In Her Words

I am fighting for more transparency (especially Financial transparency), improvement for our schools and libraries, neighborhood safety, environmental clean-up, and small business support.

I believe that Bridgeport has tremendous possibility with residents that are willing and able to make a difference. I want people to feel empowered to make a difference. Our diversity is our strength.

If we can trust our elected officials to be ethical and open, then the neighborhood community can spend their efforts on growth and involvement, rather than needing to serve as watch dog and fighting battles, which only leads to feelings of disenfranchisement and flight to the suburbs. We must restore integrity to the city administration and make it easy for investors to do business with Bridgeport.

I am running for City Council because I care about our neighborhood and city. We must use our funds more strategically and expand the grand list to grow Bridgeport. There have been too many poor decisions made, which have only benefited a select few at the expense of everybody else.

I am not interested in "politics." I am running because I feel compelled to make a difference and because I have a great deal of expertise to contribute. I am a mother, advocate, and non-profit executive with a goal of creating a safer, more open-minded, loving, financially sustainable, environmentally friendly, and community oriented city.

In 2009, after living in Bridgeport for two years, and meeting so many wonderful, committed, and diverse community members, I became inspired to bring people together in a social setting. We began inviting friends and neighbors to a pot-luck every Friday night at Seaside Park during the summer. Everyone was encouraged to bring their friends and families; anyone and everyone was invited to attend. We created community out of our large, diverse city. This was the third summer of celebrating Friday nights at the beach with neighbors and friends. I am so grateful that I continued to meet new people each and every week. Our city is full of amazing people. I believe in the power of community to create a better quality of life.

I am experienced in managing organizations, complex budgets, and organizational change. I remain committed to creating a revitalized Bridgeport for my children, and for everyone. We are as strong as our weakest link. We must remove all weak links from our City government and give the power back to the people.

I hope I can count on your vote, September 13, 2011.

Best,

Jill Hughes

VOLUNTEER