By ROBERT BAXTER
Courier-Post Staff
OAKLYN

Three gubernatorial candidates pledged their support for the arts in a forum during the South Jersey Summit on Arts Funding.

Taking the podium, Republican candidates Bob Franks and Bret Schundler shared their views on arts issues with more than 200 people gathered in the Ritz Theatre Friday morning.

Unable to attend, Woodbridge Mayor Jim McGreevey, the Democratic candidate, asked Assemblyman Joseph Roberts, D- Camden, to convey his support for the arts.

All three candidates underlined their support for South Jersey receiving 25 percent of the grants administered by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. They also supported increased funding for the council.

Schundler, the mayor of Jersey City, said funding for the arts and historical preservation should be " dramatically increased." He said reform of the education system would free money to "double" the council's $20 million budget.

Schundler pointed to his record in Jersey City. During his administration, he said he has made arts a priority. The Jersey City Museum has opened and a 3,000-seat performing arts center is nearing completion. The city has also created an arts district.

Schundler urged "creative thinking" in using the arts as a vehicle for economic development and tourism. "We need a governor who appreciates the value of the arts and our history," he said.

Calling himself "a fiscal conservative," former congressman Franks noted a governor has "a fundamental responsibility to promote and support the arts.

"Clearly South Jersey is being shortchanged under the current interpretation of the law. I will work to see South Jersey gets its full share of arts council funding."

Franks called for "equity and fairness" for South Jersey and stressed "the best available experts" should evaluate grant applications for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Franks also said he would expand the 16-member council to reflect the cultural and geographic diversity of the state.

"I will be a leader in the fight to secure private money to support the arts," promised Franks. "I will invest in and promote New Jersey arts and I will look for creative and innovative solutions."

Roberts affirmed McGreevey's promise to provide an " absolute, ironclad 25 percent" of arts council funding for South Jersey.

Roberts said that in his travels throughout the state, McGreevey feels he has discovered a "feeling of estrangement" not just in South Jersey but in the northwestern counties.

Through Roberts, McGreevey promised to serve "one New Jersey," noted the benefits of the arts to a strong economy and said the arts will be "a priority" if he is elected.