Incumbent Place 2 Council Member Saul Gonzales is being challenged by Atom Von Arndt.
Early voting for the Nov. 8 election began Oct. 24 and runs through Nov. 4.
Read Q&As with each candidate below. Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the question provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
*Incumbent
**Candidate did not adhere to word limit. Responses over 75 words were cut off.
Maxfield Baker*
Experience:
SMTX resident since 2007, bachelor's degree political science/anthropology, elected in 2019, fought for neighborhood and renters' rights
Occupation:
licensed massage therapist, City Council representative
Candidate Website:
www.bakerforsmtx.com
Contact Information:
512-393-4287
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Transparency—to increase trust in government and encourage more participation by educating people about the process and giving them a seat at the table. Sustainability—to preserve important environmental features like our river and to ensure that we have clean air and water in perpetuity. Criminal justice reform—to push for more diversion methods and help reduce the number of incarcerated neighbors for nonviolent crimes.
How would you improve transportation within San Marcos as well as within the San Antonio-Austin Corridor in general?
We need to finish combining the Texas State Bus System with our CARTS program and create a multimodal transit hub near downtown. Studies show that we cannot simply continue building more roads to address traffic. We need to continue to pursue a rail option for the region and work with our neighbors along the corridor to embrace more innovative and sustainable ideas.
What would you do specifically as a council member to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
In April 2022, I co-hosted a town hall at the Dunbar Center and created a document to share with our community to help increase access to public officials and cultivate a better understanding for the role residents play in government. Reading agendas, writing emails, requesting information and creating accountability can be an intimidating task for people just getting involved. This resource serves as a starting point for the community and is on my website.
How would you work with state and Congressional leaders to solve local problems for San Marcos?
City staff asks that we work through our lobbyists or through our legislative committee to petition for changes. I went on our legislative trip to [Washington], D.C., this summer and met with our fellow elected officials and department heads to plead the case for mental health resources, emergency disaster funding and access to housing. I hope to serve on the legislative committee in the future and educate our representatives on the needs of San Marcos.
Matthew Mendoza
Experience:
I am currently a planning and zoning commissioner, a homeowner and I graduated from San Marcos High School (class of 1999).
Occupation:
analytical behavior support engineer
Contact Information:
737-264-4595
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Diverse jobs and economic development; timely completion of infrastructure projects; fiscal responsibility of taxpayer dollars
How would you improve transportation within San Marcos as well as within the San Antonio-Austin Corridor in general?
We need a multimodal approach to regional transport in the corridor. To start, we should combine and expand our bus system with Texas State University and work with Kyle, Buda, New Braunfels and other cities in the region as part of a regional transportation plan.
What would you do specifically as a council member to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
We need to be clear about what our City Council is doing and why. That means having an open line of communication between our council and local business leaders, like the Downtown Association, San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and GSMP. When we approve or deny something at city hall, we should be clear why and not be arbitrary.
How would you work with state and Congressional leaders to solve local problems for San Marcos?
The City Council has a Legislative Affairs Committee that works with our local representatives, and we need to be prepared to travel in person to talk about our specific needs, including funding for flood mitigation and regional transportation.
Saul Gonzales*
Experience:
planning and zoning commission, 7 years; zoning board of adjustments, 4 years; city council member Place 2, two terms
Occupation:
plant operational manager
Contact Information:
512-749-2252
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Affordable housing for all residents; increase homestead property appraisal exemptions; completion of street and maintenance projects in a timely manner.
How would you improve transportation within San Marcos as well as within the San Antonio-Austin Corridor in general?
All three counties would have to work together to establish public transportation that would decrease traffic on I-35. It would also provide an affordable way for people to get to and from work and shopping areas.
What would you do specifically as a council member to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
Encourage them to listen to or attend council meetings. Be certain to contact your council [member] with concerns.
How would you work with state and Congressional leaders to solve local problems for San Marcos?
Reach out to the representative and improve dialogue between us. Attempt to work out concerns jointly that affect all of us.
Atom Von Arndt
Experience:
25 years of sales experience, 10 years of public speaking experience, analytical problem-solving mind
Occupation:
salesman
Candidate Website:
N/A
Contact Information:
N/A
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Putting more oversight on spending for public roads; focus on figuring out a way to help increase affordable housing for all of San Marcos; making sure that future land development plans do not endanger our aquifer recharge zone
How would you improve transportation within San Marcos as well as within the San Antonio-Austin Corridor in general?
More focus on public transportation; try to reopen the conversation on a train system connecting San Antonio, Austin and the beautiful towns in between
What would you do specifically as a council member to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
Polls and Q&A sessions to find out what the opinions of the people are before putting plans into action
How would you work with state and Congressional leaders to solve local problems for San Marcos?
Honest and open communication on topics that affect all of our citizens
