PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A new leader could mean a new chapter for Port Arthur. After 100 days in office, mayor Thurman Bartie wants his community to know what's been accomplished.
"In Port Arthur, this is a mecca for development," Bartie said.
With 100 days in the books, Bartie is confident Port Arthur is better off than it was 100 days prior. Bartie hinted that he's been talking with some individuals who he believes will be very beneficial to the future of Port Arthur.
"Folks can't see it right now, and I'm not at liberty to speak about it right now, but I know for a fact within the next 100 days, or 300 for sure, those changes will be evident," Bartie explained.
Bartie went through a long list of what he's done so far, and what's in the works for the future. Some of his biggest moves so far include; establishing a dialogue with the Texas Governor and holding a round table discussion with industry and education partners within the city to come up with a plan to educate students to work in the industries.
"That's real important to me," Bartie said.
Bartie is proud of his work with risk management through Imelda. He knows another major storm could come through before we know it, and now he's better prepared.
Bartie is also working alongside the interim city manager, and the people of Port Arthur to come up with solutions for common issues. Bartie admits, some problems will take time to resolve.
"We haven't been able to fix all the pot holes, we haven't been able to straighten up all the streets, we haven't been able to stop some of the shootings," he said.
However, Bartie said he's working with law enforcement and faith based communities to get the violence under control.
"I know within the last 100 days nothing was in place for that, but no we have something in place, and I believe we are able to enlarge upon that, and let's go another 100 and see what happens," he said.
Bartie went on to discuss some of his big plans for the future that are currently in the works. Something big on the horizon is working to ensure the city gets everybody counted for the 2020 census. He also has an impending meeting in the governor's office coming up in about two weeks. At that time, he'll begin a dialogue for new legislation that would help enhance the employ-ability of individuals who have not been employable in the past in the industrial facilities.
"We're going to work tirelessly to be sure that those individuals get whatever we have they need, whatever interventions they need to make them attractive to employers," Bartie said.
Last month, a business insider study revealed that Port Arthur was the second "most miserable city in America." When asked about the findings, Bartie invited anyone and everyone to come and see for themselves. After his 100 days, we asked what might change their minds.
"What you're going to find is that there is a bond here in Port Arthur that I believe everyone who is actually in Port Arthur, lives in Port Arthur, loves Port Arthur and wants to see Port Arthur grow," he said.
Bartie said there's several opportunities in the works that will change Port Arthur. While he admits, some of the changes did not start under his watch, but says it will come to fruition under his watch.
"I say this man, if you prayed for this 100, pray for me for the next, and the next, and the next, and the next and the next. We're going to do this and we're working together, we're going to make this happen," Bartie said.