Three republicans and two democrats are vying for the position of Harris County commissioner, Precinct 4.
Jack Cagle–R (I), appointed to replace Jerry Eversole in October 2011
What are the main issues facing Precinct 4 that you think need to be focused on?
The two main issues are economic development and mobility and those two issues are linked. You cannot have sustainable economic development if you can't get around. If you improve our mobility, our economic prosperity will follow. Those two issues are critical and fit into our road projects that I've put a whole lot of energy into trying to improve. People need to have that ability to have that economic prosperity. No one needs to have any additional taxes. I'm committed to getting our tax burden down through creative ways to cut spending. It is a big job. If Precinct 4 was a state, we'd be the 43rd largest state in the country. I'm pulling together the skills I've learned for the people I've been called upon to serve.
How do you plan to lead the precinct through the tremendous growth it is facing?
Six months ago there were no major road improvements under way. In the last six months, I've been able to get a memorandum of understanding for the Texas Department of Transportation to build Hwy. 290. We are on the cusp of actually having wheels on the ground in the development of a Hwy. 249 toll road. I've been able to negotiate the expansion of the Hardy Toll Road so we can address additional traffic coming in. We've had almost $40 million in bond funds issued in the process of putting in 25 traffic signals on roads like Spring Stuebner where people have been crying out for them for a long time.
Our park system has been part and parcel to our overall economic development. If your park system is working, every time you put in a park amenity it improves the value of the homes around it. We put a dog park in Burroughs Park, with a grand opening in June. We are able to provide family recreation. In addition, we are able to preserve our wildlife for our children and grandchildren. None of those projects were underway before I became commissioner. I would turn to my record, my ability to put energy into actually getting these things accomplished.
Buck Buchanan–R, works for Valero Oil Company
What are the main issues facing Precinct 4 that you think need to be focused on?
A lot of people think the commissioner only does parks, roads and bridges. That's not true, but they've gotten away with it for years. All the money Precinct 4 gets comes out of commissioners court through a budget. We have nice parks and FM 2920 is the fastest growing area in Precinct 4. Everything that is being done is nice, but we don't have any patrols in those parks. People think they're safe at our parks, but they're not when we have no park patrol. That's the commissioners job—to make sure that the precinct is taken care of on all levels, from the potholes, to the security in parks.
How do you plan to lead the precinct through the tremendous growth it is facing?
I will bring the commissioner back to the people. I will be out there talking to the people of Precinct 4. I'm not afraid nor am I too good to talk to people. You've got to have communication with your people. You can't wait for someone to call with a problem. You're not going to make everybody happy, but you've got to go out and work with your people. After it grows you've got to have someone that will take care of it and not let it run down. I want to be the commissioner for the people.
Robert M. Cadena–R, general contractor
What are the main issues facing Precinct 4 that you think need to be focused on?
The main issue is the rapid crime rate. The commissioner's office can work with the sheriff's office and constable to help reduce that and ensure that the residents are being protected. The other issues are making sure the maintenance around the precinct is being addressed. Certain areas are not being paid attention to while other areas are focused on too much. There are certain areas that tend to flood every single time it rains. Those kind of issues are really simple and can be dealt with right away. You don't have to wait for a road project to come along. Other issues are the cantinas and massage parlors that are pushing sex trafficking. It's affecting the community negatively and is going to affect the property values in certain neighborhoods near those places.
How do you plan to lead the precinct through the tremendous growth it is facing?
No matter how many roads we build it will never address mobility issues fully. I'm not one that's for these [public-private partnerships]. I don't think that we should take money to build these projects. In Tomball, for example, if Hwy. 249 was completely built out with no tolls, traffic would move slowly. The tolls are used to generate revenue because they can find no other way to generate revenue. We've got old thinking, old methods. I'm not saying I've got all the answers, but with all the information in front of me, I can make a better decision on what needs to be done. I am going to make that decision in the best interest of Precinct 4 and the residents, not in the best interest of other groups.
Sean Hammerle–D, president of PLAID consulting
What are the main issues facing Precinct 4 that you think need to be focused on?
Right now, with how this position came open, honesty and integrity are first and foremost. I would like to see increased communication between commissioners court and businesses in Precinct 4, for things to become more transparent. We need greater focus on roads and bridges. I want to ensure that all residents and business owners have strong information regarding construction zones and expansion as well as assistance to relocate if necessary. I want to see the parks and senior programs expanded. Without having to increase the budget, I feel there are a lot of nonprofits out there that the county can collaborate with to ensure the strongest resources within the parks and seniors programs in Precinct 4.
How do you plan to lead the precinct through the tremendous growth it is facing?
This is where community and business and organizations, precinct-wide, are extremely important. We need to utilize all our businesses and organizations collaboratively with nonprofits so the community itself becomes stronger. I feel the county can take a lead effort in ensuring the precinct has everything it needs when it comes to roads. I want to make sure that our citizens have the best access to business within the county. I feel that I am the strongest candidate. I've been in the nonprofit sector for over 20 years, served as president of the Association of Fundraising professionals, and have worked with some of the best and strongest leaders of the city. I know which organizations have the capacity to partner with the county and can match their capacity with what the precinct needs.
Dave Wilson–D, small business owner
What are the main issues facing Precinct 4 that you think need to be focused on?
The top issue is returning integrity to the office and to stop circumventing the will of the people. I would basically like to clean that whole office up and make it as transparent as possible so the public will regain faith in the county commissioner. I will make sure everyone knows what the expenditures are and that they are spent wisely and prudently on what it is the citizens and taxpayers in the precinct need.
How do you plan to lead the precinct through the tremendous growth it is facing?
It's going to take a lot of planning. We need to look at regional government and some of the things we can do with Humble and the City of Houston as far as where we can share resources and not duplicate things like libraries. Transportation is always a big problem. It's unique in Harris County because we're so spread out and there's no place we're really densely populated. It's difficult for a real mass transit system to work under those kinds of circumstances, but regional transportation is a really important thing and is one of the main functions of the office, along with infrastructure.
