Running for the Midland City Council at-large seat is James R. “Bull” Henry. In an interview with Midland Times, the candidate reveals his motivations, vision, and strategies for addressing key issues within the city.
MT: Can you provide a brief introduction about yourself?
My name is James R. “Bull” Henry and I am originally from Beaufort, South Carolina. I graduated from Sunrise High School in Beaufort, and I came to Midland in 1980 to make a living. I am a carpenter by trade and I've built almost all the apartments off what's now Loop 250 and I stayed busy with that for awhile. In 1988, I went to High Sky Children's Ranch and that's where I found a passion of mine. Next thing I know, my wife and I welcomed over 50 foster children, four being our biologically own children. From there, I went to work for the Stay Together program through High Sky which provided in-home counseling services for at-risk families in West Texas.
In 1999, I began working for Midland County, specifically under Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Judge David M. Cobos, serving as Texas' first Juvenile Case Manager. As the director of the Midland County Truancy Court, I initiated and developed the Alternative Sentencing Program, which includes the Midland Teen Leadership Academy.
Over my 20 years with Midland County, I played a key role in establishing the most successful truancy program in the state and the highly acclaimed Alternative Sentencing Program. This program received a Texas Association of Counties Best Practice Award in 2004 and was selected as one of the top 10 best county programs in the state.
I also worked closely with Austin to help create and present legislation to lawmakers regarding juvenile justice issues and the Texas Justice Court Training Center. I’ve worked with all categories of local government such as Midland ISD, Midland Police Department, Midland County Sheriff Office and many more, before my retirement from Midland County in 2019.
Essentially, I have been building and promoting Midland for nearly 45 years.
MT: What motivated you to run for the Midland City Council at-large seat?
I have been retired for 4.5 years now, and I have been a resident in Midland for so long. Once I read the news of Councilman Dan Corrales passing away and realized that an open seat was on the city council, a light went off in my head telling me that I had to run for that seat, and that it was time for me to get back involved with the city of Midland. I’m very excited to be getting back into the matters of Midland and to help voice the concerns of residents.
MT: What specific experiences do you have that makes you well-suited for this role?
I believe my people skills, my knowledge of Midland, and my desire to meet with people make me well-suited for this role. I have the same deep values of respect and morals that all West Texans share together and we all look out for each other. Given my past experience, I am an expert at getting all kinds of people to work together and agree to disagree, and to also come to decisions that are for the best interests of residents. I take pride in my ability to build, maintain, and repair relationships. I also have extensive experience with government policies, legislative issues, and case management.
MT: What key issues do you consider the most pressing for the city of Midland, and what is your vision for addressing them?
I see a lot of things in Midland that could always be improved. For example, potholes and infrastructure deserve to be prioritized.
When it comes to public safety, I want to make sure MPD has what they need and find a way to keep them in, given the shortage we’re currently dealing with.
Freshly graduated Midland students need to be given a wide range of career paths that they can involve themselves in where we can keep them in Midland. We are always needing jobs to be filled and we can find a way to get these students to utilize their unique expertise.
I am all for improvements and developments, but let's make sure we are keeping Midland money in Midland and invest in things that are going to benefit Midland taxpayers.
We need to tap into our most valuable resources.
MT: What strategies do you propose to promote economic development in Midland and ensure sustainable growth?
My strategy is simple: I am going to listen to anything and everything that residents have to say concerning economic growth and what residents believe are necessary in order to keep the cost of living under control and attainable. That will be my entire job, and I will help do what needs to be done.
MT: What measures do you believe are necessary to enhance public safety in Midland, and how do you plan to work with law enforcement and the community?
We need to get the police department fully staffed and in order to do that, we need to find ways to successfully develop the recruitment process of law enforcement and make Midland safe for all residents. Awareness needs to be raised about the essential vital role law enforcement plays in the community and helping our city remain a secure community.
MT: How do you plan to approach budgetary decisions and ensure fiscal responsibility for the benefit of Midland taxpayers?
We need to look at how much we have to spend and align that with what budgetary decisions we need to prioritize.
For fiscal responsibility, once we figure out how much we have to spend and what we need to invest in, we need to make sure we're getting the most we can for our dollar. Whether that's best services or most strategic choices, we need to keep in mind the importance of what we are spending money on and get the most out of it, all while keeping taxes low for taxpayers.
MT: Are there specific areas where you see opportunities for budget optimization or reallocation of resources?
The juggling act is deciding how to allocate funds in which I will listen to the concerns of the people of Midland. Improving infrastructure is most definitely an opportunity for budget optimization. We need to ensure that residents can safely travel back and forth.
Oversight is also extremely important. We need to look at the numbers, watch those numbers, and if we decide a certain area needs money or an area already has sufficient funds, we can be productive and make those decisions for the best interest of Midland and what needs to be done. I will be out in the community and see the areas of concern and watch out for things that need to be developed by staying updated and informed.
MT: How do you intend to communicate with constituents and gather their input on important city matters?
I will be out meeting people face-to-face. I will be answering texts, following up through email, and returning phone calls. Whether it's town meetings or organizations around town, I will be present and give residents the opportunity to voice their concerns to me. I will represent all constituents that are willing to discuss city matters with me.