Henry “Junior” Leger is running for the Orange City Council Position 6. Leger and his wife Leslie live in the downtown Orange Historic District. Early voting begins April 24 and Election Day is May 6. The candidate answers several questions
To be a good city councilman takes time and attention. It’s definitely not about the money. So why do it?
Ha. No, definitely not about the money. First and foremost, I got into this race because I wanted to do it. This is after much prayer and conversations with my wife Leslie. I have pitched this idea around for a few years now and it was no secret. At my day to day job I deal with people all day long in negotiating, estimating, selling, and procurement to some of the largest industrial corporations known. I work in the industrial sector of the world. I want Orange to shine. I want it to be popular and talked about in other towns. I want people traveling on I10 to make plans to stop in Orange for _____. That blank is what I want for Orange. Is it a few more family restaurants? Is it more activities for youth that draws people from other areas? Is it a bowling alley? I’m not quite sure yet what it is. But I’m willing to pick up the phone and contact places that might fit our interest. We are an extremely unique border town on the river along the I10 corridor. To use a word from my preacher. I want Orange to have “PIZZAZ”
The city of Orange could see substantial growth with the new plant being built. Do you think the city is currently ready to handle it and what ideas do you have moving forward?
No, I feel most will tell you we are not ready for the influx of people that we could possibly get from the new plant being built. Infrastructure, Infrastructure, Infrastructure. That is the big topic I hear of and see with my own eyes. We are not ready. Constant complaints about water leaks. drainage. sewer, water color. It’s time to rip the bandage and fix, not patch all the issues. If we want to grow Orange, it needs to start with the population that has declined year after year. To grow the population we need more appealing business and solid Infrastructure. My plan moving forward is simply that. Rip the bandage and get it right.
You’ve been knocking on doors talking to the citizens of Orange. What, if any, are their biggest complaints/concerns about the city?
Yes, we have been knocking on doors and talking to lots of people, and I have to say it’s been a mixed bag. Some people say all is well and in the same breath say we need more and bigger things. However, most people are not content with Orange, but shrug their shoulders and say well, “What can you do?” I feel there is a lot we can and will do. Something to attract and entice people to come or stay in Orange. Crime is a concern. Infrastructure is one of the most frequently mentioned. Things for the youth to do. A few more family restaurants. Orange must support these places as they come as well. It needs to be at a level growth, one can climb higher than the other which makes the other futile. With too many people and not enough things to do, it will wither and with too few people to support businesses, they won’t last. I absolutely love Orange Texas and I want nothing but the best for it. Let’s Grow Orange Right!
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