FAST FACTS:
James Harvey:
(Memphis 8/14/2009) If you ask James Harvey he'll give you his take on Memphis City Hall.
"City hall has been a castle for too long," said the Whitehaven Democrat.
But Harvey insists he's not singling out any one administration.
Instead, the lifelong Memphian believes government as a whole has lot touch with the people it serves.
"You can't give a solution to the community I live in, without including me," explained Harvey. "But, what leadership has done, is sit high too often, looking low too frequently, to determine the needs based on the way they feel."
It's why Harvey says he'll bring inclusion to the mayor's office.
He says building bridges between all segments of this diverse community will be a priority.
"These persons that want to talk about black folk verses white folk will be the same persons left behind, talking about the same thing 10 years from now," said Harvey.
But he says bridge-building can't stop with just addressing Memphis' racial divide.
Harvey says it must also extend to businesses, churches and community groups.
It's something the first term county commissioner says he's done through a lifetime as a businessman, starting companies from the ground up.
"From these opportunities and experiences, I think I'm the most qualified, ready to lead this city with the level of diversity that a lot of my competitors are clueless about."
Harvey says the first thing the next mayor must do is look at the budget and make cuts.
He says he'd turn to the the private sector to pick-up the cost of running some programs.
"Now it's time to go back even to some of the small businesses that receive tax breaks and partner these businesses up with some of the programs, and have 10 of these companies allocating a percentage of their funds in the interest of making sure some of those programs sustain themselves," said Harvey.
It's a spirit of working-together Harvey envisions spreading to schools, business, law enforcement and the government.
He believing his business mind and a willingness to think outside the box, will be enough to push voters his way at the ballot box.
"You need people who are confident, and know what they're doing and they've been tried, they've been tested and they have the ability to figure out alternatives for solutions."
Harvey says one of his first things he'd do as mayor is organize a meeting between law enforcement, school, and business leaders to discuss ways to offer new opportunities, and keep kids away from crime.
James Harvey:
- 46 years old
- Lifelong Memphian, Southside High School graduate
- Attending University of Phoenix, majoring in business management
- Divorced with a 21 year old son
- Currently a manager with Pinnacle Airlines, and Shelby County Commissioner
(Memphis 8/14/2009) If you ask James Harvey he'll give you his take on Memphis City Hall.
"City hall has been a castle for too long," said the Whitehaven Democrat.
But Harvey insists he's not singling out any one administration.
Instead, the lifelong Memphian believes government as a whole has lot touch with the people it serves.
"You can't give a solution to the community I live in, without including me," explained Harvey. "But, what leadership has done, is sit high too often, looking low too frequently, to determine the needs based on the way they feel."
It's why Harvey says he'll bring inclusion to the mayor's office.
He says building bridges between all segments of this diverse community will be a priority.
"These persons that want to talk about black folk verses white folk will be the same persons left behind, talking about the same thing 10 years from now," said Harvey.
But he says bridge-building can't stop with just addressing Memphis' racial divide.
Harvey says it must also extend to businesses, churches and community groups.
It's something the first term county commissioner says he's done through a lifetime as a businessman, starting companies from the ground up.
"From these opportunities and experiences, I think I'm the most qualified, ready to lead this city with the level of diversity that a lot of my competitors are clueless about."
Harvey says the first thing the next mayor must do is look at the budget and make cuts.
He says he'd turn to the the private sector to pick-up the cost of running some programs.
"Now it's time to go back even to some of the small businesses that receive tax breaks and partner these businesses up with some of the programs, and have 10 of these companies allocating a percentage of their funds in the interest of making sure some of those programs sustain themselves," said Harvey.
It's a spirit of working-together Harvey envisions spreading to schools, business, law enforcement and the government.
He believing his business mind and a willingness to think outside the box, will be enough to push voters his way at the ballot box.
"You need people who are confident, and know what they're doing and they've been tried, they've been tested and they have the ability to figure out alternatives for solutions."
Harvey says one of his first things he'd do as mayor is organize a meeting between law enforcement, school, and business leaders to discuss ways to offer new opportunities, and keep kids away from crime.
