East Chicago is a community on the move. I am running for office to make sure we keep it that way.

I am proud of the many accomplishments we have made in a short time. There is a powerful energy in our city, and that liveliness is the result of our efforts to celebrate culture and the arts, increase public safety, revitalize our parks, foster economic development and create jobs.

Last month, four-time Grammy award-winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval played a benefit concert for Viva PATS (Performing Arts and Theatre School), a nonprofit after-school music program aimed at serving our community youth.

Sandoval complimented us on our efforts to promote the arts in our "illustrious city." Our effort to revitalize the old Carnegie Library into a Performing Arts Center typifies our commitment to encourage opportunity and partnership.

Our police department has also strategically used partnerships with various agencies to combat violence. Three weeks ago, those efforts led to a community-wide drug sweep and numerous arrests in our community. We know such concerns exist, but I can confidently say that we will keep public safety a top priority.

Another priority is our parks. Tod Park, a state-of-the-art facility equipped with new basketball and volleyball courts, baseball and soccer fields.

MacArthur Park now offers miniature golf and batting cages, and a nine-hole golf course is set to be complete by next summer. Nunez and Callahan parks are targeted for development in the spring.

Our planning and development efforts have and will continue to aggressively address the retail needs of current residents of East Chicago, and the North Harbor as well as the future residential needs based upon new housing will be developed over the next five years.

Our developers and planners are also actively engaged in the growth of the city's lakefront area in partnership with state and several local entities.

The focus is to link the community to the lakefront for ready access for motorist and pedestrians. The Regional Development Authority has awarded $1.75 million to East Chicago and Gary to analyze and research the lakefront area to determine potential development and opportunity.

Opportunity is the very reason we created our JET (Jobs, Education and Training) Program, and hundreds of residents have and will continue to benefit from our strategy to build careers. We will make sure our residents are placed in a position to succeed!

My favorite part of campaigning is meeting people and talking with them about their lives because ultimately the vision of one is a result of the power of many. I take great pride in my responsibility in representing the people and city I love.