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In the May 6 elections, voters in the city of New Braunfels’ City Council District 6 will select their next council member.
Below are the responses from the three candidates for the District 6 seat—incumbent James Blakey, April Ryan and Steven Voges.
Candidates were asked to keep their responses at or below 50 words and avoid attacking their opponents.
Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
* indicates incumbent
What are your top three priorities if elected?
Safety for our families, children and our neighborhoods: For District 6, and the entire city, safety for our neighborhoods, children and families is critical. 2. Transportation: It is vital that we continue to work on improving our road infrastructure. 3. Growth with strategic planning: We can continue to work with developers to ensure that each neighborhood will have green space and is fitting with the vision New Braunfels.
How would you improve transportation within New Braunfels?
It is critical we continue to work on solutions for public transportation. I have worked on several committees, local and regional, to start addressing this issue. I am also on [the Alamo Area Council of Governments] board of directors and have helped with providing transportation throughout the city of New Braunfels.
What would you do specifically as a council member to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
I would continue to provide education on the various city boards. I think District 6 has outstanding people that I would love for them to be more involved in city business. I would continue to encourage residents to attend as many city meetings. Most meetings are open to the public for Q&A. This would be a good time for them to provide city leaders and staff input or opinions on the various topics presented.
How would you work with state and Congressional leaders to solve local problems for New Braunfels?
I would continue to track and monitor bills that are in Texas legislation that affects our community (i.e. transportation, water, land, zoning, police, fire department and many other). Talking with local Texas representatives is important to keep the needs of our city on the top of their minds as they pass bills that will help us. I serve on the New Braunfels Chamber Governmental Affairs committee.
Incumbent District 6 Councilmember, Former President NB Downtown Association, Leadership NB graduate, Spark Small Business ...
What are your top three priorities if elected?
My goal is to use my years of experience as a small-business owner and leader in our community to address the concerns of my fellow residents by managing growth and infrastructure improvements in a fiscally responsible manner; protecting our natural resources; and improving the quality of life of New Braunfels residents through access to parks, trails and green spaces.
How would you improve transportation within New Braunfels?
I would love to see a more connected system of trails and sidewalks, which would give citizens greater options to travel safely. By increasing walkability throughout New Braunfels, you also help alleviate traffic congestion and the need for road improvements.
What would you do specifically as a council member to involve residents and business owners in decision-making processes?
Education and outreach. We have an abundance of committees organized by the city looking for citizen input. I would love to see increased participation at this community level. The job of the City Council is to listen to their fellow residents and push those priorities to the forefront, and help find solutions to their concerns.
How would you work with state and Congressional leaders to solve local problems for New Braunfels?
Partnerships and communication between state, county and local leaders is essential for making sure that our city's interests are protected while still collaborating for solutions for the greater good.
Test Engineer, Engineering, programming, teacher, technician, sales and manual labor
What are your top three priorities if elected?
1) Plan infrastructure for the long term and take into consideration all alternatives that would support the disabled, elderly and community. 2) Projects that bring residents together, such as community gardens at every park. 3) Cost of development, which ensures costs are paid by developers and not current residents.
How would you improve transportation within New Braunfels?
The options for transportation in a fast-growing city like New Braunfels, and broader Austin-San Antonio corridor, is to invest in improving public transit systems, such as buses and trains. Alternatively supporting ridesharing and carpooling initiatives, building bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly routes, and implementing smart traffic systems to improve traffic flow.
What would you do specifically as a council member to involve residents and<br>business owners in decision-making processes?
Every aspect of City Council decisions should be easily accessible for every resident. A mobile application could accomplish this by breaking down past, current and future decisions; how each council member voted; and how every tax dollar was spent. Every resident should know where and how their taxes were utilized.
How would you work with state and Congressional leaders to solve local<br>problems for New Braunfels?
I believe that working collaboratively across all levels of government is essential to addressing local problems effectively. This could involve building relationships with state and congressional leaders, advocating for our community’s needs, and working together to secure funding and resources.
