So much talk goes-out about economic development but I never hear other candidates or elected officials talking about issues of relevance... Attract major industries Improve Our Infrastructure Cut the Red Tape Seriously folks, thats the same things they ALWAYS say! Sound Byte Soliloquies are all they have to offer... Have these people not studied economics or finance as they pertain to a 21st Century Economy? Do they not realize that, in an ever increasingly global economy, we are now in competition with EVERY CITY ON THE PLANET? That brick and mortar businesses, which were great when success depended upon Location, Location, Location but now... The internet allows us to do business with people on the other side of the Planet and tell no difference than if they were next door! Technology increases efficiency so, with a shrinking population and contracting tax base, shouldnt our government be getting smaller? Instead, it remains a bloated, inefficient example of ineptitude where previous elected officials cant ensure the basic necessities of a municipality... Like ensuring law enforcement and emergency services personnel are at least paid fair wages and our infrastructure, such as streets and waterworks, are maintained Elected officials are doing LESS WORK, with WORSE RESULTS, but SPENDING MORE MONEY, despite a SHRINKING POPULATION and TAX BASE! When interviewed by the AFL-CIO, as were all candidates, I was asked if I would support raising the Minimum Wage and Merit-Based Raise for city employees I am not in-favor of a federal minimum wage because what may be a livable wage in Shreveport is not the same as in New York, or even in a small town like Minden If 1 is willing to work for lesser wages, maybe to pay into Social Security or itemize deductions but not add to their taxable income, they should be able to! By allowing wages to reach their true minimum, which is fitting for a particular market, other positions throughout the community could be indexed and adjusted That is the Only way to establish a Truly livable wage and even ridiculously high Top Executive pay could be assuaged Likewise, I have no doubt, if such a system were implemented in Shreveport our elected officials would take a Big pay cut and city employees a raise! In fact, as I propose a 1/3 reappropriation of the Citys Operating Budget to address our infrastructure, law enforcement pay raises, and unconventional micro loans I will suggest elected officials (including myself) and executives, appointed to their positions, be the 1st to have 1/3 of our pay cut... With the opportunity (and incentive!) to recoup the amounts cut through performance-based enhancements... Thats the surest way to ensure elected officials are doing their jobs and working toward the betterment of our local communitys economy! Finally, all of us have heard the hallowed goal of 3 (or 4) Day Work Weeks but that becomes an option only through the enhanced use of technology... In other words, getting more work done with less effort, resulting in fewer days needing to be worked and by fewer people The same holds true for the private sector where more work can be performed in fewer days in the office, resulting in lower operating costs and increasing profit! Telecommuting, where workers are allowed to work from home over the internet, is another modern reality that can be explored in the Shreveport city government Many employees expenses that result from working away from home could also be reduced, such as child care and travel expenses And many within the private sector would follow the Citys lead when they saw our government run more efficiently and cost effectively! These are just a few of the considerations we should consider for transforming the City of Shreveport, our government operations and regions economy... Into a 21st Century economy that embraces technology and innovation... Proving we are Ready for Tomorrow, Today! For Bold Vision and Creative initiatives, carrying us toward a more prosperous and auspicious future... On November 4th, vote: Benjamin P Arnold for Shreveport City Council, District E Shreveports 1st Independent City Councilman!
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:00:44 +0000
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