Two candidates are running for Shenandoah City Council Position 3 in the May 6 election, including 2-year Shenandoah resident Nancy Smith and 5.5-year Shenandoah resident Byron Bevers. Here is some background on each candidate. NanNancySmithcy Smith Website: www.smith4council.com and Facebook.com/nancysmith2017 Phone: 713-560-4144 Email: [email protected] Years lived in Shenandoah: 2 years Occupation: Retired Equestrian business owner, Shenandoah Charter Committee Member, Shenandoah Civic Club Member How should the city deter criminal activity? We are protected by a well-funded police department with a ratio of officers to residents that is eight times higher than The Woodlands and four times higher than Conroe, resulting in fast response times and rapid arrests. I support continued funding to assure frequent patrols, officer training and modernizing equipment, such as the recent appropriation for body cameras and body armor replacement, to provide our officers with every advantage. I applaud Shenandoah’s Area of Responsibility program to strengthen relationships with residents and I strongly support outreach by the department to residents, such as town hall meetings and social media communications. How should the city plan for growth on the east side I-45? It is vital to focus on attracting quality businesses and residential development that will strengthen the tax base and contribute to residents’ quality of life in this area as the remaining portions of the city develop. Our Comprehensive Development Plan provides the blueprint and it is important to follow it as we consider zoning variation requests. [The] extension of David Memorial Drive to the north is important to handle traffic flow to the new MetroPark Square development. Because of its large scale, we are preparing to provide water, sewer, police protection and rainwater drainage as this project proceeds. What areas should the city be spending more taxpayer dollars? The city’s budgeting process does not assume an entitlement to automatically increase city spending every year, and Shenandoah has reduced its spending and tax rates in recent years. This discipline enabled the city to increase cash reserves to secure the ability to provide services in the event of natural disasters, economic downturns or infrastructure failures. New expenditures should directly protect our safety or enhance quality of life, and the decisions should be validated by increasing opportunities for citizens to voice their opinions on the topic of spending and taxes.
ByronBeversByron Bevers Website: www.byronforshenandoah.com and www.facebook.com/byronforshenandoah Phone: 832-779-2519 Email: [email protected] Years lived in Shenandoah: 5.5 years Occupation: Public Infrastructure Civil Engineer with Layne Christensen How should the city deter criminal activity? The city needs to make a greater investment in our police department—specifically in patrol activities. With our proximity to I-45, if we don’t invest in our police department to keep pace with growth and increased criminal activity, we will be at a disadvantage. In the past three years, the city has approved or seen built over 1,000 additional hotel rooms, a movie theater, more than 300 apartment units, and an 18 percent increase in single family residential lots—yet our investment in police patrol has been stagnant. How should the city plan for growth on the east side I-45? First, the city should refrain from supporting tax dollars spent on infrastructure for commercial developments, such as the extension of David Memorial Drive—the developer should have funded this roadway, not Shenandoah taxpayers. Second, the city should ensure its limited vacant land is developed for the highest and best use. In three years, there has been a 150 percent increase in hotels rooms approved or constructed in Shenandoah. I won’t support additional hotel developments until it is proven the region can support it. The city must ensure future development is diversified and not disproportionately skewed toward hotel rooms. What areas should the city be spending more taxpayer dollars? The city should utilize the Shenandoah Municipal Development District to have a greater impact for its residents rather than for developers. For example, the city is considering selling bonds up to $3 million for a new water plant. Instead of taking on additional debt, the MDD should use its $5.75 million fund balance and pay cash for the new water plant, foregoing the need for a water rate increase. I also do not believe the city should be considering the proposed project for a special events center which would cost more than $30 million.
To see Q&As with the Position 2 candidates, click here.