Please tell us a little about yourself (current work, education, experience, background).

Currently a full time mayor. Graduated from Italy High School. Served 8 years on the city council and served 14 years as mayor.

How many council meetings did you attend in the last 12 months?

All of the time except when my sister was very ill and when I had bronchitis

Why are you seeking to be the mayor of Italy?

Because I know I can do the Job. I have done it 14 years

What qualifications or experience do you possess that voters should consider?

My 14 years of experience as mayor, my time spent on EDC, Park Board, Higher Education Board and Board of adjustments, also 7 years on the council.

What do you consider the most important issue facing our town today?

That would be our infrastructure, water, sewer, streets and bringing more businesses to down town and Hwy 35.

What do you want to accomplish during the next 2 years?

I am very excited about our water department. By the end of the year we will have a brand new water system with a better formula for treating well water. We will have a million gallon of water or reserve. Dean has been working tirelessly with TCEQ upgrading our water and sewer system. I would love to add more businesses and scholarships for youth.

What do you consider the most important and least important duties the mayor has?

The most important is keeping Citizens informed and doing what is best for the city-making hard choices. I think all the mayor’s duties are important.

What do you think should be the top priorities of the city after this election?

Continue to bring businesses to our city and work on our infrastructure.

Is there anything you would want to change about the way the city is run?

The City is a type A General Law city. We abide by the state regulations and guide lines.

How do you plan to draw new businesses or industry to Italy?

City staff and I are constantly networking, talking to retailers trying to get more businesses here. A lot of times they come to us.

What community services have you given any community in the past?

I have served on the EDC, Board of Adjustments (planning & zoning) Park Board, Higher Education Board, Christmas Festival, Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt and now the Cinco Demayo Celebration Board, Joe Barton Steering committee, City Council and Mayor.

What do you think could be done to cut expenses in the city budget if any?

The City Council, Mayor and Department Heads every year sit down and plan the budget and line item by line item. It is done as conservatively as we can. No one person not even the mayor has the power to cut the budget.

I would love to have a public debate, Thank you very much.