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MEET THE CANDIDATE
Responses to questions at the August 5th La Porte, TX mayoral "Meet The Candidates" forum. Questions were submitted by those in attendance and read to the candidates by a moderator. Each candidate was given a time limit in which to respond and could speak extemporaneously or from notes.
Qualifications - The role of the mayor is to be a voting member of the city council and to act as a liaison between the council and the city staff. Dave, as an active citizen, teacher, and business owner in La Porte, can be a strong leader and representative of the people. It's not about me.... it's about we!
Ability To Serve - Dave gives his answer to a question about the possibility of his professional obligations as a teacher, business owner, and college instructor interfering with the ability to serve as mayor or requiring him to be recused from any city business.
Attracting Businesses - Ways to attract retailers to La Porte by using Economic Development and committees that work with City Council as well as suggestions from the citizens of La Porte.
Main Street Businesses - Discussing the need for an open working relationship between the city and privately owned Main Street businesses to accomplish the goals of the Main Street corridor.
City Budget Cuts - Dave's response to a question about how he would approach budget cuts if they were necessary for La Porte city government. Dave would also like to ensure that our pay scale for city employees is competitive with the surrounding cities so that we can retain qualified, loyal personnel in all departments.
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone - Dave outlines how money that comes from the TIRZ is created by tax revenue from development within the zone rather than from city money.
Economic Development - A response to a question about economic development and making the best of existing facilities to build for the future. For example, Dave encourages the citizens of La Porte to contribute constructive ideas for functions to draw people to the 5 Points Plaza on a regular basis. The new Pecan Park is a top-notch facility and will be used by our youth for many years to come.
Project Costs - A question was asked about conducting a cost benefit analysis for city projects. Dave lists details about the existing system of checks and balances in La Porte.
Safety Town - One question brought up the possibility of spending $4 million on this project. Dave talks about some of the ideas presented in a video from the town of Frisco for a program designed to teach children safety lessons about strangers, traffic. pedestrians, fire, bicycles, buses, poisons, water, and guns. Although no monetary amount has been determined if a similar project is attempted in La Porte, the cost must be balanced against the benefits for our children and would include private funding.
Port of Houston - A response to a comment about complaints related to the Port of Houston and how the mayor and council members serve the public in keeping communications open between the Port and the citizens of La Porte.
Bayport Terminal - This was a continuation of the question above, posed to the candidates about the impact of noise and light from the Bayport Terminal. In his response, Dave speaks of the problems for citizens in District 5 and refers to his recollection of past purchases of private property as part of the port's easement. To clarify, he acknowledges these purchases were not properties in Bay Colony.