Why I'm Running
We can do better.
That's what the past 30 years have been about for me — making Ward One better. I founded and ran the Thomas Dale Block Clubs when crime and neglected housing threatened the neighborhood. Because I was concerned about opportunity and male leadership models for local kids, I started and ran a youth football club that serves 160 kids a year. My record shows where my heart is.
I know how to listen.
In the years I spent as director of the Thomas Dale Block Clubs, I knocked on thousands of doors to talk with neighbors about the things that concerned them most. I know that the best ideas usually come from the ground up. I want to hear what you have to say.
I know how to organize people.
It isn't often that one person acting alone manages to change much. For that you need people pushing together behind an idea they all can support. You've got to listen, talk, persuade, negotiate. That's what my career has been about. And that's where my passion is.
I know how to find creative solutions.
When Ward One was beseiged by prostitutes and johns, I helped create a john school for offenders, to show them the impact of their actions in our community. I helped craft laws that cracked down on problem properties. I created programs that engaged kids in learning activities, and produced jobs for men making the transition from a criminal history to a work history. I haven't just talked about it; I've done it.
I'm engaged by the opportunities ahead of us.
Yes, money is tight and challenges are everywhere. But so is opportunity. Successfully managed, light rail can open the door to housing revitalization and a windfall of jobs. Environmentally-sensitive industry and greenspace development can leave us poised for a better future. Quality programs for all kids will prepare them for a prosperous life. Great change is coming. We've got to dream together and work together to make sure that change improves our lives.