Georgetown City Council candidates for District 7 discussed term limits, the city’s green energy issues, growth and maintaining Georgetown’s charm during an April 8 candidate forum. The forum was hosted by the Georgetown Neighborhood Alliance, an organization that looks to unite Georgetown neighbors to enhance the quality and character of the city’s community, at the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Administration Office. The two candidates—incumbent Tommy Gonzalez and Jaquita Wilson—answered moderated and audience questions at the event. GNA coordinator Pam Mitchell was moderator. Gonzalez, who is running for his fourth term, said his experience as both a banker and City Council member means he understands the finances of the job as well as the importance of establishing relationships to get things done. Wilson, who has a background in education and helping low-income families, said she will prioritize access to necessities, such as grocery stores and healthier food options, as well as improved transparency and communication. Selected questions and answers edited for length and clarity are below. Early voting begins April 22. Election day is May 4.
Most Americans believe in term limits. Would you vote for term limits, what term and why?
Wilson: I’d like to vote for term limits. I think nine years is more than enough time to accomplish what you need to accomplish at any level of government and specifically local government because we are more of a community, and you need to know the people that you support. Gonzalez: During my first term, I actually brought to the diocese term limits—requesting term limits—but a very prominent council woman at the time told me that term limits for city council races are called elections. So would I consider them? Absolutely. But one distinction between term limits at the state and national level is that [city councilors] don’t leave our areas. We don’t leave our communities. So in staying a longer term, we don’t lose touch with our people because we eat here, live here, [and] do everything here.
Can you explain your interpretation of what transition zones—how close a commercial building can be next to a residential home—would mean?
Gonzalez: I think transition zones are important as you go into different communities, [such as] the type of businesses that should be allowed and that can transition into these areas. But it’s also very tough because I believe in the property rights of owners and what they want to do with their property. I want to give them the most freedom to do with their property what they can. That being said, there are definitely boundaries and limits. Wilson: I’m going to be more strict about that. I feel like because Georgetown has been built as this very homely city—this beautiful square, the town you want to raise your kids in—you have to be super cautious of what we’re doing and how that affects communities. I thinks it’s incumbent upon us to make sure communities are thriving as well as being invested in.
What are some of the principles you would use in guiding the SE Inner Loop in development?
Gonzalez: I think you have to protect the frontage roads on Inner Loop. Just because of the shear traffic there, I would not recommend that being residential anymore. It’s just too much traffic, and it’s only going to grow there. So I think we have to buffer that belt and really protect the neighborhoods.. … [A commercial building] has to fit in the neighborhood, as in an amenity to the neighborhood, rather than just a random business. Wilson: I agree with Tommy on this issue. I think we have to protect [SE] Inner Loop. I also think we really need to encourage businesses to be in those spaces. We have a corridor along Inner Loop that is both Georgetown Water and Georgetown Electric, and I think it would be the best use of the sales tax that can be provided from those places to have commercial property on said line. So I would not like to see any residential homes go in that space.
