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Tony T. Yarber
Office Seeking: City Council Ward 6
Candidate Website: www.voteyarber.com
Age and date of birth: 31 years old March 17, 1978
Education: Forest Hill High Graduate
B.S. Elementary Education- University of Southern
Mississippi
M.S. Education Administration and Supervision-
Jackson State University
Principal Leadership Institute- Millsaps College
Profession: Educator- Principal, Marshall Elementary School
Community Involvement: Pastor, Motivational Speaker, Youth football coach, Martial Arts instructor
Past public office: N/A
Spouse/family names: Rosalind, Carmen-14, Cameron-6, Toni Michelle-3
Contact info: 769-798-6200
Platform: Restoration of Values: See MESSAGE section on website.
Questionnaire Responses:
1. Explain how and why you would provide good leadership for your ward.
I will provide quality leadership through systems management, accessibility, and holistic accountability. I have served in various leadership service positions throughout my life and recognize, most importantly, that when people voice their trust and confidence in my ability to lead that I owe them the responsibility and respect of always making the decisions that will promote the advancement, sustenance and well-being of those I serve.
2. What are your infrastructure priorities, and how would you pay for infrastructure repairs?
We must approach infrastructure issues comprehensively. Specifically, in South Jackson where drainage is as big an issue as the need for street resurfacing, efforts to deal with drainage and street resurfacing should be addressed and handled on two fronts, both from the point of local government and citizen responsibility. It is our challenge as citizens to be sure we are keeping our drainage system free of debris. This may mean looking at various practical, citizen-focused strategies, such as challenging citizens to bag leaves and freshly cut grass rather than blowing them into the streets. A similar measure has been taken in Hattiesburg and proven successful as they have seen drainage issues decrease by almost 50% during recent substantial rains. We have to be creative as well as daring in securing funds. First and foremost, there should be a reinstallment of the grant writing division to identify, target and secure available funding. Additionally, the city must explore the possibility of a toll, payroll tax for non-residents working in Jackson, as well as gain control of wasteful spending.
3. What measures would you propose/support for combating crime in the city?
I support four major strategies:
1. Establishment of a Crime Prevention Unit with the emphasis on “Prevention”
2. Community policing that involves a collaboration between local precincts and neighborhood associations
3. Increasing police visibility, accountability, and compensation.
4. Engaging faith-based and non-profit organizations to participate in plugging the real missing element in the lives of some of our citizens – Values. People commit crimes, not because of poverty or convenience, but on the contrary, crimes are committed when citizens do not value hard work, responsibility, and integrity. A coordinated effort to mobilize and empower our non-profit sector will prove key in the reduction of crime in the city.
4. How would you handle the police chief position? Would you support returning to a full-time chief? Why or why not?
I would support a chief who has a heart for the city, proven leadership, respect of his/her peers, and a plan to combat crime, stabilize JPD’s budget, and boost the morale and safety of the officers under his/her watch. I would also support a chief who understands the importance of technology’s role in crime fighting as well as continued professional development for the city’s officers. These efforts would require a full-time commitment and thereby justify a full-time chief.
5. What are your economic-development priorities for the city?
Our first priority/commitment must be to the existing businesses and small businesses, concentrating our efforts to provide a safe environment for these businesses to operate. Secondly, we should do a better job of making Jackson more business-friendly by reducing the amount of red tape to start a business. Finally, there must be a visible commitment to attract business. This commitment will be visible when we invest in infrastructure improvement, safety, and an image makeover.
6. How would you alter the employee pay/benefit structure?
As we are currently continuing to gather and thoroughly review all relevant information to take the position that would best represent the citizens of Ward 6 and the city of Jackson, I graciously decline to comment at this time.
7. How would you improve transparency in government?
Government should be for the people by the people. With this in mind, it would be my obligation to use all available resources of communication to disseminate the business and relevant information pertaining to and/or affecting the city to the citizens of Jackson and in a timely manner. I will be personally responsible for sending e-newsletters to citizens in my Ward following council meetings. I will also commit to conducting standing Ward meetings with notices about the meetings coming out as early as 2 weeks before the meeting. Finally, I commit to providing accessibility to all documents and meetings that do not compromise privacy or violate the constitutional rights of employees or citizens.
8. There are various proposals that would ostensibly help with flood control on the Pearl, and perhaps increase development and/or green space for the city. What program would you support and why?
As we are currently continuing to gather and thoroughly review all relevant information to take the position that would best represent the citizens of Ward 6 and the city of Jackson, I graciously decline to comment at this time.
9. What needs to happen to improve the relationship between City Council and the mayoral administration?
Solid leadership always seeks to provide the best service possible for those the leader represents. This sets the precedent for leaders to always make the decisions that are in the best interest of the city and its citizens – a precedent where this purpose of service supersedes every other motive or intent. Therefore, the citizens of Jackson have the awesome task of electing leadership who will never forget their purpose for leading. I have occupied positions of service leadership all of my life and have received accolades because of this philosophy which is my personal philosophy of service leadership. This is the philosophy that the future leaders of this great city mus t have. As such, relationships between City Council and the mayoral administration will be focused on what is best for the city and thereby operate on common ground.
10. What role should the city play to help the youth of Jackson? Please provide your specific plans.
Any city is only as good as its schools. Therefore, the city should pursue a seamless partnership with Jackson Public Schools to encourage its success. Many of the successful school districts around us are successful in large part because of the partnerships they have forged with their schools. Next, we must utilize our community centers to their maximum potential. We must invest in the revitalization of these centers so that they foster holistic development of young people. The city should seek to make our community centers become technology hubs as well as recreation facilities. In a ddition, efforts must be made to provide safe entertainment for young people. The city should lead the efforts in assisting the school district with intern placement. These placements give students an opportunity to experience, first-hand, the relevance of an education.
11. How would you bring new funds into the city of Jackson’s coffers?
The fiscal state of the city’s resources are no secret. With a decrease in revenue, future leadership in the city will have to be creative in bringing new streams of financial resources to the city. This will take a massive marketing effort to make Jackson a tourism city again. Our supplemental resources should come from our ability to attract tourism. The city’s commitment to infrastructure improvement, reducing crime, and attracting retail and entertainment could generate these much needed resources.
12. Do you support making Capitol Street two-way?
If making Capitol Street a two-way will foster economic growth, promote public safety, and not sap the city’s resources, then I will support.
13. What can you do/support to make the city more attractive to residents?
We must do what has been done in every thriving urban city. The city must provide and promote a safe and orderly environment, support school improvement, invest in the infrastructure, reduce blight and improve the aesthetics of each community. Job availability and creation must be sparked and marketed as well. Finally, there must be commitment to a marketing campaign that shows a Jackson on the move. This happens with leadership that has a vision and a plan. This happens with leadership that does a great job articulating that vision and plan.
14. What can you do/support to make the city more attractive to businesses?
Again, we must prove to businesses that Jackson is a worthy investment. We do that in the following ways:
1. Launch a massive marketing campaign that promotes a “Jackson on the Move”.
2. City leadership must become huge cheerleaders for Jackson.
3. Invest in infrastructure improvements and street resurfacing.
4. Restructure the process that businesses must undergo to become established in the city.
5. Foster a safe and orderly environment.
15. What is something fun/interesting about you that few people know?
Wow! Few people know that I have been training as a Martial Artist since I was 6 years old. I hold a black belt in Ninjuitsu. I also compete in full contact kickboxing.
