WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
My name is Eva H. Crisler.
IN 250 WORDS OR LESS, PLEASE TELL US WHY YOU ARE SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE?
As a longtime resident of District 1, I am running to become only the second female supervisor ever to serve on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, and more importantly, I am running for Supervisor of District 1 so we can get beyond the rhetoric and petty politics, and start producing much needed results for our constituency, because RESULTS MATTER! I have over 15 years of experience as a social services administrator, and I have earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Jackson State University. So, I believe I possess the experience and educational aptitude to move District 1 forward. I am committed to knocking on every door in the district to discuss my plan to help restore dignity to the board and provide the most professional services possible, by supporting a more competent workforce, stimulating more business development, repairing and maintaining an aging infrastructure, and providing the necessary funding to the sheriff’s department and the emergency operations center in an effort to promote a safer Hinds County.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS/ARE THE GREATEST OBSTACLE(S) TO ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN HINDS COUNTY?
The greatest obstacle to ANY progress and development in my district is lack of leadership. And what I mean by that is, it is very apparent to me, after speaking with local business owners in my district, that the current supervisor has been noticeably absent when it comes to meeting with the business stakeholders in North and Northeast Jackson. Another obstacle is chronic vagrancy and panhandling along the I-55 N and Frontage Road corridors. This sort of activity is criminal, unsightly, dangerous, and detrimental to economic growth.
IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THIS/THESE OBSTACLE(S)?
One of the first things I plan to do in my first 90 days is to meet with most, if not all, the business stakeholders in the district to determine their specific needs to help sustain their businesses, as well as how to court new businesses to the area. After meeting with the business owners, I plan to ask them to become a member of my Business Advisory Committee (BAC), so we can tackle some of the obstacles they have identified, and collectively develop best practices to promote economic development. Also, I plan to do something similar with each of the neighborhood associations in my district. As for the vagrancy/panhandler issue, I plan to work closely with the local police and sheriff’s office to be more attentive to the potential criminal activity associated with this issue. And in doing so, I’m going to encourage them to invoke harsher penalties against the offenders, as a deterrent to those criminal actions such as vagrancy, loitering, panhandling, and traffic obstruction, which are prohibited by both state and local ordinances. And for those individuals who are diagnosed with mental illness or homeless and need assistance, we will work with our local shelters, social services providers, and mental health practitioners to assist them with their unique needs.
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WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
My name is Robert Graham, and I am running for re-election.
IN 250 WORDS OR LESS, PLEASE TELL US WHY YOU ARE SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE?
I am seeking re-election because I still have work to do. There are streets to be paved, bridges to be repaired, and economic development to be enhanced. Citizens need and deserve to have an elected official who is not afraid to say, I know what I am doing and have the experience to back it up. I am running for office because I care, and I look forward to improving the lives of the citizens in District One.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS/ARE THE GREATEST OBSTACLE(S) TO ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN HINDS COUNTY?
I believe the greatest obstacle to economic development is the lack of resources and funding and some elected officials making poor decisions not based on what is best for the county. Hinds County has tremendous potential. We are still the CAPITAL CITY of the state of Mississippi. Other cities and counties still look to us for leadership and vision and we must lead by example. Leadership is easy when no one cares who gets the credit.
IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THIS/THESE OBSTACLE(S)?
If re-elected, my number one goal to eliminate obstacles affecting the county is to lead by example with integrity, vision, determination, and accessibility. Someone once said,“The greatest obstacle to overcoming any problem is looking at myself.”
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WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
My name is Luigia Hodge.
IN 250 WORDS OR LESS, PLEASE TELL US WHY YOU ARE SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE?
I am a 30-year District 1 resident, a 1990 Mississippi State University graduate of the School of Architecture, and a mother of two adult daughters and two grandsons. I have been working in the architecture/construction industry over 35 years. I currently work all over the State of Mississippi designing and overseeing construction for school districts, from reroofing, repaving, new construction, and renovations. I am seeking the position of Hinds County Supervisor District 1 so that the problems of infrastructure, economic development, roads and bridges, poverty, and crime can be effectively addressed. I am passionate about making a difference in my community, and I believe that I have the experience, commitment, integrity, dedication necessary to make a positive impact. I am also committed to making sure that every voice is heard in our community. It is time for a change and Hinds County citizens are ready to move forward.
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS/ARE THE GREATEST OBSTACLE(S) TO ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN HINDS COUNTY?
I believe that some of the greatest obstacles may include:
1. Limited access to capital: The lack of financial resources and limited access to capital can impede the growth of businesses and infrastructure development.
2. Workforce skills gap: A mismatch between the skills required by employers and the skills possessed by the local workforce can hinder economic development. Addressing this gap through education and training programs is essential.
3. Inadequate infrastructure: Insufficient infrastructure, such as utilities: water and sewer, roads and bridges, and broadband connectivity, can limit business expansion and hinder community development.
4. Poverty and inequality: High poverty rates and income inequality can impact community development and limit economic opportunities for residents.
IF ELECTED, WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THIS/THESE OBSTACLE(S)?
Addressing these obstacles requires a comprehensive approach involving collaboration between government, businesses, community organizations, and residents. Identifying and addressing these challenges can help foster economic growth and improve the overall well-being of the community. My vision throughout this campaign has been to develop a masterplan for District 1 that embraces the concerns of the citizens of Hinds County focusing on the issues above.
The key to the challenges is to listen by analyzing the problem at hand by collecting data, conducting research, and understanding the context. This will help to identify the underlying issues and potential constraints. Another key is to prioritize the problem by evaluating the importance and urgency of different factors such as safety, functionality, budget, and code requirements to determine the most critical issues that need immediate attention. Finally, the last key is to provide Hinds County with updated industry trends, new technologies, and best practices to ensure Hinds County District 1 is equipped with the latest knowledge and tools to deliver practical and sustainable design solutions.
