Gloria Lopez, Stanley Mireles, Clay Mize and Jim Robinson are running for the Republican Party nomination for the Pct. 4 Scurry County Commissioners’ Court on March 6.
Early voting begins Tuesday.
The candidates responded to questions from the Snyder Daily News:
Q. — Why are you running for this office and what makes you the candidate voters should elect?
Lopez — I am running for commissioner Precinct 4 to offer a strong voice for the people in this precinct, as well as all taxpayers that struggle to pay their taxes every year. I have worked closely with taxpayers and business owners to know that sometimes it is difficult to be successful. I want to build confidence and listen to the needs of the people that support this office.
Mireles — I am running for Precinct 4 Commissioner because I have heard citizens complain about potholes, street signs, infrequent mowing and general lack of road maintenance. Many citizens also felt the county government did not employ responsible use of tax dollars on project such as the airport hangar, Maverick West and Cavender Road. When asked, “Why they didn’t complain to their commissioner?”, they replied “We tried” with no resolve or he “never answers the phone.” I truly believe I can improve road maintenance, be a voice for intellectual Scurry County tax dollar expenditures and listen to the citizens of Precinct 4.
Mize — I had a few constituents approach me and ask me to run. My wife and I prayed about it and felt like this is something I was being lead to do. I believe I am the best candidate for the job. My training in the military, my education and my experience in business has prepared me for the responsibility of being your county commissioner and I look forward to the opportunity to serve our community.
Robinson — I’ve had 16 years as foreman and one term as commissioner, 23 years before that with a direct contractor.
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Q. — How will you make sure basic road maintenance and upgrades are performed in your precinct and what will you do to ensure taxpayers’ money — local, state and federal — is protected from outcomes like what happened with Cavender Road?
Lopez — Road maintenance and upgrades are a necessity in our county. Roads need to be safe and in good shape, but all of this needs to happen with proper planning, knowledge of what can happen if shortcuts are taken. Preparation is a must, and Cavender Road is a true example of poor planning and poor judgment.
Mireles — My 10-plus years hands on road and street maintenance experience is a strong indicator that adequate road maintenance will be performed. I am extremely familiar with road building, maintaining and seal coating procedures. Familiar with operation and maintenance of heavy equipment used in road maintenance. I have many personal notes on procedures that yield the best road maintenance results. A great amount of tax dollars could have been saved if the county had initially built Cavender Road. Also this fiasco could have been avoided with a better check of contractor’s credentials and good quality control of the project.
Mize — Be there. We will start with basic maintenance issues, then a prioritized list of repairs/projects and supervision of the work crews to make sure the work is being done satisfactorily at each step of the project. Cavender Road should have never been accepted as a final product. As a taxpayer, each of you is the customer, to which services should be done satisfactorily.
Robinson — Go out and make sure they are maintaining it right, but it is hard to maintain roads because it is so dry. You have to water, blade and roll the roads. I have 246 miles in Precinct 4 with three maintainers, one roller and one water truck. As for Cavender Road, Hibbs and Todd did not have a road engineer. The contractor was not a road builder. I was in office right as Hibbs and Todd was hired.
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Q. — What is the appropriate level of reserves to maintain the county’s general fund and how will we get there?
Lopez — Every local government office should have reserves for unexpected issues that may arise. Reserves are like savings, should be compiled gradually.
Mireles — A comfortable reserve would be $5.5 million with minimum reserve being $2.75 million. In the Feb. 13, Snyder Daily News article, Scurry County Auditor states that the county’s total reserve funds are more than $8 million. Citizens stated and felt their taxes are too high not because of tax rate increase, but increased and over-inflated valuation of property. Citizens would benefit by stabilizing the valuation of property and avoid a tax increase. If we do not increase revenue with higher taxes or valuation, the only solution is to reduce spending, as stated from the beginning, cost saving county government.
Mize — The general consensus, from the constituents I have had the pleasure of speaking with, is $0 reserves, saying the county should only collect what is needed to operate. As a business owner, I know you have to have reserves. Reserves are for emergency use only, not pet projects, or investments into sinking assets. Intelligent business practices are how we get there. “Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.” - Proverbs 15:22
Robinson — Reserves should appropriate $8 million give and take. Watch all spending of department heads.
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Q. — Several times over the past four years the county has attempted to block public questions and comments by requiring resumes from reporters before answering questions, requiring questions to be submitted in writing and charging for answers and not allowing any public comment during meetings. Were these appropriate and would you allow them to happen if you are elected?
Lopez — Questions by the public should always be allowed for this is a public elected position and our goal should always be to serve and represent the people of Scurry County in a professional, fair and most important, ethical manner.
Mireles — I support government transparency. Scurry County financial information is available online for public viewing. County officials have a responsibility to serve the public, which includes answering questions. At times these questions may have to be redirected to the proper department. Having a question in writing may help avoid any misunderstanding of the question. A designated time slot should be included during commissioners’ court for the public to speak, so as long as the comments are appropriate and related to items on the agenda.
Mize — Folks, this is a public office, salaries are paid by the taxpayers. It is my belief that it is important comments be heard, and the meetings to be public, closed only in the event of national security threat or an official investigation. “Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.” -Proverbs 11:14
Robinson — Public questions and comments should be allowed in every court meeting. As far as resumes, questioning in writing or charging should not be. This is a public meeting and everyone is invited. Five minutes per speaker.
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Q. — Will you be a full-time commissioner? If not, will you see to it that your salary is reduced to reflect your part-time status?
Lopez — My position for this office, if elected, will be a full-time commissioner.
Mireles — Commissioners enact local ordinances and administer them, approve budgets, oversee spending, hire county employees and have responsibilities to the building and maintenance of county roads. To my knowledge, no Scurry County commissioner has ever been constrained to an actual set work schedule or time clock. A well-disciplined commissioner should be able to balance their office and field duties for maximum benefit to their constituents. If elected, the commissioner’s office and duties will be my primary and 40-hour full-time job. However, if time permits, I will maintain part-time employment with the City of Snyder.
Mize — Yes, I plan to be a full-time commissioner.
Robinson — Yes as I have for 3-plus years. My door is always open.
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Q. — What steps would you take to strengthen the relationship between the county and other governing bodies?
Lopez — Relationships between the county and other governing bodies may be improved by many avenues. For example, get involved and attend meetings, special events, educate oneself and learn their purpose, invite them to meetings, for things to work out better if there is communication.
Mireles — The first and most important step is good open communication. There is already an interlocal government agreement in place between the governing bodies. It covers areas such as seal coating, firefighting and landfill usage. If I was commissioner of Precinct 4 right now, with proper authorization, I would send a loader and dump trucks to help the city haul away the fill dirt from the creeks being cleaned out and use the fill dirt to repair deep ditches along CR 466. A win-win situation, city gets fill dirt removed, county gets fill dirt to repair ditches. There is more.
Mize — First of all, I have looked at the budgets and spoke with several department heads. I commend those people for their public service and those who are doing an excellent job. I would welcome either joint meetings or preparing reports, providing briefs or sharing minutes and agendas to serve as a way of strengthening relationships.
Robinson — We seal coat for the city, keep the brush truck up tires, etc. for the fire department, move dirt in and out for the college rodeo. I haven’t heard of anything else.