La Semana

Jerry Goodwin to vie for District 1 council seat

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In an exclusive interview with La Semana, Goodwin explained why he believes the district needs new leadership and outlined his goals should he prevail in the upcoming election.

“It’s always been a part of my constituti­on – of my DNA – to want to serve,” Goodwin explained, “and the opportunit­y presented itself to serve in a greater capacity when a group of individual­s in the community approached me and asked if I would consider running for city council.”

Goodwin said the top of his agenda items for representi­ng District 1 are economic developmen­t and increased housing opportunit­ies. He also feels that a better job could be done in interfacin­g with Tulsa police.

“I think there’s an opportunit­y to improve our relations with those in law enforcemen­t,” Goodwin said. “I’d like to see where we can be sure that those individual­s in law enforcemen­t are very much aware of the concerns that we have in the community, and how we can work together to establish what I consider to be a mutually beneficial relationsh­ip, where we understand where they are and what they are trying to accomplish and they also understand our concerns for our public safety and our needs.”

Goodwin said public transporta­tion is another issue with the potential to impact the district, but one he doesn’t feel has been dealt with in a manner that properly engaged the community.

“I still think there’s a need for the service, now we just need to identify where that need exists and how we can best serve and address that need,” he said.

When it comes to economic developmen­t, Goodwin likes to quote his late uncle Ed Goodwin, Jr., who said, “Business goes where it’s invited and stays where it’s appreciate­d.”

“Right now we need to create a more hospitable, more inviting, more welcoming environmen­t in our community for business to want to locate there and to do business there,” Goodwin said, pointing to the efforts of former City Councilor Jack Henderson to bring a grocery store and a QuikTrip to the district as initiative­s that need to be continued and expanded on.

“I’d like to build on those successes and look for other opportunit­ies like retail and restaurant­s,” Goodwin observed, “just having the basic amenities that any other community within the city of Tulsa has access to.”

Goodwin said there are many opportunit­ies to receive higher education and vocational training in Tulsa – some of which are free – but that not everyone knows about them.

“If we could help people understand those opportunit­ies that are available to them where they can get a free education and then turn that education into an opportunit­y to get meaningful work and have a meaningful living and lifestyle, I think that will benefit our community greatly,” Goodwin said.

District 1 has a small but growing Hispanic population, and Goodwin pledged to represent them as enthusiast­ically as all the other residents of the district.

“I’m a strong advocate for providing opportunit­ies for people to make a home here for themselves and to realize to the fullest extent what America has to offer,” he said.

Goodwin faces incumbent Vanessa Hall-Harper in the non-partisan election to be held on August 28. (La Semana)

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