On May 7, 2016, citizens of San Angelo have an opportunity to elect the City Council candidate they believe will get things done in Districts 1, 3 and 5. For those people who may not know the candidates, or why they're running, San Angelo LIVE! is here to help.
Not only are we providing detailed information about these candidates in the following profiles, but we're also hosting The Great Debate 2016, which kicks off tomorrow, Mar. 29, at 6 p.m. at the RiverView Restaurant, 800 Ave. D.
Debate moderators are Brandy Ramirez, Editor-in-Chief of San Angelo LIVE!; Boomer Kingston, Operations Manager at Townsquare Media; and Joe Hyde, Publisher of San Angelo LIVE!
The Great Debate 2016 is hosted by KGKL-960 AM, Townsquare Media, and San Angelo LIVE! The debate will be broadcasted live on 960 AM from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday. In addition a downloadable podcast of the event will be available Wednesday morning. By The Stream Media will video the entire event and it will be available for viewing online on this website before Thursday.
Confirmed to participate are:
- Trinidad Aguirre
- Harry Thomas
- Elizabeth Grindstaff
- Lane Carter
- Daniel Cardenas
Ticket are still available. Click here to get your tickets.
Here are the candidates who will be on the May 7th ballot according to district.
District 1
Trinidad Aguirre
Age: 64
From: San Angelo, Texas
Trinidad has lived in San Angelo for 40 years.
Family: Trinidad is married with four children, and has eight grandchildren.
Experience:
Trinidad has served in local government for eight years. His positions included Chairman of the Charter Review Committee, President of the Lake Nasworthy HOA, and he worked with Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Centers.
Q: Why are you running for City Council?
“I am passionate about the City Council simply because San Angelo is my home. As a retired president of a fortune 500 company, I saw many parallels between running a corporation and running a city. As a concerned citizen, I saw many opportunities that I felt the city could take, and, rather than complain, I decided to get involved.”
What can you bring to the city council?
“I have a wealth of knowledge in operations, marketing, sales, human resources and finance. I also have the emotional intelligence (EQ) to manage through tough situations or civic events. I am comfortable meeting with national, state, and local executives for the betterment of San Angelo. I also have the ability to listen and understand what the public is requesting and make decisions on their input.”
What challenges does the San Angelo face?
“San Angelo, like many cities, is struggling with its revenue stream. We need to identify the means to pay for infrastructure (roads, water, public safety, etc.) without over taxing the public or getting into excessive debt. We, the voters, are facing our own unique challenges with the downturn of the local economy and cannot take on more taxes or fees.“
What do you want to fix about San Angelo?
“Water is always top of mind for me, followed by our road system.”
How would you fix it?
“We have several opportunities like “Ports to Plains,” a new airline to Houston, and possibly a new interstate coming through San Angelo. We need to maximize these opportunities to identify new revenue streams through tourism, new ventures, and local small business growth. San Angelo has the means to help itself; we just need to maximize this opportunity.”
Why should people vote for you?
“With my background as an entrepreneur and corporate president, I have the education and background to be an asset on our City Council. As a husband, father and grandfather, I have the desire to make San Angelo a family-oriented city. As a concerned citizen, I respect differences. I will listen to all parties and make decisions based upon facts and this input. I believe that I am the best candidate for SMD1.
Bill Richardson
[[{"fid":"19593","view_mode":"default","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Bill Richardson (Contributed Photo)","title":"Bill Richardson (Contributed Photo)","height":"563","width":"580","style":"width: 587px; height: 570px;","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]
Age: 61
From: Edmonton, Alberta, but he and his family moved to San Angelo over 21 years ago.
Family: Bill has one son majoring in music at Angelo State University.
Experience and Answers Based on Questions from Above:
Bill is a retired Cartographic Technologist who worked for the Alberta government for approximately 20 years. He has studied municipal planning, road, canal and dam construction, graphic arts, computer programming, topographic and planimetric mapping, air photo interpretation and more at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
He believes that he is the best qualified candidate for SMD1 due to the city setting up a Geographic Information System (GIS). Bill has a background in GIS, traditional mapping, compilation (the gathering of information), contract oversight and budget management. He will be able to understand the finance department as well as efficiently communicate with GIS people and hydrologists. He can offer constructive input. Bill has also studied street designs and subdivision design. With this knowledge, Bill will be able to communicate with engineering and water departments for the City Council.
Bill believes that the city needs to keep a close eye on its growing debt, as well as slow down on borrowing and stop rushed decisions on major borrowing. He said, “I believe the city government should be more transparent to tax payers and let them know the present increases in spending are totally financed by borrowing.”
Bill also shares the concerns of the residents of San Angelo with the present trash pickup policies from residential homes. He believes that the trash pickup can be returned to the allies, which had alleyway pick up in the past. He also believes that residents who need two trash bins should not be charged. Bill said the requirement of 500 tons of recyclable materials should be reduced to 300 to 350 tons per month.
This candidate supports the process of an elected police chief and believes that “public comment” during city council meetings should be entrenched into the city charter. He believes that the city should have its own regulations for lobby groups that lobby for funding and legislation.
Bill does not support what he called the criminalization of pet ownership, and he said pet owners should have the choice to spay or neuter their pets.
Bill said, “Borrowing, tax increases and spending are out of control. Presently, San Angelo City Council and City Management are leading us down the same debtor path the federal government in Washington has taken. City council and city government is mortgaging away the future of our children and grandchildren. I would like to stop this.”
District 3
Harry Thomas
[[{"fid":"19594","view_mode":"default","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Harry Thomas (Contributed Photo)","title":"Harry Thomas (Contributed Photo)","height":"500","width":"358","style":"width: 408px; height: 570px;","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]
Age: 70
From: Harry Thomas has lived in San Angelo for 45 years. He's originally from Charles City, Iowa. In 1971, Thomas moved back to San Angelo after being in the Air Force for eight years. During his deployment, Harry was stationed at the Goodfellow Air Force Base.
Family: Harry married his wife Ann nearly 37 years ago, and now has two sons and two granddaughters.
Experience and Answers Based on Questions from Above:
Harry has been very involved with his community. He is in his 20th year as a board member for the local Boys & Girls Club. He has served twice on the local United Way board, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Leadership Alumni board. He served four years on the Fort Concho Foundation board and just wrapped up his sixth year on the Fort Concho Museum Board. Still to this day, Harry serves on the local Elks Lodge board and the Rust Street Ministries advisory board.
Being a concerned citizen, Harry has attended nearly every City Council Meeting over the last 3.5 years. Harry understands that at the root of all problems is money. Being an accountant, he knows budgets. By using budgets, he will be able to help the City Council make good financial decisions for the future.
Harry believes that San Angelo needs to look at a long-term water solution. He said, “My granddaughters are four and seven; I want to ensure that their grandchildren have water.” He also thinks that San Angelo needs to fix the infrastructure needs of the city. By this, he means repairing and fixing streets, replacing aging sewer lines and water lines. Harry said, “The city has a plan now; we need council members disciplined enough to follow it through, and fiscally shrewd enough to ensure the necessary funding to complete this in the planned time frame.”
Harry is encouraging people who live in SMD3 to vote for him because the root of all problems is money. He will be the people’s eyes on the bottom line, he said.
Daniel Cardenas
Daniel Cardenas did not respond to San Angelo LIVE!'s request on time for this story.
District 5
R.A. Cantrell
Age: 70
From: Dallas, Texas, but has lived in San Angelo for 10 years
Family: R.A. is married to Rosemary and has one girl. He has three grandchildren as well.
Experience:
R.A. said he has never been in local government before.
Why are you running for City Council?
“If you are tired of the nonsense, vote for me.”
What inspired you to run as a public servant?
"Try to make a change and say “no” to a few things."
What is it that you can bring to the council?
"The word 'NO.'”
What challenges do you face?
“I am not very tall and not very smart.”
What do you see now in San Angelo that you would want to fix?
"City Government"
How Would you fix it?
"Fire them all."
Why should people vote for you?
“I will try and stop the nonsense downtown.”
Quotes:
“I love San Angelo and moving here saved my life. I love the people here, especially the young people. They were raised right.”
“I am a hard headed, bad tempered, uncompromising, son of a bitch.”
Matthew Lane Carter
Age: 28
From: San Angelo
"I have lived in San Angelo all 28 years of my life"
Family: Matthew has been married for three years to Paige, and they are expecting their first son in August.
Experience:
"This will be my first government office held in local government."
Why are you running for City Council?
"I am running for city council because I believe that the communication between our current council and their constituents has been lacking. Our opinions and voices on matters that pertain to everyone living in the city are not being heard before a vote on the council takes place. The infrastructure of our town is also a reason I am running. It has been neglected for 40 years and it needs our full attention before we spend taxpayer’s money on other items that have been on their agenda."
What inspired you to run as a public servant?
"My inspiration for running came from constant complaints coming from people of how they have a “bad taste in their mouths” from the city government. This is not how it should be. We should have a city government that is more customer friendly and helpful to the people."
What is it that you can bring to the council?
"I can bring a fresh face to the council and a more proactive way of approaching issues. I will be transparent to my constituents and will keep them informed on the issues that are being brought to the
council on a constant basis. I will also lend my listening ear to all and not leave any concern open ended."
What challenges do you face?
"The only challenge I face is not having been in local government beforehand, but this will also be turned around to be a strength. I am not afraid to ask questions and get the truth for the people.
What do you see now in San Angelo that you would want to fix?
"The infrastructure of our town, including water, streets, and public servant departments, will be my priority of my time on council. As mentioned, water lines and roads have been failing for 40 years and are going to need our whole effort on fixing them. If we are going to strive for our town to be considered one of the safest towns to live, our police and fire departments are going to need the staff and equipment to do so."
How would you fix it?
"I would fix this issue by pushing for a reevaluation of the city budget in order to fund the maintenance of the city. I will be more conservative on how I vote to spend tax payers money. I will also
consult the citizens in order to have every idea heard and evaluated for the final vote."
Why should people vote for you?
"People should vote for me because I will be honest and transparent; I will listen to the constituents and take their issues to heart, and I will bring a more energetic and proactive face to the city to
accomplish the issues that the people want to see accomplished.
Elizabeth Grindstaff
[[{"fid":"4979","view_mode":"default","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Elizabeth Grindstaff. (Contributed Photo)","title":"Elizabeth Grindstaff. (Contributed Photo)","height":"460","width":"690","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]
Age: 52
From: Richardson, Texas, but has lived in San Angelo for 11 years
Family: Divorced and raising two children at Central High School
Experience:
Elizabeth worked in municipal government for 24 years until retirement. She then served on the City Advisory Board before running for City Council in 2014.
Why are you running for City Council?
“I am called to public service, and I missed the interaction and consensus building when I went into private sector.”
What inspired you to run as a public servant?
“Initially, I was encouraged to run by citizens who I had worked with during my tenure as Assistant City Manager. I realized that I had a unique knowledge that could be very beneficial to the citizens, and I truly missed community building.”
What can you bring to the council?
“That experience gained as a municipal employee, but also understanding the concerns of the business community since I am now in private sector, and as a mom raising two teenagers, and as a taxpayer.”
What challenges do you think people face here in San Angelo?
“We need to avoid the pervasive attitude of apathy and discontent that is sweeping our nation and impacting our state and local views. San Angelo is a strong, proud, self-sufficient community that needs to stay that way. We must remember that we are in charge of our destiny, just as we are solely responsible for supporting the quality of life we enjoy.”
What do you want to fix about San Angelo?
“Communication between city staff and the public.”
How would you would fix this?
“The City has to constantly look for ways of engaging the public to get more feedback for programs/projects BEFORE they are presented to City Council for action. Citizens need to feel they can contribute their opinion even if they can’t attend a six-hour long Council meeting. We much search for more practical ways of gaining public input, like use of the internet and other emerging technologies.”
Why should people vote for you?
“My passion to improve my community, my knowledge of local and state law, and my willingness to tackle the difficult issues and not shy away… and my continued desire to serve the public the best way I know how.”
Martin William Guinn
SMD 5 candidate Martin William Guinn did not respond to San Angelo LIVE!'s request for this story.
Stephanie Lindgren, Zoey Hanrahan and Cameron Niblock contributed to this story.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: