BROWN'S TOWN: City Councilman Vies for White’s Site

Houston Style Magazine - Saturday, February 21, 2009

Announcing his candidacy a full eighteen months before the official mayoral election, City Councilman Peter Brown hoped to be the early bird that caught the worm.

Starting in January 2008, Brown was already shopping residencies for his campaign staff.  He then announced his candidacy in May of that year, at a time when most candidates were still considering the possibility.

With his hopeful tenure as Houston Mayor, Brown hopes to keep six things of the utmost importance.

Plan For The Future by updating Houston’s planning and development standards; adopt a comprehensive plan to realize a shared vision for the future and to shape the quality growth Houston citizens want.

Fix Neighborhood Flooding by implementing a comprehensive drainage plan; coordinate improvements, provide adequate funding, and set better standards to protect homeowners, businesses, and property owners.

Take On Crime by putting more police on the streets; apply advanced “hi-tech” strategies; invest in crime prevention, youth, anti-gang, mentoring, and job training programs.

Relieve Traffic Congestion by synchronizing traffic lights; coordinate highway, street, and transit improvements; expand rapid transit; build mixed-use centers to attract commuters back to the city.

Clearing The Air by setting enforceable standards to make Houston a national leader in reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; promote energy conservation, re-cycling, and “green” building.

Prepare Houston For Emergencies by preparing, adopting, and testing a comprehensive City-County emergency management and evacuation plan that addresses natural disasters, toxic spills and explosions, and terrorist attacks.
Care For The Entire Community by improving access to social services, health clinics, parks, libraries, and community facilities; improving programs for our youth and seniors; revitalizing and protecting our traditional neighborhoods; celebrating the arts and our cultural diversity; and making economy more inclusive.

Brown will face-off in November against City Controller Annise Parker and Former City Attorney Gene Locke.