THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS – VICTORIA
VOTERS
GUIDE
**
GENERAL ELECTION **
The League of Women Voters
is a non-partisan organization that works to promote political responsibility
through active, informed participation of all citizens in their
government. The League DOES NOT support
nor oppose any political party or any candidate. It DOES publish and distribute factual
information to help prepare citizens to cast an informed vote. The League DOES take action on selected
governmental issues that it has studied and which are in the public
interest.
The information in the Voters Guide was obtained by means of questionnaire sent to all candidates certified to appear on the ballot in contested races. Candidate replies are printed without editing or verification. In the interest of fairness and equity among candidates, the League asked that responses conform to word limits. Candidates were made aware that responses beyond word limits would be truncated. The use of the following notation “///” indicates a response exceeded word limits. Candidates are listed by party, following that of the incumbent president or highest office.
Funding for this publication was made possible by the League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund through local donations.
@ Copyright 2004 League of Women Voters of Texas Education Fund
Other
assistance with preparation of this Voters Guide provided by the Victoria
Chamber of Commerce. Photos from the
Victoria Advocate. In-kind printing by
UCC/Dow.
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Please
describe the training and experience that qualifies you for the position of
State Representative (50 word limit) |
What would
you do to help with economic development in this
region? (100 word limit) |
How can the
legislature better address vocational education to prepare the workforce of
the future? (100 word limit) |
How can
health care and social services be improved and made more affordable for all
Texans, of all ages? (100 word limit) |
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Lifelong resident of
Victoria. Currently serving third term
in the Texas Legislature. Chairs the
House Higher Education Committee, and is a member of the House Juvenile
Justice and Family Issues Committee.
Authored country’s first Baby Moses Law, which has saved 23 newborns
statewide, and has been replicated in 45 states. 361-578-6694 |
I will continue to fight for
public policy that promotes, rather than stifles the entrepreneurial
spirit. As the Crossroads of South
Texas, District 30 is strategically located to reap the benefits of a strong
Texas economy. Our close proximity to
four key metropolitan areas, access to a major barge canal, two exceptional
institutions of higher education and a diverse business community make this
area ripe for economic opportunity. To
ensure these opportunities are realized, I will continue to fight for a work
environment that is absent unnecessary regulation, and one that benefits
small business, big business and consumers alike. |
My top priority has been to
make continuing education a reality for all Texans, and to ensure that
continuing education works to meet the needs of the state and local
communities. As chair of the House
Committee on Higher Education, I have worked to build strong partnerships
between business and education.
Vocational schools and community colleges are the best examples of
what can be accomplished through the cooperation of these two entities. As the foundation of our workforce, I will
work to ensure that these institutions have the resources and flexibility
necessary to meet the specific needs of local employers. |
We need to take a more
holistic approach to healthcare coverage, and that the state needs to focus
on increasing access to affordable healthcare for all Texans. We need to do
more to ensure that small businesses, like big businesses, are able to offer
their employees affordable healthcare insurance. We need to make sure that we
are working to create a healthcare environment that protects responsible
doctors, promotes competition, and drives down prices for consumers. As for state-sponsored health insurance, we
must ensure that the taxpayer’s dollar is going to serve clients and not to
pay for unnecessary administrative expenses.
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Graduated from Hallettsville High School and Texas
A& M University with BS degree in Agronomy. Retired from USDA Natural Resource
Conservation Service. In charge of Houston Field Office for 20 years. Retired Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army. Landowner/operator in Vienna Community,
Lavaca County. Coordinator Manna Food
Pantry, 7 years.
419 County Road 214 (361) 798-9201 |
My first priority would be to protect water resources
in District 30, without which there would be no economic development. I would work to encourage a desalination
plant in the Port O¹Connor area which would employ a large number of both
short and long term employees. I would
attempt to reinstate the cap on college tuition to allow more of our
residents to go to college thus improving their job marketability. I would work to improve the participation
of parents with teachers in the school systems which in turn will motivate
students to succeed. If education
fails, nothing else matters! |
Working thru the Workforce Solutions and local
employers, the state needs to find out what type of skills will be required
in the next 5, 10, 15 years to meet the demands expected. The state needs to partner with employers,
maybe provide incentives, to encourage them to offer some type of
apprenticeship program. We need to be
aware that any job skill which can be accomplished by a computer will have
little long term value. More emphasis needs to be placed on vocational
education in our high schools and institutions of higher learning to prepare
graduates to enter the workforce. |
The state needs to develop an employees’ insurance
pool for self-employed and other uninsured citizens. Allowing citizens the ability to
participate in a large pool the same way large companies do would spread
risks and reduce premiums. As with
other private health insurance, different levels of deductibles, benefits and
premiums would need to be offered.
This state sponsored program would be a not for profit enterprise. The
Department of Health and Human Services needs to be maintained and could also
administer this program. Nothing takes
the place of face to face contact when dealing with this segment of the
population./// |
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How can the
revenues from jail contracts be used to reduce crime? (100 word limit) |
What impact does importing criminals to the Victoria
County Jail have on the quality of life in our community? (100 word limit) |
What would be
your top priorities if elected Sheriff? (100 word limit) |
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Fifth-generation South Texas
rancher and businessman. Graduate of
St. Joseph High School, Texas A&M University, and the Victoria Police
Academy. Former Reserve Sheriff’s
Deputy in Goliad and Victoria Counties.
Currently serving as a Reserve Deputy in Refugio County. Former Regent-Texas A&M
University. Adjunct Instructor at the
Victoria College Police Academy. 207 (361) 580-0046 |
Revenues derived from jail contracts
become part of the county general fund.
This money can be allocated to the Sheriff’s Office by Commissioners’
Court to fund additional personnel such as patrol deputies, investigators,
and narcotics or gang officers. This
added manpower would increase the visibility of the Sheriff’s Office and
assist in fighting crime and keeping our community safe. These funds may also be used to purchase
new equipment that assists officers in doing their jobs more efficiently and
effectively. In addition, the funds
can be utilized to acquire technology, such as computers, that will improve
agency operations. |
This creates an additional
danger to our community in terms of bringing criminals into our jail from
other areas. It costs money to feed,
house, and transport these prisoners, and the county is legally liable if
there is an incident involving one of these inmates, which can lead to
expensive lawsuits. In addition, these
new prisoners may create problems and disturbances within the county jail,
and represent an escape risk. On the
positive side, importing criminals to the county jail creates a source of
revenue for the county, and helps to defray a portion of the jail operating
costs. |
My number one priority would
be to increase the public safety of the people of Victoria County. I will streamline operations to make the
Sheriff’s Office more efficient and responsive, and actively seek innovative
solutions such as grants to lessen the cost of operating the Office. I would work to establish gang and narcotics
units within the Office, and place special emphasis on preventing and
combating violent crime. I would also
work to recruit and retain quality personnel, and ensure that the Sheriff’s
Office has the necessary tools and training to be one of the best in our
state. |
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Graduate Victoria Police
Academy, FBI National Academy, FBI Executive Development Academy, numerous
law enforcement/criminal justice training programs. Master Peace Officer, County Jailer, Crime Prevention
Technician. 26-year veteran rising
through the ranks from dispatcher to Sheriff.
Only candidate with hands-on experience in law enforcement,
major criminal investigations, direct jail operations and management, // 974 U. S. Hwy 77 South (361) 578-0407 |
Since 1994, this
administration had been involved in a jail contracting enterprise that has
produced over $25-million in revenue for Victoria County. The monies from the program go directly to
the County’s general fund; our Commissioners’ Court devote the funding to a
variety of important programs, but a healthy amount targets law enforcement
and crime reduction. Most significant
is that today we have more licensed peace officers on our streets, and
proactive programs such as Citizens on Patrol to be the visible strength in
crime reduction efforts. |
The opportunity for a county
jail to solicit contract inmates from other counties and the federal
government provides for a welcomed income for local government. The benefit, or impact, lands in the
general fund of the County, and Commissioners’ Court may use those funds to
improve the quality of life for Victorians in various ways. Remember that contract inmates are not
released in Victoria County, but through their monetary contributions to our
commissary and inmate telephone systems, for example, they contribute funding
to positive issues like our GED program which promotes a quality of life for
all. |
Crime prevention is paramount; public awareness is the key, and
through programs like Citizens on Patrol (COPs), Neighborhood Watch, and the
Junior Police Academy we are making a difference. A model jail facility is essential;
we have worked hard to ensure 100% jail unconditional certifications for the
last 9 years, saving thousands of dollars in insurance costs. Working with our Commissioners’ Court in
the best interest of the taxpayer has always been a top priority, and,
today, we move forward with a healthy budget; that’s good government working
for you! |
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What would
be your top three priorities if elected as County Commissioner to enhance the
viability of the county? (100 word
limit) |
How can the
infrastructure of the airport be improved to enhance economic development? (100 word
limit) |
What are
you thoughts on ensuring the long term availability of adequate and high
quality fresh water supplies for Region L?
(100 word limit) |
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I am a native of Victoria
County and a business owner. I earned a degree in business administration
with a minor in economics from Texas A&I University in 1977. I served in
the U.S. Army from 1972 and was honorably discharged in 1974. Currently
County Commissioner for Precinct 1. 3008 Bobolink (361) 578-4545 |
To enhance the viability of the
county we need to continue to provide the best education for our children.
The greatest asset we have in Victoria County is our children. If we do a
good job of educating, many of our future problems will be solved. Along with
that, we need to maintain a low tax rate. In a time when companies are laying
off people, we need to continue to attract more business to the County. We
have seen new companies at the Airport and the Port of Victoria. |
Victoria has enhanced
economic development by attracting new businesses at the Airport. The County
has just approved the 2005 budget with improvements to the infrastructure.
One of our concerns is the old buildings that need to be removed. This will
take time and money, many buildings have been demolished and the airport
continues to work to address this problem. |
Currently the laws provide
no protection for our water and the Legislature needs to pass legislation
that will allow us to. Water could be exported from Victoria and we would
have no control. Commissioners’ Court
will ask our state representatives to make changes to the law so that we can
proceed with an election of a water district for our area. Water districts may provide some protection
and we need to protect our water for future use. |
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My inspiration and desire to serve people came from
my love for family and community. I have participated in civic duty related
organizations in the past such as Student Government President of Victoria
College, intern for State Representative Holzheauser’s Capitol office, and
then with the Texas Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Messenger Office. 3106 Bobolink Victoria, Texas 77901 (361) 573-3564 |
Top three priorities would be the security and
protection of the community, the enhancement of Victoria’s economic
development and maintaining an efficient county budget.
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The airport is the first impression
travelers perceive of Victoria and the people. Infrastructure improvements
need to accomplish both form and functionality standards in which a multi
phased operation of economic free enterprise can occur. Laying new water and
electricity lines and erecting new buildings are no guarantee for an economic
successful return on these invested improvements. There are two kinds of
improvements we can pick, immediate or long term. Careful consideration to a
variety of ideas for the economic effectiveness of airport property must
account for future options and the order of their priority and significance. |
Region L is part of the comprehensive water
legislation passed in the 75th Texas Legislature. The primary
rivers in this area- Guadalupe, San Antonio and Nueces -are basically
intended to supply areas with water during drought. Ensuring water in the
future for Region L is not as high a priority for me as ensuring clean and
safe unregulated water for the people of Victoria. I would be interested in
looking into a desalination plant with a study of the environmental and
economic effects it has on our community. |
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What would
be your top three priorities if elected as County Commissioner to enhance the
viability of the county? (100 word
limit) |
How can the
infrastructure of the airport be improved to enhance economic development? (100 word
limit) |
What are
you thoughts on ensuring the long term availability of adequate and high
quality fresh water supplies for Region L?
(100 word limit) |
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Longtime Victoria County
resident. Graduate of East Texas State
University with a degree in business.
Local businessman for over 25 years.
Experience managing million-dollar budgets and operations. Knowledgeable in the maintenance and repair
of machinery and equipment. Small
Rancher. Active in community youth
activities. Member-Parkway Baptist
Church. Husband and father. (361) 572-4725 |
Increasing public
safety. We must ensure that our county
law enforcement agencies have the tools and resources they need to
effectively fight crime and keep our communities safe. It is also vital that we support our local
volunteer fire departments. Ensuring that our county tax
dollars are spent wisely and effectively.
I will work to keep taxes as low as possible, and make county
government less expensive and more responsive. Economic development is the
key to our future, and a better standard of living for everyone. We must help local companies grow, along
with attracting new businesses to our area. |
Our airport is a major resource,
and we should aggressively seek out any available grants and programs to
improve it. Victoria is strategically
positioned at the “Crossroads of Texas”, and new areas of our county are
opening to development. We should take
advantage of this by using a team approach to projects such as airport
improvements. We should ensure that
existing runways are maintained properly, and consider widening and improving
runways to accommodate larger aircraft.
A strategic master plan for improving the airport should be assembled,
including repairs to existing infrastructure such as roads, structures, and
water and sewer systems. |
Water is one of our most
precious natural resources, and as a property owner and small rancher, I know
the importance of protecting and conserving our water for local use. We must maintain local control of our
water, whether through a Groundwater District or other means, and I will
actively seek input from local residents before making any decisions
concerning water. With the large cities
currently reaching out for water, counties like Victoria should join together
with its neighbors to face this threat.
We must ensure that our county has a secure water supply for local
needs and future growth. |
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I have been employed with Victoria County
for 16 years, all of which has been for precinct 3. I feel that I have been
training for this position for all these years. I went through the Civilian Police Academy,
the Citizens On Patrol Program, and also Incident Command Training. (361) 575-1907 |
1) Water Issue 2) Unfounded Mandates, which is the reason
for the increased taxes for 2004- 2005. 3) Economic Growth |
More than $100,000 has been add to the 2005
budget to begin work on the outdated sewer system. More money will be added
as it comes available to complete the job. I would like to see all the old
buildings torn down and the area cleaned up as well as adding hanger space as
needed. |
Water, I think, is going to be the biggest
issue we have now and in the coming years. All the planning for future growth
of Victoria and our economic growth will depend on water. I will do all that
I can to assure that we have plenty of water for the future of all of
Victoria County. |
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What
flexibility do you have to perform the duties of Constable? (100 word
limit) |
How would you
work with your precinct’s Justice of the Peace to reduce truancy? (100 word
limit) |
What other
issues would you address in your precinct, if elected? (100 word limit) |
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Graduate of Stroman High School
and the Victoria Police Academy.
Licensed Texas Peace Officer.
Ten years experience in law enforcement. Three years service as a full-time Victoria
County Sheriff’s Deputy. Currently
serving as a Victoria County Reserve Deputy.
Completed over 800 hours of law enforcement training. Married with two children. (361) 572-0926 |
As an independent businessman, I have the flexibility to respond to emergencies when they occur. Growing up in Precinct 3, I know the area and the people who live here. I will work closely with other law enforcement agencies to reduce crime and vandalism. I will also help our lo |