MEMPHIS, Tenn. - We asked our viewers to call in with what they want to see from their elected council people to improve their communities and the city overall. We took your questions to the candidates vying for your vote, and here is how District 8, Position 2 candidate, Isaac Wright, answered.
From street litter to blighted properties, many of the concerns we heard overwhelmingly dealt with cleaning up their neighborhoods. Many callers complained about overgrown lots as a haven for vermin and crime. What can you do to make owners of abandoned properties responsible for cleaning them up?
Abandoned properties can be an opportunity to create affordable housing. The Housing and Community Development Division has done a tremendous job in revitalizing public housing and communities. The city should continue to support and expand the revitalization projects in blighted areas. We have to work with non-profits, neighborhood development corporations, and local churches to encourage responsible homeownership and supporting landlords, while encouraging landlords to maintain their properties will aid in community redevelopment. The use of the Environmental Court approach is working and should be supported and expanded.
Another way to strengthen and support existing neighborhoods that are within the urban core would be to start Neighborhood Stabilization Programs. At a minimum, I think we need to at least look at creating a program that mirrors Habitat for Humanity by finding funds for updating and fixing abandoned properties classified as blight and put programs in place that create high-quality, energy efficient housing and arranging for tiered subsidies based on income levels, in an effort to clean-up the neighborhoods, create affordability for buyers and renters and support local economic development and job growth. The hope is to restore local confidence, protect recent and planned investments and ultimately jump start residential development. The residential development of our neighborhoods is just as important as business development. There is something special about buying and living in your own home. It gives you a feeling of accomplishment, you have the pride of ownership and nothing compares to being a permanent part of your neighborhood. I think that we have to set up programs and policies that make it easy and possible for more residents to own a home.
Of course, voters are worried about jobs. A report by the U.S. Census calls Memphis the poorest large city in the country, citing loss of jobs and lack of education. What plans do you have to boost jobs in your district?
The first thing we have to do is find out what types of jobs the big businesses are bringing to our city. Find out about the job descriptions and the job requirements. Then we need to make sure our citizens are prepared and competitive when the opportunities come available. We need to forge partnerships with institutions of higher learning to make sure people are more prepared to enter or return to the workforce. We have to make sure Memphians are ready and able to compete for those jobs when they come available. As we strive to create economic growth and build an environment conducive to supporting new businesses and jobs, we must ensure that our citizens are prepared to enter the workforce.
Continue to support programs that provide economic growth by creating jobs and expanding support for all businesses. Economic development plays an essential role in the overall economic health and quality of life in our city. The vitality and growth of the business and economic base and job market are fundamental components to sustaining and growing our community. The challenge for our city government is to create capital investments in new businesses but we need to also work with the businesses currently operating in Memphis to create additional jobs in our community. We have to simultaneously work on attracting new businesses while expanding our existing businesses so people can go to work today.
How do you see the merger of Memphis and Shelby County Schools affecting your district?
Change is good. We must invest in our youth and support our schools in their efforts to boost academic achievement for our children.
What issues do you feel are unique to your district, and how do you plan to address them?
The greatest issues facing district 8 today are:
• Safety and Security of our Citizens. Safety and security are fundamental to our quality of life and are a major factor influencing whether businesses and residents stay in our community.
• Economic Growth (Businesses and Jobs). Business development and job creation play an essential role in the overall economic health and quality of life in Memphis. The vitality and growth of the business base and job market are fundamental components to sustaining and growing our community.
• Education of our Children and Adults. As we create an environment conducive to supporting new businesses, commit
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