Who's Running for City Council? The Election is May 9

Yesterday afternoon at 5 p.m. the opportunity to file for city council candidacy expired. With many controversial issues that have appeared on the city council’s agenda this year and last, this election promises to be interesting. Below is a quick look at the candidates.

Mayor

Mayor Dwain Morrison, the Incumbent, previously held the District 2 council seat from May 2003 until May 2013. Then he ran for mayor and won. Mayor Morrison is a 1968 graduate of Lake View High School, and was the owner of Morrison’s Quality Fence Company for 25 years, until his retirement in 2010. Water conservation and the trash contract with Republic Services have been the hot topics and a focal points during his first term. 

David Nowlin is giving the mayor some competition on May 9th. Nowlin has lived in San Angelo for about 10 years, and is a local contactor/real estate developer. Fixing up city streets, working on the water infrastructure, and building a new police station are some of his goals if elected mayor. Nowlin chairs the City's Zoning Board of Adjustments, appointed by Councilman Johnny Silvas. Nowlin made headlines this year when he chaired the hearings on whether or not to allow the controversial frac sand depot on Hill Street.

Single Member District 4

Don Vardeman has decided not to seek election to council this year, leaving an empty seat on Councilmember Elizabeth Grindstaff's left side (physical left, not political). Two candidates are in the running for that seat, and both hoping to fill that vacancy.

Lucy Gonzales is running for the Distict 4 seat. Gonzales, 56, has lived in San Angelo for the past 27 years. Gonzales attended Sul Ross University in Alpine. She possesses a background that consists of mainly law enforcement, working as a unit supervisor and parole officer before retiring three years ago. Gonzales' campaign slogan is "Committed to the Community."  

Andrew Justis is also in the running for the District 4 seat.  Justis manages 98.1 FM “The Word”, a local Christian radio station, and has lived in San Angelo since 2008. He once worked at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, CA, and at the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, Arizona. Justis studied at Cerro Coso Community College, is married and has two children.

Single Member District 2

Marty Self has a long history of civic duty in San Angelo, beginning in 1989 when he represented District 2 for the first time. Self is a lifelong resident of San Angelo, who is also a Lake View High School Graduate of 1975. He attended both ASU and Texas A&M University. Self will continue his civic duties as he is running unopposed.

Single Member District 6

Charlotte Farmer has served as City Councilmember for District 6 since 2005, and will continue to do so as she is also running unopposed as of 5 p.m., Friday. Farmer moved from Alpine to San Angelo 44 years ago. She has served on numerous boards and committees, such ASSAAA as president, education director and association executive. Farmer retired in 2008 and has a background in banking and property management. She studied at Sul Ross University in Alpine and ENMU Portales and Roswell, Cal-Poly at Pamona, University of Notre Dame, University of Texas school of Law and ASU. “What I love most is trying to solve problems, and find solutions for the people of San Angelo, and being 'Nana' to my grown grandchildren and, 'Great Grapes' to my great grandchildren,” Farmer said in an email.