As I look back on the past year, I am mindful of the many hands, minds and prayers that aided me in my bid to serve as a Member of the City Council for the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Immediately after winning my bid to represent Kansas City’s 3rd District, I realized I needed those same hands, minds and prayers if I wanted to Energize and Restore the District. I remember that night, March 22, 2011, being driven through the 3rd by a volunteer and understanding that the victory I celebrated that night would be short-lived with the work I would begin that next day. I knew that in the morning I would need to get to work creating job opportunities, improving our neighborhoods, and empowering our youth.
Over the past year we have attempted to hit the ground running. Understanding that a safe, livable and healthy 3rd District benefits the entire city, I involved myself in a variety of committees. Currently I serve on the Transportation & Infrastructure, Neighborhoods & Healthy Communities, and the Public Safety & Emergency Services Committees and the Committee on Small Business.
In September 2011, I urged the City Council to pull the 2006 Violent Crime Commission Report off the shelf and put its recommendations in action to reduce violent crime in the urban core. The mayor has since appointed the Implementation Board, which was recommended in the Violent Crime Report. The Implementation Board members will look at ways to put the suggestions from the report into action.
During the past year I introduced an ordinance which will provide green jobs and job training for more than 400 young, unemployed Kansas City residents. The Green Retrofit Employment and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Jobs Program will use locally trained workers to weatherize homes.
I am so proud that the voices of the 3rd were heard with regards to access to high quality food. Today the plan to decrease the “food desert” throughout the district is becoming a reality. From the Truman Medical Center’s planned Troost Grocery Store to the Aldi’s project on 39th and Prospect we will make our residents both healthier and happier, all the while improving the infrastructure of the 3rd district.
It goes without saying there is still much to do. But I am proud of the work we have done in such a short period of time. Looking forward, we must continue to push the idea of access. Access to jobs; home ownership; micro-commercial districts; walkable schools and access to the high standard of live afforded to all hardworking people. I know we are on our way, but we must continue to band together, pulling our resources together, in order to establish best practices which will continue to transform the 3rd District and make our district a model for our entire city.
Again, I would like to thank all of you for your dedication and support as we gear up for year two.
Yours in Service,
Jermaine Reed
Candidate for City Council – 3rd In-District
City of Kansas City, Missouri
for the 3rd District