Raymond Whiteside

Education I plan to work with local higher education officials to expand scholarship opportunities, increase programs, and grow their student populations. Education I'm not against private schools; I'm just against funding them with public money with no equity and no oversight. I'm also in favor of expanded Pre-K programs to capitalize on the phase when our brains are developing faster than at any other point in our lives. Economy I pledge to work with all area chambers of commerce to find ways to help our aspiring entrepreneurs here in Crittenden County. This could be training, down-payment assistance to purchase a building, tax relief, repair money, or just simple advice. Healthcare I pledge to assemble a coalition of local healthcare professionals, mental health experts, trainers, gym owners, and city officials to see how we can promote healthy living and healthy outcomes in our community. Housing We will build a pipeline of homebuyers by working with local Realtors, lenders, credit counselors, and city officials to help residents build up credit scores and take advantage of federally-funded down payment assistance and low-interest loan programs. Arts / Culture I believe we need splash pads, more playgrounds, walking trails, bike trails, museums, community gardens, a movie theater, bowling alley, skating rink, and everything else all the other suburbs of Memphis have. And I don't just mean in West Memphis and Marion; I'm talking about attractions in our rural communities, too.