Political predilections

It’s been said that politics is downwind of culture. However true that is, where politicians stand on hot-button cultural debates such as artificial intelligence, whether they prefer sports over arts and what local restaurants they patronize can offer a window into their sensibilities and outlooks.

The Free Press invited the four leading mayoral candidates among decided voters — according to a recent Abacus poll — to take part in a cultural quiz. (Kevin Klein, who was polling second, did not respond.) While most of the questions are lighthearted, they speak to some of the personalities behind the heated rivalries over budgets, buses, business taxation and beyond.

What was the last book you finished?

● Scott Gillingham: I’m almost done Winnipeg author Paul Vincent Jacuzzi’s book Blind Eyes. It’s a Dalton Drake novel.

● Mike Vogiatzakis: The last book I finished was actually the Bible.

● Noah Redden: That’ll Never Work Here by local author Patty Wiens.

If you could get every Winnipegger to watch one movie, what would it be?

● Gillingham: Schindler’s List, heavy but critical.

● Vogiatzakis: Something that would inspire Winnipeggers. I don’t know. My favourite movie is Scarface. I’m not too sure — Gilligan’s Island?

● Redden: The last movie I saw was Project Hail Mary. I really liked that movie. I’m a big sci-fi guy.

If you had to name a street after any Winnipegger, who would you choose?

● Gillingham: I think (former pro soccer player) Desiree Scott deserves a street at some point soon. My second choice is Dancing Gabe.

● Vogiatzakis: I would name a street after my brother Kyriakos, who was murdered, and I would name it right on the street that he was murdered at.

● Redden: I’m a big Weakerthans fan, so I think I’d really like to name a street after (lead singer/songwriter) John Samson Fellows. I really enjoy his (art) and he’s also a really strong advocate for transit.

What do you think about AI-generated music, art and media?

● Gillingham: I’m not a fan. I think that we have outstanding artists and we should be focused on promoting those real-life people who are making real-life art.

● Vogiatzakis: AI seems to be the future. Everybody’s using it. Now you can even make a love song. You know, for your wife, for example, right? It’s her anniversary. You pretend you forget her anniversary, and all of a sudden she gets in the car, and “Nah, nah, nah, I love you, Sharon.”

● Redden: I’m pretty outspoken about my dislike of AI in my platform. I really think something like art and music should be best left to humans.

Did you attend Nuit Blanche this year?

● Gillingham: Yes.

● Vogiatzakis: No, I didn’t. I’m pretty busy as a funeral director. People are dying to see me.

● Redden: I did. I think my favourite part: I was wandering around the alleyways near the Centennial Hall, and I chanced upon a choir.

What was the last play you saw?

● Gillingham: Legally Blonde, Rainbow Stage this summer. Fantastic.

● Vogiatzakis: I got to be honest. I’ve never been to a play.

● Redden: The Royal Manitoba Theatre Company; they did The Play That Goes Wrong, which was just absolutely hilarious.

If you had to pick a local restaurant for your very last meal, what would it be?

● Gillingham: The ribs at Silver Heights.

● Vogiatzakis: Is that a funeral director question? If I was doing a funeral today, I’d probably have sandwiches, dainties, fruit platter. The best catering company around is my wife’s catering company.

● Redden: I think my favourite restaurant is Daly Burger on Corydon.

Who was Gabrielle Roy?

● Gillingham: I’m drawing a complete blank in the middle of this day.

● Vogiatzakis: Don’t have a clue.

● Redden: A famous writer from Saint Boniface.

Two-part question. Can you spell Bishop Grandin and Abinojii Mikanah?

● Gillingham: B-I-S-H-O-P G-R-A-N-D-I-N. A-B-I-N-O-J-I-I M-I-K-A-N-A-H.

● Vogiatzakis: B-I-S-H-O-P G-R-A-N-D-O-N. Here’s one for you: can you spell my last name?

● Redden: B-I-S-H-O-P G-R-A-N-D-I-N. A-B-I-N-O-J-I-I M-I-K-N-A-H.

Who fell first: Shane or Ilya?

● Gillingham: From Heated Rivalry? Never seen it.

● Vogiatzakis: I think Shane fell first.

● Redden: As in the One Direction member?

When was the last time you took a city bus, and where did you go?

● Gillingham: It was on Truth and Reconciliation Day … I went to the Forks to start at the Oodena Circle, and then I took the bus home after I was part of the grand entry late in the afternoon.

● Vogiatzakis: The last time I took a city bus, I went from my funeral home on Pembina Highway to my funeral home on Henderson and Hessler.

● Redden: I went to the launch of the alternative municipal budget, and I took the FX2 to city hall.

Favourite local beer or drink?

● Gillingham: The Brite Water from Little Brown Jug.

● Vogiatzakis: Molson Lite or the Ultra Light. Favourite local beer? Not really; to be honest with you, I’m not a drinker.

● Redden: Before I got my celiac diagnosis, I used to really love Kilter beer. Now I’ll go with Patent 5 Gin.

Have you indulged in legal cannabis, and if so, in what form?

● Gillingham: Never.

● Vogiatzakis: No legal cannabis whatsoever.

● Redden: I’ve taken an edible once or twice. Don’t tell my mom, though.

conrad.sweatman@winnipegfreepress.com