What are the 3 most pressing issues in your city and what is your preferred solution to each?

1. Meeting the growth demands on our aging infrastructure such as streets, water, sewer.  Solution:  Planning ahead and budging our tax dollars so that we don't have to put more of a burden on the tax payers.  Find sources of revenue such as grants and assistance programs through the State or Federal Government.  (We have to be carefull here to make sure the grant doesn't have requirments that do not fit with our conservation values.)

2.  Providing a safe haven for our citizens and children.  Solution:  Our parks and streets need to be maintained and modified so that children, bikes, wheelchairs, and golfcarts are safe.  Our police must be trained to quickly respond to threats and situtions such as what happened in Uvalde.  More safe walking trails.  City provided parking for customers in the historic district.

3.  Numerous business owners have moved out of the city due to policy, code, and the lack of response.  Solution:  Each and every business owner needs to educate and/or be educated on expectations. We need to encourage new businesses and "Foot Traffic" to help those business succeed. The City Council and administration needs to be responisve and proactive.

Do you feel that citizen comments and concerns are being addressed by the current administration?

No.  I know after talking to many business owners  that many felt the City did not support them and their issues or concerns were being ignored.

How do you view the responsibility of the city council to protect all children from drag queen shows in public places within the city limits including the library, school, parks, and private businesses? What is your personal belief in this matter?

I will NOT EVER support any event, school, or private business or individual requests to have any drag queen show, class, party, or appearance in the City of Montgomery.   

Why are you running for this position?  What are the three main attributes that make you the most qualified for this position?

I am running for City Council to help shape the future of this city that I love.  The three main attributes that qualify me for this position are: 1.)  My profssionalism and ability to work with a large diverse group of people.  2.  My ability to negotiate in difficult situations.    3.) Ability to research and evaluate for growth and development.    

How can the operation of your city government be made more efficient and cost effective?

We must evaluate our proposed budget and determine where we can streamline our expenditures to plan and budget for the expansions that are going to be needed to our waste managment infrastructure, the street repairs and paving, the secure source and storage of water and safety (fire & police) without over-taxing our citizens.   To do that we should concentrate on building a time-line reserve fund to pay for those expenditures.

Do you support term limits for the council?  If so, how many terms? Which current Magnolia board member do you identify with the most and why?

I am a firm believer in Term Limits so a limit of three terms.   (Don't get me started about our Congress and House!)  

I identify most with Casey Olson (current City Council member) due to his professionalism and business experience.

With the recent and projected growth in the area, how is the city coping with higher demands for sanitation, fire and police services?

I have heard stories that in the past the city has applied the "bandaid" approach for some of the sanitation needs.  The city 2023 Budget shows huge percentage decreases in Expenditures for Water System Cap Projects, Roadway Projects, Cap Outlays for Facility & Equipment while a massive 432% increase in Engineering services.  This leaves me personally with  lots of questions.

Will you vote to increase or reduce the annual city budget?  Why?  What changes will you propose in your city’s budget?  Why?

While I have not studied the Budget in depth, my first inclination would be there are areas where the  budget should be decreased and increasd in others.   

Contract Services are budgeted at $1.1 million dollars. Is there a way to have those services performed by a city employee?

We need to study and evaluate the $1.4 million dollars budgeted for Engineering. Would this be better spent with an in-house Engineer instead of all engineering services being provided by outside firms? 

Each line item needs to be reconciled and evaluated.

How much does this position pay each year? Do you think this amount should be increased, decreased or even, like The Woodlands Township, receive no compensation at all?

 In the City of Montgomery the posiiton is paid zero which I believe is the proper amount!

What is the Sales Tax Rate for the City in which you're running?  Property Tax rate?  How much of the revenue is derived from each? Do you think it would be a good idea to broaden either or both of them to increase revenues?

The Sales Tax Rate in Montgomery is 8.25%.

The Property Tax rate in Montgomery is $.40 per $100 assed value with a 20% Homestead exemption and a Over 65 $50,000 exemption as well as a Disability Exemption of $70,000.

I have never supported tax increases, yet we must have the ability to meet the growing demand for  infrastructure.  We should persue every grant and other source of revenue before raising sales or property taxes.

When would it be appropriate for a business receive any tax abatements?

If after careful evaluation, the city benefit greatly outweighted the tax abatement.  In a city that is experiencing natural rapid growth then the benefit of granting a tax abatement is null.  

What measures will you propose to ensure that your city’s government does not improperly usurp citizen’s rights?

By limiting government and it's control over our personal lives and space.

List Civic, Political or union organization or individuals to whom you have contributed time or money (five years).

Steve Toth

Briscoe Cain

Montgomery County Republican Party

Walter West II

Billy Graff

Please describe what measures you propose to improve transparency and accountability to the public.

I will meet with every business owner to discuss issues and concerns.

I will answer and be available to every citizen to discuss issues and concerns.

I will research and learn and evaluate every item on the agenda to make smart decisions.

I will appoach the administration and other members to have placed on the agenda items to improve this city.

I will respect others opiniions and be truthful.

List all clients you have represented or lobbied for on behalf of any governmental entity during the past five years.

None

Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcys?

Approximately ten years ago, while walking along a creek with my kids to evaluate property to buy in Kerr County Texas, I was accused of Trespass but no charges where filed and the case was dismissed by the County Attorney.

How do you define conservative values and how does that align with this community's values? How do those values apply in your decision making process?

Believing in Gods Laws and Commandments, Limited Government, Right to bear arms,  right to free speech,  right to say what you believe on Social Media (guess that gives the "Other Side" the same right but they seem to have all the media on their side anyway.),  Focusing on Family traditional values, religious freedom,   Opposing the Woke Philosophy,  and Equal Rights for everyone.

How long have you been consistently voting in elections? For which parties candidates? List all the elections you have voted in for the past 3 years (2014-2016).

I have been a Republican since I started voting.  

Should City employees living out of the city and/or county take home city vehicles?  Why or why not?

NO they should not take vehicles home if they live outside the city so that the city doesn't have to bear the cost.