In the Twentieth installment of the 2015 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire we hear from Kenneth Perkins, candidate for Houston City Council, District B
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?
KP: Kenneth (KP) Perkins
TL: Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?
KP: 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?
KP: We need justice in our society to maintain peace, bottom line public values are very important.
TL: If elected, what is your top priority in office for the upcoming term? Describe how you plan to accomplish it.
KP: Safety and public work in the community. I plan to meet with the head of staff, discuss some of the current issues and collectively we will come up with some ideals to improve issues at hand. However, I will take input from the community leaders into consideration when creating the current policies and procedures. Community Safety/ Street Condition, Weeded Area/ Abandon Building/Property.
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.
KP: Being that we are in a catch 22, I support Rebuild Houston. However lets review the program and see what can we do to make things better for us as a whole.
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.
KP: Yes however perhaps with some stipulation, allow the Mayor to visit the issue and give his or her position, prior to bringing it to the table.
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?
KP: Yes
TL: What makes you the best candidate for this office?
KP: My ability to communicate and understand the need of the community. I worked as a public servant for nearly 30 years (In The City of Houston) therefore I clearly understand the operation of business.
TL: When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?
KP: Visiting the elderly at the community center playing dominoes and cards. I actually love it!
Thanks to Mr. Perkins 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.
