Philip Caltabiano
Purchasing manager,
Facebook-Philip Caltabiano for Friendswood
Top Priorities
I will work to develop infrastructure within the city to remedy issues caused by the increase in population. I will also collaborate with city teams to help revitalize downtown Friendswood and create better communication between the city and its citizens on important issues.
How would you help plan for future growth in the city if elected?
I would work with my colleagues and community members to develop a plan that outlines future goals for the city, such as improving roads and increasing sidewalks and bike paths to provide more commuting opportunities. I will work to ensure that our schools, police, fire department and emergency medical services continue to have the tools necessary to keep Friendswood one of the best places to live in the country.
What makes you a qualified candidate for Friendswood City Council?
As a native Friendswoodian and return resident, I have a vested interest in seeing our city flourish. I understand the pillars of our community: family, community, worship, safety and the best education for our children.
What are some of the major issues facing the city, and how do you plan to address these issues if elected?
Friendswood is experiencing a growth in population that needs to be supported by its infrastructure. Traffic in and around Friendswood is increasing, including but not limited to the FM 2351 and FM 518 intersection, and I would work to remedy the problem. The gridlock that has taken place recently has pushed many drivers to cut through our neighborhoods, putting our children at risk. With additional lanes added to heavily congested roads and intersections, gridlock and safety hazards caused by the influx of traffic should be eliminated.
I would also like to see better communication between Friendswood citizens and its local government. Many people in the community feel as though decisions are made and plans are laid-out for the community without enough time to get involved until it's too late. While the city does provide meeting minutes and narratives in the Friendswood Journal, I would like to see city plans and developments included in more online portals and social media to fit our evolving community.
Steve Rockey (Incumbent)
Chemical engineering/business process consultant,
www.steverockey.com
Top Priorities
My first priority is to be an excellent steward of the capital project bonds that were passed in November 2013. The city is at a crossroads in commercial development, and my goal would [be to] make sure that no commercial development occurs that does not fit into the city’s vision.
How would you help plan for future growth in the city if re-elected?
The voters approved a capital investment program in 2013, which will allow the city to grow its services by expanding the library, adding new fire stations, repairing major roads and purchasing and developing park space. The effective management of this program is imperative for the City Council. Further, the city needs council members who are a positive force for the community and are open-minded and willing to listen.
What makes you a qualified candidate for Friendswood City Council?
I have been a city council member for the last three years. During that time, in addition to my duties on council, I have had several liaison roles. Before being elected to council I served on the board of the Friendswood Historical Society, was the president of the Friendswood Area Swim Team, and served on several [Friendswood ISD] subcommittees.
What are some of the major issues facing the city, and how do you plan to address these issues if re-elected?
The city has three major issues facing it at this time. We will have to face a future where we cannot keep burdening our homeowners with the lion's share of the taxes to run the city. Therefore we need to encourage commercial growth, but this cannot come at the expense of changing the environment of our city. We are one of the few cities in the Houston area with a history that stills means something to us. As a friend recently said, we are an "island of a town." Growth cannot come at the expense of losing our character as a city. Second, we need to constantly ensure that our city provides the best services at the best price. [There] is always a tension between spending money and keeping taxes low. Finally, we are one of the safest cities in the country and the city council is charged with keeping our city safe and ensuring that our police department is of high quality and well-supplied.
Michael Wood
Retired Houston police officer,
www.friendsofmichaelwood.com
Top Priorities
Transparency: conduct all city business in front of citizens at council meetings; Friendswood Animal Control: overturn 60-day kill policy; no new taxes; no big-box stores and no new multifamily units
How would you help plan for future growth in the city if elected?
We are a small land-locked community, and our maximum growth can be calculated. Using this information we need to determine the types of businesses that will allow revenue growth but not disrupt our lifestyle. We need to make it easier for these businesses. At the same time we need to determine what businesses will affect our community in a negative manner, hence my objections to big-box stores and more multifamily dwellings.
What makes you a qualified candidate for Friendswood City Council?
With my military service and my police service, I have over 36 years of public service. I have also been very successful operating a business in the private sector.
What are some of the major issues facing the city, and how do you plan to address these issues if elected?
The major issue that I intend to address immediately if elected is the lack of transparency at city council meetings. I will insure that the Open Meetings Act be strictly adhered to, insure that Robert's Rules of Order are followed and make sure every citizen can be heard, even if dissenting.
Registered voters in Brazoria County can cast their ballot at any vote center in the county during early voting and on Election Day. For a complete list of Brazoria County polling locations and to view early voting hours at each location, visit www.brazoriacountyclerk.net Registered voters in the city of Friendswood can only cast their ballot for the city’s local election at Friendswood City Hall during early voting and on Election Day. For more information, call the city secretary at 281-996-3270.
