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

An Email from a Ward 3 citizen

A door to door encounter led to the following email. This is the reason I have focused more on going door to door rather than throwing a sign out on every corner.

I would like to thank you again for personally stopping by tonight to introduce yourself and to direct me to your website.The importance of getting out and meeting with constituents is far too often underestimated. Also, I feel too many people are uninformed voters and I admire your innovative approach. I just wanted to express my support. One issue that has concerned me over the 3 years that we have lived here has been safety. My husband is in the Army National Guard. He has been away for training for the past year and half, leaving myself and my 3 year old here alone. There have been times when I have tried to contact the Levy police department substation to report disturbances around my area and no one answers the phone for hours. I also like that you see the potential for growth and investment in this area. Levy is in a wonderful location and has a lot to offer but really does have a bad rep. I think building on the attractions in Ward 3 and creating a prosperous community environment are definitely admirable and attainable goals. It is refreshing to see a candidate that seems to understand the issues in this ward; has the plan and initiative to improve it; and is accessible and accommodating to constituents concerns.

Thanks!

steve
BECAUSE WARD 3 MATTERS!

Amboy Rally

I really appreciated the opportunity to speak in Amboy last Saturday. I am very excited by the response I am receiving in my door-to-door visits and look forward to representing YOUR INTERESTS in NLR City Government. BECAUSE WARD 3 MATTERS!

A chat with Steve

The Answer

A few people have asked me, on my door to door treks, about the scar on my head and the shape of my nose. Simply put I had a bout with nasal cancer, which I beat. It is with that same determination that I am working to be YOUR voice for Ward 3. BECAUSE WARD 3 MATTERS!

What does an Alderman do?

That is one question I have been getting asked so here is a brief answer.

The City of NLR is divided into four legislative districts or wards. Each district is represented by two aldermen who are elected by their constituency to serve a four year term. In addition to representing the interests of their ward residents, together the eight aldermen and the Mayor comprise the NLR City Council, which serves as the legislative branch of government of the City of NLR. Within specified limits, the City Council has the general authority to exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs including, but not limited to, the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare; to license; to tax; and to incur debt.

To me the key in that paragraph is "representing the interests of their ward residents". I want to work for you, BECAUSE WARD 3 MATTERS!

As of 1 Jan 2009 NLR has 3 Alderwomen on the City Council.

Communication and Accessibility

Have you ever wondered what was going on at the next City Council meeting? Ever emailed an Alderman and have not been responded to? Ever just sat and talked to an Alderman? Had trouble getting a phone call back?

One of the things about me is I am a bit of a geek. I have embraced new technology over the years and the communication possibilities it presents. Okay, so I am not a very fast texter but I do text! I love email and cell phones and the way this technology allows us to communicate. If you notice on the right of the blog I list many ways to contact me and urge citizens to use the method they are most comfortable with. Upon election I will use this website as a means to communicate with Ward 3, informing you about what is going on in our City.

There are many websites that publish the City Council agenda and I too will provide that information. So, basically you can come here and see what is going on and just look to the right for your choice of a way to contact me concerning a particular item. I applaud the City for now allowing citizen comment early in the Council meetings for legislation that will be introduced during the meeting. While this is an improved process, it isn't something everyone is willing or able to do. I will respond to all means of communication as your Alderman and be a voice for Ward 3. BECAUSE WARD 3 MATTERS!

Introducing Steve Baxter....

Hello, and welcome to my website. I am the candidate of choice for NLR Ward 3 Alderman. You are now asking yourself why. BECAUSE WARD 3 MATTERS!

A little bio information on me...

I was born and raised here in NLR graduating from NLR Ole Main in 1978 having lived in Ward 3 until entry into the United States Air Force. I served my country proudly for almost 10 years before being early released in a reduction in force program by the Air Force. There was only one place to go back to in my mind and that was here in NLR. When it came time to purchase a home I looked only in Ward 3 because to me it firmly planted my roots in the area I knew growing up.Once I returned I began watching the NLR City Council meetings and watched closely as I wanted to know what was happening in my community. It was during this time that I got an inkling that I would someday like to serve my community as an Alderman. I had served my country and was serving my state as a member of the Air National Guard and reasoned that the next step was to take that desire to serve to the most direct level, locally. I am currently employed as an avionics technician with the Arkansas Air National Guard. I am married to the former Susan Marsh of Denver, Colorado and have two adult sons.

What issues am I most concerned with...

First and foremost is the public safety of citizens. The city MUST take care of the folks who serve us in that capacity. While recent raises were a step in the right direction we must continue to take steps to make NLR THE city of choice for those who wish to pursue this type of service to others.

I am also concerned about the streets and drainage issues that are down the city expenditure list. Ward money for this infrastructure has been drastically reduced and should be at least taken back to the level it was previously to answer this citizen concern. Some of the older streets in Ward 3 are still without curbs or adequate drainage and this is 2008. I am well aware that this is primarily a budget issue and must be addressed in that manner prior to taking any action planning.

Additionally we face a challenge with our youth. While there are many groups that provide an athletic outlet for our youth we must as a community get youth involved in other positive activities as well. Idle bodies and minds create activities that aren't wholesome. While there are a few options out there, we must ensure that we do not short change them, and work towards developing them into responsible NLR citizens.

Other issues are out there too, such as swift passage of important items through City Council meetings, city department staffing, neighborhood associations partnering with the city and responsible spending of the tax payers' dollar.

These are issues that directly affect Ward 3, and as a Ward 3 resident, as a concerned citizen, and as your neighbor, I am asking for your support... BECAUSE WARD 3 MATTERS!

Thanks for visiting my site, and if you have any questions, would like to volunteer on my behalf or contribute to my campaign please contact me.