Randy Howard is a Muskogee businessman. He is opposing incumbent David Ragsdale for a Ward II seat.
Phoenix: Why are you running for city council?
Howard: I want to give back to a city that I have worked in for the last 30 years. I have raised my family and now have a chance to let my grandchildren have a community that they can be just as proud to be a part of as I have.
Win or lose, Muskogee has a choice to choose who they want to lead Muskogee for the next four years, and I want to be a part of it.
Phoenix: Why are you qualified to be a councilor?
Howard: I feel I am very qualified in negotiations. I have a good sense of fairness and responsibility. Also, I work very hard civicly and I am willing to do whatever is needed if and when elected to fulfill my duties.
Phoenix: What do you want to accomplish if elected to council?
Howard: I want to see Muskogee develop more tourism avenues and see where we are going with the fairgrounds. Is it an asset or a liability? Do we want to improve this area or abandon this site and bring more venues to Hatbox Field?
Phoenix: What are the biggest challenges facing Muskogee?
Howard: Simply put money. Our tax revenues are down, and where will we get the money to fund our largest responiblity, payroll for city employees without losing police, fire, and sanitation or other vital services to the citizens of Muskogee — without laying people off that need their paychecks.
We need to be responsible in governing this city, and I would like to take this opportunity to do so.
