Candidate responses may have been edited for length, style and clarity.
James Abbey
Experience:
flood mitigation, economic development, research in higher education
Occupation:
chief business development officer for Unima Inc.; CEO of UnimaDx UK
Candidate Website:
www.abbey4nbcouncil.com
Why are you running for this position?
Nassau Bay is special to me as I was born and raised here and am thrilled to be raising my three young children here with my wife, Anastasiya. My priority is to keep Nassau Bay a safe place with the largest influx of new families in decades. As such, we need to invest in first responders, ensure fiscal responsibility, attract desired businesses, and improve our parks. As we embark on the most extensive infrastructure improvements in our city’s history, I plan to leverage my experience working across communities, counties, and state governments to benefit residents, businesses, and our city government.
What is the most important issue facing Nassau Bay, and how would you address it?
As a waterfront community, Nassau Bay is affected by hurricanes, surges, and changing weather conditions. Our founders prepared us by implementing flood mitigation. We now need to prepare for the next 50 years by updating and improving our infrastructure. I will ensure Nassau Bay has a prominent role with the USACE-Galveston Stakeholder Forum (Ike Dike), giving Nassau Bay a voice in development and mitigation plans. I plan to implement robust fiscal responsibility to reign in liabilities, ensure residents’ tax dollars are appropriately budgeted and utilized, and operate at a surplus with projects demonstrating long-term value for the community.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
Having grown up in Nassau Bay during the glory days of the space program, I am committed to preserving our heritage for future generations. I have spent most of my career working with local, state, and federal governments to achieve beneficial results, including raising over $400M in funding and delivering significant flood mitigation and infrastructure improvements for communities. I will leverage my experience working with state, county, and federal entities such as the Army Corp of Engineers, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Texas General Land Office to secure resources to preserve, protect and improve our community.
John P. Mahon
Experience:
former council member; serves on various boards and committees
Occupation:
Kinder Morgan sales director
Candidate Website:
www.johnmahonnassaubay.com
Why are you running for this position?
Moving to Nassau Bay 23 years ago to raise my family, I became heavily involved in Nassau Bay Nauticats and Special Events Committee, and eight previous years on City Council I have been actively involved in keeping Nassau Bay the vibrant community that we all love. I have learned a great deal from my service to the community and offer my experience and love of this city to help guide this city.
What is the most important issue facing Nassau Bay, and how would you address it?
As a waterfront community we are directly affected by floods. The previous two Hurricanes to hit this area made it clear we need to address both a potential surge from the Gulf into our area as well as handling water coming from further inland as it finds it way to the Gulf. The solutions involve multiple jurisdictions both up and down stream of Nassau Bay. Our next representatives will need to work with the other municipalities and the county/state to ensure that good intentions to solve issues further inland do not negatively affect the waterfront communities as watersheds clear. Our City Council will need to be a strong and effective voice on the larger and longer term projects such as flood mitigation from storm surges.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
With 17 years as an officer in the US Navy, 20 years’ experience in executive management for oil and gas, and previously serving 8 years on Nassau Bay City Council as well as numerous City committees, I have made a career out of service to the community. As my dedication to be of service to the City, I’m proud to have served on Council, EDC, H-GAC and NBHOA architectural committee as well as Boundary and Finance committees for CCISD. I remain engaged in city planning and recognize that long term goals of the city need a continuing focus on maintaining the City’s esteemed position as a premiere waterfront community.
Charles Pulliam
Why are you running for this position?
Candidate did not respond.
What is the most important issue facing Nassau Bay, and how would you address it?
Candidate did not respond.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
Candidate did not respond.