Community Impact Newspaper reached out to all candidates for Hays County justice of the peace, Precinct 5. Below are responses from incumbent Scott Cary, who was first elected in 2009. Length of residency in Hays County: 33 years Experience: Police officer for 32 years, honorably retired as a senior sergeant for the Austin Police Department; seven years as a robbery/homicide detective; served as the SWAT team and bomb squad supervisor; first peer-support sergeant at the Austin Police Department; graduate of the FBI National Academy; accumulated over 500 hours of judicial training; served more than nine years as Precinct 5 justice of the peace. Why are you running? I have dedicated my life to public service as a police officer and as a justice of the peace. After taking office in 2009, it took several years to become proficient in all aspects of the position. The citizens of Hays County have invested over 500 hours of training for my position, and I believe I still have work to do to pay them back. As the county grows, what do you believe is the greatest challenge facing the office of justice of the peace? The ever-growing population of the Greater Buda area at some point will mandate that more staff be added to the JP-5 office. Currently we are able to keep our docket moving and maintain office hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with three full-time clerks. The court currently does not have a case backlog. All reports, warrants, trials and state-required reporting are up to date. If a time comes when the office is not meeting these proficiency standards, I will address the commissioners court about adding staff. What would be your top priorities as justice of the peace? To continue to keep the court’s docket moving and serve all the people of Precinct 5; continue to meet all required training mandates; continue to treat everyone with respect and dignity. Website: www.judgescottcary338.com/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/judgescottcary/