BIO  

Jim Howard graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1982.  He served as an Intelligence Officer in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall and of the Soviet Union and in support of Desert Storm I. 

In 1994 Jim graduated from Regent University Law School and spent the next five years successfully managing a small general practice law firm:  Hartelius, Howard, Crosswhite and Baker, LLP in the State of Montana.  His family’s needs drew him back to the Midwest in 2000 where he worked as a Deputy Prosecutor in Allen County under the supervision of Robert Gevers, then County Prosecutor.  In 2001, Jim moved to apply all his general practice skills in a local government capacity in support of the citizens of Fort Wayne as Associate City Attorney.  From 2001 to 2003, Jim worked in just about every attorney advisory capacity that exists in the Fort Wayne City government.  He has been centrally relied upon by the City for solid legal advice. 

In 2003, the Purchasing Department of the City was having some severe problems from both mismanagement and misuse. Over the next couple of years Jim Howard effected changes in City Purchasing, as Director, that resulted in greater efficiency, City customer satisfaction across the board and over $2 million worth of savings. He, once again, became the “go-to” person for both Purchasing questions and legal questions not only in Fort Wayne but throughout the State of Indiana. 

Jim Howard has taught Purchasing law seminars to the Indiana Municipal Lawyer’s Association.  Allen County as well as the City of Indianapolis have relied and continue to rely on for the exceptional deals they are able to receive in their vehicle buys.  Jim’s legal skills and government background uniquely qualify him to serve the Citizens of Allen County as a County Councilman. Jim is married to JoEllen and has five children.

POSITIONS

Fiscal responsibility: Streamlining government and smart government efficiencies without crippling the basic functions of government.  My legal and government experience ensures that i will do that.  I have saved the city over $2 million over the past couple of years just by restructuring how we purchase.  I would bring that knowledge to the county. I support some of the findings of the Kernan-Sheppard commission. They need to be seriously looked at and, some of them, need to be followed.

Partner with the city: The invisible partner in many things that the city does is the county. Over 75% of the county is the city and its my responsibility as county councilman to be in touch with neighborhood partnerships, homeowner associations, city and town councils and know what is relevant and happening with them and how the county budget fits into it.  I would attend these events and i would give the citizens a chance to ask “what is going on in the county?” They (too often) don’t have that opportunity.  Transparency, availability and relevance would be my key guideposts.

Allen county employees: Work with them, train them, develop them, and reward them when they find savings for the county.  Let the employees help the county find efficiencies.  They have experience and it needs to be tapped more often. I would make myself available to department heads and employees to get their concerns/insights to the table.

Representation for all of Allen County: Local option income taxes are a bad idea at a bad time for our economy but if that decision is made by city council then county council should have a voice at the table. I would advocate for real representation for the unincorporated areas in regards to local income taxes. The city needs to listen to the county as well.  True partnership is and should be a two way street.

James T. Howard, Esq.

Candidate for County Council at Large Allen County, Indiana

Source: Jim Howard Campaign

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 24th, 2008 at 3:58 pm and is filed under City & County Government. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.