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Two candidates have filed for Place 4 in the Jersey Village City Council’s upcoming May 7 election. Incumbent Drew Wasson and Jennifer McCrea will also be on the ballot for Place 1 and Place 5, respectively, but these races are uncontested.
Why are you running to be on Jersey Village City Council?
It is important to me to protect the property values of Jersey Village and ensure that the city continues to experience economic development while retaining our high standards of excellent city services and small-town feel. My family and I are proud to call Jersey Village our home. This is an investment in my family as well as yours.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the city, and how would you address them if elected?
We have significantly reduced flood impacts in Jersey Village through home elevations, the golf course berm and Wall Street drainage. We need to continue following the Long Term Flood Recovery Plan to remove the stigma of flooding from our reputation. I believe hiring more fire department personnel is vital to our city's safety, but our budget will require intelligent economic development to increase our sales and property tax revenue.
What are your top priorities regarding the city’s budget?
My goal is a conservative, balanced budget that is both sustainable and fully sufficient to fund the core city services. While my wish is for thoughtful economic development that is mutually beneficial to both the incoming business and the city that results in increased income, putting the city at risk is not an option.
What are your hopes for the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2, known as the Village Center property off Hwy. 290?
My best-case scenario would include the sale of the property and development of retail or a mixed-use development that is both enjoyable to the citizens of Jersey Village and capable of monetarily supporting existing city services.
Why are you running to be on Jersey Village City Council?
I am running to preserve the small-town atmosphere we all enjoy and [to allow] most of the citizens to be heard. Decisions should be based on their merits, not on agendas or desires of a single group. A petition of nearly 900 citizens not to move City Hall to the south side of Hwy. 290 was ignored by council. If elected, I will fight to keep City Hall on the north side of Hwy. 290 to promote citizen participation.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the city, and how would you address them if elected?
City debt: We can’t allow our city government to get involved in risky development schemes without the citizens having the final approval, because if they fail, the burden of debt will be on our shoulders. City services: It is imperative that the difference between essential services and nonessential services is recognized and respected. Fire, police, EMS and public safety expenditures are to be funded first to provide the quality services we expect. City safety: We need higher visibility from our police within the city to curb speeding and reckless driving. Instead of using the speed marquis, place cruisers in areas known for speeding to provide better incentive to drivers to slow down for our children.
What are your top priorities regarding the city’s budget?
Adequate funding for fire, police, EMS and public works; cutting wasteful spending; accountability and transparency
What are your hopes for the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2, known as the Village Center property off Hwy. 290?
The city has wasted over $200,000 dollars of citizen’s monies finding developers for the property. We have had experienced developers state the land is not worth developing for retail business because of the land’s proximity to industry and the railroad tracks. Government’s job is to encourage private development and not become a party to it especially when it is not qualified to act as a speculator in real estate. Objectives, goals and the developer vetting process need to be re-evaluated.