Responses longer than 75 words have been edited.
Lesley Briones
Occupation: judge, Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4 (resigned to run for county commissioner but serving until the Commissioners Court appoints a replacement)
Relevant experience: public school teacher; attorney, Vinson & Elkins, LLP; adjunct law professor, University of Houston Law Center; former general counsel and chief operating officer, Arnold Foundation; judge, Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4
Campaign phone: 832-464-5751
Campaign website: www.lesleybriones.com
Gina Calanni
Occupation: vice president of finance for small business; former state representative; mother of three boys in Katy public schools
Relevant experience: working within a legislative body and balancing our state; lived in Precinct 4 for over a decade; finance executive that balances a multimillion-dollar budget
Campaign phone: 512-409-8512
Campaign website: www.ginacalanni.com/
Benjamin “Ben” Chou
Occupation: lawyer
Relevant experience: former director of innovation, Harris County Elections Office
Campaign phone: 832-266-2067
Campaign website: www.benchoutx.com
Clarence Miller
Occupation: consultant
Campaign phone: 281-580-7995
Website: www.millerforcommissioner.com
Relevant experience: civic servant 29 years, small-business owner with license in insurance, loan officer and real estate, general manager/director of a utility district for 16 years
Sandra Pelmore
Occupation: paralegal
Relevant experience: served on various committees in leadership roles
Jeff Stauber
Occupation: Harris County Sheriff's Office captain
Relevant experience: candidate in 2016, sheriff; 2018 candidate, [Harris County] Precinct 4 commissioner; small-business owner in Harris County
Campaign phone: 281-382-3475
Ann Williams
Occupation: educator
Relevant experience: elected four times, chosen by peers as president for seven years, a state organization for two years
Campaign phone: 713-364-4184
Campaign website: www.annwilliamscampaign.net
What inspired you to run for this office, and what qualifications do you possess?
Briones: If we want to come out of this pandemic stronger, we need a commissioner with the experience to make big things happen. I helped grow a Houston startup of three people to one of the leading foundations in America. I currently serve as a civil judge in Harris County and have earned top ratings. I am an adjunct law school professor and have worked as a public school middle and high school teacher.
Calanni: I’m running to represent Precinct 4 on the Commissioners Court because western Harris County needs a leader with proven success fighting for this community in the halls of power. Precinct 4 deserves a bold advocate that understands what it means to work hard and struggle for their loved ones and for what they believe in.
Chou: I am tired of Republicans trying to strip away our basic rights instead of focusing on policies that improve the lives of residents. I know this firsthand as I led the team at the Harris County Elections Office that created drive-thru voting, which has now been outlawed. I’m the only Democrat who has worked for a Harris County agency, so I’m the most qualified to know how to get things done in county government.
Miller: [I have a] proven track record ... with 16 years in infrastructure improvement. As general manager/director of a utility district I cut the budget while investing $5 million in the infrastructure improvement/flooding control. Under my leadership [we] eliminated $10 millions in debt without increasing taxes or taking out bonds. [I served] as a director of the Houston Postal Credit Union revenues increased from $10 million to $50 million in a short time.
Pelmore: I am inspired to run for county commissioner of Precinct 4. I desire to move into a position that will utilize my educational knowledge, my employment skills and my ability to serve the community. With an educational background in political science, public administration and extensive employment in the legal field I have the foundation needed to serve effectively in this position.
Stauber: My inspiration comes from my 35.5 years of service as a public servant at the Harris County Sheriff's Office, and I hold the position of captain. I know county government, and when taking office I hit the ground running. I am very familiar with budgets and infrastructure. Most importantly I am familiar with the violent crime in Precinct 4 having served as the commander over the Violent Crimes Unit in Harris County for four years.
Williams: For the last 15 years, I have been responsible for planning and adopting $6.5 billion-plus budgets. I have been responsible for building infrastructure of 60 facilities, one facility over 57 years old. I have managed a workforce of over 6,000 employees and earned “Top Workplaces” in the Houston Metro for the last seven years. I am competent that these skills will transfer making me the most qualified candidate over my esteemed opponents for this office.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Briones: I will be laser-focused on keeping Harris County healthy, safe, and thriving. I will work to bring state-of-the-art mobile health clinics into Precinct 4 and pressure the state to provide access to Medicaid coverage to more than 200,000 Harris County residents. I have detailed plans to protect our homes from flooding and fight crime to keep our families safe. I will always stand with Texas women against Republican attacks on reproductive care.
Calanni: Flood mitigation and drainage systems improvement—there are several projects that I would advocate for, including the pipeline that needs to be built underneath I-10. Increasing access to quality, affordable health care: I would work with Harris Health as well other hospital networks to increase health care options for the public. I have created a plan to incentive wellness checkups for new moms and babies on Medicaid.
Chou: Fix our roads—my neighborhood is filled with potholes and lacks a sidewalk. This is all too common in Harris County. Thus, my top priority is a 72-hour guarantee to fix our neighborhood infrastructure. Fight flooding—I still recall the sense of helplessness during [Hurricane] Harvey when my parents’ home was inches away from flooding. We must prevent flooding, develop a “disaster playbook” so residents know what to do when disasters strike and address climate change.
Miller: If elected my top priorities would be flooding, infrastructure improvement, climate control, law enforcement, potholes, quality public service, job opportunities, accountability and sex trafficking.
Pelmore: There are many issues: crime, infrastructure, homelessness, flood control, COVID[-19], etc., that are currently being addressed by the Commissioners Court. All of these issues are considered to be top priority. Which items would be my priority depends on the urgency, time frame implementation and the immediate need of the community.
Stauber: Top priority would be the proper funding of law enforcement so the sheriff's office can add more investigators, more patrolmen and jailers for the detention bureau. If violent crime is under control, Precinct 4 will be able to attract companies to set up shop, thus infusing funds into the tax base.
Williams: Inequitable health care—I would work to expand health care services to communities identified as underserved, increase health screenings and awareness. Economic development—I would insist on accountability to meet [minority or women-owned business enterprises] goals and promote funding programs to educate small-business owners on financial literacy, bonding and positioning for equitable opportunities. Public safety—I would examine areas of Precinct 4 to assess if there are risk factors that influence [violent] crime within marginalized communities.
What do you believe county government’s role should be in COVID-19 response?
Briones: The county has done heroic work in the face of an anti-science governor who has stripped local officials of the ability to keep our residents safe. We need to continue to promote masking, vaccination and testing—and make it easy for residents to access all. I support the county’s recent vote to spend $43 million to hire temporary nurses to help with shortages at local hospitals and to purchase up to 100,000 rapid test kits.
Calanni: I think we need to have more testing sites and ensure that the sites are being run properly. Further, I believe the county is currently doing all it can to increase vaccination rates. The only way we will increase vaccinations in Harris County is if we meet residents where they are, make vaccination simple and accessible, and persuade people that are distrusting of the process that vaccinations and boosters are helpful to them long term.
Chou: Vaccinations—we can end this pandemic if more people get vaccinated. I support mandating all employees of Harris County government get vaccinated except for those with medical or religious exemptions. Testing—we must continue to make testing more accessible by promoting President [Joe] Biden’s USPS-delivered at-home rapid tests and providing PCR testing across the county. Masks—we can slow the spread by continuing to require indoor masking in county government buildings.
Miller: County government’s role is and should always be to protect the good people of Harris County by ensuring that the public has access to the necessary and essential goods, vaccine and services so we can defeat COVID-19.
Pelmore: County government’s role in COVID-19 response: encourage safety protocols (continue to wear masks in public, social distance, wash hands, testing), provide educational resources as they come available (where to locate test sites, the effective masks—where to find them, quarantine), participate in statewide discussions in connection with federal response.
Stauber: County government should be front and center because public health is essential. Having a productive community that won't be afraid to go after a job that they want because of fear of contracting this [vicious] virus.
Williams: In a response to COVID-19, county government should be consistent as with any health care emergency. First, it is to bring public awareness based upon facts and sciences. Next, provide guidance that the public may assess options in meeting their needs. Third to ensure public safety, whether to healthcare services, law enforcement and even through elections. Finally, county government should remain committed to the process that exists in maintaining roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
If elected, how would you work with the officials who serve on Super Neighborhoods that fall within Precinct 4?
Briones: I am a team player. I will value the interaction that I will have as commissioner with super neighborhood groups and all the constituents of Precinct 4. No one knows a neighborhood’s issues better than the people who live there. As their representative on Commissioners Court, I will seek their advice and input on issues that affect their communities.
Calanni: I would work with the leaders in this community to ensure that every voice is [heard] and accounted for, that we make sure that we are attending to all community voices.
Chou: Showing up—I commit to either personally attending or having a representative from my office attend every Super Neighborhood meeting. Dedicated local staff— I will have an office of full-time staff dedicated to responding to neighborhood concerns and these staff members will be hired from within our neighborhoods. Accountability—I will create a formal committee for members of Super Neighborhoods which will meet regularly and hold me accountable for the status of projects and updates.
Miller: As a general manger/director of a utility district I served the community, strategy, identified and set priorities to address the needs of the people. I will work with all super neighborhoods to address their needs, because when we all work together to serve our community, we all win.
Pelmore: If elected, I anticipate working with the officials who serve in super neighborhoods that fall within Precinct 4 on a regular basis. The purpose of the super neighborhoods is to work together to identify, plan and set priorities to address the needs and concerns of our community.
Stauber: Yes, as commissioner you serve the will of the people and that includes all neighborhoods to include the super neighborhoods.
Williams: Having served on several committees within a super neighborhood in Precinct 4, if elected to office I would consider establishing a Precinct 4 committee having representatives from each super neighborhood to act in the capacity of advisory to the office. The committee would also serve as a conduit for their community; assist with assessment for specific projects, measure community engagement accounting for interest whether associated or nonassociation to super neighborhood.
What needs do you see for parks and roads in Precinct 4, and what can be done to improve them?
Briones: I want to increase investments in parks and roads. During this pandemic, we have all experienced the value of open spaces. Investing in green space also reduces the risk of flooding and improves air and water quality. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to upgrade both our roads and transit infrastructure with funds from the federal infrastructure bill. I will push for transformational projects that will improve mobility, reduce flooding, and protect our environment.
Calanni: Precinct 4 has been ignored for too long. Bayland Park needs major upgrades. We need to create a solid path from Mason Creek to George Bush Park. Further, I want to create a safe running path, where anyone will be able to run 24 hours a day. This is possible and I will make it happen upon election. We have so much available land in Precinct 4 that we should use it for urban gardens that the whole community can enjoy.
Chou: Roads—My top priority is a 72-hour guarantee to fix potholes, roadway debris, and traffic signs. I will work with the city of Houston to ensure all residents get our roads fixed. Parks—My vision is to have a network of parks and bike paths across the county so every resident lives within 10 minutes of walking to a safe and beautiful park. I support connecting all our bayous and investing in neighborhood pocket parks.
Miller: Our infrastructure/roads are in badly need of repairs with tremendous number of potholes. During every flood year our parks have flooded, and we have rebuilt without addressing the flooding. I recommend flooding and infrastructure improvement first before we waste more public funds.
Pelmore: Outside of regular maintenance (trim trees, fertilize and cut the fields, add mulch underneath playground equipment, etc.), additional new playground equipment could be added to the parks. As for the roads, regular maintenance would include filling potholes. Addressing flood control would be one area of improvement.
Stauber: The parks and roads should be free of debris and trash. We need to take a page out of Austin's book when it comes to clean parks and roadways. I will have a crew that is responsible for keeping our parks and roadways free of debris. Also making sure that our law enforcement presence is robust so or children can go to the parks safely.
Williams: Sustaining life—When you typically think of transportation in Harris County, the focus is usually on mass transportation. The bold goal of addressing fatalities and injuries of citizens in unincorporated areas of Harris County would include redesigning roadways or safer paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. In Precinct 4, I would support lighting for those families walk/run near dusk hours. Promoting health and wellness includes having cleaner parks inviting to all ages youth and seniors.
What do you think the role of county government is supposed to be?
Briones: County government serves many purposes: law enforcement, infrastructure such as roads and flood prevention, parks, and health care. County government represents millions of residents and businesses, working in concert with the cities within Harris County and with our state and congressional representatives. The county has an obligation to protect, serve, and promote Harris County and all who live here. The county should enhance opportunity and help families and businesses thrive.
Calanni: County government is at our doorstep for success. Everyone should be able to access a running path, a road without potholes, a garden with fruit, in their everyday life. I want this to be a reality for Precinct 4. If you elect me, I promise that Calanni as commissioner will do more for Precinct Four.
Chou: The role of county government is to make sure that residents never have a reason to complain. This means the roads are well-paved and homes are not flooded. It means people have access to safe and clean parks and their trash is picked up in a timely manner. It also means they know who their County Commissioner is, how to contact them, and have faith that issues will be resolved efficiently.
Miller: County government should deliver essential services to the people and respond to local needs. County government plays a significant role in both public safety efforts and the criminal justice system in Texas. They keep communities safe by providing law enforcement, the court system, jails, and emergency preparedness and response services in the event of natural and manmade disasters.
Pelmore: I think the role of the county government is to serve the entire county. As the county commissioner of Precinct 4, I am available and willing to serve our community.
Stauber: County government keeps the county safe by properly funding law enforcement. Also keeping roadways safe and free of debris to include ditches and waterways. They should be actively involved in the regional flood plan.
Williams: County government is similar to most governing [bodies]; foremost it should belong to the people that reside within the boundaries. The roles of county government have already been established within statute and law for record management, allocation of budgets, extended services in property taxes, vehicle transactions, life records (marriages, births, death, etc.) all to represent the peoples’ business in the county. The role also includes safety, voter registrations and justice systems.
