Paving a Path to the Best Future

I have been on a path in my life that has led to my decision to run for a city office. From being a school volunteer to starting a Neighborhood Watch in our area, I have a passion to do what is necessary to improve the quality of life around me. I especially enjoy bringing people together and encouraging them to find out what their best can be. I have been a consistently active volunteer for the community.

The issues I am supporting are in line with our city’s strong vision toward economic development: public safety of our people, keeping neighborhoods at a high level, and strong schools. Our city needs the highest rating in these areas to attract people to live in our city.

As new industry is attracted to NLR with the accompanying new residents-we need to keep raising the high level of police and fire protection that these great departments have been providing. This will only be done by continuing the current course of raising salaries and ensuring that the highest quality recruits want to come and be among North Little Rocks “finest”. We need to frequently strike the “refresh key” to seek solutions for the ever changing safety issues facing NLR. Everyone wants to live in the safest city.

When new residents come they will look closely at neighborhoods and the street appeal of areas. We want them to choose to live in NLR. Recently the city has adopted a more aggressive course to identify and condemn houses that are part of the process that bring blight to an area. This is a great start to managing the problem of deteriorating neighborhoods. We can’t stop there as we need to find a way to prevent houses from getting to the point of condemnation.

Changing the course of one deteriorating house can be a strong step to changing the course of a neighborhood. Other U.S. cities face these same issues and various solutions are being applied such as identifying and registering vacant houses.

Neighborhood groups can have a strong role in steering the course of their area and ultimately the city. I would propose a round table, think tank or even a commission of neighborhood leaders who could help define needs and research solutions.

Street and drainage issues continue to be an area we need to be evaluating and planning to upgrade. Attitudes toward litter need to be changed and a new educated and aware view needs to be adopted. North Little Rock can choose new directions.

Looking to the future we need to provide all we can to ensure a great services and education for our youth. Their challenges and rewards go hand in hand with our city’s. Potential new residents closely examine schools for their performance in testing as well as their physical buildings. I know firsthand the excellence of our school district as two of my children were National Merit Finalists. We need to push on diligently to keep this standard. Everyone wants their children in the best schools.

Ward 1 is an eclectic blend of culture and landscape that gives it great strength. It mirrors our all of our city areas in uniqueness. Here, many adults return to their childhood neighborhoods to raise their families. The diversity of ages in the population gives richness to the area. There is a very special neighbor on my street who will be 100 this year.

I have communicated much here because I am passionate to say what is in my heart about our great city. The balance I bring to North Little Rock comes from my commitment of serving on the community level with eyes and ears open to respond and lead at all levels.

New directions need new leaders who are prepared to communicate and respond. I have been a capable, communicative and consistent volunteer in the community. I am confident that I will carry these abilities with me as Alderman for NLR Ward One.