Q&A: Get to know the candidates for Montgomery County Precinct 4 commissioner ahead of primary election

How do you plan to address drainage and flooding issues in the precinct?

As commissioner, I have attacked drainage and flooding head on. Precinct 4 has over 900 miles of roads and 1800 miles of drainage ditches to maintain. When I took office, I reorganized my department and brought more heavy equipment online to increase the pace of drainage improvement and our crews continue to make steady progress on the problem. Additionally, we have fixed issues in problem flooding areas like Ada Lane, Smith Lane, and Daw Collins Road.

If reelected, what steps would you take to improve transportation locally?

We continue to make road and infrastructure improvements on a daily basis. Before I entered office, all of the 2015 road bond projects were stalled. Today, they are all moving forward with either the design and bid process complete or working with shovels in the ground. We have made significant improvement on local transportation issues like addressing the dangerous intersection of Tram Road and FM 2090 and will continue to do so if I am reelected.

What are your priorities for managing growth in Precinct 4?

Maintaining mobility while growing is critical for Montgomery County. That is why we instituted a county wide mobility study while I was in office. Instituting that plan is one of my primary goals in office and I will continue to implement it into my next term as commissioner.

How would you plan to spend the county's American Rescue Plan Act funding?

The key thing to remember with American Rescue Plan Act funds is that they are restricted in what they can be spent on. One of the major functions they can be used for is mental health and that is what we have done. We have allocated a significant amount of money to Tri-County Healthcare to reestablish a physical presence in Precinct 4 as well as invest in the mental health capabilities of our local law enforcement.

What do you believe the county's role should be in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic?

As a conservative, I believe in personal freedom. County government has no place in deciding which businesses are essential and who is or is not allowed to provide for their family. That is why I have been consistently against mandates in all forms. That does not mean we should ignore the other tools at our disposal. We should use federal support like [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act or [American Rescue Plan Act] funding to improve the lives of everyone in Montgomery County.

How do you plan to address drainage and flooding issues in the precinct?

We will stage out this part of the county, working months ahead of each section attaining the proper permissions, 811 flagging, mapping and staging. This way we can plan, coordinate and communicate to the public where we will be working and what we are doing so if they need to adjust, they can do so accordingly. We can also plan around the growth in this area, where new areas are being developed.

If elected, what steps would you take to improve transportation locally?

In 2015, Montgomery taxpayers passed a $68 million road bond for projects. My mission is to get any outstanding projects started and completed; this will be extremely critical as 7 years have passed with the other commissioner administrations since this was voted in. My focus will be open communications with school districts and [East Montgomery County Improvement District] for planning around schools, businesses and existing high traffic areas. These communications will be equally important with neighborhoods and new developments.

What are your priorities for managing growth in Precinct 4?

My priorities for managing growth includes making sure that the development taking place in Montgomery County is responsible and that it protects surrounding areas. East Montgomery County will receive the leadership that it has been lacking. I will be working personally with the [Texas Department of Transportation], associations, school districts, EMCID, emergency services and boards.