Re-Election

I haven't posted in awhile because there hasn't been a meeting of the Council and the wife and I took a little vacation away for a week.  But yesterday I was in the office and dropped by the City Secretary's office and registered to run for another term as your District 1 representative.  So far I don't have an opponent, but I'm sure that someone will challenge me for the office.

To be honest the job would not be very gratifying if it wasn't for the fact that, the results of my efforts can be seen in the neighborhoods in my district.  This one facet makes the job worth doing.  To be part of a community effort to make a difference, is what motivates me to continue in this job.  I am fortunate enough to have the time to devote all of my efforts toward this end.  I don't know if you can remember back two years ago, but there were gun shots, prostitution, assaults and drugs in and around President's Corner.  I have been fortunate enough to be able to contribute in a small way to the Arlington Commons apartment redevelopment along Lamar.  This project will give North Arlington a shot in the arm and reformulate a large portion of the District.  I have been able to align myself with the efforts of city staff and accomplish most of the goals that I put on my door hangars. 

I am very blessed to have the finest Police Chief in the city to partner with and reduce crime in the north.  Chief Strickland has organized his officers and utilized assets in such a way as to bring crime numbers well under control.  The APD is ever vigilant and maintains a constant presence in troubled areas to make our citizens safe.  That is the prime directive of any city's government, and I am very thankful for their efforts.

I have relied on Mike Bass and his code control officers to maintain a quality of life in the community.  They set the standard for our community and have been instrumental in the clean up efforts in our neighborhoods.  I have been able to help them in the rewriting of the code control ordinance for multi-family residences.  This was an effort to make their jobs easier, and their enforcement of ordinance standard more efficient.  I can't thank them enough for the job that they do each and every day. 

Another unsung hero of the city is the Director of Planning, Jim Parajon.  I rely on his knowledge each and every day.  If he didn't write the city ordinance, then it is currently being rewritten by his hand.  His knowledge of the city and our ordinances is simply priceless.

These are the people that I inter-react with each day to make our district better, and try to get things done. There are some very exciting things that are in the works at the city, and I would like to maintain the relationships that I have made to get projects accomplished.  I thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this process, and I hope that you will see fit to re-elect me for a second term.