CANDIDATE Q&A
Get to know the candidates running in the election
Incumbent
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
New Braunfels mayor
MICHAEL ALEXANDER FRENCH
Occupation: retired Relevant experience: College degrees, teach- er, three Fortune 500 GEORGE GREEN
Occupation: Attorney Relevant experience: My service in the community is relevant to my desire to vol- unteer as mayor: New Braunfels [Economic NEAL LINNARTZ
EDWARD MARTINEZ JR
Occupation: Intelli- gence Analyst / Systems Security Engineer Relevant experience: U.S. Army veteran of 17 years. Worked under tremendous pressure
Occupation: Good Ol' Boy 24/7 Relevant experience: Born and bred, red, white and blue bleedin' American! As we have seen, experience does
companies, state of Texas agency (Texas A&M University & Texas Department of Criminal Justice), lifetime member of the Guadalupe Valley Peace O cers Association, two-time elected New Braunfels City Council experience, numerous nonpro t experience, and military Army airborne infantry. 830-463-2933 www.greenformayor.org
for the White House for 6 years, the Pentagon for 5 years, the Department of Homeland Security for 2 years, the [Defense Intelligence Agency], and 5½ years in Afghanistan and Iraq. I under- stand what it takes to get things done! 830-294-8570 www.frenchformayor.com
Development Corp.], Building Stan- dards Commission, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wurstfest Association, Hope Hospice board, Sophienburg board, Chamber blue coat, Braunfels Founda- tion Trust, Comal County Bar Associa- tion and New Braunfels Elks lodge. 210-660-8421 www.nealfornb.com
nothing. We wouldn’t be in this situation we are in if all this EXPERIENCE made a di erence. It’s about intentions with a little experience sprinkled on top! 830-515-9758
What are your top three priorities if elected?
Start analyzing and using common sense when approving commerce from our out-of- control growth. Protecting our water in Landa Park and Comal Springs. Start educating businesses and the public about water conser- vation. We are in deep trouble! We must pass the Crime Control & Prevention District for our police o cers.
1. Support police & re 2. Limit government overreach 3. Cut taxes and wasteful spending
1. Protect and foster the culture and heritage of New Braunfels. 2. Support for our public safety professionals by giving police, re, and EMS the sta and equipment to keep us safe. 3. Transportation and tra c improvements to alleviate tra c congestion and provide for safe streets in all neighborhoods.
ACCOUNTABILITY- involves we the people; it has no prejudice or bad intentions. It’s pure in the most form and can’t be misinterpreted. Transparency- secrets don’t make friends. Leadership- with those set-in stone leadership from we the people will ourish due to the standard being upheld and exceeded.
How would you improve transportation within New Braunfels?
Improvements to public transit are very important, but I do not want to see city buses moving through downtown New Braunfels nor Gruene. Smaller forms of transportation are good i.e. Alamo Regional Transit. The Aus- tin-San Antonio corridor will get exceptionally busier after the 1,900-acre Mayfair project gets underway. Park-and-Rides work.
High-speed rail would be great. Expand ART Transportation. Uber and Lyft transportation. Traditional Taxi. The need for public transporta- tion in a city growing like New Braunfels has his- torically been linked with providing mobility and accessibility to essential employment, goods, and services for older adults, persons with disabilities, low-income persons, and others.
It is important that we work with TxDoT and our regional [metropolitan planning organi- zation] on transportation options. Priority one must be roads, but public transportation options demand is continuing to grow rapidly. It is important that we continue to invest in trans- portation infrastructure: more roads, expanded lanes, sidewalks, and bike lanes.
If it ain’t broke don’t x it! New Braunfels already has 2 forms of public transportation to be used. We are not Austin or San Antonio, nor would I ever want this place to be! Alamo regional transit and Alamo communities trip planning and carpool app.
New Braunfels City Council District 5
MARY ANN LABOWSKI
BENTLY CAIN PAIZ
Occupation: Retired Relevant experience: A few facts on Mary Ann Labowski, age 57: Native of New Braunfels; Mother of 5; Chosen for the “Pillar of the Community Award” by the NB Herald; Greatly involved with Community Organizations: NB Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Business Alliance, Chair for the Dia de Los Muertos Festival for 6 years, Downtown Association, Bras for a Cause and NB Railroad Museum 830-318-7389 www.maryannlabowski.com
Occupation: candidate and soon-to-be student Relevant experience: I’ve worked for a handful of campaigns that have gotten me many connections and taught me the importance of making everyone’s voices heard, although I’m only 18, I have spent lots of time learning about the problems and issues in our city and government, and I’m running to x them! 830-460-3829 www.bently4citycouncil.com
What are your top three priorities if elected?
My top three priorities are: Help the city manage the unpredictable growth it is experiencing; Main- tain meaningful communication with the business owners and residents of the city and district 5; Preserve the city’s Historical District and the small-town appeal
My top three priorities will be improving critical infrastructure like bike lanes and sidewalks, creating reliable public transportation, and lowering the cost of living for residents to improve their quality of life.
How would you improve transportation within New Braunfels
The road system needs to stay in pace with the city’s growth. It would be nice to have a commuter rail from Austin to San Antonio to be able to access both city without the tra c and parking issues. We also need to lock into some a ordable transit system within the city that would be e ective.
For transportation, it’s extremely important that we work with neighboring cities and communities to ensure that we are creating an accessible and reliable form of public transportation including buses and public bike share programs and open up to talks on high-speed railway implementation.
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