Voters Guide 2018

H AY S C O U N T Y

Voters Guide 2018 In an effort to keep our readers informed of all the local elections, The Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch have submitted questionnaires to candidates running for city, county and state office. Early voting begins Oct. 22 and ends on Nov. 2. Election day is Nov. 6. See page 4 for all of the Hays County voting sites. State Representative, District 45 KEN STRANGE - R What is the most pressing issue your district faces and how do you plan on addressing it? Protecting our quality of life as our population grows is very important. That will require a state representative who can successfully provide legislative leadership and funding to upgrade our roads, improve our schools and public safety, and protect our water and natural resources. As a 14year emergency medical service director and 10-year school board trustee, I have worked on modernizing emergency communications and improving school safety throughout our area. As your representative, I will draw on this background to fight for our local priorities in the legislature and partner with community leaders to protect our quality of life. How should the state approach fixing its education system? Fixing education in Texas begins with overhauling our broken school finance system to provide a high level of school funding that is less reliant on local property taxes. As a 10-year school board trustee, I understand how state education policies impact our students and teachers at the local level, and will focus on prioritizing more resources for classroom education, improving accountability systems, securing the future of Pre-K initiatives, competitive pay for our teachers, and reducing the role of high stakes testing to place more emphasis on learning instead of training students to take standardized tests. Should the state consider more groundwater regulations in the future? Why or why not? Yes. Our groundwater is a precious resource. As president of the Wimberley ISD school board, I authored our board’s resolution of support for the community’s efforts to pass important “Save Our Wells” legislation to protect the local control of our groundwater from outside special interests. The quality of our water supply, rivers and streams is a community issue, not a partisan one. What do you bring to the table your opponent doesn’t? I have a deep knowledge of local issues and priorities. Over the past two decades, I have directed a non-profit 911 EMS service, served as a school board trustee and president, and was twice voted Community Volunteer and Civic Leader of the Year. I helped our community recover from devastating floods, modernized our emergency communications, and made our schools safer. My opponent moved here less than two years ago and did not even cast a vote in this district until less than a year ago. I believe our representative needs a stronger understanding of our district, its priorities and needs. Does Texas government have a problem with partisan politics? How do you plan to work across the aisle? As an emergency services director, I have spent my career serving our neighbors in their times of greatest need. I am running for representative to advance the issues and priorities that matter to our community: better roads, safer schools, improving education, protecting groundwater, and sound fiscal policies that can reduce property taxes. That is why I have the overwhelming support of our local elected and civic leaders of both parties, including former Democratic State Rep. Patrick Rose and current Republican State Rep. Jason Isaac.

ERIN ZWIENER - D What is the most pressing issue your district faces and how do you plan on addressing it? Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, and healthcare costs are skyrocketing for everyone. No one should be bankrupted by illness. The best thing Texas can do to improve health coverage and reduce costs is expand Medicaid. Right now a large portion of the population are unable to pay for necessary health care. When they are unable to pay, those costs are passed on to patients who can. This makes health care costs rise. Expanding Medicaid will bring in $6 billion of federal funding, cover 1.5 million Texans (10,000 in this district),

and drive down health costs for all Texans. How should the state approach fixing its education system? Our school finance system is based on outdated formulas that are almost three decades old. Furthermore, these formulas have resulted in the state share of public education steadily decreasing and local property taxes carrying more and more of the burden. This both jeopardizes the quality of our children’s education and makes it less and less affordable for average folks to live here in Texas. I will work to overhaul our funding formulas, commit more state funding, and relieve the property tax burden. I will also work to end shame and blame testing and teaching to the test. Should the state consider more groundwater regulations in the future? Why or why not? “More regulations” is the wrong way to think about it, but we do need to revamp our groundwater protection standards. The twin threats of development and climate change are straining our aquifers, and right now we have a disparate network of groundwater conservation districts that only cover portions of the state. Some of these are underfunded (notably the Hays-Trinity Groundwater Conservation District), and they all struggle with the authority to take proactive action. We need to give our groundwater conservation districts more authority and move from the “Rule of Capture” (essentially, if you can reach the water, it’s yours) to publicly owned groundwater. What do you bring to the table your opponent doesn’t? My background is in natural resource conservation, and I worked for collaborative nonprofits to restore habitat, protect public safety, and bolster the local economy. Collaboration meant that it was my job to sit down with people from all walks of life—loggers, environmentalists, firefighters, ranchers—and ask folks to put aside their agendas and focus on their values. We’d build trust and use those relationships to develop innovative solutions that were consistent with everyone’s values. Texans have more in common than what divides us, and I bring experience in uniting folks to make progress toward common goals. Does Texas government have a problem with partisan politics? How do you plan to work across the aisle? Yes, every branch of the Texas government has been held by the Republican party for over 20 years. This has allowed extremism to fester, pushed the parties apart, and brought in a group of legislators who prioritize divisive issues (like the Bathroom Bill and the “Show Me Your Papers” Bill) over key issues like healthcare and education. I will stand firm against these divisive individuals while coming to the table with reasonable folks from both parties. Conserving our natural resources and public education both provide great opportunities to work across the aisle. I’ll use my collaboration experience to help build trust and develop innovative solutions. What was the last book you read? Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind the Secret Plan to Steal America’s Democracy. This book about the concerted effort by Republicans to control state legislatures for the 2011 redistricting both confirmed and renewed my commitment to an independent redistricting process. Right the Texas Legislature draws district lines for US Congress and the state legislative seats. They have never drawn them fairly, regardless which party was in power, and right now Hays County is sliced up in a way that confuses voters and reduces their voting power. We have another redistricting coming up in 2011, and I’d like a fair and independent process instead the districts being drawn yet again to maximize partisan power.

Where do you stand on how the county has managed its budget and debt in recent years? N/A

Hays County Judge

Where do you feel the county can improve in its service to residents? Although a lot of work has been done, the County could improve service: Many crimes in our community are connected to drugs, alcohol, and mental illness. By improving existing programs and developing new programs we can help rehabilitate these citizens providing an opportunity to once again be productive members of our community. Streamline our justice system from our officers on the streets to our district judges and everything in between. Working with departments and elected officials, we can become more effective and efficient in our duties to provide justice and high levels of public safety while making fiscally responsible decisions.

RUBEN BECERRA - D Aside from roads and infrastructure, what is the biggest issue your precinct faces and how do you plan to fix it, if elected? The Citizens of Hays County are being crippled with debt- property taxes are rising faster than paychecks can keep pace. Folks are having a hard time paying their bills while we continue to give huge tax breaks to large companies that do not need them. These “deals” get put on local resident’s backs. We can do better. But, they don’t want to hear from us. They Gerrymander to pick their voters in order to stay in power. They’ve tried to silence our voices at every turn. They tried to get rid of Judge Hernandez’s office – JP 1-2, while innocent people wait in jail to see a judge.

What do you bring to the table your opponent doesn’t? N/A Where do you feel the county can improve in its service to residents? Hays County needs to do a better job of conducting elections. We need to make sure that every vote is counted. We must have open and transparent policies and procedures in place for conducting elections. We need to strengthen our disaster preparedness response and not bury or stop reports on how to improve our emergency system because it might make the county look bad. The county can improve services to residents by simply focusing more on the services we are charged with providing and not let politics be the guide of the day. What was the last book you read? Leaders Eat Last, by Simon Sinek

WILL CONLEY - R Aside from roads and infrastructure, what is the biggest issue your precinct faces and how do you plan to fix it, if elected? We live in the fastest growing county in America, and with that comes a tremendous number of opportunities for our citizens and for business. However, this unprecedented growth stretches our service capacity and strains our infrastructure, our natural resources, and other elements of our community. As a successful small business owner and former County Commissioner, my experience, relationships, and knowledge will allow me to continue working with all stakeholders and jurisdictions to maintain high levels of public safety, our geographic and cultural diversity, and to develop infrastructure that keeps us safe, mobile, and protects our natural resources. Where do you stand on how the county has managed its budget and debt in recent years? We made major investments in roads, emergency communications, and parks and conservation projects to bring Hays County into the modern era. While voter approved bond debt financed these projects, good financial planning and leveraging millions of dollars in state and federal funds has allowed us to reduce tax rates to a 20 year low, enact a tax freeze for all senior citizens, accelerate reduction in debt payments, and increase county savings to historic highs. We are running the county’s finances similar to a growing and successful business, and that is why our bond rating is the highest it has ever been. What do you bring to the table your opponent doesn’t? I have a proven record of leading our government locally and regionally, and can turn ideas from constituents and stakeholders into tangible assets and programs that benefit all citizens. As Precinct 3 Commissioner and leader of most of our regional organizations, I have a deep understanding of how to embrace our geographic and cultural differences and lead accordingly. I am a successful small business owner, formally educated with a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in business from Texas State University, and have attained thousands of hours of on the job training and continued education on local government policy.

Should the county do more to help spur economic development and how can that be accomplished? I am proud to be one of the original founders of the Greater San Marcos Partnership. Through this organization we have developed plans and strategies on what type of job growth and future investment would best benefit all citizens of Hays County. This work has helped land thousands of new jobs in our community

giving citizens more options for their personal careers and for their families. We will continue to work on all forms of businesses and maintain an environment within our community in which businesses of all sizes and backgrounds can flourish. What was the last book you read? “Water in Texas” written by my good friend, Dr. Andrew Sansom.

Hays County Clerk ELAINE HANSON CARDENAS - D Should the county clerk be a non-partisan position? Why or why not? The county clerk should be hired, not elected. It is a non-partisan position. The clerk has no law-making authority. Nevertheless, it is an important executive position that requires managerial skills, along with technical knowledge of data collection, management and dissemination. As threats to data security become increasingly more common, the job requires someone who has a relevant college education and experience leading teams responsible for complex data management, including data security. The clerk must be able to advocate for staff at the Commissioners Court and to work effectively with data users and suppliers at the local, state and federal levels. What do you bring to the table your opponent doesn’t? I am an experienced senior executive with the qualifications needed to modernize the office and address the challenges ahead, which include our county’s rapid growth and threats to our data security. I have decades of experience leading teams for national research firms, including Gallup. In my last job as Vice President of Surveys at DRC, I led a team of 200 IT experts who were responsible for managing one of the largest databases in the world for the Department of Defense. I also have an MBA and a PhD, with training in data collection, analysis and reporting. We need a credible executive in this leadership position. What is the biggest challenge your office faces today? In addition to addressing the challenges posed by the rapid growth of our county, the threat of data breaches, and the technical complexities of modernization, our clerk also needs to make our elections a priority. Our county lost more than 1800 ballots in 2016! Ensuring a fair elections process with unique identifiers on all ballots and images of all ballots is essential. We should also strive to make voting easier for our residents from registering to vote through casting a ballot. As Vice Chair of the Elections Commission, the clerk is in a position to ensure oversight of the elections. What was the last book you read? The last book I read was Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Bully Pulpit, which contrasts the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, and examines their use of the press. It’s interesting because of the inevitable parallels with our own time. They dealt with many of the same challenges we face, including income disparities and obstructive politics, yet led a cultural transformation that increased economic opportunities and social justice, putting in place some of the regulatory apparatus our current politicians seek to dismantle. I enjoyed thinking about Trump’s use of Twitter and dislike of the media in contrast to Roosevelt’s enthusiasm for the press.

LIZ Q GONZALEZ - R Should the county clerk be a non-partisan position? Why or why not? The County Clerk should be non-partisan because the position is mandated by state statutes and has no authoritative power. The Clerk in Commissioners’ Court takes the minutes and attests to proceedings held in open court. The Clerk in Court will take fees and fine moneys and issue Letters or other documents pertaining to the Orders that are filed. The Clerk as the Registrar will file and issue Certified Copies of Birth and Death Records. And issue and file Marriage Licenses. The Clerk will also file land records, which include Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Military Discharges (DD214’s),

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VOTERS GUIDE 2018

Cattle Brands, Assumed Name Certificates(DBA’s), and Plat records. The County Clerk sits on various boards as part of the position. The majority of my job is filing and preserving records for the county. What do you bring to the table your opponent doesn’t? I have worked for 30 years in the County Clerk’s Office. I am currently serving in my second term as the Clerk. I worked in Nueces County Clerk’s Office for five years, and have worked in Hays County for twenty-five years. I bring experience and knowledge all within the County Clerk’s Office. What is the biggest challenge your office faces today? The tremendous amount of growth in the past few years has brought a variety of people to our office. Some have been a bit scary. The challenging part is preparing my staff for dealing with all types of people that come in. Training them to ask questions but mainly listen to them. Then get them the information they came in for. What was the last book you read? Anxious for Nothing

Hays County Commissioner, Pct. 2 RICHARD CRONSHEY - D Aside from roads and infrastructure, what is the biggest issue your precinct faces and how do you plan to fix it, if elected? The budget and our debt is the biggest issue that we face in the upcoming years. We do NOT need to increase taxes. We can use the “effective tax rate” for next year’s budget. Using the effective tax rate means we are taking in the same amount of money from residential and businesses as last year. The effective tax rate would actually mean increases because the “new revenue” from new properties would bring in more revenue. I would propose a zero line budget for next years. This mean to start at “zero” with the budget and actually see if all of the expenditures are necessary. Where do you feel the county could improve in its service to residents? Many constituents do NOT understand the role of the County government. I would like to inform the people of their government actions in Precinct 2 through increased social media and from direct mail to our constituents. Information about up coming road work, road closures and construction would be extremely helpful to constituents. Having evening commissioner court meetings would allow greater citizen participation in government. As a professional educa-

tor for over three decades, information dissemination is crucial. Should the county do more to help spur economic development and how can that be accomplished? YES, the county should do more. Economic development is vital and the life blood of this community. Quality, higher paying jobs which afford people a decent living wage are the jobs that Hays County needs. There are many commuters in Precinct 2, but I would like to see Hays County business employ more Hays County residents. Commissioner’s Court should award local, Hays County business, our bids as opposed to out of county businesses. Hays County jobs ensures that money earned here in Hays County, stays here in Hays County. We also need to have a public / private partnership for this community. Has the county effectively managed its budget in recent years and why? NO, Hays County has not effectively managed its budget. The debt is approximately $ 2,200 per person in Hays County. Our debt is greater than most counties our size also. Out total revenue is approximately $ 138 million, and our total expenditures are Approximately $371 million. Our debt now is approximately $ 455 million. This is not sustainable. Hays County is one of the fastest growing counties in the Texas AND in the US. Rapid increased growth can be positive for Hays County. Although more services will be needed, MUCH more revenue will be generated by increased growth. What was the last book you read? The book I am currently reading the called “Enlightenment NOW” by Steven Pinker. The premise of this book is that ( contrary to many pessimists ) the “Global” human condition is rapidly improving. 100 million people, every year in the world are climbing out of abject poverty. They are no longer suffering at sustenance level. 90 % of all persons in the WORLD are reading on at least a 6th grade level. The last book I have completed was “the AGE-FREE Zone” by Barry Sears. As the title implies, what things can we do slow the aging process.

MARK JONES - R Aside from roads and infrastructure, what is the biggest issue your precinct faces and how do you plan to fix it, if elected? Local jobs growth. We want to make sure we grow jobs here in our local community, we don’t want to solely be a bedroom community of Austin. It is crucial that we develop good, high paying career opportunities right here in Hays County that will benefit the people of Buda and Kyle. We want them to have the opportunity to live, work

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and play here within our community. To achieve this, we need to have a pro-jobs regulatory climate, work to reduce red tape for prospective employers, develop our roads and infrastructure, and keep taxes as low as possible.

take it away from our citizens. Previously, as Chief of Staff for the county, I helped to advance the county’s efforts to pass “Save Our Wells” legislation, and preserve our area’s natural resources. Looking forward, I want to build on these efforts.

Where do you feel the county could improve in its service to residents? We should strive to continually improve all of our services by being responsive to our citizens and maintaining a high level of transparency. Roads and transportation has been the hallmark of my time in office. We have done a lot to improve FM 967, FM 1626, and begin construction of SH-45 SW, as well as Hwy 21, Rhode Road, Kia Vista, Satterwhite, and FM 150. Design phase is underway on Dacy Lane, Hillside Terrance, Windy Hill Rd, and additional improvements on FM 967. Improving traffic flow at major intersections is also a high priority of mine moving forward.

Should the County urge Wimberley city leaders to institute a property tax and why? No. The city created a property tax and set that rate at 0% as a procedural matter in order to obtain financing. At that time, city leaders promised the tax rate would remain at zero, and I believe that a promise made should be a promise kept. All of us in local government need to work together to reduce property taxes. At the county level, I worked to balance budgets, reduce the county tax rate to its lowest in 20 years, and pass a 100% tax freeze for homeowners age 65 and older, to protect seniors on fixed incomes.

Has the county effectively managed its budget in recent years and why? During my time on the Commissioners Court I have fought tirelessly to keep taxes low while making smart investments. I believe that our county’s budget is in the best shape it has been in recent memory. I have fought to make substantial investments in roads, infrastructure, EMS, and conservation. Our bond rating and savings have both increased, all while keeping our budget balanced and lowering the county property tax rate to its lowest point in 20 years. Should the county do more to help spur economic development and how can that be accomplished? I believe that reducing government red tape, keeping taxes low, and keeping regulations fair and predictable is key to spurring economic development and job growth. We should also focus on upgrades to our infrastructure, including roads and highway. By maintaining a high quality of life and an affordable community that is well run, we will continue to be a prime location to locate higher paying jobs and produce healthy economic development. What was the last book you read? Over the past few years I have read so much about roads, highways, and transportation, I think that all that combined would qualify as several books!

Hays County Commissioner, Pct. 3 JIMMY HALL - D Aside from roads and infrastructure, what is the biggest issue your precinct faces and how do you plan to fix it, if elected? Quality of life is the biggest issue. To address it, I will use forward-looking and innovative actions and policies. The budget process must include all people, protections for our natural resources and water, and safer roads (RR 12). We must be proactive in preparing for and managing large population growth. I will work to maintain the uniqueness of Wimberley, San Marcos, and related. The local governments can collaborate to develop and implement wise land use patterns, ideas, and plans that ensure safe mobility in and through the County while ensuring adequate water supplies for everyone without stealing water from anyone or polluting water resources and our environment Should the county urge Wimberley city leaders to institute a property tax and why? The decision of instituting a property tax in Wimberley is for the citizens of Wimberley to make. Hays County should not be involved and respect local jurisdictions. Where do you feel the county can improve in its service to residents? Hays County can definitely improve its service by: having transparency and citizen participation at the beginning and throughout all processes; weeding out fiscal irresponsibility; responding to all citizen needs (water, pollution, lead contamination, etc.); reforming the election system; reforming the criminal justice and jail system; collaborating with others; and planning proactively. Where do you stand on Wimberley’s decision to forgo a city-owned wastewater treatment facility? I am extremely disappointed in that decision. It ignores the wishes of the citizens, ignores facts, reality, and the long and detailed work of prior councils, is fiscally irresponsible, is nontransparent governance, and puts private interests above the best interests of the public. From my 35 plus years in the wastewater regulatory world, it is very poor short-term and long-term planning. The Wimberley Valley should have a wastewater (and water) district that provides and protects the water resources of the Valley. What was the last book you read? “Biblical Literalism” by John Shelby Spong

LON SHELL - R Aside from roads and infrastructure, what is the biggest issue your precinct faces and how do you plan to fix it, if elected? Water and natural resource protection has been and remains a critical issue for our precinct. I led the effort to contest the permit application from an outside water exporter that was attempting to take water from our local aquifer and

Where do you feel the county can improve in its service to residents? Core services and emergency communications have been a priority of mine as County Commissioner. Hays County is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. Not only should we strive to maintain the high level of service we already have, we should work to improve it through innovative and cost-effective solutions that do not put a strain on our county budget and do not increase the burden on local property tax payers. We will accomplish this through good oversight, planning, efficiency, and responsiveness. Where do you stand on Wimberley’s decision to forgo a city-owned wastewater treatment facility? As your County Commissioner and previously Chief of Staff for the county, protecting the quality of our drinking water, rivers, streams, and natural resources has been my great responsibility and high priority. This decision ultimately rests with the community leaders and citizens of Wimberley. As your Commissioner, my position is clear. I take very seriously my responsibility to protect public health, water, and natural resources, and I will always work to bring people together and find solutions that do that. What was the last book you read? Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand

Hays County Commissioner, Pct. 4 OMAR BACA - D Aside from roads and infrastructure, what is the biggest issue your precinct faces and how do you plan to fix it, if elected? My precinct is diverse. We are ground zero in the fight to protect water, and we must instill a culture of conservation county wide. We must ensure that the people/environment in the pathway are not taken advantage of with the FM150 realignment that cuts through Kyle and connects to the Blanco Vista neighborhood. In Dripping Springs area of my precinct there is a lack of reasonable access to hospital care (hour plus transport times). County-wide affordable housing is almost extinct, and we must use the tools available to us to encourage availability so as not to displace our residents. How will you plan to help the county address its rapid growth? I believe this will be the greatest challenge of this office. I must protect people and natural resources while also growing economic health of our economy. I believe we are the most desirable location in the entire country, and we should use that to our advantage and ask development to contribute more to their relationships with us. This is going to take leadership outside of the Commissioners’ chambers. My vision is to build effective long standing cultures (such as a culture of conservation) that take root in our identity as a county. Has the county effectively managed its budget in recent years and why? The debt number is scary, but when coupled with the fact that we are growing at an explosive rate is understandable. The direct answer is yes (with exceptions). We cannot incur more. This can be helped through creating efficiencies, ensuring scrutiny and respect for the tax payer’s dollar. We must create alignment and a deep relationship with the people, effective non-profits and organizations that do much to subsidize needs and quality of life, building on what is already taking shape between the county and its town/ cities governments. This takes a level of engagement that we have never seen before. What do you bring to the table your opponent does not? My style is unique, I am not tribal/ partisan, my vision and values are based in what is responsible and good for the county. I play well with others. I am skilled in finding unique solutions to “unsolvable” problems. I work for “Win - Win” outcomes During my term I will not seek out other employment, start or be a part of a business. In short, I will not build a book of business while in office or incur advantages from it. I am dedicated to transparency and openness. What was the last book you read? Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney (I have 3-year-old twin boys. Bedtime story) Leaves of Gold an anthology edited by Clyde Francis Lytle (I have an 8 year old daughter and 12 year old son. If I had to memorize these poems so do they) The last thing I read for my own pleasure was; HBR’s 10 Must Reads On Leadership

WALT SMITH - R Aside from roads and infrastructure, how do you plan to fix the biggest issue your precinct faces, if elected? With increased growth comes increased stresses on all functions of the county government. My greatest concern aside from roads and infrastructure is the increased stresses on public safety resources in Precinct 4. The primary fire and EMS service districts serving our precinct cover a service area of over 240 square miles. I plan on pulling together various stakeholders such as the constable’s office, sheriff’s office, fire and EMS to develop a comprehensive plan to address the rapid growth and the safety demands of our citizens. How will you plan to help the county address its rapid growth? Our county has to anticipate not only the growth to come, but the needs of those citizens which are coming to our area. By putting infrastructure in place which has the potential to expand with growth without overly stressing our current resources we will not overburden our citizens in anticipation of serving future residents. Has the county effectively managed its budget in recent years and why? I believe the county has been good stewards of the resources of our citizens, however, there is always room for improvement. Should I be blessed to be elected as our next Commissionor, I pledge to undertake an effort to conduct a complete review of the current county budget to find greater efficiencies while working to identify areas of waste which may provide opportunities for savings. What do you bring to the table your opponent does not? I’ve my entire career I have worked to cut through government red tape and assist those who did not have the ability to fight for themselves. I have built a career by working with those in government and the private sector to find solutions to issues when not seemed possible. This experience in working through complex issues and building stakeholder ownership is a skill set which my opponent has not earned. What was the last book you read? The last book I read was The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelts Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. It chronicles the former president’s Amazon adventure and his near death.

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 BETH SMITH - D Should JPs have law degrees, why or why not? A law degree is totally irrelevant to the position. The JP job is not knowledge that can be obtained in a class that isn’t specified to the position. We’ve had a prior JP that was an attorney and he has shared that that didn’t help him in the job at all. It’s still at least a 2 year learning process initially, and then a continuous training and learning process as the laws change and the more growth that we have. I’ve had over a thousand hours of continuing education and learn new things everyday. The familiarity with laws, court system, and criminal justice classes and terms have been a huge help from day one. What is the biggest problem your office faces and how do you plan on addressing it? As in everything else in Hays right now, growth is the biggest hurdle, but it’s not a problem per say. The more we grow, the busier we get, in particular the 24/7/365 call outs. The call outs naturally create more paperwork for the JP, not necessarily the clerks. So time is, as in everything, very precious. How do you plan to make the office more efficient, if elected or reelected? Our staff at JP 2 is incredible. The years of experience in this office alone total over 91 years, and 2 of the clerks have experience in a couple of other the county offices that we work with, that add to the effectiveness and knowledge. I don’t know that there is anything that could improve, but we are always looking for ways to be more effective, practicing with customer service, and I was able to cut our budget this year due to technology and the different ways we handle specific duties. Particularly in postage and supplies. Should the JP position be bipartisan? Why or why not? As a Justice Court Judge, I have not made one decision based on party affiliation ever. It never crosses my mind. This position should not be a partisan position. We are not policy making and I know that I am fair to all. Nothing about the position could even be construed as partisan. What is the most recent book you’ve read? To be honest, I haven’t had the time to read recently. I read newspaper highlights, autopsy reports and probable cause affidavits. Those in itself, take a tremendous amount of time, concentration and are sometimes mentally exhausting. With that said, I would absolutely love to be able to sit down, focus and enjoy a good book.

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 5 KAREN MARSHALL - R Should JPs have law degrees, why or why not? Texas law does not require Justices of the Peace to have a law degree to qualify for the office. Upon election, new Justices of the Peace are required to take 80 hours of legal state mandated classes. Law degrees are not necessary. However, experience in law and legislation is necessary as it provides an understanding of the entire legal system. Prior law enforcement experience creates an enforcement perspective which could lead to biased rulings. What is the biggest problem your office faces and how do you plan on addressing it? The Justice of the Peace office is called the “People’s Court” as it is the court closest to the people. It is time to make improvements to serve you better and to listen to you attentively. I will listen, be impartial, fair and treat you with dignity and respect. I will work hard for you! You pay my salary and I will not waste your tax dollars. I want to hear from you. How do you plan to make the office more efficient, if elected or reelected? Serving is all about the people. Office and court hours will change from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm to extended hours, plus evening court will be held to help folks with their busy lives. Business operations will be streamlined to provide excellent customer service with more time dedicated to serving people. User-friendly step-by-step information and forms on what is needed for court and how the court system works will be added to the website. For some, court can be stressful, confusing, and intimidating. Especially, if it is their first-time attending court. I want to change that. I want to help and serve you! Should the JP position be bi-partisan? Why or why not? Judges must apply the law by equal rights, being impartial and fair. The laws created by the Texas Legislature are bi-partisan, but it is our two-party election system that is partisan. Since 1876, judges of Texas courts are elected by the people in partisan elections. That includes every position from the state’s highest courts down to the justice of the peace. Until the two-party election law is changed through a constitutional amendment, the Justice of the Peace and all judge positions should be partisan in accordance to the law. What is the most recent book you’ve read? The last book I read was about the 40th President, Ronald Reagan. The President hand wrote a daily diary about his innermost thoughts and day-to-day occurrences in the White House. The book’s title is The Reagan Diaries. In addition to reading the book, I listened to an audio book of his radio broadcasts, Reagan in His Own Voice: Ronald Reagan’s Radio Addresses. The President is considered one of the greatest communicators and leaders of our time.

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The Texas Judicial Canons prohibit a judge from publicly endorsing any candidate, this in itself is a reason for the office to be non-partisan. What is the most recent book you’ve read? Evicted: Poverty & Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond, copyright 2016. Besides serving as the coroner for Precinct 5 and attending death scenes, one of the most difficult task I perform is presiding over eviction trials. In some cases it is very difficult to looks someone in the eye and tell them they have 5 days to move out of their home. I read this book to help me better understand the underlying issues of poverty, hunger, addiction and unemployment.

Kyle City Council, Place 5 RICK KOCH Aside from roads and infrastructure, what is the biggest issue Kyle faces today and how do you plan on addressing it, if elected? Costs are on the rise and Kyle residents pay a lot to fund our city. Our citizens want good value for their money. They want their representatives to treat the budget with extreme respect and with restraint. At the same time, the city must think strategically about our growth. The tension between cost of living increases and prudent investments is the greatest challenge facing our city. Has Kyle done enough to draw more jobs to the area and how could it improve on that? I think the residents of Kyle want more jobs opportunities in the city. It greatly improves their quality of life and cuts down on commuting. We have a well educated job force, which is key to attracting high paying employers, but we also have to be ready to receive them or they will look elsewhere. The proper infrastructure must be in place if we are to be successful in showcasing Kyle as great place to build a business. Does Kyle need a lobbyist to help with obtaining federal grants? To look out for the future of Kyle we need to take advantage of the federal resources available to cities like ours. We are currently losing out on millions of dollars in grants that would have a profound effect on our bottom line. The City of San Marcos received tens of millions of dollars in FEMA grants following the 2015 flood because they hired a firm to advocate for them in Washington DC. Kyle must make sure it’s represented when federal grants are available for dollars that we would otherwise have to spend ourselves. The return on investment to our tax payers is far too great to not have a presence at the federal level. Where can Kyle improve on its services to residents? Patrol. Neighborhood safety and crime deterrent measures are critical to maintaining a family friendly and business friendly community. We have to keep

growing the police department to serve our fast growing city, decrease response times, and enhance our overall safety. What do you bring to the table your opponent doesn’t? In our rapidly growing city, council members must know what they are doing or it’s easy to make long lasting mistakes. I’ve spent the last two years serving on Kyle’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Prior to that I spent several years on Kyle Citizens Police Academy’s Executive Board. I have researched key issues, made recommendations to council, and authored city ordinances. I am up to speed on the tough issues facing our community. To me, council is about experience and problem solving, not a popularity contest. I believe I have proven through my service that I am the most qualified candidate for the job. What was the last book you read? “The Fourth Age” by Byron Reese, it caught my eye at the Kyle Public Library. It’s about the impending reshaping of humanity caused by the rise of artificial intelligence and robotics technology. It then led me to the book I am reading now, “WTF? What’s the Future and Why It’s Up To Us” by Tim O’Reilly. It’s about not fearing AI as a job killer and instead positioning oneself to take full advantage of the new economy that automation and machine consciousness will create.

ROBERT RIZO Aside from roads and infrastructure, what is the biggest issue Kyle faces today and how do you plan on addressing it? The biggest issue to date is its rapid growth. I will work to create and maintain partnerships with stakeholders and support open and transparent communication. This is critical to ensuring responsible development. Has Kyle done enough to draw more jobs to the area and how could it improve on that? It is critical for Kyle to support small business, I will support responsible development that encourages small businesses. Does Kyle need a lobbyist to help with obtaining federal grants? I will support creative and practical initiatives that promote the best interests of our city. Where can Kyle improve on its services to residents? Addressing the concerns in its rising cost of water services, and a rising need for transportation. What do you bring to the table your opponent doesn’t? Two decades of serving the Kyle community, in education, mentorship, civic engagement and a genuine love for Kyle and my neighbors. What was the last book you read? Empire of the Summer Moon, I am currently reading a rough draft for a book a friend has just written on the Hispanic influence in the US.

SCOTT CARY - D

Election Day is November 6. Early voting is October 22 through November 2. See page 4 for Hays County voting locations

Should JPs have law degrees, why or why not? No, however, having a law degree would be beneficial to a Justice of the Peace. Justice courts are established by the Texas Constitution as the people’s court. The Constitution does not require a JP to be an attorney. There are approx. 810 JPs in Texas, approx. 60 (6.7%) of the elected Justices of the Peace are attorneys. Much more beneficial qualifications would be that a JP possess common sense, good judgment and the ability to make a competent decision! What is the biggest problem your office faces and how do you plan on addressing it? The ever growing population of the greater Buda area at some point will mandate that more staff be added to the JP-5 office. Currently we are able to keep our docket moving and maintain office hours M-F, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, with 3 full time clerks. The court does not have a case back-log. All reports, warrants, trials and state required reporting are up to date. If the time comes that the office is not meeting these proficiency standards I will address the commissioner’s court about adding staff.

ect Re-El JUDGE

BETH

SMITH Experience & Integrity Matter!

How do you plan to make the office more efficient, if re-elected? We currently utilize E-File, Gov-Pay, Fax, Email, Mail, On-line tools, and defendants have the ability to take care of a citation without making a physical appearance. As long as a defendant complies with their commitments they will never have to visit the court. I attend all state mandated training and my staff also attends yearly training. Hays County is implementing new technology on a regular basis. We are always open to different ideas, methods and new ways of doing business. Should the JP position be bi-partisan? Why or why not? This is a complex issue but my short answer is NO, the office of Justice of the Peace should not be bi-partisan. A Justice of the Peace is elected to be the judge of the People’s Court. A Justice of the Peace needs to be fair and impartial to all people. A Justice of the Peace cannot take pre-trial stands on issues that may arise in a trial.

Experience • 34 Year Public Servant • 14 Year Mayor of Mountain City • 20 Years Judicial Experience as Justice of the Peace. • 18 Yeas as Municipally Certified Judge • 1000+ Hours of Judicial Continuing Education • Presides Over the Largest JP Court in Hays County (33% of the JP Cases)

Endorsements • Hays County Law Enforcement Agencies (C.L.E.A.T.) • Fraternal Order of Police Hill Country Lodge #23 • Hays County Political Women’s Caucus

Awards • TABC Catalyst Award for Texas (2007-2008)

On Call 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Year

Your Justice of the Peace works for you!

• College of Justice Court Judges (2018 marks the 7th year in a row) • Straw Polled (94%) Over Opponent by The Hays County Bar Association

Political advertising paid for by Beth Smith in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.