Jackson Free Press Questionnaire

The Jackson Free Press sent a candidate questionnaire to all city council candidates. Here is the link to find the candidate answers. I have also included the questions and my answers below.

http://www.jackpedia.com/index.php/wiki/2009_City_Election/

1. Explain how and why you would provide good leadership for your ward.
-Most importantly, I love Jackson and Ward 1. I believe that a Republic can only function justly and effectively if as many citizens as possible are involved in the process of governing. To this end I will be available to all residents of Ward 1. I will actively seek their input on as many issues as possible. And I have the leadership skills, interpersonal skills and work ethic to make this work. As a doctor in a busy Jackson emergency department, I am proficient at making critical decisions, leading multiple team members in complex tasks and effectively communicating and mediating with multiple different specialists as well as patients and family members.

2. What are your infrastructure priorities, and how would you pay for infrastructure repairs?
-Roads and sidewalks. First, many roads in Jackson, as well as in Ward 1, are in severe disrepair. Ridgewood Road, what many would consider the major road for Ward 1 is in dire need of repaving, which would potentially increase traffic at the multiple nearby businesses. I also feel that traffic flow needs to be studied to analyze possible changes that could decrease traffic congestion; specifically better timing of street lights. Second, if Jackson is to be a leading city in the state and in the South, it needs to be made more pedestrian and bike friendly. All parts of Jackson would benefit from more sidewalks, but particularly areas around Parham Bridges Park and UMC. People who walk are more likely to shop and spend money. Additionally walking is healthier for people and the environment. Please see #11 for funding.

3. What measures would you propose/support for combating crime in the city?
-More police officers and more community outreach. In 1983 the JPD had 400 sworn officers. Today it has 430; this is an incredibly small increase in over 25 years. Police officers are currently overworked. Additionally, I feel that resources at the JPD could be better utilized to support our sworn officer. Finally, the JPD needs to become more involved with individual neighborhoods to encourage a proactive approach to crime from all citizens. The city should support all resident initiatives that could improve safety, from neighborhood watch programs to private security guards to even gating communities.

4. How would you handle the police chief position? Would you support returning to a full-time chief? Why or why not?
-Jackson needs a police chief. The city and department are too complex for basically a part time job. The police chief needs to be the ultimate decision maker for the JPD and should be as independent as possible from the mayor and city council. While I care about crime, I clearly do not know enough about the inner workings of police departments to tell the chief what he can and cannot do. This should be the belief of all council members.

5. What are your economic-development priorities for the city?
-A city without an active business community cannot survive. Jackson needs to actively encourage and incentivize businesses to relocate to Jackson. I believe temporary tax breaks for businesses that relocate to Jackson should be offered.

6. How would you alter the employee pay/benefit structure?
-I believe city employees have competitive pay and benefits. I would not decrease any benefits. City employees work hard for the city and they should be compensated fairly. I do believe that several city departments could benefit from an independent audit to examine the efficiency of each department. I also support decreasing the salaries of City Council members to cover only direct expenses incurred.

7. How would you improve transparency in government?
-First, the city needs to improve access to information that is already “transparent”. Specifically, the city’s website needs to be improved to include more information and simpler and more effective search features. Additionally, all departmental budgets need to be made more open and accessible. With very few exceptions (such as purely personal information and information about certain ongoing investigations and contract negotiations) nothing should be held from the citizens of Jackson.

8. There are various proposals that would ostensibly help with flood control on the Pearl, and perhaps increase development and/or green space for the city. What program would you support and why?
-First, the people making decisions about the best flood control measures do not need to be city council members, but rather engineers. While city officials certainly need to approve and review all such proposals, I do not think we need to be dictating requirements. That said, if possible, I would like to see an increase in green space and environmental recreation opportunities. Jackson does not have enough green space and city parks.

9. What needs to happen to improve the relationship between City Council and the mayoral administration?
-This basically comes down to personality. We all need to realize that we work for the citizens of Jackson and not vice-versa. It’s a good thing that council members and the mayor are passionate about issues, but we all need to realize that our opinions are occasionally wrong. While politicians don’t often like to admit this, it is a fact. I feel strongly about issues, but I also feel strongly that I am not omnipotent. I will approach issues with an open mind and a desire for compromise if it will improve the city.

10. What role should the city play to help the youth of Jackson? Please provide your specific plans.
-Instead of inventing new programs, the city needs to improve the current programs in place to help Jackson’s youth. Resources need to be invested in the school system. I feel strongly that if young people are given a good education and if there are recreational and job opportunities available, they will succeed. So I would propose to stop some of the extra or special programs and refocus efforts on schools, invest in better public parks/recreation leagues and improve the economic environment in Jackson so that kids can get jobs. I also feel that a stronger relationship with non-governmental organizations, such as Junior Achievement, should be encouraged.

11. How would you bring new funds into the city of Jackson’s coffers?
-A very large percentage of the city’s income is derived from sales tax on business done in the city. I propose giving tax breaks to businesses that relocate into Jackson. Not only will Jackson receive property tax revenue from these new businesses but also sales tax revenue. (Yes, with a tax break, the revenue may not be as much as it could, but without the tax break the business wouldn’t even be in Jackson, so the revenue would be zero.) To specifically fund the police department, as well as to make Jackson safer, I propose increasing fines for speeding and running red lights. I also propose a city fine for driving without insurance. Separately, I believe that it may now be cost effective to install solar panels on certain city buildings to reduce energy expenditures. I also would like to look into leasing the Jackson airport to a private company who would manage day-to-day operations and pay the city a fee.

12. Do you support making Capitol Street two-way?
-Yes, this would increase business opportunities and is one small step that could enliven the downtown area.

13. What can you do/support to make the city more attractive to residents?
-As mentioned above, I would like to improve roads, sidewalks and public parks. I would like to shift resources in the police department to have more active officers which would improve safety. Finally, I believe that a greater business presence will induce residents to move back to Jackson for ease of shopping, dining and leisure activities. Residents will move back to Jackson when it is safe and convenient.

14. What can you do/support to make the city more attractive to businesses?
-The basis of my economic policy is to lower taxes on businesses and provide temporary tax incentives for businesses that relocate into Jackson. This combined with an improved police department will make Jackson an attractive place to locate a business.

15. What is something fun/interesting about you that few people know?
-In the next few weeks I will run two races, the race for city council which will culminate on May 5th and my first marathon which will be run on April 25th. I honestly don’t know which race is more difficult. Thank you for your time.