Pflugerville City Council, Place 3 candidate profiles

Election2015-Hero-RPH Omar Pena[/caption]

Omar Pena*

Occupation: sales and technology Years lived in city: 9.5 years www.omarpena.com

Top Priorities

Property tax relief, economic growth and job creation, community engagement

Why are you running for City Council?

Pflugerville has experienced tremendous momentum over the past several years, and our community is thriving and experiencing unprecedented growth and prosperity. While that growth brings opportunities, it also presents challenges. As an experienced leader, engaged with the community, I will continue to promote a decision-making process that is forward-thinking and proactive.

What challenges does the city of Pflugerville face?

The biggest challenge we face is our phenomenal growth. We see the fast-developing area east of SH 130. We must try to keep pace with this and other development. As new homes and apartments are constructed and new schools are erected, the city is tasked with making quick, decisive and prudent decisions. Whether it be improving roadways, expanding city services or hiring additional police officers, we must always be planning ahead to ensure we are meeting the needs of current and future residents.

How would you address those challenges?

We must be proactive in anticipating where the growth will be and what is required of us to ensure that such growth is beneficial to our city, improving the quality of life for our residents.
Election2015-Hero-RPH Phil Osars Emia[/caption]

Phil Osaras Emia (Emibata)

Occupation: businessman Years lived in city: 13 years

Top Priorities

Police and community relations, improvement of infrastructure and utilities

Why are you running for City Council?

I am running to better the lives and living conditions of the people in our community if elected. And this is by working hard and making to come true what I stated as my campaign platform, which includes fostering a better relationship between the cops/the judiciary vis-a-vis the Pflugerville city Municipal Court with the community; especially with its minorities.

What challenges does the city of Pflugerville face?

I noticed that the city is growing at a tremendously fast rate than when I started living here (about 2002 or thereabout). The relationship between the cops/courts gradually starts deteriorating between them and particularly the minority community. This needs to improve before what happened in Ferguson, Missouri starts rearing its ugly head (example suits against the city). As the time and money involved in such can be used on developments.

How would you address those challenges?

For the love I have for this community, I will work hard to improve this relationship as a minority member of the community. What comes to mind is most particularly the city municipal court. The municipal court should seek justice for all the people of Pflugerville and outsiders, too, whatever their races.   *Incumbent | Answers have been edited for clarity and space.