Q&A: Get to know the candidates for College Station City Council Place 1

Why are you running for city council?

I love serving on the City Council. Local government is uniquely rewarding because it is a place where our efforts have a tangible impact that you can see and feel every time you drive down a smooth street, enjoy a local park, or see our community growing responsibly.

What challenges does College Station face?

Traffic congestion is the top challenge facing College Station according to the latest citizen survey. Expanding and improving Brazos Transit District service offers a direct solution to reduce gridlock. By increasing bus frequency and optimizing routes, the City can transition drivers to transit and build a sustainable, multi-modal mobility network.

What projects are most important for the city to focus on for the future of College Station?

The Public Works Operations Center must grow and be updated to protect citizen infrastructure investments. The 40-year-old facility sits partially in a floodplain, leaving it vulnerable. Meanwhile, municipal growth has rapidly expanded the vehicle fleet, street miles, and drainage system, outgrowing the current facility's capacity.

Transportation was identified by the Brazos County Health District's most significant barrier to care. Do you believe College Station has enough public transportation or pedestrian/cyclist mobility to support residents seeking care? If not, how would you fix that?

The City of College Station lacks adequate public transportation for residents seeking non-vehicular mobility to healthcare. By collaborating with the Brazos Transit District (BTD) and Texas A&M Transportation Services (AggieSpirit), the City can coordinate routes and expand connections directly to local medical hubs.

How will you ensure your constituents can access affordable housing?

The City can incentivize affordable housing construction by waiving impact fees, effectively boosting available inventory. This strategy complements College Station's existing down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers and its active partnerships with non-profits targeting low-income and elderly citizens.

Why are you running for city council?

I’m running because I believe College Station works best when residents have a strong voice at City Hall. I want to bring practical, service-driven leadership to the Council, promote responsible growth and fiscal discipline, and keep our city a place we’re proud to call home.

What challenges does College Station face?

College Station faces the challenge of managing rapid growth without losing what makes our community special. We must keep infrastructure ahead of development, maintain strong public safety and core services, address housing affordability, and remain fiscally disciplined so growth increases our tax base rather than increasing the burden on residents.

What projects are most important for the city to focus on for the future of College Station?

Rock Prairie Road and other major mobility corridors, water and wastewater capacity, drainage and flood mitigation, and maintaining our existing streets and infrastructure must be priorities. We also need to ensure police and fire facilities keep pace with growth while carefully evaluating the need and cost of major capital projects.

Transportation was identified by the Brazos County Health District's most significant barrier to care. Do you believe College Station has enough public transportation or pedestrian/cyclist mobility to support residents seeking care? If not, how would you fix that?

No. While College Station has transit and pedestrian infrastructure, gaps remain (particularly for residents without reliable transportation). I support improving sidewalk and bike-network connectivity, identifying gaps between neighborhoods and healthcare providers, and working with Brazos Transit District and healthcare partners to improve practical access without duplicating existing services.

How will you ensure your constituents can access affordable housing?

I would focus on increasing housing supply rather than imposing mandates that discourage development. That means streamlining permitting, supporting appropriate density, reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers, and exploring targeted incentives for attainable housing. We should also encourage development that expands our tax base while creating more housing options for residents.

Why are you running for city council?

I’m running to put College Station families first. I want city government to operate with discipline and common sense, keep our community safe, and protect the neighborhoods that make College Station such a great place to raise a family.

What challenges does College Station face?

College Station is growing, putting pressure on family budgets, roads, infrastructure, public safety, and neighborhoods. We need to keep taxes and fees under control, rein in spending, support police and firefighters, and manage growth without sacrificing neighborhood character or quality of life.

What projects are most important for the city to focus on for the future of College Station?

We need to focus on the basics: roads and infrastructure that keep pace with growth, and the facilities and equipment our first responders need. We should judge every major project by whether we need it, can afford it, and whether it improves residents’ quality of life.

Transportation was identified by the Brazos County Health District's most significant barrier to care. Do you believe College Station has enough public transportation or pedestrian/cyclist mobility to support residents seeking care? If not, how would you fix that?

Transportation is important, especially when it comes to access to healthcare. We should identify specific gaps inside the city, improve existing routes where needed, and work with current providers before creating new programs or asking taxpayers to spend more.

How will you ensure your constituents can access affordable housing?

We need more attainable housing without sacrificing existing neighborhoods. I would lower taxes and fees, rein in city spending, and cut unnecessary red tape that drives up housing costs. We should work with builders and neighborhoods to expand attainable housing while protecting neighborhood character and responsible growth.