My wife and I have lived in Staples Texas for over 30 years. I worked to get Staples incorporated in 2008 and immediately joined the city council, became mayor-pro-tem, and four years ago became mayor.
Since then, my efforts have resulted in:
1. Development of a police department.
2. Two new police cars through grants.
3. Cleaned up city park; with new picnic tables, playground equipment, and fence around the grounds.
4. New council chambers, and mayor’s office.
5. Instrumental in Christmas and July 4th celebrations in the park.
Q&A Responses
1. Infrastructure and economic competitiveness
Q: How will you prioritize road, bridge, and infrastructure investments so businesses can move goods, serve customers, and grow without delays or added costs?
A: I have been a business owner for many years, and am fiscally conservative. So, I always look for the most common sense and least costly way for businesses and tax payers to receive their needed results.
By careful planning, and with input from all interested parties, I have a record of proven results as having been a city mayor for the past 4 years. I recently revised a map for Guadalupe County Road and Bridge, and County Commissioners, that provided a desired infrastructure goal, yet saved costs by using existing roads and undeveloped land for their county thoroughfare plan.
2. Fiscal policy and predictability
Q: How will you balance responsible budgeting and tax rates with the need to invest in services and infrastructure that support a strong business environment?
A: Knowing that free enterprise is the backbone of this country, I am strongly in favor of keeping taxes and regulations low for residents and businesses. Yet, understanding the role of city, county, and state government as having been a city mayor and city council member, I understand the balance between both entities. Having developed budgets for many years for both my business and the city, and being open to thinking “out of the box” I often find solutions to problems that otherwise seem insurmountable. For example, I headed a team that found grants for funding two new police vehicles for our city which did not cost the city anything.
3. Growth management and development certainty
Q: How will you support sustainable growth while providing clear, consistent policies so businesses and developers can plan and invest with confidence?
A: I live in a city that is surrounded by rural areas. These are two opposing camps. The residents of the rural areas are against their land being developed. Yet, developing cities need to provide the markets for their businesses. I believe that each camp needs to be addressed separately. Again, open communication with all concerned is vitally important to arrive at workable solutions for everyone in each situation. I do not believe there can be one solution or proposal that fits everyone in every scenario.