Brenda Hoppe has been a teacher in Magnolia ISD for the past 18 years and has served on the City Council since 2014. She has lived in Magnolia since 2007 and serves as a board member for the 4B Community Development Corporation.
Why are you running for City Council?
I’m in the field of service, so for my whole life, I’ve always wanted to serve my community. I wouldn’t say that I’m totally politically minded, but I do enjoy helping and trying to make a difference for people and just trying to serve.
What are the biggest challenges facing the city?
Well we’re trying to grow, obviously, but we still want to keep that small-town feel. I think a lot of challenges come when you’re growing and trying to stay within a budget. I’m very aware of trying to stay within the budget because it’s my tax dollar too. It’s important and I feel like I want to be the voice for the common person, not just the wealthy. For me, I think our progress has been a little slower than we’d like to see. I’d like to see it happen a little faster, but that’s part of government.
If elected, what would be some of your top priorities?
A big issue for me right now it making sure that the city looks clean instead of looking kind of run-down as well as making sure the entry signs on each of the main arteries on FM 1774 and FM 1488 are put back nicely. But it’s also important that we still remain a community where we have that small-town feel and people who want to help each other.
Jim Massey is a government teacher at Magnolia West High School and in the Lone Star College System. He has lived in Magnolia for the past four years. In addition to coordinating food drives within Magnolia ISD, he is a volunteer with the Texans United for Freedom Foundation and previously served as a U.S. Marine.
Why are you running for City Council?
I think one of the things that representatives need to do regardless of their [role] is they need to be very visible in the community. They need to be very active. That’s something that I already do, so I thought, ‘Why not take it to the next level and see what I can do to get the community more involved with various events going on within it?’
What are the biggest challenges facing the city?
I think the biggest challenge, of course, is transportation and the whole traffic situation. That’s not something that’s going to resolve itself overnight. One of the things I’d like to see changed or improved upon is the actual community involvement. Turnout at community events is improving and increasing year by year, but we have so many things going on. I think that the whole idea of being a community is just that, people need to be involved, and they need to know what’s going on.
If elected, what would be some of your top priorities?
I’d like to see a little more involvement and a little more visibility on the part of the council itself. Maybe it’s been there and I haven’t noticed it, but I’ve seen very few people really doing a whole lot and I’d like to see my level of involvement spur additional involvement from the council members.
