James Perry: Specialty Contractor, Business Owner and Gulfport Native

Name: James Perry

Ward: Council Member for Ward 3

Opponent: Incumbent Jennifer Salmon

Occupation: Owner of J. Perry Cabinets and Finished Carpentry Inc.

Education:

• Boca Ciega High School Class of 1974
• Contractor Training at Pinellas Vocational Technical Institute
• 10 years of Contractors Continuing Education

James Perry is a specialty contractor, business owner and Gulfport native. Now, he's asking for your votes for Ward 3 City Council Member. Perry says it's time for him to "step up" and represent his ward and his City. You could say local politics run in his family.

"My father was on the City Council in the '60s, and my mother was on the City Council in the '90s," Perry said.

Perry says his priorities are also in line with his parents, specifically his mother. Perry says his mother believed in the police department and was adamant that Gulfport needed to keep it's own police department.

Perry says if elected, he will work hard to keep the Gulfport Police Department  in Gulfport. He says he's "very concerned" that the city could lose the department due to budget shortfalls and the down economy.

"I know it boils down to the budget, and if getting rid of the police department is the best thing for the city, that's one thing.

"People don’t realize when they put their heads on their pillows at night, how safe they really are (because of) the Gulfport Police Department."

Perry also hopes to lure more boats to the Gulfport Municipal Marina, see more children get involved with the Gulfport Little League and encourage more education about code enforcement issues and ordianances in the city.

Perry says he is aware of complaints and issues with drug activity in Ward Three. He urges neighbors to keep a watchful eye and report incidents to the Gulfport Police Department.

"I think that the city knows that there’s drug activity, and it’s just not solved overnight. I believe that they’re doing the right thing. It is very important to report any kind of drug activity. People need to help out a little bit with watching out for themselves and others, too."

Perry wants everyone to know that he supports city services, is thankful for growing up here, and wants to help mold the future of the city for generations to come.

For more information

Perry does not have a campaign manager. A website and Facebook page have not yet been set up. You can contact James Perry at his home at (727) 384-1807 or via email at jperry4council@aol.com.

The citywide vote is Tuesday, March 13. For more information about the municipal elections, refer to the the city's website.

Gulfport Patch has a Ward Map with this story.