2023 LOCAL VOTER GUIDE
COMPILED BY SIERRA MARTIN, AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN & ERIC WEILBACHER
New Braunfels City Council District 6
JAMES BLAKEY
APRIL RYAN
STEVEN VOGES
Occupation: process improvement consultant – High Tech Relevant experience: I am experienced in city business and local leadership. It takes time to learn all areas of city busi- ness and to ask the right questions. I feel I will be even a better advocate for
Occupation: small-business owner Relevant experience: president New Braunfels Downtown Association; Member NB Jaycees and GNCC; Rising Stars of New Braunfels, Leadership New Braunfels, Small Business Person of the Year, Parent Advisory Committee
Occupation: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Test engineer Relevant experience: I have an extensive background ranging from engineering, programming, teacher, technician, sales, and manual labor. All of which should show I can wear many
NBISD, Wine and Saengerfest Committee, Wassailfest Committee, Dia de Los Muertos Committee, NB CV Strategy and Steering Committee, Spark Small Business Center Board 830-743-9003 www.aprilfornb.com
hats and get the job done. I implore everyone to check- out my LinkedIn (steven-voges-5b55bb136) to see my work experience. 830-475-0725 www.facebook.com/pro le.php?id=100090576425878
my district and the citizens of New Braunfels if elected for my second term with all the experiences I have had. 830-743-7636 www.jamesblakey.us
Safety for our families, children and our neighborhoods: For District 6, and the entire city, safety for our neighborhoods, children and families is critical. 2. Transportation: It is vital that we continue to work on improving our road infrastructure. 3. Growth with strategic planning: We can continue to work with developers to ensure that each neighborhood will have green space and is tting with the vision New Braunfels. What are your top three priorities if elected?
My goal is to use my years of experience as a small-business owner and leader in our community to address the concerns of my fellow residents by managing growth and infrastructure improvements in a scally responsible manner; protecting our natural resources; and improving the quality of life of New Braunfels residents through access to parks, trails, and green spaces.
1) Plan infrastructure for the long term and take into consider- ation all alternatives that would support the disabled, elderly, and community. 2) Projects that bring residents together, such as community gardens at every park. 3) Cost of development which ensures costs are paid by developers and not current residents.
How would you improve transportation within New Braunfels?
It is critical we continue to work on solutions for public transpor- tation. I have worked on several committees, local and regional, to start addressing this issue. I am also on [Alamo Area Council of Governments] board of directors and have helped with providing transportation throughout the city of New Braunfels.
I would love to see a more connected system of trails and side- walks, which would give citizens greater options to travel safely. By increasing walkability throughout New Braunfels, you also help alleviate tra c congestion and the need for road improvements.
The options for transportation in a fast-growing city like New Braunfels, and broader Austin-San Antonio corridor, is to invest in improving public transit systems such as buses and trains. Alternatively supporting ride-sharing and carpooling initiatives, building bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly routes, and imple- menting smart tra c systems to improve tra c ow.
New Braunfels ISD board of trustees at large
FALON COCHRAN
Occupation: audit manager and opera- tions manager Relevant experience: I am a product of NBISD, a parent to two elemen- tary-aged children who will be in the district for nine years and a very active community member. As an audit KIMBERLY SCHNEIDER GOODWIN manager, I will ensure all monetary spending can be evaluated and analyzed for responsible allocation and review of overcharges. Facebook: Kim Goodwin for NBISD School Board At Large Trustee
BILL LEWIS
Occupation: Student/ Hostess Relevant experience: current NBISD student; future educator; current two- year NBISD teacher intern; currently hold multiple student leadership
Occupation: retired educator, educa- tional technology sales consultant Relevant experience: Retired educator of nearly 30 years. Served as a teacher, coach, campus/district administrator, interim superintendent. Years of expe- rience in teaching, coaching, technolo-
o ces/positions; regional, state and national FCCLA quali er and partic- ipant - four years; strong relationships with current NBISD teachers and sta 210-920-1758 Facebook: Falon Cochran for NBISD
gy, school safety, career tech/vocational tech, ne arts, construction, budgeting, hiring and district operations. Active participant in 100s of school board meetings. NBISD volunteer. https://tinyurl.com/Bill4NBISD
What are your top three priorities if elected?
Mental health of our sta and students, and access to services, is my top priority. Making smart decisions in addressing our growth and planning future schools. Working with the schools and [Texas Education Agency] to o er as many classes as possi- ble to help our students graduate ready to enter the job force.
School security, scal responsibility, community engagement and collaboration
1) Plan infrastructure for the long term and take into consider- ation all alternatives that would support the disabled, elderly, and community. 2) Projects that bring residents together, such as community gardens at every park. 3) Cost of development, which ensures costs are paid by developers and not current residents.
How should NBISD handle continued growth in the district?
The partnership with City Council and sta needs to remain strong and transparent. Growth trends need to be monitored and predicted so land can be purchased and schools planned early to help keep costs down. We need to continue to utilize the “neighborhood elementary” plan that we currently are.
The district should use the professional demographic data with which they have been provided to address our rapidly growing needs. The district needs to be proactive and scally responsible through these e orts by simultaneously focusing on safety and students’ academic success.
Develop a long-range plan by engaging stakeholders in critical conversations. Collect and evaluate data from all available re- sources within the community. Budget with the future in mind. Be intentional and transparent with everything we do to earn and keep the trust of the community.
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • APRIL 2023
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