Timothy A. Besco, City Council Candidate District 1
NAME: Tim Besco OFFICE YOU SEEK: City Representative, District #1 AGE: 43 OCCUPATION: Registered Nurse, Post-Anesthesia Care EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Detroit – Mercy, Detroit, MI FAMILY: Married 23 years, 3 daughters (Oldest on active duty U.S. Navy Corpsman, Second is Junior @ Texas Tech, Youngest Junior @ Coronado H.S.)
1. NUMBER-ONE CAMPAIGN FOCUS: I will meet the challenges of the growing population of El Paso by forming a Growth Coalition made up of key stakeholders (i.e. the Builders, Realtors, Apartment, and Hotel/Motel Associations, REDCO, La Red, El Paso Chamber of Commerce, Camino Real RMA, and the Fort Bliss Community). This Coalition must work together to develop and implement realistic ways to attract business, meet infrastructure needs, and meet the housing needs of our rapidly growing population.
2. WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM YOUR OPPONENTS? Unlike our incumbent who has been “in-active” and the other challengers who are being “re-active” to a single issue – I am “Pro-active” by having a plan to move the City of El Paso into the 21st Century. I’ve studied the Plan for El Paso, and believe that there is much room for improvement.
3. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFIES YOU FOR THE POSITION YOU SEEK: I have worked as a Registered Nurse for 10 years and have developed keen assesment skills, and critical thinking skills that allow me to handle multiple challenges at one time. Further, my experience as a U.S. Naval Officer – having served twice in Iraq during the first years of Operation Iraqi Freedom – has given me excellent leadership skills.
4. IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO REVOKE ONE ORDINANCE IN EL PASO IMMEDIATELY UPON TAKING OFFICE, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE? There are a number of ordinances that I am reviewing. One area that I’m looking at in particular is Title 5 in the City Charter (Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations). I believe that the City has developed a never ending maze of regulation and red tape that makes starting or expanding a business impossible. This must end now.
5. DESCRIBE A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE: There were many events that shaped who I am today. The one that stands out the most was when I became a father for the first time. I was a young 21 year old who was married for just a year and was stationed at Ellsworth AFB, SD. I never expected just how much responsibility being a father can be. My wife and I are very proud of all our daughters and all their acheivements.
6. IN WHAT WAYS IS EL PASO ON THE RIGHT TRACK, AND IN WHAT WAYS DOES IT NEED TO CHANGE COURSE? El Paso has much to offer in terms of opportunity. There are many assets available through UTEP, Texas Tech, EPCC, and all the various post-seconday schools. We have a growing city with many talented people moving here to work at the Medical Center of the Americas and the several nationally recognized hospitals. The problem is: How do we meet the needs of this growth? The Plan for El Paso is a beginning, but the City needs to recognize that “pigeon-holing” people into “cute little neighborhoods” will create more headaches for emergency services, infrastructure, and retail suppliers and quite likely hurt our weak economy even further.
7. IF ELECTED, HOW WILL YOU BALANCE THE NEEDS OF FAMILY, YOUR CAREER AND YOUR OFFICE? I have set up my schedule so that I can meet all my commitments. I have learned over the years of serving in the Armed Forces how to balance my career and my family.
8. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? I grew up in the inner city of Detroit. My old neighborhood is still one of the last areas of Detroit that remains vibrant. This is partly due to the nature of the strong community organizations that my father helped get off the ground. I also attended University of Detroit Jesuit High School. This school remains committed to the city and its motto of “Men for Others” by serving the less fortunate in Detroit. These are the values that I learned in Detroit – hard work pays off, building strong communities, and giving a hand up instead of a hand out.
9. WHEN AND WHY DID YOU COME TO EL PASO? I came to El Paso after I left the U.S. Navy in 2006. I took a job in Alpine, TX and enjoyed living there – but my daughters weren’t thrilled with the prospect of driving 3 hours to get to the nearest mall. So my family and I decided to move to El Paso and start work at one of the local hospitals here.
10. DO YOU HAVE A WEBSITE, TWITTER OR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT? My website address is: www.letsgobesco.com. I am on Facebook as well.
11. OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION FOR VOTERS: Our campaign phone is (915) 317-1235.
