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 I
am running for Mayor because I believe I have the leadership skills necessary to
continue moving Little Rock forward and help make it the next great American
city in the South. Like Austin, Atlanta and Raleigh-Durham, the combined
leadership efforts of government and the private sector will allow Little Rock
to prosper in our future. As your next Mayor, I am totally committed to this
goal.
Economic development and entrepreneurial activity in Little Rock cannot be
separated from “quality of life” issues. As your former Prosecuting
Attorney, I can say with complete confidence that real economic growth will
occur only after we conquer our overall crime rate problem - including the
City’s skyrocketing homicide rate. This “quality of life” issue is one of
the first things new businesses consider when looking to relocate. People
rightfully expect government to keep them safe in their homes, in their schools,
and on their streets. As a parent of two young boys and as your next
Mayor, making Little Rock safe and prosperous are my top priorities.
 Great strides have been made in certain areas of the City. The River
Market neighborhood downtown is a great example of our progress, as is the
vibrant retail and neighborhood communities in West Little Rock. However,
other neighborhoods
in the City, particularly in Mid-Town and Southwest Little Rock, face continuing
challenges, including vacant and abandoned houses that become havens for illegal
drug deals and other criminal activities. All regions of Little Rock
deserve to share in the progress we will pursue. I am committed to taking
back these overlooked neighborhoods so that the good and decent citizens who
live there can work and play without fear.
The City faces many
other challenges and as the campaign progresses I will be outlining my plans to:
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Rebuild our Mid-Town
neighborhoods with in-fill housing which will increase property values thus
reducing the pressure to raise taxes
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Develop more
recreational venues, such as parks and ball fields for our children in Southwest
and West Little Rock
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Place a police
substation in Mid-Town and make the Little Rock Police Department’s “Quiet
Nights” operation permanent
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Redevelop War Memorial
Park and the University Avenue corridor
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Provide more public
safety services to Southwest and West Little Rock
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Enhance code
enforcement to rid our city of abandoned and burned out houses
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Explore ways to make
our entire City accessible to wireless Internet services
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Partner directly with
our schools and UALR to develop programs that advance greater opportunities for
job creation
As a voter, you have the opportunity to elect new leadership. To do the things
I have outlined, I need your help and support, and most importantly, I need your
vote on November 7. Please join me in this campaign by completing one of
the online forms. If you can invite me to a neighborhood gathering, take a
yard sign, volunteer, or make a financial contribution, I would be most
grateful. Together we can make Little Rock a truly great city
to call home.
Sincerely,
Mark Stodola
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