Meet the candidates for Conroe City Council Place 3

Why are you the most qualified for this position?

I am highly qualified because of my years of community service working with nonprofit organizations, community organizations, leadership roles and willingness to work with others.

What will be your top 3 priorities if elected?

Neighborhood awareness program to address individual community needs. Maximize our collective strengths to drive economic and community development that leads to continuous city growth. Increase small-business development through exposure to capital resources and best practices.

What are the two biggest challenges the city faces in relation to growth, and how would you address them if elected?

Mobility—revisit the city of Conroe 2035 Thoroughfare Plan and the Conroe Connection 5-year Strategic Plan, [and the] SJRA lawsuit.

How would you improve transportation in Conroe?

Revisit the city of Conroe 2035 Thoroughfare Plan and the Conroe Connection 5-year Strategic Plan

How would you work with state and congressional leaders representing the Conroe area?

Work with them to pass legislation that would benefit the citizens of Conroe.

What would you do specifically as a council member to involve residents and business owners in the city’s decision-making processes?

Maximize our collective strengths to drive economic and community development that leads to continuous city growth.

Why are you the most qualified for this position?

The combination of a very successful business career coupled with my decades of past public service with a proven conservative voting record makes me the most experienced, qualified and able candidate in this race.

What will be your top 3 priorities, if elected?

Safety—ensure our first responders are fully equipped to keep themselves and our citizens safe. Fiscal transparency and accountability—I will bring increased transparency to the council and make all votes based on sound fiscal policy. Sustainability—our current water rates are unsustainable. Unless and until the GRP contract Conroe has with [the] San Jacinto River Authority is dissolved, we will continue to have some of the highest water rates in the state—unnecessarily.

What are the two biggest challenges the city faces in relation to growth, and how would you address them if elected?

Current total debt management vs cash in the bank. Proper long-term, transparent fiscal planning will allow Conroe to grow without raising taxes. Making sure city employees are provided a safe, transparent and rewarding work environment, and investing in additional headcount where necessary.

How would you improve transportation in Conroe?

Why are you the most qualified for this position?

Conroe is divided in numerous ways, one being old Conroe vs new Conroe. This results in conflict and less getting done. I am old Conroe but with a new mentality. I can work with all sides to keep our old Conroe feel while achieving and controlling growth.

What will be your top 3 priorities if elected?

Work on existing infrastructure, growth of higher-paying jobs and remaining transparent.

What are the two biggest challenges the city faces in relation to growth, and how would you address them if elected?

Many people don’t want to grow; you see this in business [as well]. Knowing how to work with these people to form a common ground is important. Our existing infrastructure needs work; many people simply don’t want to build or do business in our city because we aren’t as organized as others. I am going to fix that; I want to ensure that Conroe grows in a way that maintains beauty and increases quality of life.

How would you improve transportation in Conroe?

Ensuring stoplights are timed to move traffic most efficiently, ensuring that potholes are taken care of while they are small problems before they become big problems, and educating Conroe citizens about alternate routes to avoid major roads when convenient. Conroe Connection has been a successful program for those in need of public transportation. Raising awareness and supporting their efforts is essential as well.

Why are you the most qualified for this position?

My experience in economic development, transportation and the creation of infrastructure

What will be your top 3 priorities if elected?

Traffic congestion, crime, oversight of new development

What are the two biggest challenges the city faces in relation to growth, and how would you address them if elected?

Two major challenges to growth are creation of infrastructure and traffic congestion. Having developed a tech park and having added an additional 500 acres to the industrial park, I understand how to balance growth with the expansion of infrastructure at a cost that provides a net benefit to the community. As to traffic congestion, I served for eight years representing the city at the Transportation Policy Council at the Houston-Galveston Area Council procuring federal transit funds and Texas Department of Transportation funds for road and bridge projects.

How would you improve transportation in Conroe?

To improve transportation, a priority needs to be established to return to the city's basic responsibilities of road and bridge construction. The priority should extend to fire, police, water and sewer upgrades.

How would you work with state and congressional leaders representing the Conroe area?

I traveled with Governor Perry for four years through Texas on a national and international basis recruiting new businesses to Texas and foreign direct investment. We led the nation in those areas for four years and in creating new jobs. I have worked with congressional leaders on transportation issues as well as state leaders.

What would you do specifically as a council member to involve residents and business owners in the city’s decision-making processes?

Why are you the most qualified for this position?

Business background and being a member of so many organizations in Conroe I know what the people want and need in this community

What will be your top 3 priorities if elected?

Small-business task force, low taxes, [and] safety

What are the two biggest challenges the city faces in relation to growth, and how would you address them if elected?

We must make sure we have the proper infrastructure, roads and services to keep up with the demand. I will work to keep this city safe, and that's a high priority for me.

How would you improve transportation in Conroe?

I would work with [the] transit department and TxDOT to see what our the future plans are for one of the fastest-growing cities in America.

How would you work with state and congressional leaders representing the Conroe area?

I have a great relationship with current elected officials, and I'm ready to go work with them to serve our community.

What would you do specifically as a council member to involve residents and business owners in the city’s decision-making processes?