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Please describe your education, occupation, and the training and experiences that qualify you for this position. (50 word limit)
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How would you prioritize City spending? (60 word limit)
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Would you support a comprehensive plan for the City of Houston? Explain. (60 word limit)
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What are the most effective measures that could be instituted to lower the City’s environmental pollution? (60 word limit
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| Tom Nixon
Graduate of the University of Houston-B.B.A. Finance. Graduate of the South Texas College of Law with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence. I worked as a police officer with the Houston Police Department for 10 years. The only candidate in this race having dealt with crime on a first-hand basis.
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The safety of citizens is paramount in Houston. The City’s budget needs to be tailored so that safety issues are addressed first. The budget can not be burdened with wasteful spending. More importantly, equipment issues with the police and fire departments must be dealt with so that service to citizens is not interrupted by a failure of that equipment. |
I support a comprehensive plan for the City. Any plan to improve the quality of life for citizens must be based on common sense approaches to city growth. We can not preoccupy ourselves with the political agendas of special interests groups, at the expense of the greater good of citizens. |
Encourage the development of nuclear power for energy production. Encourage and lobby the United States government and the State of Texas to allow cleaner and more efficient chemical and petrochemical refineries to be built in the Houston metropolitan area. |
| Andy Neill
Andy Neill is a graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, and has over 12 years of business experience as a Human Capital Consultant for top-tier companies in the Houston area. Andy was recently voted “2006 Emerging Leader of the Year” by the largest young professional organization in the city.
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The following list constitutes how I would prioritize the spending of your tax dollars: establishing a more visible Police presence; the developing of creative Mass Transit solutions; addressing Senior Citizen concerns (i.e. access to healthcare facilities, mobility issues, personal care programs); and improving our Flooding control and management system. |
Houston needs a managed growth plan that looks at our vulnerability to flooding, and one that encompasses a comprehensive transit solution as well. Our jails, homeless shelters, and mental health facilities also need to be scaleable and have plenty of available space as we grow too. These are all issues that I believe are being ignored. |
My comprehensive approach would take more polluting cars off the highways by moving Metro to use heavy rail from the suburbs to our economic centers, and expanding light rail from downtown to the Galleria area and our Universities. We also need our Federal and State regulators to enforce current and existing standards on large polluters such as industrial plants. |
| Kendall Baker
I’m a native Houstonian. I have 22 plus years working for the City with 18 years in senior management. I’m currently manager over the 311 Houston Helpline’s operation. I attended Houston Community College and the College of Biblical Studies. I’m a pastor and community volunteer. I was born to serve.
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The three most pressing spending obligations for our city are public safety, education, and community investment. As a member of Council I will work to funnel money into our neighborhoods to address these commitments in a way which is specific to each area’s needs. Budget appropriation demands deliberate attention not blunt generalization. |
Houston is a large, complicated metropolitan area and a traditional comprehensive plan will not benefit Houstonians. Our communities need solutions specific to their needs. The problems of River Oaks are not the problems of Third Ward. That being said, we must work together to find common ground because collaboration will lead to the unique approaches our citizens are asking for. |
The recent actions by Mayor White are the first steps that need to be taken to protect Houstonians. City Council must have the political and moral courage to stand up to profitable businesses who pollute our environment and endanger our children. When elected I will be the loudest voice fighting to reduce emissions across-the-board. |
| Alfred Molison
B.S Radio-Television-Film University of Texas at Austin, Teleservice Representative at the Social Security Administration. I’m committed to public service. I’ve worked for non-profit organizations most of my life; Travis County Elections, Austin Community Television, Houston Media Source, Houston Independent School District substitute teacher and now the Social Security Administration.
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Move towards easy access to good healthcare for all people. Reduce air pollution in our city, no matter its source. Institute a living wage such that people working full time at minimum wage can at least afford an efficiency apartment. Make the voting system honest and transparent with paper ballots. Allow voters greater access to independent candidates and parties. |
Yes. A general plan will help us address the growing cost of transportation and make neighborhoods better places to live while assuring us of a city in which it’s easy to do business and work. |
It’s time that we sued the corporations that are polluting our city no matter where they reside. End industry self regulation of pollution emissions. Those faceless boards of directors destroy our lungs and poison our children. Put teeth into the fines levied against those corporations. Now they just write off the piddling fines as a cost of doing business. |
| Melissa Noriega
I have a Masters degree in Education from the University of Houston, worked in public education for 27 years, served in the State Legislature while my husband, State Representative Rick Noriega, served in Afghanistan and have been president of my civic club and active in other community activities.
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Priorities should focus on the health and safety of Houston families, such as increasing the number of police and firefighters. City infrastructure needs immediate attention in order to improve drainage and decrease flooding. Environmental projects are important if we are to continue to attract new businesses to Houston. One example would be incentivizing green space. |
This is absolutely imperative to our future as a city. We need to look at all areas – economic, infrastructure, cultural, environmental, etc. – and plan 5, 10, 30 years out and beyond. Houston can be an even better city given a smart “business plan,” which brings all the stakeholders to the table to make it happen. |
Regional environmental quality needs to be addressed – pollution knows no boundaries. Business, the community and environmental groups all need to be involved in making decisions and agreeing on appropriate enforcement. We will lose transportation funding and jobs if we fail to clean our air. Solutions should be data driven and include the use of appropriate technology. |
| Anthony M. Dutrow
I am the Socialist Workers Party candidate. The SWP campaign provides a fighting socialist alternative to the twin parties of war, racism and depression, demanding legalization for all immigrants and immediate withdrawal from Iraq, Afghanistan, and all theaters of the “war on terror.” I am a meatpacker and veteran unionist.
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The SWP calls for a massive government funded public works program to put millions to work at union scale. The SWP calls for socializing health care providing guaranteed medical coverage for all; no cuts in present or future Social Security benefits, Medicaid, or workers compensation. Unemployment benefits at union rates of pay should be available for the duration of joblessness. |
No answer. |
The SWP calls for nationalization of the energy industry and affordable power for working people. This industry is responsible for much of the pollution of the air, water, and soil and injuries and deaths on the job as at BP when 15 were killed and more than 100 injured in the 2005 explosion which also contaminated the surrounding neighborhood. |
| Roy Morales
I am a retired Lt Colonel with a B.A. in Psychology, a B.S. in Computer Science and a M.S. from the Air Force Institute of Technology. I am certified to manage billion dollar USAF projects and a former City of Houston Assistant Director. I am a Harris County School Trustee.
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Fighting crime is my priority. This includes improved interoperable radio communications, new technology, new policies and funding more after school program to shield our children from the criminal element. Second, sensible solutions to the illegal immigration problem must be addressed. Third, we must improve Homeland Security and emergency services. We must develop sustainable disaster management facilities in our neighborhoods. |
I would support a comprehensive strategic plan that would cover a 10 year period. The plan would include all elements of public administration, public safety and public services. The plan would include a simulation model that would show how each element influences each other. It would project out the resources and expenditures required to support the population during this period. |
The city should lead by example. The city could institute a telecommuting program which could include employees like computer programmers and data base operators. Some employees could go on 4-10 hour a day work weeks. Some of our buildings could start using alternative energy devices like solar panels and wind generators. Private industry would then follow. |
| Noel Freeman
I work for the City of Houston’s Public Works & Engineering Department and has strong working relationships throughout the City. He is a military veteran and has worked for the George Bush Library and Congressman John Culberson. I hold a bachelors degree in political science from Texas A&M University.
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The City’s primary spending focus should be public safety, followed by basic public services such as water, sanitation and drainage. Outside of those basic responsibilities, spending priorities should be considered based on justifiable need and how well such spending serves the greater good for the citizens of Houston. The questions should always be, “Is there another way to fund it?” |
A comprehensive plan for Houston’s future is one of my four top priorities. I strongly support guided growth and efforts to manage Houston’s growth and development over the long-term, while still preserving the characteristics that make Houston the fine city it is today. My experience in Public Works will help me make that a reality. I am opposed to zoning. |
I believe the most effective measure would be effective enforcement of existing laws and regulations. Without adequate enforcement, polluters have no incentive to reduce pollution or comply with those laws. I also believe we must do more to improve mobility in order to reduce air pollution caused by automobiles. |
| David Goldberg
I’m a senior at Bellaire High School. I’m a soldier in the Texas Army State Guard with a specialty in civil affairs. I have worked as a Sales Representative with Green Mountain Energy Co since I was 16. I hold numerous FEMA and Red Cross certifications revolving around emergency management.
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Police, fire, and rescue must be funded above all else. Next, our aging infrastructure must be upgraded and expanded. Our parks system must be properly funded to provide for a higher quality of life. |
There is no one answer for a comprehensive traffic solution in Houston. Besides expanding current highways and creating new tollways, the city must utilize many solutions such as HOVF lanes, SafeClear, alternative work schedules, and mass transit. The city should encourage the development of business districts that allow for shorter commutes. |
We must create a comprehensive regional plan that addresses the issue on the multiple fonts. This should included emissions from vehicles, fixed machinery, airports, rail lines, and ports. For example, the city and county government should introduce tax incentives for refineries to encourage reduced emissions with increased efficiency. We must utilize technology to move into the future. |
| Sara Owen-Gemoets
I am not a politician; I am a Houstonian - a retired United Methodist minister, graduated OU with a doctorate from Drew University. I want Houston to continue as a dynamic city, attracting jobs. “Sure, we have problems, but honesty and common sense can solve them. That’s why I’m running!”
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Currently, 2/3 of the City budget goes toward police/fire/EMT response and city services. “Priority” is not the issue. Accountability for spending that money is the key issue. If you and your children are not safe, nothing else matters. How that money is spent is the problem. Wasting tax-payer dollars is a major issue in my campaign. |
Definitely, and it needs to be monitored and updated continually. “Long range plans” worry me. No one knows for sure what the future holds – where will Houston be 5 or 10 years from now? But a Comprehensive Plan makes sense, and if it is continually updated and looked at wisely, it’s a definite asset. |
I support Mayor White; we have a pollution problem. Part of his problem has been “special interest groups.” That is why I accept no money for campaigning. Special interest groups are not healthy; I will not be their tool, and when elected, nothing will prevent me from keeping the very best for Houston (including clean air!) as top priority. |
| Ivan Mayers
BS New York University; MBA Indiana University. Thirty-three years with ExxonMobil as a strategy executive. Currently, college faculty member and consultant with Houston non-profits.
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First, fund public safety to assure security in our homes and streets. Second, fund economic development to provide long-term prosperity to all residents. Third, fund processes to streamline government to achieve greater competence, efficiency and integrity.
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I support a plan that includes a vision for Houston, a series of near-term and long-term goals, steps for achieving success and tools for measuring progress. The plan should have input from all Houston stakeholders. It should be based around stakeholders forming partnerships to work for the common good. The plan should be flexible and updated annually.
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Build public awareness of the sources of pollution. Educate the public of the effects of pollution on health and on the overall economy. Advise the public of the actions it can take to eliminate pollution. This advice should include the costs and benefits of a pollution free environment.
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