• Pasadena City Council District G Candidate:

  • Jim Dilley

    Phone: 346-313-0153
    Email:         jimdilley4g@gmail.com
    Facebook:     Jim Dilley for Pasadena City Council - District G
    Website:     www.jimdilley4g.com

  • Candidate Questionnaire​:
     
    1. What inspired you to seek this position? 
    Along with my family, I am a long-time resident of the City of Pasadena and retired from the Pasadena Police Department after 35 years of dedicated service to this community. As a result, I have seen the good and the bad and feel that I can make a positive impact on our community and the citizens we serve.
     
    2. What qualifications, experience, and leadership skills prepare you for this role, including crisis response, crime prevention, financial literacy, and public communication?
    I have proudly and faithfully served in the United States Army and spent 35 years in multiple divisions as a police officer with the Pasadena Police Department including patrol, juvenile and sex crimes divisions and as a Special Deputy United States Marshal with the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force. Since my retirement in 2019, my wife, Lisa, and I have been business owners and having a working knowledge of business and financial administration.
     
    3. What are your top priorities for the first 100 days if elected, and which city policies or initiatives will you continue or change?
    It is necessary to immediately start forming relationships with constituents, City department heads, the mayor, and other councilmembers. As I have already begun to do, I will focus on the newly adopted Capital Improvement Projects for District G and the city as a whole to get a better understanding of current and projected projects. Additionally, I will dive deeper into the budget and assess the current financial condition and review allocation of funds for any misappropriations or adjustments that may need to be made. My support and attention will be given to priority projects; notably, road and drainage infrastructure for major roadways and residential neighborhoods, as well as public safety improvements. These projects are crucial to improving the daily lives and wellbeing of our constituents, and I will be aggressive in ensuring fair and equitable service to all.
     
    4. How do you plan to embrace the city of Pasadena, including uniting City Council, foster collaboration, and ensure transparency in your leadership while effectively representing all Pasadena constituents?
    Fostering a sense of community with trust, communication, and transparency are among the top challenges seen in most municipalities. Community members will continue to have trust issues in their governing bodies if they feel unheard or do not receive the information they need in order to be informed citizens. Without their trust and support, the city cannot move forward in meeting their needs. Neighborhood meetings and community outreach and projects along with awareness and transparency through social media, websites, etc. We need to be visible in our communities, regularly asking for feedback and providing resources.
     
    5. What actions will you take to increase the number of city projects awarded to small and local businesses? 
    Working with the Purchasing Department and City Secretary’s office, I will ensure that the city’s bidding process is simple, inclusive, and equitable. As a current business owner, it is important to me to be out in the community as a representative of the City of Pasadena, informing business of current bid opportunities, explaining the process, and encouraging them to submit proposals. This should be a collaborative effort to support local establishments and assist with helping their businesses flourish. 
     
    6. What is your vision for Pasadena’s economic development, including plans for the convention center, city-owned land, and infrastructure improvements to encourage business investment?
    The Pasadena Convention Center has long been available to hold largescale public and private events and the plans to build a modern and versatile replacement has the potential to allow further engagement with community partners and citizens alike and possibly allowing for the creation of new jobs. With cutting-edge technology and features, the prospect for economic growth and additional revenue makes this an exciting endeavor. Improving overall infrastructure is key to economic growth pertaining to residential and retail developments. People want to build where they know they have a safe and supportive environment which will contribute to their everyday wellbeing. 
     
    7. Business-friendly policies rank as the number one priority for chamber members. What are your plans to streamline the permitting process and improve ordinances to attract and support new businesses while also improving flexibility for development in Pasadena?
    The city’s webpage is already a great resource for those wishing to do business here; however, I think the ability to update the antiquated method of just downloading and printing paper copies of the applications and have “fillable” applications that can be submitted immediately would greatly improve this process for business owners and citizens alike. Additionally, there should be an option for online payment, much like that which already exists for making water bill payments. Ordinances should regularly be reviewed and updated to address out-of-date policies and outstanding issues which could benefit from oversight, adjustments and new approaches which would not inhibit current and future growth. 
     
    8. What are your plans for improving and maintaining Pasadena’s infrastructure, including roads, sewage, drainage, water supply, high speed internet, and the power grid?
    The overall focus of the city’s infrastructure endeavors should be longevity, sustainability and feasibility, and cost. With the Capital Improvement Plan already adopted and in place, I plan to work aside the appropriate departments to educate myself regarding research that has already been done, funding that has already been appropriated in the budget, and what additional requirements should be met. I believe that prioritizing those projects that are of top concern and provide the most benefit to the public should be reevaluated if there is an immediate need. It is crucial for the city to maintain partnerships with the County and State administrations, request regular feedback from citizens, and collaborate with businesses to address specific ongoing needs.
     
    9. How will you leverage modern technology to streamline city operations, improve efficiency, and prioritize long-term growth? What specific innovations or technology solutions will you implement to enhance public services, economic development, and infrastructure management in Pasadena?
    In order to better serve our citizens and prepare for long-term economic growth, the city should discover new, innovative processes aligned with modern times. Again, the city’s website is a wealth of information but needs an overhaul reflective of latest technology developments and I believe we should make the necessary investments in order to do so. Not only would this help to streamline business for the public, but it certainly would assist city employees in being more efficient. We should also incorporate specific requirements for modern technology use when issuing RFPs or RFQs to ensure the best quality of service available to our community. 
     
    10. Business and citizens alike require a secure city in which to work and live.  What is your experience and plan for public safety for Pasadena?
    Having been an officer with the Pasadena Police Department, I went through several administration changes and have seen all of the ups and downs. I believe all police departments nationwide will always have room for improvement. In the modern era where police can be seen in a negative light, fulfilling the duties of a police officer has become more important than ever. The Pasadena Police Department has a long history of being a top-tier department, maintaining a professional reputation and serving this city with superior, no-nonsense approaches to deterring crime and seeking justice for victims of criminal activity. The department depends on support from the governing body, and I commit to keeping open lines of communication between the department, as well as continuing to be a devoted supporter and bring all my knowledge to the table in order to unite the City Council in order to procure and maintain the cutting-edge technology necessary in doing so, and I vow to provide continual support to PPD.
     
    11. How can the city ensure adequate healthcare infrastructure, including mental health care, hospitals, doctors, and accountability in healthcare services?
    The City of Pasadena is a growing and diverse community, therefore requiring us to address community needs and building partnerships with multiple sources of fair and affordable healthcare. We are fortunate to have a plethora of healthcare services immediately available through HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast (Bayshore Medical Center) and it is vital to maintain these current partnerships while forming new ones with prospective and/or new facilities. The city should continue evaluating the ever-growing population and initiate a plan to address any shortfalls and ensure quality standards. 
     
    12. Access to talent and workforce is the number one challenge facing Pasadena businesses. What role should the government play in workforce development, including investment in training programs and partnerships with colleges and the ISDs?
    Not only are we fortunate enough to have one of the larger ISDs in Texas, but we are the proud home to the San Jacinto College Central Campus. The two institutions already work closely in conjunction with each other to offer early college high school and dual-credit programs; however, there is always room for improvement and the need for continuing education. I believe the city, through continuing education programs and partnerships with local businesses, Pasadena ISD and San Jacinto College, could be in a great position to invest in such programs. These could assist in supporting a more talented and well-rounded workforce and encourage employee longevity.
     

  • Upcoming Events

     

  • Advocates for Pasadena Businesses and Citizens.