On behalf of the Committee to Elect Jermaine Reed for the 3rd District-In District Kansas City, Missouri; City Council, I would like to extend a very sincere and heartfelt thank you to the voters in the 3rd District for their gracious support of me. I am committed to your mission to Energize and Restore the 3rd District through creating job opportunities, improving our neighborhoods, and empowering our youth. I am truly humbled by your belief in me.
I am pledging to the voters that I will work effectively, professionally, and diligently with my City Council colleagues and newly elected Mayor to build relationships and coalitions, helping them to understand and support the problems and issues that we face in the District. I will emphasize to them that with their support; the 3rd District will retain its glory and health contributing to the vitality of the entire city. Also, I want to remind residents that I was raised by a single mother who struggled and sacrificed to help me go to college and pursue my dreams, and I will work hard to ensure that every young person in the District, who would like to follow their dreams, gets the same positive opportunity that I was blessed to receive.
As I traveled around the community during the campaign season, meeting and greeting residents; as well as, participating in forums, my main theme centered on creating job opportunities…this is my first priority. I would like to quote one of my mentors, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, who always says that the best economic development program is a job. The 3rd District has the highest percentage of people living in poverty and one of the highest unemployment rates in the area at 14 percent. My specific approach to job creation will include working closely with state legislators and economic development organizations to provide incentives that will bring funds to the District, linking market-driven project job opportunities. I will also work with these entities and with small businesses to establish a neighborhood and sustainability job opportunity program. Enhancing small businesses will be the key as they are the lifeblood of a community. Nationally small businesses have generated about 70 percent of new jobs annually according to SBA statistics; and overall, one in every two Americans in the private workforce is employed by or owns a small business. My goal is to raise the stature of small businesses already located in the 3rd District and to explore ways that we can encourage start-up businesses to set up shop and thrive in the District. My plan will include researching and hopefully implementing tax-based incentives and business grants for small businesses that hire youth and 3rd District residents.
Of course, my plan for the 3rd District includes other issues such as neighborhood revitalization, crime reduction and comprehensive education programs, but I believe that if we can help put people to work this will be the first step in building confidence and pride once again in the great city of Kansas City
Once again, I want to thank you for your vote. I truly believe, with your help, WE WILL Energize and Restore the 3rd District. God Bless us all!
Our Pledge - Energize and Restore the 3rd District
- Create Job Opportunities
- Improve Our Neighborhoods
- Empower Our Youth
About Jermaine Reed
- born & raised in the Ivanhoe Neighborhood of the 3rd District
- a scholar of the
Kansas City Missouri School District ….graduate ofNortheast High School - received a degree in Political Science from
University ofMissouri inColumbia - former National Spokesperson for Youth Service Day
- named “Best Activist” in 2001 by The Pitch Magazine
- Entering my 12th year as a Community Volunteer
- Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Group Against Crime
I look forward to assisting you when and where you need it as much as I can. I believe in you, but most importantly, you believe in yourself! Thank you for giving my 4 nephews a role model...Thank you for rolling up your sleeves and shoveling snow...Thank you for listening to the residents...Thank you for returning to Kansas City to ensure that our people are Restored, Energized, and EMPLOYED! Thank you.
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