CANDIDATE Q&A
Get to know the candidates running in the election
2 0 2 2 L O C A L V O T E R G U I D E
COMPILED BY MEAGAN KIRBY & ANNA LOTZ
Incumbent
Montgomerymayor
Montgomery ISD board of trustees, Position 7
Occupation: pastor Relevant experience: public school admin- tration for six years, pastor/associate pastor for 15 years, Montgom- BYRON SANFORD
JULIE DAVIS
GARY HAMMONS
NATE ROBB
Occupation: owner of RCC Group and Oryx Communications Relevant experience: three years as Mont- gomery FFA Booster Club president, Mont-
Occupation: executive director for Hope’s Bridge
Occupation: corporate controller and director of nance KLX Energy Services Inc. Relevant experience: licensed CPA, 20- plus years of nancial experience 281-507-2302 www.facebook.com/garyhammonsmisd I am very proud of what has been accom- plished in my rst term. I think I can still add value to the board if I am re-elected. Spe- ci cally, I believe my work experience and quali cations provide a unique viewpoint when discussing nancial matters. Why are you running for election?
is-
Relevant experience: city council member, nonpro t executive director 713-677-4633 www.facebook.com/davismayor2022
ery
Economic Development Corp. member, Houston-Galveston Area Council representative 409-790-3416 www.facebook.com/byroncoysanford
gomery resident for 15 years, father of three MISD students and graduates robb4misd@gmail.com
Why are you the most quali ed for this position?
I can identify with the position our managers are in. My master’s in mid-management with an emphasis in educational leadership will help me develop a rapport with managers who are paid to get things done. I am uniquely able to remain neutral because I have no vested nancial or business interest for myself, nor does anyone in my family.
I will never say that I know exactly what I am doing or the most quali ed. ... I am ready, will- ing and able to show up, to learn and to work hard. ... I amwell-versed in loving on people from all walks of life. ... My track record for City Council Place 4 re ects [this]. I amwilling to put the time in and do the homework to make sure that all citizens succeed.
After being asked to be a part of the bond task force and nding out all of the chal- lenges that MISD is facing, I decided that I wanted to help on a much larger scale. ... I will also bring my passion, business sense, and leadership skills to supporting the district in a variety of important sta ng, growth and disciplinary decisions we face.
What are the two biggest challenges the city faces in relation to growth?
In what two areas do you believe Montgomery ISD could improve?
Infrastructure, including tra c ow with water and sewer needs for over 800 homes to be added within three to ve years, and relations with current and future businesses are our two biggest challenges. I expect a near $3 million MEDC balance at the end of scal year 2022 ... to almost ... pay for the rst part of our revitalization of downtown.
MISD is striving for excellence in all areas, but the two I think that are higher on the list is teacher/employee pay increases to try and be competitive with surrounding districts, and secondly, the challenges that will come due to the rapid growth in the Montgomery area. Although this isn’t an area for improve- ment, I think it is a priority for MISD.
Time: We are already behind the timeline of the incoming growth. ... Money: Our con- tracted engineer ... is suggesting a $58 million price tag for the needed infrastructure for the next ve years. ... So balancing the growth again with bene ts that meet the commu- nit[y’s] needs that are already here and the water and sewer needs that are almost here.
1. I believe that all MISD employees should be compensated comparable to our surrounding districts. ... We should also examine the length of employee contracts to provide teachers and administrative sta stability in knowing we support them. ... 2. I believe we need to be better prepared for the growth.
Montgomery City Council, Place 2
Montgomery City Council, Place 4
KEVIN LACY
Occupation: GOM change manager, Occi- dental Petroleum Relevant experience: eight years as an independent contrac- tor, four of which were CASEY L. OLSON
Occupation: retired insurance agent CHERYL FOX
Occupation: retired oil and gas executive Relevant experience: 40 years leadership experience in public and private oil companies 713-823-6869 www.juanitasimmons.com JUANITA SIMMONS
Occupation: corporate training manager Relevant experi- ence: experienced in developing people and processes, currently on council 832-610-0819
Relevant experience: small-business owner, served on Montgomery Economic Development Corp., Montgomery
building for Army Corps of Engineers; 12 years in Gulf of Mexico oil and gas operations 936-446-0231
Park board volunteer, member of St. James Episcopal Church and served on nance committee foxinsurance@consolidated.net
I’m running again because the work still isn’t nished. This city needs a council that’s already on the battle eld and working on our issues. There simply isn’t time to start from ground zero with folks that are inexperi- enced or simply an extension of the previous mayor’s agenda. Why are you running for election?
As a resident of Montgomery for over 45 years, I nd our great city at a crossroads. We have an amazing future ahead of us, but we need to plan wisely. Our leaders need to understand how the decisions of today will impact our future while also honoring the history of Montgomery. These two factors should ultimately help guide our decision- making process. I have raised three children in Montgomery, and I want to ensure that as their children grow up, Montgomery is headed in the right direction. Why are you running for election?
I would like to help our great little town stay ahead of the growth that we are currently seeing. We need to be actively planning for the future infrastructure that is needed now. If we fall behind, it will increase costs down the road exponentially. We need to nish projects that have been planned and never started. My background in planning and projects will serve me well to help to make the decisions and execute the plans that are agreed upon by fellow council members.
After attending several city council meetings, I noted that the city of Mont- gomery needs a leader that responds to citizens' concerns and issues without fear of retaliation. They need a problem solver with the ability to develop trust and loyal relationships. Someone experienced in building infrastructure to meet the needs of a fast-growing city.
Answers may have been edited for length, style and clarity. Read full Q&A’s at communityimpact.com .
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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION • APRIL 2022
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