William Howard spent more than a decade in the corporate world, but his latest role as a stay-at-home dad has taught him skills he believes would be valuable on the Carmel City Council.
“I’ve learned to listen,” he said. “We have to listen more and be willing to hear the voice of the people and act appropriately.”
Howard, 45, is a Democrat running for city council in the North District. He is challenging incumbent Republican Laura Campbell in the Nov. 5 general election.
A Carmel resident of five years, Howard said his goals if elected include increasing transparency, accountability and diversity on the city council.
“There’s a lack of transparency with our council,” he said. “My motivation for running is to have an open government and citizen engagement. That’s tough when people don’t feel that the government is being transparent.”
His platform includes ideas for the future, too.
“I also plan to ensure that we continue looking forward with the embrace of innovation, ideas and new perspectives through focusing on local growth and reinvestment, technology upgrades (municipal wireless network), transit (Red Line project) and affordable housing,” Howard said.
Howard said he believes the all-Republican Carmel City Council could benefit from a different viewpoint.
“I’m a Democrat, but I’m not bound by my party’s affiliations or ideals,” he said. “Given that I’m running for city council, you want somebody who is willing to represent all people, liberals, progressives, conservatives and moderates alike. I have a lot of Republican friends and a lot of Democratic friends who I talk to all the time. The most important thing is that we’re all seeking the same thing.”
Howard and his wife, Dr. Danette Howard, have a young son and daughter. Howard grew up in Freeport, N.Y., and has a degree in business administration from Bethune-Cookman University and an MBA from Webster University. He is involved in several local organizations, including Northview Church, the Iota Lambda chapter of Alpha Phil Alpha fraternity, Boy Scouts of America and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Learn more at WilliamLHoward.com.
