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Jimmy Alan Hall
Length of residency in Hays County: I moved to Wimberley in March of 2007 when I had the freedom to choose my dream place to live. My parents took me and my siblings on vacations to Hays County every summer for about nine years starting in 1961. It became my favorite getaway place, resulting in numerous recreation days in San Marcos and Wimberley.
Party affiliation: Democrat
Experience: I have been an advocate for people since high school. I have been practicing law since 1982. I worked in the Texas Legislature and for state agencies, even before I became an attorney. My clients have included counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions of the state, like the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District. I have extensive experience in environmental and water rights, real estate, and administrative law, including being board certified in administrative law. I have spent many years advocating for clients to improve the laws and rules that regulate us. My compassion for others and dedication to service is reflected in my many years as a leader in my inclusive church community.
Why are you running? The people of Hays County need and desire a county commissioner that advocates for and represents everyone regardless of race, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status with courage, compassion and conviction—and without reservation. I am that person. My friends know that about me and encouraged me to seek this office.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing the county? The greatest challenge facing the county is to manage the county’s services in conjunction with its booming growth while also protecting everyone’s quality of life, water and other natural resources all in an innovative and economical manner.
Why do you believe you’re the most qualified candidate? I am the most qualified because of the breadth and depth of my experience. I have the heart and the courage to advocate for everyone regardless of the issue and regardless of a person’s or group’s status. Inclusivity is the best and most democratic way to move forward. My education, 36 years of practicing law, and almost 40 years working in government have equipped me to see all components of an issue and find the innovative solutions that best serve the people of Hays County.
What do you believe are the top priorities for Hays County? Protecting our way of life and our natural resources in a manner that reduces the high levels of debt that have resulted from short-sighted decisions of previous administrations; ensuring fair elections; reforming the criminal justice system; and reforming county government to operate innovatively, effectively, efficiently, and economically.
Website: www.facebook.com/Hall4All/
Lon Shell
Length of residency in Hays County: I am a product of San Marcos. I grew up here and attended San Marcos public schools from kindergarten through high school. After graduating from college, I worked in Houston and Dallas before returning home to Hays County about 12 years ago. This is where I am raising my family, running a business and serving my community as a county commissioner.
Party affiliation: Republican
Experience: I have a background in business, emergency services and county governance. For seven years, I served as the county’s chief of staff, where I was responsible for budget development, overseeing county departments, managing projects and solving problems. I am also president of the San Marcos Hays County EMS board, where I oversee the delivery of lifesaving emergency services to citizens throughout most of our county. I earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M and am a husband and father.
Why are you running? This is one of the finest places on Earth to live and raise a family. Because of this, Hays County is experiencing tremendous growth. The decisions made over the next few years will have a major impact on the future of our county. Our county needs hard-working, well-qualified leaders with a proven record of managing growth, delivering top quality services like law enforcement and EMS and protecting our precious natural resources and quality of life.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing the county? Hays County’s rapid population growth is the greatest challenge facing our county government. Along with this growth comes a great responsibility to protect our natural resources, provide a high level of public safety and meet the needs of our citizens. We must provide services to an increasing population while finding ways to ease the property tax burden on our families.
Why do you believe you’re the most qualified candidate? As county commissioner, and formerly as chief of staff for the county, I have developed a hands-on, in-depth knowledge of county operations and the profound implications of these services to the lives of our citizens. I have a strong record protecting our environment, recovering from natural disasters, improving public safety and growing our local economy. I am especially proud that we have done this while also dramatically improving our county’s finances and implementing a new tax freeze for senior citizens.
What do you believe are the top priorities for Hays County?
- Responsibly plan for our future and manage growth by improving the safety on or roadways, protecting our natural resources and ensuring we maintain our investment in public safety.
- Continue to find ways to reduce the tax burden on our citizens by leveraging county dollars with funding from other sources, reducing bureaucratic waste and finding efficiencies in our operations.
- Provide the highest level of service to the citizens of Hays County for the lowest cost possible.
Website: www.votelonshell.com