Profiles of Houston City Council candidates Jeremy St. John and Michael Weakly. The election is April 2.
Tell us a little about yourself and your employment background
•St. John: I was born and raised in Houston, Mo. Have always in some way been involved in the community. I have served as a volunteer firefighter for 20 plus years. Currently I hold the rank of assistant chief for the City of Houston and captain position for Houston Rural Fire. Also in the public safety spectrum I have held a law enforcement commission for 15 plus years with multiple agencies within the county. I currently do hold a commission with Houston Police Dept. I’m currently employed at Whiddon’s Air and Electrical. My past work history includes lawn care, retail, warehouse and construction odd job work.
•Weakly: I am a graduate of University of Central Missouri with degrees in electronics technology and computer technology. After graduation I started working in Kansas City for Tran Systems as a network administrator, leaving there to go to work for Midland Loan Services as a systems administrator. I finished my time in Kansas City working for Alexander Open Systems as a computer consultant. I moved to Houston in 2007 as a co-owner of Hogs Breath Cycles. In 2012 I started working for Mega Motor Sports as their service manager. I have spent the last five years employed at the Houston School District as the director of technology.
If elected, what are your priorities as the Ward II councilman?
•St. John: If re-elected to Ward II we as council will continue moving forward. Houston has had a good start but has potential for so much more. We have only just begun. With the future and growth of our community comes change. We have to change to make our community competitive enough to attract new employers, retain current employers, and to just keep up with our day today advancements with technology. With all of these requires upgrades to public safety, infrastructure, and bodies to fill more employment opportunities. So, in order to fill job positions. We also have to be able to educate or teach trades for induvial to be employed.
•Weakly: My priorities as Ward II councilman are to help the council make the best decisions to meet the needs of its residents. Whether it be through budgeting and financial planning or helping to find solutions to future challenges.
Discuss long-term goals and your vision for city government.
•St. John: Long term and short-term goals I for see in the city future are as follows. For one which is in the works currently. A technical trades school and college degree program that pertains to local employer’s needs. Second item is advancement with high speed internet needs. Third item is long term loyal employee retention. The fourth item I see is the recreational options for all ages. With all the items I have listed will hopefully fulfill the next major need of our community. Retaining our younger generations to reside here and keep our growth needs to continue to blossom for future generations.
•Weakly: The city government’s goals should always be what is best for the residents. Providing dependable and reliable services to the residents that they rely every day to live their lives. Having an economic plan to help provide jobs if not careers in the area. Helping local businesses so people have local options for the things they need and help keep money in the community.
What are the biggest challenges facing the community?
•St. John: There are a couple objectives I foresee to be challenging in the next several years for Houston. Number one challenge is project funding where to find the funds for everyone’s piece of the pie. Grant funding has been very beneficial for the community. But with all good things some come to an end. Several programs over the last few years funding has begun to dry up. But with the overall cost of projects and materials continue to soar. We will have to think outside the box approach or request tax money to supplement services or discontinue them. The second challenge I see is bodies to fill jobs. This is not just a local problem but a national one. This is why I feel so admit about trades school. I feel if we can educate them here, we can hopefully retain them to raise a family here. The third challenge I see is adequate affordable housing. We need homes to accommodate not only the family’s needs but also their financial needs. With that being said we have to have the carpenters and tradesmen to make this a reality also.
•Weakly: I feel the biggest challenge facing the community is overall economic development. It is not as simple as just bringing more jobs to the area but also the need for supporting businesses and infrastructure to support and attract residents to our community.
What are Houston’s greatest assets?
•St. John: Houston has a lot of great asset but the number one I feel is our mom and pop business owner. For one they took the step to set roots in the community. Many have made many investments not only in their future but that of the community. With this being said without these risk takers Houston could not been as successful as we have become. You might ask well what do you mean successful. During a recent community assessment. The city was informed for our population size you have so many more things going for you than other cities of your same size. With that I commend not only our mom and pop businesses but yet all businesses that have invested in Houston. Without their services and collections of sales taxes Houston would be struggling with infrastructure improvements, retention, and growth.
•Weakly: I feel Houston’s greatest assets are community events and community involvement.
A one-cent sales tax has been proposed on the April ballot for police, fire and parks and recreation departments. Do you support the issue?
•St. John: My personal feelings on the one percent sales tax imitative. I feel it is very much needed the cost of training and public safety equipment continues to sky rocket. We have no control over the upward direction of cost. We must provide our public safety officials the equipment they need to make sure at the end of the day they go home to their families. We also have to look at the citizens needs to make sure they have the right tools to deal with the publics needs in a time of crisis. Now to the parks and recreation side of the tax. We have a swimming pool that probably in its life expectancy been replaced twice now. But due to prior administration the pool has been neglected to the point the cost to repair or replace is out of range for the city to budget. A recreation complex has also been requested by citizens. Which are also needs for additional funds for a structure, ball fields, etc. So, with this being said why can’t we increase other options to support these groups. Well the answer is these three departments provide a service. They for the most part do not bring in any revenue. Besides some in the municipal court and ball team program sign ups.
•Weakly: I am still undecided on the one-cent tax. I have felt that the pool has needed work and updating for some time, and with upgrades it would be a great asset to our community. We have a great Police Department and Fire Department, but I am not convinced that additional funds are needed at this time. I would have liked to have seen each department separate on the ballot, so it would not be an all or nothing scenario. I am still seeking clarification as to what each department feels additional funds are needed for that the current city budget cannot accommodate.