Dear Friend: Im embarking on a new venture and I want you to be one of the first to hear about it, because its success depends on the participation of friends like you who really care about the future. Harris County will elect a new County Judgethe chief executivein the November 2008 General Election, and Im excited to tell you that I have decided to seek this important office. I will spend the next fifteen months convincing voters we need a change in county leadership. Harris County government is a critical part of this major American metropolitan center. Now home to more than four million people from every corner of the globe, Harris County is growing so fast we will be adding population equal to the entire City of Dallas in the next twenty years. We have been growing for many years and for many good reasons, most associated with our reputation for being a good place to do business. Growthmanaging it and making it workis a challenge county leaders will face for decades. The new County Judge will play a key role in setting the course to meet this unprecedented challenge. The impact of the County on our families is sweeping. From ports to hospitals, courts to constables, toll roads to taxes and with a budget topping one billion dollars, Harris County government affects us all. A new County Judge, one with extensive business experience in planning, management and financewho wont wait for problems to grow roots before solving themcan make a real difference in preparing our county for the future. And the future is what this election is all about. I have been fortunate to build a successful business from scratch while also being extremely active in the civic and charitable works of our community. I have learned many lessons in my business and civic work that have prepared me well to guide the County through the challenges it faces. I look forward to the opportunity of working for all of the citizens of Harris County and devoting all my experience and energy to that effort. I will bring a new and fresh approach to leadership and problem-solving at county government. I want to steer a more direct course to environmental excellence and commit more effort to improving the quality of life for all county residents. I will also push for updated rules on ethics covering all our countys elected officials, its employees and the vendors who provide it goods and services. Taxpayers deserve transparency in County business and program decisions, to have ready access to full and frequently-updated financial disclosure information from elected and appointed county officials, and to receive prompt, efficient and accurate responses to requests for public information.
I also propose improvements to the countys financial management. Harris County must be organized and managed in a straightforward businesslike manner. Policies and goals must be clearly articulated and methodologies established for measuring success and correcting shortcomings. Experience has taught me that by giving people clear goals and holding them accountable, much can be accomplished. As chief executive officer, it is up to the County Judge to lead the way, because the better the county can set and manage spending priorities, the better the outcome for the taxpayers bottom line.
I have many more ideas to discuss with you and others who care so much about our community, but it takes a substantial amount of resources to communicate with the vast number of voters in Harris Countythere are nearly two million registered voters in our county. And, as with most things worth doing, campaigns require the help of many to be successful. That is why Im asking you to be one of the first to join the David Mincberg Campaign for County Judge.
By donating today you can start the effort to bring change to Harris County governmenta change that will better prepare our area for the future.
I pledge to conduct a campaign of which you will be prouda campaign that discusses the issues important to our community. I look forward to working with you on this new venture and if you have any suggestions or thoughts concerning the County or the campaign, please pass them along to me at dmincberg@mincbergforcountyjudge.com.
Thank you for your support.
David Mincberg
P.S. The official campaign kick-off event will be Tuesday evening, October 30, details to follow but be sure to hold the date.
