LET US BEGIN ………A JOURNEY TOGETHER.
But first, let me begin, by thanking all of you who are here, for your support and friendship. I am very, very appreciative.
We start our journey today, in a special part of Houston, Hermann Park. From its beautiful Refection Pool, you can see the Rice University campus….the incomparable Texas Medical Center, our great museums, and ....in the distance…..our magnificent Downtown, all connected by our state-of-the-art Main Street light rail line. This is about as good as it gets in any American city!
We have travelled here from many different parts of Houston…..from diverse backgrounds, summoned by a BELIEF in the FUTURE, united by shared aspirations..….to build a great American city, in a new century, and in a new economy.
As a proud, third-generation Houstonian, with deep family and business ties to our city……. I‘ve dedicated my life to improving our community and the built environment.
My grandfather settled here in 1903, built a saw mill on the Trinity River, which grew into one of the largest lumber companies in Houston. Later, he was wiped out by the Great Depression. But he did not give up…..he fought back, and rebuilt his business bigger than ever. THIS is a real Houston success story…..and it is a good lesson, because in these uncertain times, it’s important to remember we’ve weathered many storms before, and succeeded as never before.
I grew up in a neighborhood not far from here. It was safe, friendly, homey, with a real sense of community. Many of our neighborhoods are still like this……and with the right leadership, and your help, ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS can feel like home.
Like many Houstonians, I graduated from the University of Houston. After serving in the U.S. Army, my fascination with cities took me to grad school….where I earned degrees in Architecture and Urban Planning, and went on to operate my own business, with national success, for over 30 years. During this time, I designed about every kind of city building you can IMAGINE……schools, churches, libraries, police and fire stations,….. health clinics and transit centers….“new towns” and master-planned communities, where today over 200,000 people live.
More importantly…..I’ve worked in over 40 Houston neighborhoods, which allowed me to really get to know this city and its’ people.
I am not a career politician…but my experience as a businessman and architect have served me well as an At-Large City Councilman - where I’ve worked alongside Mayor Bill White…..to cut wasteful spending, and attract higher quality development.
We’ve fixed streets, stopped blight…..added parks, improved drainage, landscaped streets, improved air quality…..we’ve advanced historic preservation, and revitalized neighborhoods.
I can honestly say…..….that I’ve done just about all I can do……..as a City Council Member!
But I have learned how city government works, and I understand our challenges. What then are some of these challenges?
- We’ve got a sound economy, but in these uncertain times, business-as-usual is not enough…..we need new strategies and innovative solutions, recognizing the extraordinary demographic transition taking place in our City.
After six years of Mayor White’s stellar leadership, we can’t fall back into old habits. In the next administration….there will be more, not fewer, seats at the table…..all here in Houston, none in the back room. - We can’t ignore……the critical connection between stimulating economic growth, and improving the quality and character of the built environment….they go hand-in-hand.
- We need to find real solutions to traffic congestion, crime, flooding, pollution, infrastructure needs, and neighborhood protection ….IF WE ARE TO CONTINUE AS A CITY OF PROSPERITY AND OPPORTUNITY.
- As well, we will find a way to rebuild our electrical grid, so we’re ready for the next big storm. THE LIGHTS OF THE WORLD’S ENERGY CAPITAL SHOULD NOT GO DARK FOR ALMOST THREE WEEKS!
- And finally, this challenge! – to energize, in ways never before, our City’s CAN-DO SPIRIT of innovation and entrepreneurship.
We have achieved much, but there is still much to achieve. For us to be successful on this JOURNEY….we have to do more than just see obstacles in our path…..we need to see the OPPORTUNITIES ahead.
HERE ARE FOUR PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION:
- First, we will expand the ECONOMY, by attracting companies, jobs and talent from around the world, and by GROWING LOCAL BUSINESSES AT HOME. We will do this with business-friendly, pro-active ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, and by implementing a sound, outcomes-driven Business Plan for Future Growth.
(As a businessman and architect, I know this – you have to have a good set of plans, executed on-time and under-budget. )
(APPLAUSE)
This is the approach we need here in Houston - Second, we will improve the ENVIRONMENT – essential to attracting new businesses and families, seeking a higher quality of life. Our Environment is more than just the air we breathe – it is one of Houston’s greatest RESOURCES.
- Third, we will protect and enhance the QUALITY and CHARACTER of our neighborhoods. To better serve all Houstonians, we can, and will, create the Department of Neighborhoods and Community Services….one-stop shopping…..that brings city government closer to people and their needs.
Houston is unique among big cities in that we still have vast areas of undeveloped land…..this is a great opportunity…..but I can promise you….. that the next administration will find a way to better manage GROWTH and CHANGE.
As a family man, with 5 children, and 15 grandchildren, I won’t stand by and watch…. as a neighborhood changes into a place where none of us would want to live! - Finally, IMPROVED PUBLIC SAFETY IS ESSENTIAL. We will make our communities and business districts SAFE, not just by adding more patrols on the street, but by implementing high-tech, SMART, neighborhood policing……so that our brave police officers will have the resources and training TO GET THE JOB DONE. (pause)
If you understand our POTENTIAL…..if you SHARE OUR VISION……if you want Houston to be THE BEST IT CAN POSSIBLY BE….then this is OUR TIME……THIS IS OUR JOURNEY……AND IT BEGINS NOW!
I know how far we have come…..I know how far we can go together. So TODAY……for all of these reasons……I am formally announcing my candidacy for MAYOR…..of the great City of Houston.
THANK YOU ALL.