On to the Runoff!

First let me just say THANKS for your vote on November 2nd! I also appreciate anything you did in pushing my candidacy forward. We now face a runoff election on November 23rd. That Tuesday is just 2 days before Thanksgiving and smack in the middle of modern gun deer season. Please take the time to vote in this important race for NLR Ward 3 Alderman.

My message continues to be one of better government, increased public safety, spending YOUR dollars wisely and being accessible. I am the candidate in this race that is not afraid to use technology as a way to provide communication between you and I. If you contact me I WILL get back with you using the means I was contacted with.

My hope and prayer is that you will not only cast your vote on November 23rd for Steve Baxter, but continue to tell everyone you know that I am THE choice to be your representative on the NLR City Council and have been endorsed by the NLR Firefighters Union.

Early voting starts Tuesday the 16th until Friday the 19th from 10:00 to 5:00 at Laman Library. You will vote on the 23rd at your regular voting precinct.

steve
"Stick with Steve Vote Tuesday Nov. 23rd"

Hard Work!

The title of this post says what an election should be about. Each voter needs to ask which candidate have they seen out working hard to earn their vote. It doesn't take much to throw out a bunch of signs and send out a mail out or two. It is about getting out and meeting the voters and sharing thoughts. I went out yet again yesterday to an area where I was the first candidate to come by. The work ethic I have shown in earning your vote should be an indication of how hard I will work to represent each and every citizen in Ward 3 and the city. It is about the people not the signs on every corner of the city. I have had people each day tell me about issues they would like to see addressed...tough to do through the mail. Remember a vote for Steve Baxter is a vote for the people of Ward 3 getting their voice heard on ALL issues.

steve
BECAUSE WARD 3 MATTERS

Questions and Answers

The below was recently left as a comment on my last post. After the copied post you will find my answers.

Hi Steve-

1. Will you be an independent voice more interested in representing the constituents of your ward?

2. Will you stand up and speak out if you know something being proposed is not good for your ward?

3. Will you accept campaign dollars from anyone who does business with the city? And if you do, will you vote on issues related to them?

4. What are your feelings on expanding the trolley?

5. What are your feelings on continuing to spend money on the USS Hoga project?

6. What is your plan to bring new businesses to the Ward 3 area?

7. What are your thoughts on bringing stability to the Baring Cross (off Pike) area which lies partially in your ward?

Thank you for having the courage to run for a job that is tougher than most think. And thank you for your service to our nation through your work in the military.

I look forward to reading your answers.

1. I have gone on record before stating I want to be a statesman, representing the will of the people. I DO NOT want to be a politician representing what I want.

2. If the citizens respond as such, I will speak the will of the people. I have placed on my door to door handbill 4 ways to contact me as I want to make it as easy as possible for citizens of Ward 3 to relay to me how they fell on all issues. Upon election, if I research an issue and can inform Ward 3 as to why it is good or bad and they disagree, so be the voice of the people, my ego gets checked at the door upon swearing in to the office.

3. I have had very few donations to my campaign. The closest you could say was involved with city business would be the Firefighters Union. I would be hard pressed to vote against anything this city can do to improve the quality of service provided by our first responders. Many of the comments I hear while going door to door involve increasing our fire and police departments level of service.

4. While it is an attraction to downtown no entity at this time can say where expansion should occur that makes sense. When and if some authority says it should expand X, I will ask the people of Ward 3 and vote as they wish. Until then it should be left alone. Number crunching of daily or hourly riders should continue on an annual basis.

5. We haven't progressed further on getting it here some several years after berthing it out west. I have heard only 1 comment about it while campaigning and it was not a positive one.

6. There are several state and federal programs that can provide incentives for companies to settle here. We need to push those programs to the maximum extent possible. One thing I would stress is that we need to preserve our neighborhoods to make the families supporting those new places want to locate here.

7. A step has been made in the right direction with the recent passing of funding for LOWER Baring Cross. I would hope that creates a ripple effect northward. Argenta started slowly and spread, I don't see why the same couldn't happen in Baring Cross. A "tiger team" could be set up with residents and several departments within the city, settle on a charter and move toward that goal. ALL members working on the common stabilization goal. To my knowledge the city doesn't know how those people feel or what ideas they may have for the area. On a side note with the most recent census Baring Cross might even move completely into Ward 2.

I hope this answers your questions fully, if not you can always give me a call and we can chat.

steve
"because Ward 3 matters"

Communication

A common statement while Team Baxter has been knocking on doors is that folks bring up issues to Alderman, however, followup never takes place. When I get elected, in addition to a personal response, I will post on the web all issues brought to my attention and where the issue is in the resolution process. Some issues require coordination between City departments and perhaps organizations outside City government. Each issue brought up will be listed with a hyperlink citizens can click on to find out further information. This will keep the list cleaner.

While we are on the subject of communication, have you noticed that several candidates for Ward 3 don't list any way to contact them? It is not a far stretch to think that the sitting Alderman should certainly have a way to contact him! You will not find an email address or phone number listed on the current Aldermans' handbill. One other candidate doesn't list any contact information as well. Looking at my handbill you will find 3 ways to contact me, phone, email and my interactive website. I WANT to hear from the citizens! When I get in office you will get a response.

I continue to go door to door in an effort to EARN your vote not just GET your vote. I hope each of you evaluate which candidate has actually made an effort to earn your vote by hard work, giving an indication of how hard they will work to represent you upon election.

As always if you would like a yard sign contact me and I will gladly provide you with one, but most important is your vote for STEVE BAXTER on November 2nd!

steve
BECAUSE WARD 3 MATTERS!

Getting After It

The door to door part of the campaign is in full swing and I am having a blast! I am very tickled that many people out in the Ward remember me from my campaign in 2008. The response has been VERY positive. If I have stopped by and you like what I have to offer Ward 3 and the city, show that by requesting a yard sign to place in your yard. Bottom line is I humbly ask for your vote on November 2nd.

Steve
"Because Ward 3 matters"

Running Again in 2010

Hello and welcome or welcome back to my campaign website! I am Steve Baxter a candidate for Ward 3 Alderman in 2008 and an applicant for the position vacated by the resignation of Cary Gaines in the fall of 2009.

During the application process I was asked if I would run this fall and I answered yes. I'm living up to that statement because I continue to have a strong desire to represent the citizens of Ward 3.

I have always had a desire to serve others and have done so serving in the Air Force and Air National Guard for over 31 years. I am still serving today, however nothing means service like working for an improved quality of life for your neighbors next door, down the street and in your community.

I invite you to review the videos here on my site to get an understanding of my views towards some important issues. My promise to you is that I will view things with an open mind, research the issue and represent the wishes of Ward 3 citizens.

If you would like a sign to place in your yard, make a campaign donation or volunteer your time please feel free to contact me via email, phone or post a comment here. I would appreciate your vote on November 2nd most of all!

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!
Steve.....because Ward 3 matters!

Thanks!

We ran an honest, hard work based campaign and came up short. Congratulations to Parker and Baggett for making the runoff! I would like to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you who talked me up to your friends, placed a sign in your yard, held a sign at a poll, contributed funds, visited this site, watched me on TV and of course voted for me. I have already been asked if I would do this again, in short I need to get my weight back up, sleep more and relax for a while before I consider another run. I still have a HUGE desire to serve my local community, and in just what way that happens remains to be seen. I will continue to attend all the neighborhood meetings in Ward 3. If you are not a regular attendee of one of the meetings in your neighborhood, start attending and get involved. Volunteer for projects or committee positions. It is YOUR neighborhood, do your part to make it better. We must ALL do our part..... BECAUSE WARD 3 MATTERS!

Steve