Tommy Harvey: Bossier City Council District 5

Here are some comments from Tommy Harvey on why he thinks he should be elected for Bossier City Council District 5:

• What are your qualifications for the position?  Co-owner of The UPS Store in Bossier City.  Work full time and understand the dynamics of operating a budget, planning growth and understanding expenditures.  Prior experience with LifeShare Blood Centers as Donor Recruiting Coordinator for Northwest Louisiana.  Responsible of providing all blood products for 57 medical facilities.  Responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting interviews with media.  Planned and coordinated special blood center events, including the 2 Day M*A*S*H Bash.  Managed all blood drives.  Responsible for budgeting of personnel, travel, equipment, and supplies. Retired Chief Master Sergeant, USAF, after 27 years service.  Began military career locally as a reservist with the 917^th Wing.  Went Active Duty Recruiting for the USAF Reserve Program.  Was a Line Recruiter, Flight Supervisor, Headquarters Staffer, IG Inspector, and Chief of Recruiting.  Recruiting Service experience included planning manpower needs and budgeting, writing and interpreting Air Force Regulations, responding to Congressional Inquiries, and Inspecting Recruiting Centers for compliance.
• What do you think are the biggest challenges facing your town/city/district?  Aging infrastructure is one of the challenges facing our city.  The city is focusing on upgrading underground sewer and water lines with many of the problems located in District 5.  However, many citizens of Bossier will tell you traffic flow is the biggest challenge.  While emphasis has been placed on the north/south flow of traffic with Airline Drive, Benton Road, and Swan Lake Road I do not believe the bottleneck on those street will improve until we seriously address the continuation of I-220 to the south.  I-220 was originally planned to be a loop around Bossier/Shreveport and ariel evidence exists to support that plan.  Continuation of I-200 would alleviate traffic congestion on Barksdale Blvd, Airline Drive and Benton Road.  With easy access to the north, south Bossier residents will more likely shop and dine in north Bossier rather than deal with the traffic going to Shreveport.
• If elected, what will you do to help your constituents?  The citizens living in District 5 deserve the finest representation.  They ought to have someone willing to go that extra mile for their needs and/or concerns.  I am a proven leader and will conduct regular District 5 meetings.  To be a successful leader you have to be a good listener.  I will take the opportunity at these meetings to listen to their concerns and encourage their participation in developing solutions.  As their councilman, I must not only identify problems, I will bring possible solutions to the table, too.  The number one budget objective for Bossier City is to improve current levels of service to our citizens.  I will focus on the very issues that make Bossier City one of the most attractive cities to live and work.