Here is a compilation of all the answers Kawika Henderson submitted to the “Council Candidate Q&A” series that the Surprise Independent ran over the last two months. Mr. Henderson is running against Councilman David Sanders and challenger Jack Hastings in District 5 in the Aug. 4 primary election.

Why should voters trust you to serve?

It’s very simple. I grew up here. I graduated here. I live here. I  own a successful small business here focusing on building community mental and physical strength and encouragement within our youth, families and Professional Athletes. My family also lives here. I am also a 20-plus-year resident and I’m affected by all decisions made here. I love Surprise and the state of Arizona. I will always initiate and advance protection in safety of our community and the economy of Surprise.

Rank your top three issues for Surprise voters:

1. Develop economic opportunity zones to create more opportunities and more incentives for various small businesses and start ups. To also work with the Surprise city commerce, Surprise fire and city government to make the steps to openings a small business easier.

2. Safety is also a priority. I Support the Surprise police and want to assist in ways to increase response time. As well as supporting bridging the gap with more community pride and interaction with Surprise PD and fire. These ideas include health and safety seminar courses that will be designed to be available towards every single residents to be alert and recognize dangerous situations for more safety precautions. Classes could include, self defense, gun safety, situational defense, conflict resolution and more.My push for more safety education as our community and city grows is just one aspect of my initiative towards building our community pride and spearheading into my my community health initiative. Because a safe community is one that mutually respects all of their residents.

3. Initiate a new big education programs based on the need of our public, private and homeschooled students that’s has never been done before in order to spur economic development here.

How do you keep a balanced budget with the uncertainties of COVID-19?

I would keep businesses open while maintaining CDC guidelines to eliminate fear. While keeping open town hall meetings with sanitation and social distancing guidelines.

How will Surprise stay as a tourist destination in a time of COVID-19?

• Encourage more outdoor Sporting Activities
• Encourage more Hotels developers
• Promote and work towards building a Town square and entertainment district 
• Surprise needs it’s own identity from Sun City to promote more tourism and expansion.

What is the top issue facing your district specifically?

Expansion and public safety.

What is Surprise’s biggest recent missed opportunity?

Procuring and attracting national and international business [i.e., Microsoft, google, Nike, etc.]

What is Surprise’s single biggest need?

Opportunity districts to develop a town square for small businesses and starts-ups as well as a theme or amusement park to attract. We need more entertainment to keep our residents here.

What’s the best thing about Surprise?

So many opportunities for growth. So many opportunities to develop our cities own identity. New graduates high school and college. An Increasing number of young families making the journey here. We have such a bright future, why Do all of our young families, new graduating seniors and college graduates have to leave here for success?