Justin Ray[/caption]As the only candidate to have filed in the race for Jersey Village Mayor this May, Councilman Justin Ray said he is at the point in his life where he is ready to strengthen his commitment to the community and his neighbors.
"I have known for some time that I would want to take the next step in Jersey Village municipal affairs," he said. "The right time and opportunity needed to present itself. I have always held that someone should only run for the right office at the right time for the right reasons."
Elected to Position 1 on city council in 2012, Ray said his top goals revolve around attracting new businesses and families to the community and minimizing the negative effects of the Hwy. 290 expansion.
"The Hwy. 290 expansion is not just one of, but the most significant issue currently facing Jersey Village," he said. "It is a key contributor to sales tax revenue fluctuations, cut through traffic and noise concerns, among other things. The long-term issues for Jersey Village revolve around continuing to make the city a destination location."
Current Mayor Rod Erskine opted to step down after being elected in 2013. He said he will continue to live in Jersey Village and be active in the community, but chose not to run again because his plans for the future would not leave him with enough time to commit to being an effective mayor.
"I came to the conclusion I would likely be missing more council meetings than I believe is acceptable, and I did not think it would be fair to the residents, council and city staff to have a part-time mayor," Erskine said.
Erskine was elected to Position 2 on the Jersey Village City Council in 2009 and served for two terms before replacing former mayor Russell Hamley, who stepped down in 2013. In his time with the city, Erskine has helped launch the process to draft a new comprehensive plan, has advocated for better noise mitigation along Hwy. 290 and has helped start a program to reduce flood insurance rates for residents.
Erskine, who has worked alongside Ray for the past three years, said he is confident in his ability to lead the city.
"He makes an effort to understand all aspects of issues in the context of the longer-term wellbeing of the city," Erskine said. "He is very articulate, and I believe he will represent the city very well."
Ray will take his oath of office as mayor on May 18. City council is seeking applications to fill the soon-to-be-vacated Position 1 on city council for the unexpired term that will end in May 2016. Interested residents can learn more about how to apply on the city's website.
Positions 2 and 3 are both up for election this May as well. Retired Jersey Village Peace Officer C.J. Harper has filed to run against incumbent Harry Beckwith III for Position 3. Incumbent Greg Holden is running unopposed to keep Position 2.
The Jersey Village Mayor and councilmembers serve two-year terms without compensation. Council positions 1, 4 and 5 will be up for election in May 2016.
Early voting runs from April 27–May 5. Election Day is May 9 at the Jersey Village Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview Drive.
Look for more information on elections this spring, including a Q&A with the two candidates running for Jersey Village City Council Position 3, in the April 16 edition of Community Impact Newspaper.
