Four candidates are vying for Buda City Council Place 1, which became vacant when Ron Fletcher announced he would not seek re-election. Beverly Araki, Lorraine Gerami, Angela Dean Kennedy and Wayne Proctor are running for the position. Proctor, a 30-year resident of Buda and husband of Place 2 candidate Amy Proctor, is running on a platform of controlled growth. Kennedy, a planning and zoning commissioner, also sees growth as the city's main challenge. Araki and Gerami have not responded to request for interviews.

1. Why are you running for Buda City Council?

Kennedy: As a parent and a homeowner, I want to work to preserve the small-town feel of Buda. I want to promote smart growth that will contribute to our tax base without exacerbating our traffic congestion, which is a problem currently.

Proctor: We must stop building houses closer together—give us a little space to live in! We must stop increasing traffic—build the roads to support the traffic before more houses are built. We do not need to annex more land that requires expansion of Buda city services that we, the current residents of Buda, are paying for to benefit future residents.

2. What previous experience do you have that qualifies you for the job?

Kennedy: As a planning and zoning commissioner, I've been working on the front lines to make sure that we promote economic development in Buda that reflects our values and priorities as a city. I work for the water development board for five years as a regional water planner, and I helped draft the state water plan, and I understand the challenges Buda faces in acquiring new water sources that we'll need to keep the economy growing.

Proctor: I served in the Air Force 4 years. At Lockheed Martin I was supervisor of the Polaris Missile assembly and progressed to manager of manufacturing and at the same time owned two small businesses. At Lockheed Martin I then became manager of industrial engineering. I was then assigned by the company's vice president to project manager for a software development project for manufacturing controls. I then became manager of production controls to implement the system. Texas A&M called this system "the state-of-the-art." One director at Lockheed called me a "Management Fireman." I have also as served on Architectural Control Committee for Hays County Oaks [subdivision in Buda] and Buda's Historic Preservation Commission.

3. What is the greatest challenge facing the city?

Kennedy: I think it's uncontrolled growth. I don't want Buda to end up like Kyle, where uncontrolled growth has taxed the roadways and they've had to greatly increase their property taxes and their water rates just to catch up to that growth. I think Buda needs to live within our means and have smart and responsible growth.

Proctor: How to manage growth.

4. Buda just completed an economic development strategic plan. What do you believe the city should do to increase economic prospects and capture more sales tax?

Kennedy: I think Buda is one of the last unspoiled towns within 30 minutes of downtown Austin. That's one of the reasons why we moved there. But Buda has an educated workforce, low taxes and higher than average income. I think we can do a better job of promoting Buda and targeting specific businesses and industries that fit the character of Buda. The economic strategic plan focused on economic diversification and attracting retail businesses and tourism, and I think that's a good direction to go in.

Proctor: That is not our goal. We like the small-town charm of Buda, and we do not want it to turn into an Austin, Kyle or San Marcos. People move here to get away from the hectic pace, excess traffic, and noise.

5. Ron Fletcher, who previously held Place 1 on City Council, was initially in favor of raising the city's property tax rate to 29.79 cents per $100. Would you have voted to increase the rate in order to fund infrastructure and improvement projects or maintain the rate at its current level?

Kennedy: Given the increase in property values in the region and that at the end of this last fiscal year we saw a double digit increase in sales tax revenue, I would have left the rate the same. I think that homeowners and businesses are pushed to the brink with property taxes as it is. In Buda, we have a quarter of the population of Kyle, and we collected more in sales tax revenue than they did. We need to focus on attracting new businesses to increase the tax base rather than asking homeowners and other property owners like small businesses to pay more.

Proctor: Absolutely not, I would maintain at current or at a reduced rate.

Election Day is Nov. 5 and Buda residents can vote at City Hall.