What exactly does a city councilor do? Gee-whiz, are you serious? Well, that is the most common question I get asked since I have been active in the community, any time the discussion wanders over to local politics.

In accordance with New Bedford's organizational documents, we the taxpayers have a two-tier local government in place in order to make sure our tax money is spent wisely and provides for our most basic needs as citizens. The mayor of New Bedford is the overseer and manager of city services. The New Bedford City Council is our elected body, made up of 11 members who represent the citizens from the North End to the South End, East and West.

They must listen to the community's needs and wants, and then legislate accordingly. They also provide a second set of eyes on the budget process, keeping the department heads thrifty and efficient, challenging them to operate our city's services optimally.

We hear the words "constituent services" tossed around at election time in regard to the councilors, as in, "S/He does a great job with constituent services." That's great, but it is really only a small part of what the council's actual responsibilities are. That is, however, the biggest part people consider when considering them for re-election.

Whether or not a city councilor can pull some strings to get your kid out of West Side or get a pothole fixed in front of your house shouldn't be the only reason someone is voted in time and again. I think in order to be informed citizens we must look at their voting records and ask ourselves this question: "How has the City Council improved my quality of life as a citizen of New Bedford?"

Henry Bousquet
Candidate for Councilor at Large
“A Passion for New Bedford”

Henry Bousquet

Henry is a New Bedford, Massachusetts native. He comes from a long line of city employees. He graduated from, St. Anthony Elementary, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and then from Bristol Community College with an Associates Degree in Communications.

Henry is thirty-one years old and has two children. He and his wife Theresa (Tee) have been married for 6 years. They own a home in New Bedford. He has been working in restaurants most of his life. He’s owned Four Corners Breakfast on Nauset Street for two years and Cobblestone Restaurant in Downtown for the last four years. In addition to his Associates Degree Henry holds a Culinary Educator Certification and is a Culinary Instructor at GNB Voc Tech. He is also a student at Fitchburg State College earning his Baccalaureate Degree in Occupational Education.

Henry has always had a passion for public service. As a business owner Henry jumped right into the non-profit volunteerism scene donating time, gift certificates, and services. He was a Board member at Downtown New Bedford Incorporated, is a SMILES mentor and an active alumni at BCC. His passion for the city of New Bedford and its future is evident in the pieces he writes for publications like http://NewBedford360.com, the Weekly Compass and his occasional editorials in the Standard Times. He decision to leave the entrepreneurial world and enter education supports his commitment to family and the future of this city.

Henry Bousquet can be reached at: Hoek7@aol.com

Henry is a candidate for New Bedford Councilor at Large in the upcoming 2007 election. Henry's Camapign website is located at: http://www.henrybousquet.com.

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