength as a political leader rests in his understanding of how extra curricular activities dealing with Sports, Arts and Theater are ideal tools to reduce youth and adult problems. For Mark the solution is won with education and leadership. Many non-profit agencies are in place to support their own efforts for preventing at risk boys and girls from falling into the socio-economic cracks. For the adult, the options are less effective. Some entities rely on public and private funding to impact the community. Due to citizen vote, Colorado has to navigate the rules of the TABOR amendment. While The Art Quarterly does not support unwielding government bureaucracy and does favor private ownership of community greatness, certain essential services are a must for any community in Colorado. For McIntosh, the restrictions on funding are impeding advancement in at risk communities. He has seen how the lower downtown ballpark district has been overwhelmed with the homeless and how select agencies have attempted to accommodate – the efforts of the Denver Mission come to mind.
In another situation, Mark has worked on the front lines in combating how gangs advance in Northeast Denver. His own group, A Stronger Cord, has been active in combining fitness with companionship. In his 18 months of engaging this part of Denver’s youth, he has seen the obvious. Kids choose to avoid the gangs when they are provided with safe alternatives and a nurturing environment. Everybody wins when empowered coaches, instructors and mentors are able to work with kids to become better dancers, artists and athletes.
General Question on The Arts in Colorado:
AQ: “If an artist wanted to create a temporary world class installation that created tourism in a rural part of Colorado, and was funded privately, would you be for or against? The economics of the installation would create jobs to install, maintain and remove the installation, would create iconic Colorado specific imagery and would be on par with other US communities and those in foreign countries who have experienced similar works.”
McINTOSH: “It sounds like Christo’s project! On the surface, based upon your description, of course I’d be for it as long as it does not harm the environment and helps bring economic hope to Colorado’s imperiled rural way of life.”
“Mac” as his supporters call him, embraces allocating funds for afterschool programs for youth. He understands Denver has to better manage population growth. He is aware of the congestion and pollution concerns of citizens. McIntosh is equally cognizant that successful businesses, from Tech to Energy, play a vital role in taking back communities at risk. To engage those flourishing companies, Colorado State House District 6 needs a personable and passionate leader. The Art Quarterly invites you to consider, learn more and support Mark McIntosh in his candidacy for office in 2016. As he likes to say: “RISE UP with MARK!”
