Candidate Q&A: Jamie Howard
Office sought: Davenport mayor
What are the most significant challenges facing neighborhoods? How would you address them?
I believe that one of the most urgent challenges we face is the social and economic decline in our central city (urban core) neighborhoods. I feel this deserves special attention because of the severity of the issues involved: declining property values and tax base, infrastructure needs systemic crime problems and other social ills. These challenges are especially important because of the vital role that our central city plays in our community at large.
I feel we address these challenges by retaining the strong sense of community within these neighborhoods working with public and private partnerships to assist in the rebuilding of these areas. Also, we must continue providing policy and funding for housing opportunities for ALL of our citizens.
What’s most important, providing basic services or adding amenities for residents and visitors? What approach would you take?
The job of local government is to provide services that meets the needs and desires to all of its citizens. In order to have a viable city, you have to provide both basic services and amenities to maintain quality of life. The first step is to "find" the balance between basic services, amenities and our goals for Davenport. This approach will take a strong alliance of our business and community leaders who will play a vital role on the vision for growing our city.
What are the city’s most important infrastructure needs?
Much of our infrastructure is over 100 years old and requires constant maintenance and repair as well as replacement. Currently, Davenport cannot authorize building of significant new companies, housing and business developments because it does not have enough sewer capacity. We also have to address the "raw sewage" issue as well.
I feel one of the things we must do is to continue with our lobbying efforts for funding opportunities to build the west sewer tunnel that will help Davenport grow and grow our tax base as well.
The other important infrastructure need is the rail extension to our industrial park. The city of Davenport has lost opportunities to add new tax base and jobs due to the lack of rail.
How would you approach economic development?
Our economic development approaches should include business incentives not only to attract new businesses but also to help with local business retention and expansion. I also believe that we should continually identify and evaluate our local business needs through surveys and/or business roundtables and respond to those needs in some type of strategic manner.
Another economic development approach is to build or explore new public and private partnerships for further downtown revitalization. Also we should look at job training that is all inclusive to make sure that our community has the workforce skills needed for today's business climate.
Lastly, we need to look at new strategies that would promote or bring economic development into distressed neighborhoods.
Does the city have enough police officers? Are they deployed properly? What is the council’s role in promoting public safety?
The city of Davenport could certainly benefit from additional police officers. I feel that with a new police chief coming on board, there is an opportunity to reevaluate and make changes within the department. The council's role in promoting public safety is making sure that we are creating a safe environment for all of our citizens and it is our job to make sure that our budget reflects our public safety needs.
How would you handle situations in which you disagree with another council member or members? Or does it matter?
Council members come from a range of perspectives, differences and passions, but each should have the ability to debate is search of an understanding and coming to a consensus.
Realistically, people expect those in authority to manage the process in working our the tough issues and building relationships so that a productive level is maintained. With that, the leadership role is not just about being in charge, but taking charge, taking responsibility, making decisions based on credible information, understanding the interests of the community and being fair and respecting others.
Should the Isle of Capri take over the RiverCenter South? If not, what should the city encourage the Isle to do?
I do not support the Isle of Capri moving into the RiverCenter. This would bring about a loss of events and revenue to our city. If anything, I would encourage the Isle of Capri to bring a proposal that takes a considerable edge off the competition with our neighbors (Bettendorf) to the east, and a proposal that will attract tourism and dollars from outside our local market. With any proposal, the city's interest has to be a priority and the proposal must reflect just that.
What is your vision for Davenport?
My vision for Davenport is creating an environment conducive to attracting young professionals and families to our community, having jobs for every Davenporter and a Davenporter for every job! I vision a community that is safe, walkable and livable. I see a city with updated infrastructure like a west-side sewer tunnel, paved concrete roads and rail extension in our industrial park. New facilities for our youth and senior citizens would also be a great addition to our city. I also see a Davenport that offers the best amenities with Mid-America values: great parks, theaters, museums and great recreation offered by our great Mississippi River.