Derrick Henry, 43
Daytona Beach
Educational consultant
Challenger
Q. What do you see as the biggest issue for the office you are seeking?
A. The budget crisis is our greatest challenge. My priorities must include:
- Dealing fairly and effectively with the fire fighters-pension dilemma.
- Abandoning the "no-growth" policies that have strangled our local economy for the last 20 years.
- Serving as the chief advocate for local business growth.
Q. What are your qualifications for the office you are seeking?
A. My qualifications are:
- My proven ability to lead with sincerity
- My ability to listen to all parties and allow all stakeholders a voice
- My win-win approach that gets residents and businesses to view themselves as congruent rather than in conflict with one another.
Q. If you win, what's the first issue you will tackle?
A. The first issue that must be tackled is the contractual impasse between our fire department and our city commission. We must find a long-term solution to the pension crisis. Our failure to resolve this crisis will prove to be the greatest long-term threat to our city's economic success.
Q. If you lose, will you continue in politics?
A. I will always continue in public service to the City of Daytona Beach, specifically by moving forward with plans to develop a comprehensive mentoring program for young people and continuing to advocate for the politically and economically ignored and apathetic members of our community.