Join THE MOVEMENT!
There’s something in the air. We are all hesitant to call it one thing. But if we had to pin it down to one term it would be MOVEMENT. We...
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My name is Jacob Luallen, and I am running to promote accountability and equitable development in Johnson City.
Alongside neighbors and community members like you, I am working to ensure that our local government remains transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the community. This campaign is about you, the citizens of Johnson City.
Informed by 10 years living in Johnson City and being involved with community organizing, ministry, and mutual aid outreach, my platform stands on three central pillars:
1. Affordable housing and equitable development
2. Increased transparency and accountability of, and community participation in, local government
3. City walkability/bike-ability, and enhanced public transportation
Our Platform
Affordable housing and equitable development
As the cost of living keeps climbing at an alarming rate, it is a primary priority of this campaign to take every possible step to ensure that the people who live and work, and who have historically built their lives, communities and families in Johnson City, can continue to afford to live here.
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Encourage investment in high density housing so that the people living and working here can afford to live here.
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Study and consider implementation of innovative models that have worked in other cities to stabilize housing costs, and successfully transition people experiencing homelessness to housing security
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Ensuring that public-private partnerships lead to real community benefits, especially for low-income workers and marginalized people who are already struggling
Transparency and community participation in local government
Community trust in our municipal institutions is fundamental to our city's ability to thrive. I want to ensure that local government in Johnson City is transparent, accountable, and conducive to meaningful participation by local residents.
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Encourage committee and board meeting meetings and procedures that are more accessible to the schedules of working people.
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Providing licensed childcare and after school programs during City Commission and other important public meetings to encourage families and parents to participate in local government.
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Creating a more user-friendly city website that makes it easy for local residents to get the important information they need about city budgets, meetings and minutes, and considerations of major decisions related to local development, the city Charter, and more
City walkability, bike-ability and enhanced public transit
If you've ever tried to walk or bike somewhere in Johnson City, you know how unsafe it is. I want to help bring more people to local businesses by making Johnson City a safe space to walk, bike, and utilize public transportation throughout the city.
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Facilitate a comprehensive survey of needs to determine infrastructure priorities for walkability and bike-ability
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Invest in the public transit system, including additional stops, enhanced bus-stop locations, and app-based software solutions to make it easier for the public to utilize these services
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Install and restore bikelanes and sidewalks, especially in the downtown district
News and Campaign Updates
What's Coming Up?
Team Jacob meets for canvassing and phone-banking on the following schedule
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Sundays 12-4pm @ 419 W. Market Street
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Mondays 3-8pm @ 419 W. Market Street
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Tuesdays 3-8pm @ 2700 South Roan St. #440
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Saturdays 12-4pm @ 2700 South Roan St. #440
About Jacob
I'm Jacob. I am from Illinois but have lived in Johnson City for the last 10 years. I moved to Knoxville Tennessee to pursue education to prepare me for Ministry and Christian Leadership. When I graduated from Johnson University I felt a deep longing to deepen my education. This led me to Emmanual Christian Seminary and Johnson City. I fell in love with Johnson City and have made it my home. I have been fortunate enough to see the wonderful growth of this city. Along with this growth, I have also seen friends struggle to pay rent, almost lose their house, and others suffer serious injury from bicycle accidents with motor vehicles.
In light of this after years of working in ministry, with mutual aid, and in information technology, I have decided to run for Johnson City commission to help make sure Johnson City continues to grow in a way that works for everyone. I want to help make sure Johnson City remains affordable for all its citizens. I want to make sure that everyone is safe getting around town regardless of the transportation method they choose. I also want a local government that listens to citizens and makes it easy for all residents to participate and get excited about local government. This is why I am running for Johnson City commission: to make Johnson City a home for everyone.
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