Two candidates are running for Jersey Village City Council Position 3 this May.
Community Impact Newspaper spoke with both candidates about why they chose to run, what their priorities are and what experience they have that will help them on the council.
Early voting begins April 24, and Election Day is May 6.
CJ Harper[/caption]
Why are you running for Jersey Village City Council?
For me, the decision to run for re-election was a simple one: to continue to serve as a voice for the taxpayer and to vigorously represent their vision as well as their concerns. Decision making by a handful of individuals may be easier but the result is not likely to provide a trusted solution unless all citizen input is heard and given genuine consideration by council and city staff. It doesn’t matter whether the issue is public safety, flood mitigation, economic development or forward-thinking zoning, we need to do much better at providing citizen access to the government process because we all benefit. I’m determined to pull back the curtain on city decision-making in order to increase accountability and promote trust in our city government and allow residents to become an informed and engaged part of the process.
For 20 years I’ve chosen to make our great city my home. I am not a newcomer to our city or the issues confronting us. I’ve been a witness, like many of you, to what has and has not worked over the years. I, along with so many others, care deeply about the direction we take and the manner in which we address these issues. As we move forward to implement our city’s comprehensive plan for the future, as well as any recommendations from our flood mitigation study, taxpayers deserve a council member who has already proven to be a good steward of taxpayer funds. In addition, council’s efforts must be directed toward preserving property values while steadily improving infrastructure. Continued support of our firefighters, EMTs, police officers and city staff is essential as they, together with responsible and responsive government, make Jersey Village the premier place to live and raise a family.
What are your top priorities if elected?
My single focus as a council member is to vigorously represent the wishes of our citizens. Based on conversations with citizens, core issues of concern are: emergency services, flood mitigation, protect property value, and transparency in government. As a council member, I’ve introduced a measure to vastly improve transparency in government by proposing that the same material given to council will be made available to the public in advance of each council session.
Flood mitigation has always been a priority during my service on council. Immediately upon beginning my term in 2015 and nearly a year before the Tax Day Flood, I proposed the formation of a Citizen Flood Committee out of concern that not enough was being done to protect against another flood event. Progress on flood mitigation must be made in order to protect the long term welfare of our citizens as well as their property values. However, as important as the flood mitigation issue is, supporting desirable economic development and proactive zoning along the areas impacted by the [Hwy.] 290 expansion and within the community in general is especially critical at this time. Having served many years in law enforcement, controlling crime and proactively managing traffic in our city will always be paramount in my view. I understand that addressing sinking sidewalk panels, poor street drainage, and community recreation and beautification projects are essential and directly impact our property values.
What past experience do you have that you think will serve you well on the Council?
As a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a retired captain of the Harris County sheriff’s department, and most recently as a retired lieutenant with the [Jersey Village Police Department], I offer years of experience in recognizing and addressing public safety issues impacting the protection of your life and property. There can be no compromise in the quality of our emergency services. Upon retiring from law enforcement, I transitioned to private industry as director of safety and loss prevention for a regional auto dealer group. In this position I routinely deal with complex commercial insurance issues and mediations, much like those confronting our city, and I conduct oversight of various issues of federal compliance. My experience in this position dovetails nicely with many aspects of my service on council and provides me with relevant professional experience and perspective on city issues.
I truly believe community involvement represents one of the core values of our city. My record of public service is long-standing and goes beyond simply attending meetings as a member of the Jersey Village City Council. During my term on council, I organized the first Military Appreciation Day in our area in cooperation with Pastor Godfrey of Foundry Methodist Church. This inaugural event was held in May 2016 and featured a major military museum and other historical groups resulting in a one-of-kind event. In addition, I facilitated the Red Cross Golf Tournament event at Jersey Meadows raising much needed funds for victims of the Louisiana floods. In response to the Tax Day Flood, I purchased over $3,000 in food items funded by corporate and individual donations and distributed these goods to Foundry and Jersey Village Baptist Church for delivery to flood victims in our area. I’m an active member of the JV American Legion Post and a former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church where I serve as a trustee.
Bobby Warren[/caption]
Why are you running for Jersey Village City Council?
I am running for city council to move our government forward on issues of concern to our citizens. I have spoken with hundreds of my neighbors over the past year, and they tell me that they need a servant leader who puts the interests of the community first. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for Jersey Village.
What are your top priorities if elected?
My top priority is to implement recommendations from the long-term flood study in a timely and fiscally responsible manner. We must also continue to focus on development in our city. Through implementation of the Jersey Village comprehensive plan, we can develop amenities and attract businesses to our city which will allow us to compete with master planned communities in the area. I want Jersey Village to return to its rightful place as the premiere destination for families and businesses in Northwest Harris County.
What past experience do you have that you think will serve you well on the Council?
I am a licensed attorney that has worked both in private law practice and in the corporate world. Currently, I assist a major oil and gas company with legal and corporate policy compliance in awarding and managing over $1 billion in contracts annually. During the recent downturn in oil prices, I worked with our suppliers to save my company $120 million in cost reductions on those contracts. This experience will be invaluable as I protect the interests and tax dollars of the citizens of Jersey Village.
Bobby Warren[/caption]
Why are you running for Jersey Village City Council?
I am running for city council to move our government forward on issues of concern to our citizens. I have spoken with hundreds of my neighbors over the past year, and they tell me that they need a servant leader who puts the interests of the community first. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for Jersey Village.
What are your top priorities if elected?
My top priority is to implement recommendations from the long-term flood study in a timely and fiscally responsible manner. We must also continue to focus on development in our city. Through implementation of the Jersey Village comprehensive plan, we can develop amenities and attract businesses to our city which will allow us to compete with master planned communities in the area. I want Jersey Village to return to its rightful place as the premiere destination for families and businesses in Northwest Harris County.
What past experience do you have that you think will serve you well on the Council?
I am a licensed attorney that has worked both in private law practice and in the corporate world. Currently, I assist a major oil and gas company with legal and corporate policy compliance in awarding and managing over $1 billion in contracts annually. During the recent downturn in oil prices, I worked with our suppliers to save my company $120 million in cost reductions on those contracts. This experience will be invaluable as I protect the interests and tax dollars of the citizens of Jersey Village.
