Experienced at practicing law and as a mediator, Manny Pelaez is seeking a fourth and final two-year term as District 8’s representative on San Antonio City Council in the May 6 election. His lone challenger is Cesario Garcia, a video producer and business owner.
Read Q&A's with each candidate. Candidates were asked to keep responses under 100 words, answer three provided questions and avoid attacking their opponent. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Early voting will be held April 24-May 2. Election day is May 6.
Cesario Garcia
Experience:
23 years as a business owner/operator
Occupation:
Video producer
Candidate Website:
https://votecesario.com
If elected, what would your top priorities be?
Meet with district leaders, vote against any new utility rate increases, do a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats analysis, and conduct an internal audit.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing the city?
Defaulting on outstanding loans, not having any new revenue streams, and crime is out of control.
What or who prompted you to run for office?
We need business-minded individuals that can find solutions to grow our city from within, and not import outside influences that have an agenda.
Manny Pelaez
Experience:
For many years I served on the Brooks City Base board as a trustee and as chairman. I have served as a trustee or board member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planing Organization, Alamo Area Council of Governments, the San Antonio Economic Development Corp., the San Antonio Water System Rate Advisory Commission, and Sister Cities International. I’ve been your District 8 city councilman for the last six years.
Occupation:
Attorney
Candidate Website:
https://www.vote4manny.com
Contact Information:
[email protected]
If re-elected, what would your top priorities be?
First, we must increase our law enforcement resources so that all of San Antonio’s neighborhoods remain safe for people to live, work and play. Second, we must continue to pull from every lever to reduce domestic violence. One in three women in San Antonio have or will have a domestic violence story to tell. Lastly, we are a city that continues to grow at breakneck speed and we are not keeping up with infrastructure to absorb this growth. I’ll continue to bring home much needed infrastructure dollars from Washington, D.C. and Austin to make sure we don’t fall behind.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing the city?
San Antonio’s growth and deferred maintenance have required us to make tough budget decisions about how we prioritize the streets and neighborhoods that need to most attention. Thankfully, the bond packages that San Antonians have selected and approved at the ballot box helped us take on the big projects that matter most. I’m pleased that these projects are completed within their budgeted parameters and that the quality of the finished product meets our expectations of quality and good workmanship. More needs to be done to prioritize drainage projects on the south and west sides of San Antonio.
What or who prompted you to run for office again?
My family is dedicated to community service. My mother is the CEO of the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter and she has always set the example for servant leadership. Her example gives me the courage to face the big challenges that San Antonio can not afford to ignore.