AUSTIN
Georgetown City Council District 5
Jason Norwood
Occupation: nonprofit director, Child Protective Services contractor
Experience: HOA director, retired Army commander, Fort Hood Resiliency Campus commandant
Contact: www.jason4georgetown.com
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
JN: Communication is not an afterthought. It is the primary reason that people become elected officials. We serve in this capacity in order to inform the public of what is happening with the city and to guide those efforts. I believe I am better trained to be the City Council person for this district.
How will you help Georgetown recover from the effects of COVID-19 and the winter storm?
JN: I’m already helping; I spent hours with teams of others helping my neighborhood clear away brush and posted several videos explaining things to help individuals prepare for the storm. Being a council [member] will serve to increase the small platform I already have to find the problems that continue to arise and solve them. I can't wait to get started!
What Georgetown City Council project or policy initiative needs to take priority and why?
JN: There are a number that need to be addressed, from the airport expansion to the lack of public transit to affordable housing, but the manner in which we create and disperse road bonds without more input from the community is where I will start.
Kevin Pitts (Incumbent)
Occupation: banker
Experience: Georgetown's General Government and Finance Advisory Board, Executive Committee of the Capital Area Council of Governments
Contact: www.kevinforgeorgetown.com
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
KP: I get things done. My first term priorities were: public safety, improve transportation, maintain a low tax rate and economic development. I led the effort to hire more police officers this year. I led the effort to create a committee to review a potential mobility bond. I worked with city staff and my peers to lower the tax rate. Lastly, I supported economic development projects resulting in 700+ new jobs and $68 million in private investment.
How will you help Georgetown recover from the effects of COVID-19 and the winter storm?
KP: I will continue to support efforts that provide relief to residents and businesses similar to my first term. I was a vocal supporter of the small-business grant program and the outdoor seating for downtown in response to COVID-19. I led cleanup efforts in my district after the winter storm and pushed staff to find a way to help residents with the haul off. I also supported water bill relief after the storm for residents.
What Georgetown City Council project or policy initiative needs to take priority and why?
KP: We need to locate alternative sources of funding to build roads and infrastructure. With our current financial model, the primary way we build new roads is with debt. There is a road bond on the ballot in May, and if it fails, there are no funds available to the city to build new roads. We need alternatives to respond to the demands created by our growth.
