Dear District 12 Voters,

I have been a hands-on community leader for a decade in my own neighborhood of Mount Vernon. When I began to work for the community it was struggling; we had so many unmet needs, that it was overwhelming: crime and dirty streets and alleys. I jumped in anyway, taking a position on the board of the Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association, where I have served as a board member or as president for almost ten years.

During that time, I put together a large and active membership of dedicated residents, motivated businesses and outstanding institutions to turn Mount Vernon into the vibrant, successful community it is today. I want to take my years of experience, my passion for neighborhood life, my expertise as a public safety leader, and my career as a business person and put that to work for the entire 12th District.

I have worked with almost every member of the current City Council, every mayor and most agency heads during my leadership in the Mount Vernon community. I know how to solve our public safety problems because I am out on the streets at night leading volunteer security patrols with the police. I have worked closely with police officers and police commanders at every level on public safety issues. I have built alliances with surrounding neighborhoods, development teams, aspiring new business owners, city agencies and elected officials to bring vitality, safety, trees, clean streets and alleys, community-desired development and recreation for families to Mount Vernon.

No one will work harder for you, listen more to you, respond faster to you and bring results home to you like I will.

There is too much work to do in our district to have a council member who is invisible, ineffective, or too busy writing plans and reports to get the job done.

I will be on your doorsteps, in your living rooms, and at your churches on a regular basis, listening to your concerns and getting results on the issues we care about: public safety, vacant buildings, job growth, attracting businesses, clean and green, recreation for our kids, and getting our outrageous property taxes to a competitive level.

I care about every District 12 neighborhood as deeply as I care about my own. I know that we can bring vitality, safety and success to every block of the 12th District if we all work together and if I am given opportunity and honor of serving as your city council representative.

Jason Curtis