Candidate Q&A: Pat Gibbs

By Times staff | Monday, October 01, 2007

Office sought; Davenport, 1st Ward

What are the most significant challenges facing neighborhoods? How would you address them?

The most significant challenge to our neighborhoods continues to be crime in all forms from graffiti  to drive-by shootings. The only way to reduce crime is through active patrols. Davenport no longer has active patrol units, they have response units running from call to call because of low manpower assigned to patrol. This is primarily because of poor management of resources. More officers are assigned to inside jobs than ever before. Officers need to be reassigned to increase patrol.

What’s most important, providing basic services or adding amenities for residents and visitors? What approach would you take?

Providing basic city services is the reason for local government. Amenities are great after basic services are provided equally across the city. It is wrong to create fees telling the taxpayers that they are to provide required services and then use the money for amenities 

What are the city’s most important infrastructure needs?

Streets and sewers.  Both the repair and expansion of both. The alley program needs to be re-established to constantly upgrade the worst.

How would you approach economic development?

The city should be a catalyst to development. When new jobs with livable wages are the end result. As mayor, I assisted in bringing in several new companies and worked with our own businesses to help them grow and create new jobs.

Does the city have enough police officers? Are they deployed properly? What is the council’s role in promoting public safety?

Deployment is the major issue. The patrol division is the most important division for the safety and security of our neighborhoods. All other divisions are supposed to be support of the patrol division.  Our department has lost sight of this. The council role should be one of guidance and assisting in joining the police and neighborhood groups. The council should be active in the selection process for the new chief and find someone who can meet the public's expectations and then provide the necessary resources to accomplish this goal.

How would you handle situations in which you disagree with another council member or members? Or does it matter?

Disagreements with the mayor and council are healthy if done with civility, and open debate of issues can most of the time draw the best of all sides of the debate and results in good representative government.

Should the Isle of Capri take over the RiverCenter South? If not, what should the city encourage the Isle to do?

The Isle is a private business and they will choose to locate wherever they determine is the most profitable for them. Having said that, the investment the taxpayers have made in the RiverCenter needs to be protected and any lease of the property should cover that investment.

What is your vision for Davenport?

A vibrant city with a positive atmosphere with job growth and infrastructure in good condition to provide for growth and low fear of crime in our neighborhoods. A positive city council working for the same goals as the staff they are elected to guide.