I am not a politician.  I am just a Bridge City citizen who wants to work hard for our community.  I, Kenneth Prosperie, have filed to run for Place 5 on Bridge City Council. Our City Services such as clean, safe drinking water; good drainage; and good roads are what you deserve, and I have been actively working to get these issues repaired or improved through the City Council for years.

     My wonderful wife of 38 years, Peggy, and I have lived in Bridge City for over 22 years at 819 Sunnyside Drive.  We have enjoyed raising our three amazing children in Bridge City, all whom graduated from Bridge City High and completed bachelor degrees at Lamar University. Our children have blessed us with 11 precious grandchildren.  Bridge City, to us, is a family oriented community, and I want to keep it that way.

     I was very fortunate to be a product of my parents, a loving mother that took wonderful care of everyone, and my father worked at Gulf Oil for 43 years as a well-respected operator.  My Dad also worked out of his garage for most of his life as Prosperie's Auto Air, and was one of the most honest, hard-working and meticulous mechanics I have ever known.  As a young boy, I was able to bring him a cup of coffee and sweep the floor.  And through the years spent in his garage, I learned many of his mechanical and trouble shooting skills.  And for my Mom, Peggy and I were privileged to return her love and care during her failing health for the past 12 years in our home.  Not only being a product of wonderful parents, but I was also lucky enough to be employed at Gulf Oil/Chevron where I retired after 29 years of working around highly skilled, old-school craftsmen and many exceptional operators who had a wealth of knowledge.

     Along with mechanics, I have learned through those years how important it is for preventive maintenance.  Bridge City was challenged with the recent ice storm, and we could have failed if it wasn't for one of our dedicated employees.  He kept our water well from freezing up by setting up a portable fuel heater on a part of the well system that started icing up when the temperature dropped to 16 degrees. City Council should always ask our City employees what tools they need to succeed.  In this case, insulating and heat tracing for the future would be a good start. Citizens need to know that Bridge City is down to two wells from four, so we cannot afford to lose any more wells. 

     Also, why are City employees still scooping mud and water out of the water meters to read them when there is already technology installed on them to electronically send the readings to City Hall?  These are some concerns I would like to address because it takes at least two water department employees two days to go out and read meters, where they could be doing other necessary work.

      If elected, I will also focus on a safe community where our City Council and citizens say with one voice "No" to any drug houses coming to our neighborhoods. So many cities are dealing with this terrible problem, ruining good families with drug addiction and exposing our children to the dangers that go with drug activity. Our City Council needs to meet with our Bridge City Officers and Chief of Police to see what we can to do to support them in keeping our Citizens and Community safe.

     I will work relentlessly to get your concerns dealt with.  I want our City to be efficient and fiscally responsible.  I will also keep a close eye out for any profit agenda items that are not in the best interest of our City, those that could affect the safety of our families and citizens.  I will be independent, impartial, and responsible to our citizens and always have unconflicted loyalty for the best interest of the citizens of the entire city!  I am not in any special interest group or have any affiliation with any company or other private or public organization, which is requirement by our City Council Standards.

    If elected, I will be a very active Council member who will always show up, and check out all issues that arise.  Some of the best ideas and solutions  come from our fellow citizens, so I am always asking questions and listening.  I can promise you if you allow me with your vote, I don't think I'll make a difference, I will make a difference!             

     Also, I would like to thank Dave Rogers and the Penny Record for letting all candidates have this opportunity to reach out to the Citizens of Bridge City.