Ron Raymaker and Gary Henson are running for the Shenandoah City Council Position 1 seat in the May 7 election. Responses have been edited for style, length and clarity.
*Indicates incumbent
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Ron Raymaker and Gary Henson are running for the Shenandoah City Council Position 1 seat in the May 7 election. Responses have been edited for style, length and clarity.
*Indicates incumbent
If elected or re-elected to City Council, what will your priorities be?
[My priority will be to] continue delivering our residents the lowest property taxes and water rates in Montgomery County. We’ve maintained a $0.1799 tax rate [per $100 valuation] for four years [and] reduced ad valorem debt 31%. The quality of life in Shenandoah is exceptional, but so is the planning and restraint we’ve exercised—especially during ... COVID[-19]. We’ve designed four major mobility projects: three at I-45 and Research [Forest Drive], plus David Memorial [Drive] connecting to Hwy. 242.
How do your experiences qualify you to serve?
My project management skills have influenced the planning of capital improvements. We developed our first five- and 10-year capital improvement plans. We’ve saved significant taxpayer dollars through our CIPs. Being on City Council for six years is invaluable—I’ve helped streamline our budget process. ... Additionally, our staff has transformed into a culture seeking continuous process improvements—saving tax dollars.
How do you feel the city should prioritize its land use?
Land use is contingent on us executing our CIP. Our redevelopment corridor is dependent on drainage improvements. Our biggest opportunity is our [extraterritorial jurisdiction] with Tamina. However, the ETJ requires a full slate of infrastructure improvements including water, sewer, drainage, road improvements and upgrades to our wastewater plant. Fortunately, our vision included an impact fee structure where developers must share the costs of these improvements.
If elected or re-elected to City Council, what will your priorities be?
My priorities as council member for the city are to manage city finance as our residents are managing theirs; [to] adjust spending habits to deal with rising costs of necessary expenses like fuel and property taxes; to give back to the residents via tax reductions or rebate; to support our first responders and all staff members; [and] to treat every resident with dignity and respect, not just those who agree with me.
How do your experiences qualify you to serve?
My previous experience as a City Council member is a huge asset, but more so my ability to listen to people, to agree to disagree, to seek truth over politics and to rise above the noise to take action that makes a difference most qualifies me to serve our residents. I do not have a personal agenda against any individual. I simply want to make this the best place to live, work and play for all our residents and business owners.
How do you feel the city should prioritize its land use?
By using federal [American Rescue Plan Act] funds, the city approved a project to install water and sewer infrastructure on Tamina Road outside the current city limits. Coupled with the future David Memorial [Drive] extension to [Hwy.] 242, both of these projects will create more opportunities for future development on the east side of the city. Revitalization and rehabilitation projects within the residential and commercial areas should also be a priority.
