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Larry James

by Trey Garrison

Larry James is the CEO of Central Dallas Ministries. A recent post on his blog about what he would do if he were Mayor of Dallas created a lot of buzz in the blogosphere. His innovative use of housing tax credits to help fund the rehabilitation of 511 N. Akard downtown into a permanent SRO housing and mixed-use facility for lower income residents has put his non-profit in the spotlight. DallasBlog sat down with James to talk about his thoughts on the mayoral race, the challenges in dealing with the homeless in Dallas, his group's mission and other social and religious issues. His answers are unedited responses.

To hear Mr. James's response, click the play button to the left of the question.

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Answer	Question
	Your recent blog posting on what you would do if you were mayor has generated a lot of buzz. Do you have any plans to run for mayor or what would you do as mayor?
	If you could have the ear of the various candidates who are running for mayor of Dallas and who ever is eventually elected, what would you like to tell them?
	Are you familiar with the forwardDallas! plan?
	Low income house is obviously a top priority. What other things would you like to see as a top priority?
	This city has tried a lot of different strategies on dealing with the homeless. What do you see that they have done that you’ve liked? What do you think is not working? If you had your druthers, what would you do to help ameliorate the problem?
	I was speaking to a couple of Dallas City Council members yesterday and one the things that was said was that the state of Texas has washed it’s hands of providing funding for mental health issues and that has made the problem of homelessness worse. Has that been your experience of what you’ve seen?
	Tell us about City Walk at Akard.
	What is next on your plate?
	Liberation Theology is a polarizing view one way or the other for people of faith. How does that form your mission and values?
	At a personal, pastoral or polical level, if you had the ear of the residence of Dallas, what would you like to give them?
	Do you think the outreach you offer is best accomplished through the private sector and through voluntary outreach or is would be best served through the public sector?
	Is there anything else you would like to talk about that we haven’t asked you about?

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