CANDIDATE Q&A
Get to know the candidates running in the election
Incumbent
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 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.
West University Place Mayor
Why are you running for West University Place mayor?
What do you think are the biggest issues facing residents?
How would you build consensus with other council members?
Occupation: attorney Experience: elected in 2011 to West University Place City Council, may- or pro tem (2011-15), served as mayor (2015- 19, 2021-present) www.facebook.com/ susansampleformayor SUSAN SAMPLE
West U has experienced a renaissance in the last two years, completing major initiatives I spearheaded—Virtual Gate opened in June 2022; Bu alo Speedway reopened February 2023; sale of Ru no Hills land ll to Houston for $10.5 million. Our 2022 Citizen Survey shows 90% of residents nd us moving in the right direction. I am running to ensure we move forward on other milestone projects while maintaining the qualities that make West U home. As a 20-year, third-generation resident, I love West U, the people, the parks and public green spaces, and the sense of living in a small town in the middle of one of the largest, most diverse urban centers in the U.S. Every two years, residents make a choice to entrust candidates with their tax dollars, their quality of life, and their safety and security. I am running to give them that choice.
Public safety: keeping residents safe from crime in and around our community. Drain- age: the need to improve, upgrade and rebuild our ood control and infrastructure. Maintaining and enhancing quality of life elements for our residents, for instance: water quality, superior parks and sidewalks, and safe streets.
I believe being available, listening with an open mind, and being trustworthy are essential for members of a group to work well together.
Occupation: attorney Experience: West JOHN P. BARNES
The biggest single issue, bar none, is ood control—speci cally Poor Farm Ditch, which serves as the main stormwater drainage system for over 1,000 homes in West U. The ditch has been degrading for decades and is now in an atrocious state of disrepair, threatening failure and potentially cata- strophic ooding. It urgently needs to be xed, but in a manner that is both scally responsible and respects the concerns of the neighboring residents.
In any well-constituted council, there should be a diversity of viewpoints and per- spectives, so consensus begins with trust. I would make sure that there is a free and equal ow of information to all members, to foster trust and discourage factionalism. I would further promote discussion and de- bate, so that potential points of agreement can be teased out and explored, rather than merely relying on the “might makes right” approach of simply calling a vote.
University Place City Council 2019-present; real estate, nance, and corporate and nonpro t governance law 713-553-9357 www.johnbarnesforwestu.com
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