In the Fourteenth installment of the 2015 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire we hear from Joe Ferreira, candidate for Mayor of Houston.
Please note: Responses are directly from the candidate, and have been posted ver batim from the email received. This is done out of fairness to all candidates. Publishing these responses does not constitute an endorsement, but may be considered during the endorsement process.
TL: What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot?
JF: Joe Ferreira
TL: Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?
JF: No
TL: As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?
JF: The reason we even need government is to provide people a safe and civilized life. Government meant to be a servant of the people, not the people a servant of the government.
TL: If elected, what is your top priority in office for the upcoming term? Describe how you plan to accomplish it.
JF: Provide a flame to the public to heat their food, not hand them the food. Everyone should have opportunity to live a healthy life and provide for their families by pushing the need of a honest day’s work for an honest days pay. Houston budget is in the red and it must be fixed.
TL: After decades of deferred maintenance and neglect, Houston’s infrastructure is in a critical state of disrepair. Ask any driver, cyclist or pedestrian, and they can readily tell you that city streets and sidewalks are crumbling… some to the extent that they pose significant danger to those that would traverse them. The Parker Administration has attempted to address the problem by the voter-approved ReBuild Houston program. Knowing that the next Mayor has no choice but to invest in city infrastructure, do you support the continuation of ReBuild Houston? If yes, please explain why. If no, please explain how you would address our copious infrastructure needs differently.
JF: This subject is much like the drainage problem. The tax payers are paying a drainage fee today and the money is not being used for what it was suppose to.
TL: At present, the city of Houston has one of the strongest forms of “strong-Mayor governance” in the state of Texas, to the point that the Mayor alone decides what business comes before City Council. If elected, would you support an amendment to the City Charter that would allow any coalition of 6 Council Members to place items on the Council Agenda without prior approval from the Mayor? Whether yes or no, please explain your answer.
JF: Yes, I have always believed in managing with a strong support staff. I don’t think one individual has all the answers, however the individual should always be able to reach out and touch a subject matter expert on his or her staff.
TL: If elected, would you support and seek to continue the current administration’s Complete Streets policy, which establishes that any new or significant re-build of city streets will work to prioritize and incorporate safe access for all road users, including pedestrians, persons with disabilities and cyclists?
JF: I would support that and believe it is long overdue.
TL: What makes you the best candidate for this office?
JF: I am a retired executive and have managed a huge budget and over eight thousand employees. I am an outsider that believes in fixing it right the first time.
TL: When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?
JF: I enjoy people and have always participated in team sports like playing soccer and basketball.
Thanks to Mr. Ferreira for the responses.
Election Day 2015 is Tuesday November 3rd, and Early Voting runs from October 19th through October 30th. Check out this year’s Harris County Early Voting information for locations and times.
(Note: Texas Leftist could not locate a clear picture of this candidate)
