Patrick Answers Again

Recently Patrick Williams was contacted by a concerned citizen of Shreveport about the future of the Broadmoor area. This was his question and Patrick’s reply to this local citizen:

“Dear Patrick,

I live in Broadmoor and I am very concerned with the neglect of road and street maintenance as for as the weeds, leaves, water and dirt (from the gas line construction) piled up on the sides of the streets and intersections that is making not only our neighborhood but the city look trashy and dirty.  Several of the streets in my area have water standing on each side of the road all the time….what do plan to do to clean up our streets, and  help keep our area safe?”

 Dear Concerned Citizen of Shreveport,

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your concerns with me.  The two issues you have brought to my attention are definitely part of my vision in making Shreveport a better place to live.  Shreveport discontinued street sweeping many years ago.  This service was not only something that kept our streets looking good, it was also good for the environment and something that needs to be re-implemented again.  It will be part of my overall plan when I am elected on November 4th.  As for as your question about keeping your area safe, Public Safety is one of my top 3 priorities for the City.  It is my intent to address the way public safety priorities are set today and implement changes that will ensure that community oriented policing becomes an even bigger part of our police department. I would also like to increase patrols in our neighborhoods to enhance citizen safety.

Even though this was a quick and short response to your concerns, please understand that I really care how our City looks and is kept up.  I want to see all of our citizens feeling safe in their neighborhoods and anywhere they go in our City.  Sometimes I believe that our elected officials have forgotten that they are public servants and that they work for all the citizens and this attitude needs to change.  It is my intent and promise to place emphasis on doing a better job in taking care of our 6 basic services to ensure our neighborhoods are safe, our fire department is the best and most efficient it can be, our garbage is collected and disposed of in the most efficient and environmentally sound manner, that our streets and drainage have an efficient preventative maintenance program in place, that we ensure we have sufficient and safe drinking water and that our sewer system is operating environmentally safe.

Hopefully, this addresses your concerns and I humbly ask for your vote on November 4th.  Should you have additional questions or concerns, please check out my web page at www.patrickcwilliams.com .

-Patrick

Edited by Cadie Hancock

Walking the Walk

For years now, Representative Patrick Williams has been focused on helping children within the Shreveport community raise awareness about childhood obesity and autism. Through this passion of helping children, Williams helped fuel a walk in which he named “Walking the Walk” which hit its seventh year as an annual event.

“Walking the Walk” begins at the start of every legislative session and is a 226-mile trek from Shreveport to the steps of Louisiana’s State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The walk helps raise awareness about childhood obesity and autism with the help of participants’ registration fees.  Sponsorships within the community, such as Blue Cross And Blue Shield of Louisiana, and the Odyssey Foundation have also helped every year to raise money that goes directly to families who are living with individuals of the Autism Spectrum Disorder and who are living with obesity, to help provide and assist them with the latest resource materials. The money also continues to help fund the Autism Resource Library located in Shreveport.

 

For the walk, Williams worked closely with the Odyssey Foundation, which is committed to “reducing childhood obesity and illnesses that affect the growth and development of children.” These words are what Patrick Williams continues to work by when it comes to children illnesses.

Patrick Williams is also a main participant in this walk and tries to encourage and maintain roughly 20 miles a day to get to the State Capitol. The journeys usually ranged from 12-15 days to completion with over 300 participants annually.

Through William’s efforts on this awareness and start of this walk, he was named Legislator of the Year by the YMCA and State Representative of the Year by the Louisiana Assembly on School Based Health Care. Williams understands that childhood illnesses and epidemics such as obesity and autism are growing in the state and country, and he’s committed to doing whatever necessary to move Louisiana forward if elected Mayor to resolve these issues affecting our children.

This April will mark the seventh year for “Walk the Walk”. Patrick Williams plans to once again participate in honor of Shreveport’s children. The Odyssey Foundation provides more information about how you can join Patrick to “Walk the Walk”!

Details are as follows:

What: 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Autism Resource Library in Shreveport, Louisiana.
When: Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 8:00am to 12:00pm.
Where: Stoner Boat Launch located on Clyde Fant Parkway

Registration:
$25 for Adults
$10 for Children under 18 and College Students with an ID at any age
$15 for Senior Citizens over 65

Can’t make it to the event? No matter! You can always donate.
Patrick, the Odyssey Foundation,
and the children of Shreveport thank you!

Youth Essential for Shreveport’s Progress

Question: Honestly, this question may be perhaps the least fair of the three for a random citizen to ask you; however, I still feel compelled to ask. Although your competition has not been decided officially yet, numerous names have been thrown around. Although I’m sure each candidate has different priorities, it is undeniable that other candidates undoubtedly want to address at least SOME of the issues you do.

Assume for a moment that whoever becomes the next mayor can ONLY address one issue. Which issue do you think is most important, and do you think your method for addressing that issue would vary significantly from your competitors. I realize that ideologies might vary differently, so you could assume I am only asking about your variance from others of similar ideological stances.

Answer: The issue I think is most important, even though not listed as one of my top priorities, is the issue of retaining our young people. If we lose the critical thinkers, the individuals that prioritize and make conscious decisions, we lose the possibilities of reaching the potential for growth and progression that Shreveport has been poised for, for so long.

By improving our educational system, aggressively addressing economic development opportunities, cleaning up our blighted neighborhoods, reducing crime and ensuring that the finances of the City are sound for the future, which are listed as my priorities that will give us a more educated work force and better paying jobs that will keep our young people in Shreveport and allow for us to have better social outlets for the entertainment of our citizens. This is why it is so important to keep our young people in Shreveport as a family unit that can grow and prosper together into the future and become the leaders of tomorrow.
You also ask, “Do you think your method for addressing that issue would vary significantly from your competitors”. My answer is a resounding yes. Not being arrogant, but being confident and assured. I am sincere and not in it for self gain. I’m not interested in doing only that, that will assure my re-election, but I’m interested in doing what’s best for people and this City. I did the walk from Shreveport to Baton Rouge, 226 miles, 4 years in a row to bring awareness to Childhood Obesity and Autism because I care, simply because I care. I love Shreveport and I want to see Shreveport Progress and we can only do that by working Together.
Thank you for your questions and I look forward to much more dialogue with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Patrick

Sustainability in our Blighted Communities

Question: Both your “Top Priorities” list and your “First 100 Days” list contain a line about “identifying and cleaning up blighted neighborhoods”. I just wanted to know what you consider a “blighted neighborhood” and what “cleaning up” would entail? I realized I was curious about your criterion and specific plans for these neighborhoods.

Answer:  There are many explanations for “blighted neighborhood”, The Associated Press (2009) suggested that Mr. David Brown Kinloch, of Louisville, KY went into a “blighted neighborhood”, “unsightly rows of vacant homes where crime flourished into a model of urban renewal”. With vision, blighted areas can become neighborhoods of renewable green energy developments. When I think of blighted neighborhoods, I think of boarded up homes, abandoned properties and slum lord properties, to include Downtown properties as well. I passed a bill in 2013 to address the issue of adjudicated proprieties to reduce the wait time from 3 to 5 years to 18 months, in order to get these proprieties back on the rolls and back into commerce. Blighted neighborhoods are eyesores that I want to eliminate and create green spaces, gardens and flourishing communities.

Thank you for your questions and I look forward to much more dialogue with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Patrick

 

“We Need Our Young People”

Question: Your priorities largely address Shreveport’s social and economic problems (income disparity, budgetary reform, bureaucratic optimization, etc). I realize that local government is largely driven by these “people­ problems”, but there are undeniably issues concerning our city that are outside these fields. Do you have any issues important to Shreveport that you’d like to address that are outside these issues?

Answer: There are multiple issues which are important to Shreveport that I would like to address One important issue is the “FACT” that young people are leaving, not only Shreveport, but Louisiana. This is a very important issue to the growth and progression of Shreveport. We not only have to create the technical environment to retain our young people, but as well, the creation of a much needed social environment is equally important. We have to encourage younger people to get involved in the political process. Not only get involved, but run for political office. We have to address the educational issues in Caddo Parish. If we don’t, we will not be able to retain our existing population, even more, the hope of attracting new citizens or businesses will be out of the question.

 

Thank you for your questions and I look forward to much more dialogue with you in the future.

Sincerely,
Patrick

 

Patrick Williams embraces the “Now” Generation

State representative and mayoral candidate Patrick Williams is serious about taking his bringing his campaign into the digital age.  William’s social media campaign is spreading, and Shreveport’s younger generation is taking notice.

Recently, a young voter reached out to Williams over Facebook to present a share of questions concerning the shape of the city. Williams promptly thanked the voter for reaching out and promptly responded to the questions. Throughout his response, Williams emphasized how important it was to get the younger generation involved in what’s happening in the city.

“We have to encourage younger people to get involved in the political process,” Williams wrote. “Not only get involved, but run for political office.”

Social media has allowed elected officials and candidates to humanize their responses to voters and address them more directly. Social media has a huge impact on an election, and it’s not only important – it’s critical. Campaigns aim to inject themselves into conversations on social media where political dialogue often takes place among citizens. Representative Williams has harnessed the power of social media since he first announced his bid to run for the Shreveport mayoral seat.

For his campaign, Williams’s social networking presence has been established on the major platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn – and he also has a blog on his website wwwpatrickcwilliams.com.

Please check out our blog sites, website and social media platforms for the full Q&A session between Patrick and the young voter over the next few days. 

Seeking a Better Shreveport Through Higher Education

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” –Nelson Mandela

 Patrick’s extensive academic experience has prepared him for the long road he must travel to become Shreveport’s next mayor. Leveraging his knowledge base and skill set, Patrick Williams will drive the city towards positive change.

Patrick began his college education at Southern University, a public university located in Shreveport, Louisiana. After completing the undergraduate program with a Bachelors of Art in Architectural Engineering, Patrick decided to continue his education and pursue a Masters degree. His decision to stay in his hometown of Shreveport allowed him to enroll in the prestigious private university of Centenary College and completed all requirements for a Masters in Business Administration.

 Once graduated, Patrick went on to become a Graduate Senior Executive in the State and Local Government, from the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Program. The Senior Executive program provides students with a strategic approach to problem solving while learning how to achieve leadership roles and discover ways to look at issues from new perspectives. Skills that Patrick learned from this program and past education will help him develop new approaches to issues throughout Shreveport and help find growth within new possible solutions, which will continue with change for the city. Williams is currently pursuing his PhD. in Applied Management and Decision Science with a specialization in Organizational Leadership from Walden University.

 Patrick is now an Architect Consultant as well as a State Representative for Louisiana’s 4th District, Caddo Parish, and proud owner of his own company, Williams Enterprises, LLC. Patrick notes that having education and experience is necessary to become a successful mayor. More importantly an individual needs to have a love for the people in the community in which he or she will be serving. Patrick wants to continue pursuing education to show the city of Shreveport that through education and growth we can create leaders to help change the world.

Campaigning in the Social Era

Over the last ten years the digital landscape has substantially evolved. Gone are the days when the majority of individuals received their news from daily newspapers and the periodic local newscast. Now we live in a world where the majority of individuals have access to all the information they could ever want at any time, day or night. People receive their news on Facebook and Twitter more so than anywhere else. This has substantially changed the way candidates can connect with their constituents. In fact, connectivity has altogether opened up the possibility for candidates to interact with individuals in a much more intimate and personal manner. In particular, social media has made it so that candidates can share a wide variety of content with a diverse number of people. Now it doesn’t take extensive town hall meetings for citizens to voice their questions and concerns. Instead, someone looking to ask a candidate a question can simply post it on Facebook or Twitter and receive an answer in close to real time.

The Patrick Williams campaign embraces this shift in campaign strategy with open arms. Patrick Williams has made it his objective to be a social media pioneer in the Shreveport/Bossier area and actively works to reach out to the citizens of Shreveport. The result of this has been a campaign that has tapped into the heart of what Shreveport really needs. Never before have we been able to confirm the needs of the constituents in the way that we can today. This has given rise to the IAmWithPatrick social media campaign. At it’s heart, this campaign is designed to allow citizens of Shreveport to express their solidarity with Patrick Williams and his vision for Shreveport by creating badges and hashtags that rebroadcast his message across individuals social networks. This new way of broadcasting support and spreading campaign media has already produced a visible following that is sure to grow as the campaign continues over the coming months. Not only is the IAmWithPatrick campaign taking place on Facebook and Twitter, but also Google+, Linkedin, Youtube, Instagram, Flickr, Blogger, and WordPress. Please consider liking Patrick Williams Facebook page and putting up the IAmWithPatrick badge to voice your support for Patrick and his dream for a healthy and thriving Shreveport.

Twelfth Night in Caddo Parish

It’s Mardi Gras season in Louisiana!

While the tradition of Twelfth night reveling can be traced back to medieval Europe, Mardi Gras has been a continuous tradition in Northern Louisiana, namely Shreveport, since the 1990’s when a huge parade of twelve Mardi Gras floats took the streets. It is now one of the biggest attractions and most successful celebrations in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Based on the tourism bureau, the parades increase year after year, helping to grow Louisiana’s income as well as Shreveport’s local economy through food, drinks, and hotel reservations, while also providing fun and family-friendly activities for the community. This local income is usually estimated to bring in over $8 million in direct revenue each year for the city of Shreveport, which is directed from overnight visitors, day trip visitors and locals. These parades also help bring in people from all around the world including as far as Finland. Over forty floats run each year and are supported on a volunteer basis, with many local companies serving as float sponsors.

Patrick hopes to continue this support and participation throughout the community not just through Mardi Gras season, but also all year long. This extreme direct revenue helps boost Shreveport’s economy from the slow decline that it is in, which is a focus that Patrick will be working on if elected Mayor.

Here is Patrick out supporting our local Krewe’s for this years’ parades, as well as the Krewe of Centaur Mardi Gras Ball.

Taking a Look Back

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”

– John F. Kennedy

Patrick C. Williams’s main purpose is to see Shreveport truly live up to its potential.

November 2007, shortly after he was elected,was just the beginning toward Williams’s impact on Shreveport.

After earning a Bachelors of Art degree from Southern University and a Master of Business Administration from Centenary College, Patrick knew he was ready to rise to the challenge of being State Representative for District 4. Now he has set his sights on Mayor. To understand where Williams’s wants to take Shreveport, it’s important to learn about what he has already accomplished for the greater good of District 4. As Representative for the State of Louisiana, Williams has voiced his solutions for Health Care, especially

in the cases of children. He has introduced and sponsored bills to provide better access toward health care services for pediatric autistic patients and stood behind Medicaid coverage for the treatment of obesity in children.  With this in mind, Patrick Williams decided to start a yearly walk from Shreveport to Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s state capitol, at the beginning of each legislative session called “Walking The Walk”, which has gained support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, a substantially-large insurance group in Louisiana. This event rose awareness for Childhood Obesity and Autism in Louisiana and especially in the Shreveport area.  Through his extra efforts, Williams was named Legislator of the Year by the YMCA and State Representative of the Year by the Louisiana Assembly on School Based Health Care.

Patrick has also helped to bring a group of investors with the Private Investment Association of China to Shreveport with the purpose of gathering ideas and gaining support for projects that would aim to enrich the area, by  supplementing existing businesses, as well as help create and grow new industries in the state and in Northern Louisiana. The generous amount of time and attention that he has already shown Shreveport is what will help Williams become and sustain the title of Shreveport’s next great mayor. Patrick Williams’ efforts in the past only speak of his great success in the future endeavors.