Bill
Richardson
San Angelo City Council Candidate
Single
Member District One's response to The San
Angelo Fire Fighters Association's questionnaire. They do not "sit down
and talk to the candidates."
1) Moved to San Angelo in February 1995. I had taken a
severance package and early retirement from my job with the Alberta provincial government. My wife, and
RN with a Bachelor of Science Degree was looking for a full time job. Shannon Medical
Center was in Edmonton Alberta
recruiting nurses. We decided to try San
Angelo for two years. We stayed and have been here for
eighteen years.
Retired Cartographic Technologist from the
Alberta Government where I worked with, Climatologists, Foresters, Biologists, Planners,
Computer Programmers & Analysts, and GIS staff. Planned and saw large $
projects to completion. Coordinated government to private sector contracts.
Understand the strategic planning
process & how government works.
Studied
Municipal Planning, Road, Canal & Dam Construction, Graphic Arts, Computer
Programming, Topographic and Planimetric
Mapping and more at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Studied
Architectural/Mechanical Drafting & Design and Electrical Technology at the
college level.
58
years mature, married with one son. Choose to live in San
Angelo [Texas.]
Lived here for 18 years and have stake in the community. I became an American
Citizen in 2006.
2)
I want to run for city council because I feel the practical needs (infrastructure,
streets, water use of taxes and user fees)
of the community have been ignored.
I am concerned about public safety and security (police and fire
facilities, equipment and training) I have lived here for eighteen years. I have property here. My son grew up in San Angelo. I have a
state in the community.
3)
Maintain Core Services such as:
public safety, streets and bridges, water resources, water and sewer, etc.
Encourage and investigate new ideas such as the Street Maintenance
Sales Tax. Controlling the Red Arroyo flooding to use the water as city a water
source. As proposed by the Upper
Colorado River Authority.
Work
to upgrade Fire and Police Department facilities and equipment. Increase
employee benefits and incentives. Security for city employees.
Work to upgrade, repair and maintain streets on a
priority basis.
Work
to support downtown San Angelo Revitalization with a no frills approach.
Hold
the line on property taxes & user fees.
Work
to use the new revenue generated by the Cline-Shale oil boon to pay for
facilities & infrastructure maintenance, repair
4)
I was not aware the San Angelo Fire Fighters Association had a political action
committee nor that their where so many problems front line fire department face
each day. The struggle for proper equipment, the safe number of personnel deployed in day to
day operations. Getting the fire chief
and city government to listen to and act on your concerns.
5)
I believe strong, rational and informed leadership is essential to lead city
government and each city department.
6)
I worked for the Alberta
provincial government for about 20 years. As a condition of employment I became
a member of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. Since the
"union" had no right to strike it function as an association. During
my time I was the Chairperson of a local chapter responsible for about 300
members. I also served as the secretary of the local for six years. The local
was made up of 12 chapters with a total of about 3000 members. I was a union
steward for approximately 17 years. I oversaw the chapter meetings and as a
member of the local executive I was
involved in negotiations, political oversight and attending conventions. I am
well aware of the benefits and shortfalls of civil service associations.
7)
As for appointed vs. elected chiefs? In either case the individual should have
the education and experience to qualify for the job. Electing a police chief
gives me the opportunity to voice my opinion on the candidate's qualifications
and to vote yes or no.
8)
I believe it is necessary to provide pay and benefits equal to or above the
levels offered by comparable cities in order to attract and keep qualified
employees.
9)
I am hesitant to accept help or money from a civil service association because
I believe the executive committee of the association my support political
candidates not supported by all of the association's membership.
10)
I feel my strengths are my awareness of the issues facing our city, I am
thorough and a hard worker. I have the desire and ability to encourage citizens
and employees to put forward ideas to solve our problems.
