What makes you qualified for this office?  Name three main reasons you believe you’re the best candidate for this position?

I spent 20 years of my life auditing and evaluating businesses to help them function more efficiently.  I believe that my background in Operations and my experience as an investigator have given me the ability to look at data objectively and then formulate and execute effective solutions.  I believe that this knowledge and experience will be an asset to the LSGCD Board.

In your opinion, does Does Montgomery County have a water resource or regulation problem?  Why?

Based on the information I have seen, there appears to be a regulation problem.  I have not seen any information to support the pumping limits imposed by the LSGCD.  I just think it is not a good practice to base policy on what amounts to a hypothesis. 

Is this position currently fulfilling its obligations?

To the extent that they are to preserve the water supply, it would appear at first glance that they are doing a good job as the water supply is in great shape.  So, operating under the alibi of doing things for the purpose of preserving our water supply, the people of Montgomery County find themselves paying higher water rates as they are being forced to purchase surface water from the SJRA. So in the final analysis, in consideration of the escalating water rates, it would appear that they are not serving the community as they should. 

What are the 3 largest challenges currently facing this position/office and your road map to address them?

First, we need to improve consumer confidence in the LSGCD Board by providing more transparency and putting out information in a format that is easy to understand. Second, we need to evaluate the pumping restrictions to see if they are viable with the increasing population in this area. Third, we need to take a look at the relationship between the LSGCD Board and the San Jacinto River authority to insure that the decisions being made between these two organizations are really in the best interests of the people of Montgomery County.

Who has ownership of the land below and the air above and how far of each?  Is groundwater considered a person’s private property under the Texas Constitution?

The landowner owns the land below and above.  That ownership extends to the deepest reaches of the earth and to the heavens. Groundwater is considered a person’s private property under the Texas Constitution.

Are you familiar with the enabling legislation and any subsequent legislation regarding the LSGCD creation, powers, authorities, duties, etc.?

Yes.  In 2001, Texas House Bill 2362 authorized the creation of the LSGCD for the purpose of preserving, managing and protecting groundwater resources in Montgomery County. Under the original legislation, the LSDCD Board positions were appointed.  In May of 2018, Texas House Bill 1982 was passed which now gives the residents of Montgomery County the ability to elect the LSGCD board members.

What aquifer or aquifers does LSGCD regulate?

The Gulf Coast Aquifer which is comprised of the Chicot, Evangeline, and Jasper aquifers. 

How much subsurface water is contained under Montgomery County, as determined by Texas Development Water Board in their TERS(Total Estimated Recoverable Storage)  Report 2014?

180,000,000 acre-feet

What impact does the LSGCD have on our water bills?

By imposing limits on groundwater production, LSGCD forces consumers to supplement their water needs by using surface water purchased from the San Jacinto River Authority at a much higher rate.

Who is endorsing you and what is their relationship to you?

I have been endorsed by the Restore Affordable Water organization and I have no relationship with them whatsoever. After they did some research on me and we had a couple of discussions, I was informed that they would be endorsing me in this race.  I am honored to receive their endorsement.

Should an aquifer be regulated based on its physical boundaries, or based on the boundaries of political subdivisions of the state?

It should be regulated based on its physical boundaries.

What special interest groups have you belonged to or attended meetings of? Include business, social, civic, educational, environmental or any other cause for which you have advocated or supported with time or money.

Lone Star Christian Chamber of Commerce, Love Street Alliance LLC, Montgomery County Tea Party, Texas Patriots PAC, Freedom and Liberty Conservatives PAC, Montgomery County Republican Party, Eagle Forum.

What impact does the LSGCD have on our water bills?

When people look at their water bills, at first glance it would appear that their impact is negligible. However, the regulations imposed by the LSGCD have a significant impact when people are forced to purchase surface water from the SJRA.

List all individuals/groups you have represented or lobbied for before any governmental entity during the past five years.

I have never lobbied for anyone.

Do you support fair and equitable rules for all owners of the common reservoir?  Do you believe that a “common reservoir” is the same as an “aquifer” or “aquifer subdivision”?  Explain.

I do support fair and equitable rules for all owners of the common reservoir.  A common reservoir is manmade and the geographic area where it is contained is well defined.   An aquifer is a natural water supply which extends beyond political boundaries.

What are the top 3 areas where the budget for this office needs to be adjusted?

We would have to do an audit to determine specific areas for adjustment.  First and foremost, I would look at salaries and benefit packages for the officers of this organization to see how those compare with other Groundwater Conservations Districts across the state since I think that would serve as a fair point of reference. 

Do you support using zero-based budget practices for every governmental entity, elected and appointed?

Yes.  Zero Based Budgeting helps to control expenses and allocates resources where they are most needed.

Will you vote to limit budget increases to a factor based on population growth and inflation? Explain.

No.  I will vote to limit budget increases based on need only as it should be in a Zero Based Budgeting system.  Just because the population may increase, this does not necessarily mean that the cost of operations increases across the board. Some costs may remain stagnant while others may increase.  Using an across the board factor would only increase costs to the consumer and this is not a good business practice.

Will you vote to award any contract with less than three qualified bidders?

Absolutely not and I would do my due diligence to ensure that the companies submitting bids were reputable and could complete the project as contracted.

Have you ever been convicted as result of arrest? Ever had any tax liens? If so, give start & resolution dates?

No

Should two local government entities force residents to pay billions of dollars for infrastructure development without a vote?

No

Do you support the new board engaging an independent third party to conduct an audit of LSGCD operations and make the findings public?

Yes.

Do you oppose the use of public funds, other than for needed infrastructure, to subsidize the cost of private facilities such as stadiums, arenas, hotels and other such entities?

Yes

What political party have you affilated with over the last twenty years? Do you believe in that party platform(all of it or % part - if %, please describe what you disagree with?

I am a Christian Conservative and I have always voted Republican.  Yes, I support the RPT platform.

What actions should the LSGCD take to implement change that would result in lower water rates for consumers?

The most significant action the LSGCD board could take is to re-evaluate the 64,000 Acre-Feet pumpage limit which has forced so many residents to purchase water at a much higher rate from the SJRA. 

In 2009, the LSGCD mandated a 30% reduction on water withdrawal from underground aquifers.  On what scientific data was that decision based on?

I can’t find any justification for the 30% or ten million gallon limits. These limits seem entirely arbitrary.

When and how was the LSGD created?  What are the duties? Where is their authority derived?

In 2001, Texas House Bill 2362 authorized the creation of the LSGCD for the purpose of preserving, managing and protecting groundwater resources in Montgomery County. Technically, their authority comes from Texas Water Code which is part of the Texas Constitution and this carries the weight of law.  However, the real answer is that LSGCD should derive its power from the voters of Montgomery County and having the board members elected is a step in the right direction.