Mayoral candidates address issues

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Stephanie Ducheneaux, John Gayle, George Jamison and Tony Wofford are running for Snyder Mayor.

Early voting will begin at 8 a.m. Monday at College on the Square.

Each candidate was give a 100-word limit. If an answer went over the limit, it was stopped at the 100th word.

The Snyder Daily News  asked each candidate a series of questions and their unedited answers were:

Q. — Why did you file for mayor?

Ducheneaux — I have lived in Snyder going on 20 years. Twelve of those years I served on city council. I have spent the last three years focusing on my new position at Western Texas College. Now that I am comfortable in this new role I am ready to give back to the city of Snyder. I feel my previous council experience provides me the knowledge necessary to perform the duties of mayor.

Gayle — To return and contribute my previous 26 years of institutional and historical knowledge, as your city manager, to our community. Additionally, I would like to see the implementations of the city’s 2016 comprehensive master plan with the various stakeholders, i.e. public entities.

Jamison — I am running for mayor in the hopes that I can open dialog between the citizens, business owners, educators, law enforcement and other city entities. To determine if I can identify patterns, citizen’s concerns and then to bring them to the city council and city manager so the council and city manager can make an informed decision.

Wofford — Two years ago, I said it takes a leader who believes, speaks and encourages the people in believing that we can make our city a shining light in West Texas. I still believe that and in the people of our great city and the tremendous growth potential available working together as one voice, one people.

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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?  

Ducheneaux — Yes, I believe Snyder has the tools it needs to create jobs. I think we should promote Snyder as a central hub for Lubbock, Abilene, Midland, Odessa and San Angelo.  Our location should be an asset, not a disadvantage.  Small and large industries alike that want to reach these markets need to realize Snyder is the perfect place to set up shop. I also feel many of the 2,000 jobs are oilfield related and when the oil industry bounces back, so will many of these jobs.

Gayle — The City of Snyder does have a creative tool kit to assist in economic development with the constraints of Texas legislative statutes. The last comprehensive economic endeavor by the entire leadership of the community was the successful award by the Texas Legislature of the TDCJ Price Daniel Unit to Snyder. At the time, the city “oversized” the utility line to service any additional expansion. I would recommend revising any possible expansion as well as any “out-of-the-box” creative economic enhancements along with out application. The old 70,000-square foot King’s Highway was a last-minute enhancement to our ...

Jamison — I believe we have the tools needed; however, it’s not a tool issue. This area is oil, cotton and cattle. When these industries are good, the economy is good. We need to train for jobs that support these industries. We need to train hospitality workers to support the incoming workers, encouraging suppliers to maintain adequate inventory to support the customers, provide training for tradesmen/contractors to support the businesses. We have to have the infrastructure to supporter business when we get it, to include water, housing, sewage, electric, roads in good repair, outlet for shopping, and other necessity.

Wofford — Yes we do have the tools to create jobs. We have our Vision Plan, our Economic Development Corporation of Snyder, our natural resources, transportation routes and land to grow. And our greater asset is our people unified behind a cause. We need the courage to keep dreaming big and the leadership to encourage to work towards growing our city. We are the hub of millions within a radius of 600 miles, or a small West Texas town waiting for the next boom. I see it as perspective. Just how do we see ourselves? Unified as one voice and one people ... 

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Q. — As mayor, what actions can you take in order to get the community (other governing bodies and citizens) engaged in the projects suggested in the recently adopted comprehensive plan. 

Ducheneaux — I would encourage the city manager and council to create a timeline for the completion of the 39 recommended actions that are scheduled to occur within the first two years of the comprehensive plan. Posting this chronology on the comprehensive plan section of the city website is a must and providing progress updates is crucial. It is easy to create a vision, but for the stakeholders to engage there must be documented advancement.

Gayle — We need to meet with the individual stakeholders of the city’s 2016 comprehensive master plan. Review the Action Plan portion of the plan. Select those projects which are within the monetary abilities of the respective entities. In the city’s previous 1971 comprehensive master plan identified Houston Parkway extension from 48th Street to SH350. The city completed that project as well as the widening of 37th Street from US84 to El Paso and the  widening of 30th from College to El Paso through TxDOT funding and thus at no cost to Snyder taxpayers. Other avenues of funding by the respective stakeholders ... 

Jamison — In order to get the community engaged, communication is the key. By improving communication, we can educate the community members, Snyder City Council and other governing bodies as to the value of what we are attempting to accomplish. Remember that a plan, complete or in the works, is better than no plan at all. Sometimes plans must evolve over the lift of the project but should not be the reason the project is held up. Informed citizens can make better decisions and assist in the growth of Snyder.

Wofford — My hope is to share the vision plan with different groups and community leaders for information, discussion and buy in. After citizens feel they have some buy in participation follows. Whatever the event, Snyder always unites behind the cause.

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Q. — In your opinion, what specifically is the role of the mayor in the operations of the city?

Ducheneaux — Policymaking drives city operations, and policymaking is the primary role of the city council. In a council-manager city, decision making is made by the entire council. The mayor and council member are considered equal for policy purposes. Specifically, the mayor presides over the council meetings. When presiding over meetings the mayor must be well-versed on all agenda items. The mayor must know the current state of the city and must stay conversant of the changes needed. The need for change comes from identifying resident and community needs as well a measuring the effectiveness of city services. 

Gayle — The office of mayor has no role in the operations of the city. The responsibilities and duties of all elected and appointed public trust employees is specifically defined in the Snyder’s Home Rule City Charter which was approved by voters. Any changes to the City’s Home Rule Charter must be approved by voters. In short, the city council formulates policy and the Office of City Manager administers those policies adopted by the city council.

Jamison — The mayor has no operational role in the city. As I have stated previously, the mayor needs to communicate with business owners, citizens, industries, educators, city and county support staff of the operational role of the city council and manager. If knowledge is power, then communicating is the key to unlocking that power. This gives all of us a better chance to succeed in negotiation.

Wofford — He or she has no role in the day to day operations of the city; however, he or she serves well when they are great listener, facilitator and display leadership characters. He or she should have a “Can do” attitude about the city they serve. 

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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? 

Ducheneaux — I believe the city makes a valiant effort to communicate to its citizens through the city website, Facebook, the Snyder Daily News and other venues. However, is the city communicating what the residents want to know? I think it is important for the stakeholders to have a voice in what and how information concerning the city is disseminated.  Also, the information communicated needs to be transparent; citizens should not be required to read between the lines.

Gayle — To me the City of Snyder is communicating very well with the public trust. The city has its own cable TV public education Channel 20 which was reserved a number of years ago in the city’s franchise agreement with Suddenlink Communications, along with a channel for the public school system and Western Texas College. There is also an SDN Editorial City Manager’s roundup column, city’s Internet website ci.snyder.tx.us, KSNY Radio Communication Matters. SDN letters to the editor and Ask Us also provide feedback from the public trust.

Jamison —  The city is not doing enough to communicate. This is a weak spot and a perfect place for the mayor to assist. I would establish a quarterly Mayor’s Q&A forum for citizens to be heard and possibly assisted by taking the issue and supporting information back to the city council and manager for review. A phone line should be identified where I could answer calls two days a week (10-2 p.m.) and answering machine for other times. I would investigate, answer all questions, and locate rules and regulations that support this information, with possible needed changes.

Wofford — I’m not sure what enough is, but we can always get better at communication. The age old golden rule should always be applied, “Do onto others as you would have them do unto you.” Using that as a guideline opens many communication barriers.

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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?     

Ducheneaux — If incentives are necessary to bring in new business, the same or equivalent incentives should be available for existing businesses that will be in direct competition with the new business. This equity will offer current businesses the opportunity to improve and grow and provide the citizens the new businesses they desire.  Therefore, if provided the opportunity to vote on a business incentive, I would only vote yes if the incentive is equitable to the current business competition.

Gayle — First, any request of an incentive must be considered individually. Realizing that there are no free lunches and that we need to be conscious considerate of those that brought us to the dance and that at the end of the night there is no one to take them home from the dance. Remember, all parts are related to the whole. Snyder is but a large extended family and like any family all wants and needs have to be considered in the composite. We have retail and commercial businesses that compete with one another for greater share of the market place. ...

Jamison — I don’t believe incentives should be given to a business unless they meet certain criteria. To build the new business, local labor and contractors must be used. After the new business has opened for a year, they use local businesses and products in support of the new business. If training is required for local employees, the proposed business provides it. I do not believe we should ever give incentives for any business replacing a similar business. If we could fund and support a blue-collar business employing 100 employees, then I believe we should consider negotiating incentives.

Wofford — Yes I agree with incentives and establishment of an Economic Development Corporation. If new companies or businesses meet the criteria and qualify for incentives then it becomes a beneficial tool for them and the citizens for a long term economic partnership. Here are a few ways. 1. It strengthens other businesses by keeping local dollars local. The more we have to offer locally, the less our people need to go elsewhere. 2. It reduces unemployment. More businesses mean more jobs. 3. It increases tax revenue. Even though we loss revenue for the length of the incentive, the city grows because ...

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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.

Ducheneaux — The comprehensive plan identified threats to the city, and I feel these items should be a priority. 1. Water – Continue conservation efforts and find better ways to enforce the water ordinance. Research alternative water sources. 2. Streets – Many of our streets need more than just seal coating. Street replacement will have to occur and will be expensive.  A schedule for replacement is essential. 3. Drugs – If there is a drug problem in Snyder, then we need our police force fully staffed. Investigating the turnover rate in the police department is a necessity and finding a solution must be a priority.

Gayle — Street rehabilitation and substandard structure demolition and removal are the two primary areas of attention. Presently, the city is addressing both. Because many of our streets have a clay base that expands and contracts with moisture and are not of lime, which is totally stable and impervious to water. Our streets require constant maintenance and total street rebuild is cost prohibitive. Thus, working broken curb and gutter sections and patching is the most cost efficient was of addressing the problem in conjunction with the city’s annual seal coating program. The city has oversized its waterlines replacing the old galvanized and ...

Jamison — We need to continue working on the water system. The roads are next; starting with chip seal for those roads not covered today and need to restart grading the alleys and easements. We need to be more aggressive with tearing down and removing unsafe and unsightly properties. We need the Snyder PD, working with DPS and Sheriff, to slow down the commercial trucking violations on Coliseum and College. The money from the fines would assist in repairing the roads. These items can only be successful with the county, city and state working together and within their individual budgets.

Wofford — Here is my list of needs as I see it. 1. Eliminate illegal drugs out of our Scurry County Wage a War on Drugs working with law enforcement to protect the future of our children from the destruction of illegal drugs. 2. Continue to hammer on building affordable housing. 3. Continue creating non oilfield related jobs. 4. Take action on our Vision Plan. 5. Unity among all of our taxing entities for the growth of our city. If elected for a second term I will do my part make this city a shine light in West Texas.