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The city of Universal City has a contested City Council race with six candidates on the May 6 ballot.
Three at-large positions are available, which are held by William Shelby, Richard “Dick” Neville and S. Bear Goolsby.
Goolsby and Neville are running as incumbents, while Shelby did not file an application in the election.
Four other candidates—Richard Edwards, Ashton Bulman, Christina Fitzpatrick and Bernard Rubal—will also be on the ballot.
With each seat being at large, residents will vote for three candidates and the top three vote-getters in the election will be sworn in following the canvassing of the votes.
Read Q&A's with each candidate below. Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the question provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Early voting will begin April 24 and run through May 2. Election day is May 6.
* indicates incumbent
Why are you running for office?
I am running because I want to make the city a better place to live. I believe I offer a fresh and new perspective from a younger generation. I believe every citizen deserves to be heard and represented. From my experience in block walking, I have talked to so many citizens who feel like the City Council never considers them or even responds to them. I want to be the change.
If elected, what will be your priorities?
Helping the city become more transparent by getting out information to citizens. Be it publishing information early or in several places. Safety is another concern, starting to learn which areas are having issues and how we can support them better. Being fiscally conservative when voting on city spending. Making sure that things we all use, such as fire and police, are funded before spending money on things that are not as essential.
Why are you running for office?
Universal City is a great community, and I want to make that true for our future generations. I want to serve on a Council that makes decisions for the betterment of the community now and in the future. I have regularly attended Council meetings and done research on agenda items to gain insight into the decision-making process. I have served/voted on city boards. With my experiences, I am a great choice to serve on the City Council.
If elected, what will be your priorities?
The city needs to be empowered with the necessary funding to provide essential services to the residents. Our real opportunity to provide ongoing property tax relief will be to focus on economic growth opportunities. I will focus on communication between the city and the residents and businesses. I will focus on serving the needs and interests of our residents and businesses so that Universal City remains a safe and thriving place to live, work and visit.
Retired from the Data Analysis and Research section of the Cardiology Service at Brooke Army ...
Why are you running for office?
Realizing that not all change is progress and not all challenges can be overcome quickly, I am running because I feel our city can better prioritize the use of tax revenues to address “our needs before our wants.” There is a need for greater transparency and improvements in our city’s operations beginning with the budget review process, term limits, better district representation, and elimination of sole source contract practices and unnecessary permit fees.
If elected, what will be your priorities?
Clearly define city’s funding priorities based on critical service responsibilities (safety and infrastructure). Eliminate future sole source waste management contracts; reduce or eliminate unnecessary permit fees; promote code compliance rather than code avoidance; full compliance with Texas State Comptroller Transparency Stars Program; term limits for mayor and council members; require solid business plans for city enterprise operations ensuring long-term sustainability without additional tax burden; address city noncompliance with municipal codes and Texas State regulations
Why are you running for office?
The candidate did not respond.
If elected, what will be your priorities?
Will continue using my proven leadership skills to attract new businesses adding new property and sales taxes; support upgrading Infrastructure.
Why are you running for office?
I feel my ability to see various sides of an issue allows me to temper those with an agenda or conversely those who lack vision. We shouldn't accept the status quo, but to push for better, to always be improving our city for the community.
If elected, what will be your priorities?
Continuing the betterment of the community, focusing on the aviation district revitalization as this will have a snowball effect throughout the city. Pushing our community golf course to be self-sufficient while looking for opportunities to make it even more inclusive. Keeping our fire and police staffed and equipped to keep Universal City safe. Work on an infrastructure improvements plan for the city.
Why are you running for office?
Cities are created to serve the people and should be obliged to do so. Gentrification, overregulation and withholding information does not serve the public. The council is too focused on a fanciful future and not enough on the here and now; the dreams of the few should not be the plight of the many. I seek to promulgate all public information, to defend individual rights and protect our neighborhoods from the onslaught of "progress."
If elected, what will be your priorities?
My highest priority will be caring for our neighborhoods, and repairing our streets and alleys. I'm intent on revisiting and modifying all city codes, ordinances and regulations to safeguard the best interests of the Universal City public. I believe the Aviation District Master Plan should be immediately suspended and reconsidered. I also think the golf course and [UC]EDC need to be independently audited and the results fully explained in open session of the City Council.
