Congratulations to the 2014 Legislative Champion of the Year!

Congratulations to Shreveport's own Patrick C. Williams, the 2014 Legislative Champion of the Year!

Creating Meaningful Dialogue

Patrick Williams is all about transparency. In order to maintain it, he must give the citizens of Shreveport the politically balanced information that they need about issues concerning our city. Patrick keeps this transparency by using the power of social media for his campaign.

More Shreveport citizens are becoming aware of how strongly Patrick maintains his online presence. As such, people are starting to bring their concerns to him through various social media platforms – and he isn’t shy about responding. He knows that creating meaningful dialogue about the state of the city requires communication across the board. His multiple social channels allow citizens to address him directly and keeps the dialogue flowing.

Stay tuned over the next five weeks to follow up with the latest news, updates, and information Patrick will provide to the citizens of Shreveport. If there's something that you would like to ask Patrick, contact “I Am With Patrick” via any social media handle or email iamwithpatrick@gmail.com and Patrick will personally address your questions/concerns.

Edited by Keaton Roberson

I Am With Patrick is up to 300 likes on Facebook!

We've made it to another milestone! As always, we thank you, the people of Shreveport, for your conitnued support!

Patrick Answers Again

Recently Patrick Williams was contacted by a concerned citizen of Shreveport about the future of the Broadmoor area. This was his question and Patrick’s reply to this local citizen:


“Dear Patrick, I live in Broadmoor and I am very concerned with the neglect of road and street maintenance as for as the weeds, leaves, water and dirt (from the gas line construction) piled up on the sides of the streets and intersections that is making not only our neighborhood but the city look trashy and dirty. Several of the streets in my area have water standing on each side of the road all the time….what do plan to do to clean up our streets, and help keep our area safe?”


Dear Concerned Citizen of Shreveport, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your concerns with me. The two issues you have brought to my attention are definitely part of my vision in making Shreveport a better place to live. Shreveport discontinued street sweeping many years ago. This service was not only something that kept our streets looking good, it was also good for the environment and something that needs to be re-implemented again. It will be part of my overall plan when I am elected on November 4th. As for as your question about keeping your area safe, Public Safety is one of my top 3 priorities for the City. It is my intent to address the way public safety priorities are set today and implement changes that will ensure that community oriented policing becomes an even bigger part of our police department. I would also like to increase patrols in our neighborhoods to enhance citizen safety. Even though this was a quick and short response to your concerns, please understand that I really care how our City looks and is kept up. I want to see all of our citizens feeling safe in their neighborhoods and anywhere they go in our City. Sometimes I believe that our elected officials have forgotten that they are public servants and that they work for all the citizens and this attitude needs to change. It is my intent and promise to place emphasis on doing a better job in taking care of our 6 basic services to ensure our neighborhoods are safe, our fire department is the best and most efficient it can be, our garbage is collected and disposed of in the most efficient and environmentally sound manner, that our streets and drainage have an efficient preventative maintenance program in place, that we ensure we have sufficient and safe drinking water and that our sewer system is operating environmentally safe. Hopefully, this addresses your concerns and I humbly ask for your vote on November 4th. Should you have additional questions or concerns, please check out my web page at www.patrickcwilliams.com.

-Patrick

Edited by Cadie Hancock

Walking the Walk

For years now, Representative Patrick Williams has been focused on helping children within the Shreveport community raise awareness about childhood obesity and autism. Through this passion of helping children, Williams helped fuel a walk in which he named “Walking the Walk” which hit its seventh year as an annual event. 

        

“Walking the Walk” begins at the start of every legislative session and is a 226-mile trek from Shreveport to the steps of Louisiana’s State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The walk helps raise awareness about childhood obesity and autism with the help of participants’ registration fees.  Sponsorships within the community, such as Blue Cross And Blue Shield of Louisiana, and the Odyssey Foundation have also helped every year to raise money that goes directly to families who are living with individuals of the Autism Spectrum Disorder and who are living with obesity, to help provide and assist them with the latest resource materials. The money also continues to help fund the Autism Resource Library located in Shreveport.

 

For the walk, Williams worked closely with the Odyssey Foundation, which is committed to “reducing childhood obesity and illnesses that affect the growth and development of children.” These words are what Patrick Williams continues to work by when it comes to children illnesses.  

Patrick Williams is also a main participant in this walk and tries to encourage and maintain roughly 20 miles a day to get to the State Capitol. The journeys usually ranged from 12-15 days to completion with over 300 participants annually.

 

Through William’s efforts on this awareness and start of this walk, he was named Legislator of the Year by the YMCA and State Representative of the Year by the Louisiana Assembly on School Based Health Care. Williams understands that childhood illnesses and epidemics such as obesity and autism are growing in the state and country, and he’s committed to doing whatever necessary to move Louisiana forward if elected Mayor to resolve these issues affecting our children.

 

This April will mark the seventh year for “Walk the Walk”. Patrick Williams plans to once again participate in honor of Shreveport’s children. The Odyssey Foundation provides more information about how you can join Patrick to “Walk the Walk”! 

 

Details are as follows: 

 

What: 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Autism Resource Library in Shreveport, Louisiana.
When: Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 8:00am to 12:00pm.
Where: Stoner Boat Launch located on Clyde Fant Parkway

Registration:
$25 for Adults
$10 for Children under 18 and College Students with an ID at any age
$15 for Senior Citizens over 65

Can’t make it to the event? No matter! You can always donate.Patrick, the Odyssey Foundation,
and the children of Shreveport thank you! 

Youth Essential for Shreveport’s Progress

Question: Honestly, this question may be perhaps the least fair of the three for a random citizen to ask you; however, I still feel compelled to ask. Although your competition has not been decided officially yet, numerous names have been thrown around. Although I'm sure each candidate has different priorities, it is undeniable that other candidates undoubtedly want to address at least SOME of the issues you do.

Assume for a moment that whoever becomes the next mayor can ONLY address one issue. Which issue do you think is most important, and do you think your method for addressing that issue would vary significantly from your competitors. I realize that ideologies might vary differently, so you could assume I am only asking about your variance from others of similar ideological stances.

Answer: The issue I think is most important, even though not listed as one of my top priorities, is the issue of retaining our young people. If we lose the critical thinkers, the individuals that prioritize and make conscious decisions, we lose the possibilities of reaching the potential for growth and progression that Shreveport has been poised for, for so long.

By improving our educational system, aggressively addressing economic development opportunities, cleaning up our blighted neighborhoods, reducing crime and ensuring that the finances of the City are sound for the future, which are listed as my priorities that will give us a more educated work force and better paying jobs that will keep our young people in Shreveport and allow for us to have better social outlets for the entertainment of our citizens. This is why it is so important to keep our young people in Shreveport as a family unit that can grow and prosper together into the future and become the leaders of tomorrow.
You also ask, "Do you think your method for addressing that issue would vary significantly from your competitors". My answer is a resounding yes. Not being arrogant, but being confident and assured. I am sincere and not in it for self gain. I'm not interested in doing only that, that will assure my re-election, but I'm interested in doing what's best for people and this City. I did the walk from Shreveport to Baton Rouge, 226 miles, 4 years in a row to bring awareness to Childhood Obesity and Autism because I care, simply because I care. I love Shreveport and I want to see Shreveport Progress and we can only do that by working Together.
Thank you for your questions and I look forward to much more dialogue with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Patrick

Sustainability in our Blighted Communities

Question: Both your "Top Priorities" list and your "First 100 Days" list contain a line about "identifying and cleaning up blighted neighborhoods". I just wanted to know what you consider a "blighted neighborhood" and what "cleaning up" would entail? I realized I was curious about your criterion and specific plans for these neighborhoods.

Answer:  There are many explanations for "blighted neighborhood", The Associated Press (2009) suggested that Mr. David Brown Kinloch, of Louisville, KY went into a "blighted neighborhood", "unsightly rows of vacant homes where crime flourished into a model of urban renewal". With vision, blighted areas can become neighborhoods of renewable green energy developments. When I think of blighted neighborhoods, I think of boarded up homes, abandoned properties and slum lord properties, to include Downtown properties as well. I passed a bill in 2013 to address the issue of adjudicated proprieties to reduce the wait time from 3 to 5 years to 18 months, in order to get these proprieties back on the rolls and back into commerce. Blighted neighborhoods are eyesores that I want to eliminate and create green spaces, gardens and flourishing communities.

Thank you for your questions and I look forward to much more dialogue with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Patrick

We Need Our Young People

Question: Your priorities largely address Shreveport's social and economic problems (income disparity, budgetary reform, bureaucratic optimization, etc). I realize that local government is largely driven by these "people­ problems", but there are undeniably issues concerning our city that are outside these fields. Do you have any issues important to Shreveport that you'd like to address that are outside these issues?

Answer: There are multiple issues which are important to Shreveport that I would like to address One important issue is the "FACT" that young people are leaving, not only Shreveport, but Louisiana. This is a very important issue to the growth and progression of Shreveport. We not only have to create the technical environment to retain our young people, but as well, the creation of a much needed social environment is equally important. We have to encourage younger people to get involved in the political process. Not only get involved, but run for political office. We have to address the educational issues in Caddo Parish. If we don't, we will not be able to retain our existing population, even more, the hope of attracting new citizens or businesses will be out of the question.

Thank you for your questions and I look forward to much more dialogue with you in the future.

Sincerely,
Patrick

Patrick Williams embraces the "Now" Generation

State representative and mayoral candidate Patrick Williams is serious about taking his bringing his campaign into the digital age.  William’s social media campaign is spreading, and Shreveport’s younger generation is taking notice.

Recently, a young voter reached out to Williams over Facebook to present a share of questions concerning the shape of the city. Williams promptly thanked the voter for reaching out and promptly responded to the questions. Throughout his response, Williams emphasized how important it was to get the younger generation involved in what’s happening in the city.

“We have to encourage younger people to get involved in the political process,” Williams wrote. “Not only get involved, but run for political office.”

Social media has allowed elected officials and candidates to humanize their responses to voters and address them more directly. Social media has a huge impact on an election, and it’s not only important – it’s critical. Campaigns aim to inject themselves into conversations on social media where political dialogue often takes place among citizens. Representative Williams has harnessed the power of social media since he first announced his bid to run for the Shreveport mayoral seat.

For his campaign, Williams’s social networking presence has been established on the major platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn – and he also has a blog on his website wwwpatrickcwilliams.com.

Please check out our blog sites, website and social media platforms for the full Q&A session between Patrick and the young voter over the next few days. 

Patrick Williams Aids the Community #patrickwilliams #progresstogether #shreveport #iamwithpatrick2014

Campaigning in the Social Era

Over the last ten years the digital landscape has substantially evolved. Gone are the days when the majority of individuals received their news from daily newspapers and the periodic local newscast. Now we live in a world where the majority of individuals have access to all the information they could ever want at any time, day or night. People receive their news on Facebook and Twitter more so than anywhere else. This has substantially changed the way candidates can connect with their constituents. In fact, connectivity has altogether opened up the possibility for candidates to interact with individuals in a much more intimate and personal manner. In particular, social media has made it so that candidates can share a wide variety of content with a diverse number of people. Now it doesn’t take extensive town hall meetings for citizens to voice their questions and concerns. Instead, someone looking to ask a candidate a question can simply post it on Facebook or Twitter and receive an answer in close to real time.

The Patrick Williams campaign embraces this shift in campaign strategy with open arms. Patrick Williams has made it his objective to be a social media pioneer in the Shreveport/Bossier area and actively works to reach out to the citizens of Shreveport. The result of this has been a campaign that has tapped into the heart of what Shreveport really needs. Never before have we been able to confirm the needs of the constituents in the way that we can today. This has given rise to the IAmWithPatrick social media campaign. At it’s heart, this campaign is designed to allow citizens of Shreveport to express their solidarity with Patrick Williams and his vision for Shreveport by creating badges and hashtags that rebroadcast his message across individuals social networks. This new way of broadcasting support and spreading campaign media has already produced a visible following that is sure to grow as the campaign continues over the coming months. Not only is the IAmWithPatrick campaign taking place on Facebook and Twitter, but also Google+, Linkedin, Youtube, Instagram, Flickr, Blogger, and Wordpress. Please consider liking Patrick Williams Facebook page and putting up the IAmWithPatrick badge to voice your support for Patrick and his dream for a healthy and thriving Shreveport.

The Right Priorities

Mayoral Candidate Patrick C. Williams of Shreveport has the right priorities. Many of the bills he has reviewed and voted upon consist of issues that largely affect citizens of greater Shreveport. Among these issues are the topics of retirement funds, public education, job growth, city infrastructure, health care, taxation, military benefits, and even smaller recreational bills.

Take a look at some of the bills that
Patrick Williams has supported andpassed in the past few years. Do youthink Patrick Williams would be theright candidate for you?

HCR 188: SCHOOLS/FINANCE-MFP: Urges and requests BESE (Board of Elementary and Secondary education) and to recognize and include increased per pupil funding as part of FY 2013-2014 base

HB 4: RETIREMENT/COLAS: Provides a permanent benefit increase to certain retired members and beneficiaries of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana

SB 153: EMPLOYMENT: Creates the Equal Pay for Women Act.

HB 128: LAW ENFORCEMENT: Provides for survivors benefits for tribal police officers and firemen

HB 582: EXCEP PERSON/DISABLED: Provides relative to parking spaces for certain disabled persons

SCR 27: COMMITTEE STUDIES: Creates the Joint Human Trafficking Study Commission.

HB 233: MEDICAID: Creates the La. Health Care Independence Program

HB 256: TAX/PROPERTY: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the redemption period for blighted, abandoned, uninhabitable, or hazardous property sold at tax sale

SB 197: TAX/TAXATION: Extends income tax credits for the rehabilitation of certain owner-occupied residential structures.

HB 630: TAX CREDITS: Provides for the transferability of the income tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic commercial structure

HB 617: TAX RETURN: Creates an income tax checkoff for the Louisiana National Guard Honor Guard for Military Funerals

Other Bills Include:

SB 123: Designates October 25th, 26th, and 27th as “Care Enough to Wear Pink” days in Louisiana.

HR 130: Recognizes June 14, 2012, as National Flag Day and commends La. citizens for their military service

HCR 50: Requests that the National Football League reconsider the penalties imposed upon the New Orleans Saints

HB 378: Prohibits outdoor smoking within 25 feet of certain exterior locations of buildings and other enclosed areas in which smoking is prohibited currently

HCR 107: Requests members of the legislature to host an Obesity Awareness Walk within their respective districts and designates April 13, 2010, as “Obesity Awareness Day

Get To Know Patrick Williams

January 2014 has been a great month for the Patrick Williams campaign. We’ve seen an extremely large outpouring of community support in a relatively short period of time. Patrick Williams is committed to building his platform around the needs of Shreveport. In the past this would have meant constituents would have to show up to an event in order to voice their concerns or ask for specifics about his platform. However, Williams is on the fringe of social media and is committed to reaching citizens of Shreveport from anywhere at anytime. We strongly encourage all citizens to take to their favorite social media platform to keep in touch with the Williams campaign, voice their support, and most importantly ask Patrick Williams the questions that matter to you.

This approach has been largely neglected by candidates in the past and has left many voters without any real actionable knowledge about their candidates’ personal beliefs and political platforms. Patrick William’s campaign team will continue to aggressively answer any questions you might have via twitter, facebook, and many other platforms. If you are already a supporter of Patrick Williams please consider following him as well, there will be valuable information released over the next few months as the election process continues. Please consider downloading your ‘I Am With Patrick’ social badge as well to let everyone know where you stand. Listed below are all of the ways you can keep in touch with Patrick Williams via social media. We look forward to hearing from you.

Social Media Accounts:

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/iamwithpatrick

Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/iamwithpatrick

Blogger:

http://iamwithpatrick.blogspot.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/iamwithpatrick

Instagram:

http://instagram.com/iamwithpatrick

LinkedIn:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/iamwithpatrick

Google+:

https://plus.google.com/+Patrickcwilliamsiamwithpatrick/posts

Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/113971716@N06/

As always, thank you for your continued support.

Progress. Together.

Shreveport Needs Patrick Williams

Shreveport Needs Patrick Williams.It has been an extremely exciting month for the Patrick Williams Campaign. Since his official announcement to run for mayor at the beginning of January we have already seen an overwhelming amount of community support for his bid. The general consensus estimates that not only will Patrick Williams be an excellent mayor, but his leadership is something that the city of Shreveport desperately needs. District 8 Commissioner, John Escude eloquently stated “If you look at where we are headed we have suffered severe population decline and out[ward] migration. If you’re not growing, you’re dying”, Escude believes that a strong mayor like Williams is critical to addressing these issues and went on to state:“It is incumbent upon us to elect the next mayor who has a vision to stop the outward migration, secure the tax base, to take care of infrastructure needs, to make us business friendly, get quality jobs here, and try to bring the school systems up a notch.”Agreement with Williams platform is the primary driver in community support for his mayoral bid. However, his outstanding character, moral compass, and unending love for the city is what really has voters filled with excitement. When asked about his character Charlette Edwards who is the Executive Director of Ananias Inc. in Shreveport had this to say:“Morally he is just a good guy. So you can support that. When you realize that [people you already think so much of] are actually good at what they do and want to make a difference you get really excited about supporting them, because you want to see them win.”Friends and family of Williams could not be more excited to see Williams to lead Shreveport in a new and prosperous direction. When asked why he supported Patrick Williams, long time friend Pastor Dennis Everett Senior stated:“Because of his heart and what he desires for the people. I’ve known him since he started in politics and he is not in it just for the position, but in order to better improve the conditions of Shreveport. I think Shreveport needs him, because he is for Shreveport.”Even though it is relatively early in the race. It is extremely encouraging to see the outpour of love and support that Patrick Williams campaign has seen from the community. As stated by the citizens themselves, Shreveport needs Patrick Williams.

Patrick Williams on the radio!

Patrick Williams will be on the Weekend Show(8 -10 am on Saturdays). 100.7FM,1340AM, or stream (Iive) from supertalk1340.com. Click “LISTEN LIVE”. 

See Patrick C Williams on YouTube!

I Am With Patrick - http://bit.ly/1eBCJeE

Patrick Williams for Shreveport Mayor 2014

Pastor Dennis Everett Sr. shares his testimonial for Patrick C. Williams - http://bit.ly/1en21x9

Look out for a Blog This evening

Ready to wrap up this busy week? So are we! Check in this evening for this week's recap!
#iamwithpatrick #shreveport #louisiana #shreveportmayor2014 #iamwithpatrick2014

Patrick Williams attends LA Film Festival Kickoff during 2014 Mayoral Campaign

Patrick Williams attends LA Film Festival Kickoff- 2014 Mayoral Campaign - http://bit.ly/1dgCt4j

Published on Jan 16, 20142014 Mayoral Candidate Patrick Williams attends the LA Film Festival Kickoff Party on January 14th, 2014 at Artspace in Downtown Shreveport, in hopes of sharing enthusiasm for Shreveport's progress with filmmakers and enthusiasts alike.

Patrick Williams Announces Candidacy for Mayor

January 5, 2013Contact: Amy Jones
337.303.7119 or amy@hijones.com

Shreveport, LA – State Representative Patrick Williams joined hundreds of family, friends and supporters this afternoon to formally announce his candidacy for Shreveport mayor. Joined by his wife, Karanda, Williams made it official in the fellowship hall of the Lake Bethlehem Baptist Church on Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. “I couldn’t start this journey and not go back to the place that is my foundation. I’m proud to start this campaign for mayor on the Cooper Rd. I believe in the people of this great city, the community and our existing businesses. We have been poised for growth for so long. We have the natural resources and the ability and the want to make us thrive. We need strong leadership for the future of Shreveport and I am that leader.” Running on the theme of “Progress. Together.” Williams went through the main issues he will focus on as mayor, with economic growth topping his list. “We are going to make economic development a top priority. We are going to bring in jobs that pay good wages. People are tired of talk. They want progress and that is what my administration is going to give the people of Shreveport.” Williams also plans to address blighted neighborhoods and instituting public/private partnerships to revitalize some of the cities most downtrodden areas. He also highlighted the importance of a mayor that will collaborate with police, fireman and first responders to make city streets all city streets safer for families and his intent to work closely with the school board administration to make high quality public education available to every student at every school in the city.

About PatrickPatrick Williams is currently the Louisiana State Representative for District 4 and is a former Caddo Parish Commissioner. He owns his own architectural engineering consulting company and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture Engineering from Southern University and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from from Centenary College. He has completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He and his wife Karanda have been married for 19 years and live in Shreveport.