Kemp Conrad, City Council Super District 9, Position 1 Candidate

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 9, Position 1 candidate, Kemp Conrad, 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?

The Mayor and City Council have done exactly that. It’s no longer acceptable for out of town owners to neglect their properties, penalizing Memphians. We are filing lawsuits and charging the owners when we have to clean their properties up. I will work to accelerate these efforts on the City Council.

What about keeping streets clean? Several viewers stated that they try to maintain their neighborhoods, but the city rarely sends sweepers to clean up the litter.

With the city’s lack of resources, the government cannot do everything – we must engage our citizens. That is why I have supported the City’s “25 block strategy” to partner with and pay CDC’s to help clean and maintain properties in their area.

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?

As the City Council representative to the EDGE (Economic Development Growth Engine) Board – I am laser focused on job creation. The bottom line is the more companies that relocate and expand in Memphis will hire more Memphians. I will continue to focus on doing the hard work of focusing on the key quality of life issues such as lowering crime, lowering taxes, and investing in children and families.

How do you see the merger of Memphis and Shelby County Schools affecting your district?

I believe we have a historic opportunity to create a model educational system that can compete with the rest of the world and I am very excited about the opportunity.

What issues do you feel are unique to your district, and how do you plan to address them?

I will continue to focus on improving public safety, reducing our property taxes, and accelerating my prosperity agenda. I would point viewers to www.bettermemphis.org for more details.

If you are elected to the city council, what's going to be your first priority for your district?

Once re-elected I will continue my focus on the issues above.