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to create bridges with local leadership in all levels, from government officials to artists and students. I had the opportunity to work with a nexus of arts leaders and organizations and was most fortunate to work with Victor Payan and Pocha Pena from United Artist of Santa Ana. They demonstrated true insight into the value of arts and culture in the daily lives of the people of Santa Ana and proved to be critically helpful in their overall contribution of effort, including helping our team create pathways to different segments of the community from the Bowers Museum to small grass roots organizations and individual artists. They lent their effort and love of arts toward every step of our work. They were vital in insuring that the Latinx community voice was a part of the vision and planning, and they further helped us with meetings with a select group of gay and lesbian interests as well as representatives from the handicapped and disabled arts, Spanish speakers and non/arts community. Leadership in the community is measured not merely by what you say but what you do, who you help and support, and what you stand for to better the quality of life in any community. I found Victor and Pocha to be seminal examples of community arts leadership. I have been heartened to witness that several elements of our 2017 plan for the city have been instigated and come to fruition, although alas a few other aspects remain dormant. But the design of the plan was to roll out in a manner that was practical and beneficial to the city. I applaud the work of Victor and Pocha in creating a Historic Main Street Cultural District plan that aligns with the Master Plan and is visionary and useful in design, but I am sorry to hear it was not presented to the California Arts Council in time for consideration of funding. I am also disappointed to learn that the plan was undermined by a few opponents who acted in their own self-interest rather than the public good, which the cultural district plan had provided. I would advise that the Council in the future consider looking at the work being done and not merely the accusations being made. I was at every public meeting during our planning for the Master Plan, and I know very well who the hard working and caring individuals were who gave effort and time and opinion, and who worked with and collaborated with other arts leaders to create a blueprint that was viable and inclusive. I did not see many of the detractors and naysayers stay around for much real work, instead I saw real community leadership from Victor and Pocha. And now with UASA plan I see the same vision and bold mission to make arts and culture important in their city, and I thank them for being out front once again. Although the plan was not presented to the California Arts Council for funding, it is a visionary plan which holds language and action that is viable and can be achieved over time to benefit the community of Santa Ana. It also represents a deep understanding of the community input that was presented throughout the arts master plan public meetings. At the heart of this issue is how can arts and culture benefit the local creative, health, education and financial status of a community, and how can the arts and culture use N