Alex Jones

Occupation: software support engineers team lead at Micro Focus; Oak Ridge North Planning and Zoning commission member [email protected]

Why did you decide to run for the Oak Ridge North city council?

I served our country in the U.S. Navy from 1991-93. I served an additional six years in the U.S. Naval Reserves. Locally, I have served our community on the city’s Planning & Zoning Board, and I currently serve as a member of the city’s Economic Development Corporation. I have never shied away from serving my fellow citizens, so when one of the seats on the City Council came open, the decision to run for office was an easy one to make.

Why do you believe you are qualified to be on the Oak Ridge North city council?

Having served on both P&Z and EDC, I have been involved in many discussions regarding the state of the City’s infrastructure and services as well as having contributed to the development of new or updated ordinances. I feel that I understand the issues currently facing our city and its residents, and as a result, I feel that I will serve our community well as a member of the City Council.

What would you contribute to the city of Oak Ridge North?

Oak Ridge North is a small city, with limited resources. Several of the projects that we must complete will need to be done in parts over a few years in order to spread out the costs without having to take on new debt.  We simply cannot afford to fix every problem quickly. But we also cannot afford to leave them all for another day. I intend to work on finding fiscally responsible solutions for as many problems as we can manage to address in the shortest amount of time as we can manage to implement them.

What do you think is the most important issue facing the city, and how would you propose to solve it?

Sales and inventory tax dollars are critical to funding needed city projects and are key to keeping our property taxes as low as possible. In order to keep our existing businesses and to attract new ones, we specifically need to address the congestion on Robinson Road as well as improving and expanding our water and sewer systems. To achieve this, the new interlocal agreement with Montgomery County should be leveraged to fund both projects. Using the interlocal agreement in this manner should spare residents from having to bare the cost of these projects.

David Weathersby

Occupation: Houston Fire Department Captain

Why did you decide to run for the Oak Ridge North city council?

My taxes have gone up. I would be a better steward with money. Taxes have gone up city-wide and I would be more frugal.

Why do you believe you are qualified to be on the Oak Ridge North city council?

I have been [in] public service my entire adult life. I was the president of the utility district for 20 years. I’m a retired coast guard [member] former police officer and a current captain with the Houston Fire Department. There’s a pretty broad range of things I’ve done.

What would you contribute to the city of Oak Ridge North?

I would contribute my years of experience as a public servant, my experience as a president with the utility district and a former policeman in particular.

What do you think is the most important issue facing the city, and how would you propose to solve it?

Robinson Road has come to a head. There is no easy answer. I truly believe it will turn into Rayford Road if it is widened. People are still scared to death that they are going to lose their yard. Widening the road is the last choice for me.