Pasadena City Council District H Candidate:

 

 Honestly, I have always had an interest in politics. I have always been a selfless servant, whether this was in a volunteer capacity or a professional capacity as a Paramedic and Police Officer. I always put the needs of another above mine. I was approached by Council Thomas Schoenbein after I became the President of the HOA where I reside. I began thinking about being on City Council. I have been around City government for over 30 years and have an idea of the level of commitment, not only mine but of those who would be under my leadership; my neighbors. Could I make a difference? After soul searching of a couple of years, my family and I decided that I should take this huge step forward. I want to be the District H Councilman so that the great work that is already being done, continues to move forward with fresh new ideas and fiscal responsibility. I want to be a good steward of not only my neighbor's money in District H, but all of Pasadena. We live in a great City, and I want to make sure that the quality of life that everyone expects is provided for. 

 

2. What qualifications, experience, and leadership skills prepare you for this role, including crisis response, crime prevention, financial literacy, and public communication?
I was in public service for over 30 years with the City of La Porte before I retired. I worked both as a Paramedic and then asa Police Officer. As a Police Officer, I served in several capacities on the La Porte Police Officer Association (LPPOA) Board, including Association President. During my tenure on the LPPOA, the Association started working with the City of La Porte under ''Meet and Confer'' contract to improve salaries and the commit by the City to the officers. These meet and confer contracts were negotiated annually for pay scale structure and then when the contract was up for renewal. Additionally, as a police officer I served in several capacities to include patrol, community service officer (which included crime prevention), traffic division, and the criminal investigations division as a crime scene investigator. I have also been elected to the Village Grove HOA Board several times and have served as the President for the past several years. Through this, I have had to handle annual contracts, lead meetings and the Board, and led the Board to become more fiscally responsible with our neighbor's money I am currently attending Texas A& M to earn my Masters degree.

 

My priorities include to first realize that this position is not about me. I have had a great example of selfless leadership through Councilman Schoenbein. Our City infrastructure is aging, some as old as 100 years. Some of our roads, with the best example being Red Bluff, need immediate repair and/or replacement. City infrastructure and quality of life for all of Pasadena is of the outmost importance for me. This includes neighborhood infrastructure. Pasadena has many sidewalks which have buckled from tree roots and erosion for years. We need to get these sidewalks replaced as soon as humanly possible. We want folks to move to Pasadena and enjoy all of our great amenities, so we need to make sure our neighborhoods look great! Lastly, I am going to lean hard on the Mayor about the stagnation of the Convention Center. I am a huge advocate of the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo. I want these young men and women who raised an animal all year to have a place to show and enjoy the experience. The area previously used for this, is now a parking lot with all utilities stripped away.

 

I will say that I am transparent to a fault. Good, bad, or ugly I am what I am. Folks should know where his or her hard-earned money is going to. Also better communication should be given to all of our neighbors when taxes will be increased. Council should be able to convey this at any point so that transparency is a given. There now seems to be more unanswered questions, that answered ones. Going to a council meeting now is really embarrassing. Alot of accusations from citizens with no real answers. Some of this is to embarrass. However, some of it makes my think what is going on? I am an easy to get along with type of person. I have been in the public eye for most of my through my public service. Its time to get to work, hold people accountable, and quit the postering that is currently going on at Council meetings. I am not going to publicly disparage someone. That is not what leaders do.  

 

I believe small business is as important of the American dream besides someone owning his or her first home. Small businesses start at someone's table at home. The dream or idea grows until reality. I have heard many issues when it comes to brick and mortar small businesses. The permit process is so bad, many contractors do not want to build in Pasadena. This should be the first issue fixed. Council should assist small business owners to Pasadena's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) so small business owners can take advantage of several small business grants that are offered. Pasadena should invite small business with open arms, because small business supports the community. Small business are the people who sponsor little league teams, charities, and other organizations. Big name companies often do not do this, except for the Chic-fa-la on Fairmont, who is a huge donor to the Pasadena community. Small business owners are also those who have families that he or she is trying to support. Therefore, small business should always be our first choice. The City should make sure small business is taken care. If not, these folks will go to another City and Pasadena loses.

 

I have no doubt our new, updated Convention Center will be state of the art which will attract many different companies and businesses to use the facility. This will generate revenue for Pasadena which can be redirected into new projects. The Convention Center will bring businesses and new hotels to the area as well. Pasadena has two huge annual events at the Convention and fairgrounds; the Strawberry Festival and the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo. The Strawberry Festival is right around the corner and planes for the 76th annual Pasadena Rodeo are in the works. This draws many attendees who will utilize our restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. Our economic development corporation has done a great job. This pattern needs to continue so Pasadena is the first choice for small businesses and big box stores.  Our empty City land is no use to us as far as generating revenue. Pasadena should begin looking at plans to revitalize this land either through sales or amenities for all of Pasadena to enjoy. Generating monies through sales tax or hotel-motel tax helps these avenues for financial gain for use in beautification or other financial avenue streams to put back into the City.

 

As an ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce through the Pasadena Kiwanis Club, I have seen the smiling faces of small businesses owners at ribbon cuttings. This is a great and inspirational time for them. Pasadena needs to keep these smiling small business owners coming into our great city. I have heard permitting is very difficult and exhausting because the technology seems outdated. Council needs to make sure that the Permit department has all the tools that they need to make sure this process is as stress free as possible. A review of the code of ordinances concerning small business should be done to make sure that Pasadena is attracting small business. The partnership with the Chamber is imperative and the city needs to keep those lines of communication open. I would like to see a city representative become an ambassador with the Chamber so that concerns of the chamber and small businesses at ribbon cuttings can be shared with him or her. These issues can be brought back to council and/or the EDC so we as a City can make sure we are doing everything in our pawer to make sure small business feels welcome and heard.

 

Pasadena does have aging infrastructure, especially in the northern parts of Pasadena. Many of these roadways are County roads. In the past, the City has teamed up with the County to replace some of these roads. I will use Richey as an example. This is a county road that Pasadena took the lead on and replaced, with an understanding with the county would reimburse the County’s part of the expense. Issues with aging pipes could be addressed with new technology to find areas which are the worst and begin to repair those with future plans for full replacement. Pasadena should partner with the State and use the most current forms of electricity line maintenance and remediation. We need to ensure that proper tree trimming is done, and proper digging information is available to those living in neighborhood with underground power lines such as Village Grove. We should ensure. Pasadena is doing the best to prevent permit issues. In the meantime, permitting for generators should not be as difficult and time consuming. Generators are sometimes installed as a medical necessity. This process should not be difficult. I would like to have free highspeed internet throughout the City.

 

The first step would be to visit each department and speak to those who are working those areas. These folks are the best resource to address areas of concern. A list can be made with the top priorities on down. City Hall should be a place where citizens can go and maneuver around areas with few issues. Every plan that is initiated should have a long-term forecast of what to expect, maintenance, and increased cost each year. This would need to include training for staff. A comprehensive understanding of each process will help with identifying new technology that is available. This should always be fluid with no ''set in stone'' application. New technology is an everyday occurrence, and we need to make sure that we are taking advantage of it. These technologies should be encouraged within every department. The front-line departments such as permitting, code enforcement, and the police department should be evaluated annually to make sure these men and women have the tools needed for the job. Additionally, new technology should be instituted into our infrastructure, whether it be roads or underground piping. The City should adapt geo technology to help locate impending issues in the infrastructure with location.

 

As a retired police officer, crime prevention and proactive police presence is key to help keeping crime down and keeping the minds of our citizens and visitors at ease. Police presence through stationary parking lot monitors that videotape or proactive police presence in parking lots and roadways round them will help detour some of those who try to do our citizens and visitors harm or take property that hard earned money was spent on. This will not keep all crime down, but will detour a lot of it. Council should visit often with officers and command staff to make sure that all the equipment that is needed to do the job is available. The Pasadena Police Department is great organization, and the City needs to make sure these men and women are given everything needed to first make it home safe after every shift and the right tools to do the job. 

 

The City has several great medical facilities, whether it be clinics or hospitals. Partnerships with these facilities is crucial to make sure that the citizens have a place to go, either a stand alone urgent care facility or a hospital, for any trauma or medical related issues. Our police officers will be a big help with the mental awareness training each attend. These officers can recognize mental health crisis so the best course of action can be taken and the information can be communicated. Taking care of the all needs, including medical needs, of our citizens is a priority. We should continue to welcome all medical facilities who want to call Pasadena home. 

 

Training in a trade is a huge asset to someone who does not want to seek a college degree but wants to learn a trade. The City could partner with some of our businesses to assist in the dream being realized.  The City has several facilities that could host training and should offer these to different training vendors, whether it be the college or school districts, at no cost or low cost. Additionally, encourage the businesses to offer scholarships to those who may not be able to afford the all or part of the training. By helping offer these services, the City can then give these folks a chance to work for Pasadena. This would be a direct return on our investment. The colleges or ISD's that may offer a job could also experience a return on investment.