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Three candidates are vying for League City City Council Position 7 in the upcoming Nov. 8 election. Newcomers Larissa Ramirez, Ange Mertens and Sean Saunders will square off.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
There have been discussions about putting another bond before League City voters. What projects should be included in the bond?
... It is important that all projects included in the proposed bond benefit League City residents. Safety is a priority, so being able to provide all necessary means to keep our town safe, such as equipment and personnel for our first responders, and an additional facility for our police officers should be included. Projects related to our growth, infrastructure and drainage are all extremely important. And last, but certainly not least, a library/recreation-type center ...
If elected, what would be your priorities?
Traffic! My plan is to work closely with our city staff and committees to understand the process and help identify ways to ease our growing pains, knowing that each phase of every project ultimately effects our residents and local businesses. Safety would be another priority. We chose to live, grow and raise our children in League City, because it is a beautiful and safe place ...
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
... We have many council members who have worked tireless hours to push us where we are today, who are moving on to other endeavors in their lives. While League City continuously expands and evolves, it is imperative that new members of council are not only willing and ready to work those tireless hours, but new members should be qualified in matters of importance, such as infrastructure, drainage and safety ...
There have been discussions about putting another bond before League City voters. What projects should be included in the bond?
Any discussion about future bond issues must be focused on flooding and city infrastructure needs not just being addressed but solved. Whatever we have to do to mitigate flooding in every part of the city is paramount. There are some neighborhoods that historically flood, like Bayridge and the Oaks of Clear Creek, that the city has been working on, but problems still exist. And traffic solutions need to be actual solutions, not just bandaids.
If elected, what would be your priorities?
I addressed the importance of flood mitigation and traffic solutions, but before we talk about another bond issue to address these, I would like to make it a priority to finish the tasks already set forth in the current bond. The red tape and studies etc. that it takes to get a project done are extensive, but things like The Landing Bridge that has been on the books for more than 16 years is excessive.
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
City Council is not a starter position. For 21 years I have been involved in League City. I have prepared for this position by sitting on city boards and committees participating in city government. I've attended classes, workshops on flood mitigation, traffic flow solutions, yearly growth studies, tax burden analysis, City Council and budget meetings. My work with local charities has garnered millions of dollars for the needs of citizens of League City.
There have been discussions about putting another bond before League City voters. What projects should be included in the bond?
First, I am not in favor of another bond project. If, and that is a major if, another bond project was approved by council and came before voters, I would want that money for the following reasons: first, cover any shortfalls of the current bond project; second, additional traffic/mobility issues that were not identified or included in the previous bond project; third, possible expansion of city facilities on the West Side of the city ...
If elected, what would be your priorities?
1: traffic/mobility/infrastructure; 2: proper staffing and making sure all of our emergency services have the proper equipment to perform their jobs; 3: proper competitive compensatory structure to retain employees. Other cities have surpassed League City in this area. Since a large amount of cities throughout Texas share the same retirement system, we must make sure that we make our city the one our awesome employees want to work for ...
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
My knowledge of the operation of a city and different city departments [and] my deep desire to serve the citizens of this city in a proactive manner [makes me the best candidate]. . Serving in a proactive manner allows me to look for areas to improve and allows the city to plan for expenses. This is a huge contrast than having to find the money and reactively respond, which cost more money that is not necessarily in the budget to do.
