Luann Burleson, Ben Martin, Maria Robinson and Frank Toland are running for the two at-large seats on the Snyder City Council.
Burleson and Robinson did not provide answers prior to the deadline.
The Snyder Daily News asked each candidate a series of questions and their unedited answers were:
Q. — Why did you file to run for city council?
Martin — I moved to Snyder nine years ago with my wife and baby son. Now, we have three kids and nearly 13 years of our marriage under our belts, and while living in Snyder, we have threaded ourselves into the community. Through recent conversations with community members and business leaders, the city council was discussed. I thoroughly entertained the idea of running for city council and after discussing with my wife and other leaders I admire in this town, I filed for the election. The main and only reason for me running for city council is to serve this town well.
Toland — I filed to run for city council because I was urged to by numerous individuals who thought I served well on council previously. As I have said before I have the time and I believe the expertise to serve.
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Q. — Scurry County has lost about 2,000 jobs over the past two years. Does the City of Snyder have the tools it needs to create jobs and if so, is it using those tools effectively? If not, what do you suggest?
Martin — If we had the tools before 2,000 jobs were lost during the last two years, we have the tools for future job growth. Snyder has a very cyclical economy and the city needs to understand that ebbs and flows will be a part of this model of economic growth. Therefore, the first reaction from a governing body should not necessarily be to go look for “new” tools to engage. The city of Snyder should focus on creating an efficient governing philosophy so that when the jobs cycle back into this community, which eventually will, we are prepared for the influx.
Toland — The city is not a great job creator. However, it may certainly help in this endeavor by maintaining the city’s infrastructure i.e., water, sewer, trash, streets, etc. Building codes must be kept up to date and permits and inspections must be accomplished in an expeditious and courtesy manner. Water is the most important of all the city’s needs. The last time I checked the city used approximately 730,000,000 gallons of water per year. CRMWD is responsible for the availability of our water and is, in my opinion, our greatest asset.
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Q. — As a council member, what actions can the city council take in order to get the community (other governing bodies and citizens) engaged in the projects suggested in the recently adopted comprehensive plan?
Martin — My chief goal as a city servant is to be a collaborative leader to successfully accomplish projects for the City of Snyder. However, the attempt to complete projects is merely a symptom of the problem and is not remedying the actual illness. As long as there are leaders putting their pride and adding accolades to their obituary paramount to the success of the City of Snyder, the city will ultimately fail to reach its maximum potential. The collaboration of ideas, sharing of vision, and coming together of human resources is the only way for the city to succeed.
Toland — I know the city has extended great effort to inform the citizens of Snyder the intent of the comprehensive plan. However, I still hear “I don’t know what you are talking” about when asked about the plan. Why not? They have other issues on their agendas. Having a booth with a city employee familiar with the plan at the various functions i.e., car show, Western Swing, 4th of July, White Buffalo Days, Christmas events etc., might arouse some interest. Again there seems to be “the few trying to take care of the many.”
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Q. — In your opinion, what specifically is the role of the city council in the operations of the city?
Martin — I am a traditionalist when it comes to the role of the city council because I believe in adhering to the City of Snyder charter. Article II, Section 28 outlines the roles of the city council, including, but not limited to, adopting the budget, issuing bond ordinances, appointing necessary commissions and leading in other duties to aid the City of Snyder in efficiency and productivity. I realize this job was not created to manage city employees, but rather to be a city servant and represent the citizens of Snyder.
Toland — Snyder is a home rule city with a council-manager form of government. The role of the city council is stated in Section 28 of the city charter and lists the powers of the council. In my opinion that is the role of the city council.
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Q. — Is the city doing enough to communicate with the citizens? If so, how, and if not, what should be done? Please be specific.
Martin — Within any organizational structure, communication as a whole is often a source of complaints. There will always be a segment of a population that will never be satisfied about the level of communication no matter how much is shared or withheld. I propose the topic that should be discussed is transparency. The city council of Snyder should aim to be impeccably transparent towards its citizens, so when they want information or communication from their local governing body, they can receive it with ease and mutual respect.
Toland — I do not believe this is a city problem. I believe this to be a citizen problem. I go to many meetings and they are sparsely attended. They are advertised as to where and when they will be held, but few citizens attend. I think the information is there if one wants to find it. Subscribing to and reading the SDN is a good way to get information as they cover all the meetings in town and write a review of each one.
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Q. — While most agree we need to attract new businesses and residents, some argue offering them incentives creates an unfair competitive situation. How should the city balance those two legitimate demands and how would you vote on those incentive requests?
Martin — Incentives are a piece to the large pie that should be discussed, and Snyder should be showing that this town is open for business. By finding ways to govern efficiently, working together with other governing entities for the growth of Snyder, and setting a vision for 10 to 15 years in the future, we can communicate to the citizens of Snyder and enterprises outside of Snyder that we welcome all new businesses. I will vote for options that make Snyder’s government efficient, be pro-growth, set a vision, and is overall beneficial for the citizens of Snyder.
Toland — I am not a proponent of tax abatement. I cannot tell you how I would vote until I was presented with the specifics of the particular abatement. One size does not fit all in this decision.
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Q. — Please list the need(s) you most want the city to address and how you would like to see it/them addressed.
Martin — A goal through my campaign is to call two business leaders every day to inquire about their thoughts regarding Snyder. Three themes have emerged from my conversations that need to be addressed for the city council, which include efficiency, growth, and vision. The city needs to become more efficient and approachable in the governance of our town because the council works for the citizens and not the other way around. Additionally, a pro-growth culture and economical environment need to be created, while also casting a vision for the years ahead, as vision is indispensable for success.
Toland — I believe the City of Snyder is fortunate in being led by forward thinking individuals, in the past. Case in point, CRMWD board appointments, landfill, water/sewer plant, replacing old water lines and adding new water towers to name a few. Streets are the most immediate problem that needs to be addressed. There will probably need to be an issuance of certificate of obligations to cover the cost of this item once it is determined what the cost will be.