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Jason
Harlow
Dear
Fellow Citizens,
My
name is Jason Harlow, and I would appreciate your vote on February
27, 2001.
I
am 23 years old, and I have been self employed for over two years
with a nationwide hot air balloon company. I started this company
from scratch when I was 20 years old, and have since seen rapid
growth.
 I
keep many animals, most of which are of the exotic type, enjoy
music, and storm chasing.
I
decided to run for mayor for a number of reasons. I have lived in
Lincoln almost my entire life, and I am not pleased with watching a
good town slowly lose everything that it once had.
Lincoln
at one time had eight major employers, a bustling downtown, and a
population of over 17,000 people. If you will reminisce with me for
a moment, and go back 15 years, Lincoln was a striving community. We
had much to offer residents, and tourists. But what happened ???
We
are now down to only a small handful of major employers, a downtown
with many vacant buildings, a crumbling road system, and leaders
that do not seem to realize any of this.
Very
recently, Lincoln has lost businesses, Staples, and Stage. What did
the Ritter administration do to try and prevent this from happening
? Personally, I would have sat down with both management and asked
them what is it that Lincoln would be able to offer them to stay.
Perhaps there would have been nothing to change their decision to
leave our city. But how would we know if we didn’t try?
Another
issue that I feel needs addressed is west side fire protection.
Lincoln Fire Department is an excellent department in terms of
manpower and equipment, but in terms of location, they fail
miserably. Currently, it takes approximately 3-8 minutes to reach a
fire or accident scene west of College Street. In inclement weather,
this time is increased further.
If
Lincoln had a one or two truck station near Woodlawn and Lincoln
Parkway, the response time would be minimal. The faster response
time might make the difference in saving someone’s life.
However,
have any of my opponents shown concern for families and businesses
on the west side of Lincoln?
Another
issue I feel needs addressed in Lincoln, is the growing drug
problem. Day after day, the police records show many arrests on drug
charges. I would like to drive drugs out of Lincoln, once and for
all by proposing strict fines and imprisonment for those who choose
to break the drug laws.
The
money acquired from these drug users would be used to fund
festivals, street repairs, attract new business, and help rejuvenate
downtown. There would also be a strict policy for repayment of these
fines, to insure that these criminals are punished.
I
would also like the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of
Lincoln’s youth. At this time, there is no place in which they can
gather at that is safe, and secure. If we do not take care of our
youth now, they will simply leave town when they are older, and
Lincoln will not have the benefit of that population in the future.
The
rising costs of gasoline, and heating fuels has me very concerned.
It is simply amazing to me, that towns all around us have cheaper
gasoline. I would form a committee to investigate why this is the
way that it is. Lincolnites should not be forced to pay any prices
higher than the surrounding communities.
Recently
while visiting some residents, two of the main concerns they voiced
were water bills, and property taxes. There are very easy ways to
remedy both of these concerns.
I
feel the city government should once again take control over our
water works system, and bring relief to these skyrocketing prices
for a natural resource such as water.
The
city could also cut property taxes by 1 to 2 %, and use the income
from my drug enforcement policy to more than offset the revenue
loss. I realize that 1 to 2 % is not a drastic amount of money, but
any relief would be helpful to many residents.
In
conclusion, I have many ideas on how to change our community for the
better, but can not do it without your support. If you are ready for
a change, I ask that you support me, and together we can make
Lincoln, a town that you can be proud to call home.
Best
Wishes,
Jason
R. Harlow
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