Election
Bastrop Mayor
Willie DeLaRosa Experience: Council 27 years, mayor pro tem half those years, Bastrop Economic Development Corporation board member 512-775-0653
Ward Northcutt Experience: Master Police Ocer, Police Instructor, Crime Prevention Specialist, Criminal Investigator, Austin Joint Terrorism Task Force 512-237-0162
Ishmael Harris Experience: Planning and Zoning Chair, school bond PAC member, lifelong Bastrop resident, wastewater expert, community ambassador www.ishmaelharrisformayor.com
What are your top 3 priorities that you would like to achieve if elected?
1. City government needs to move forward in a positive proactive problem resolution-oriented posture. With my leadership, our city government will no longer focus only on taking reactive stances to growth and development. 2. Facilitating infrastructure improvements. 3. Providing government more responsive to residents.
Infrastructure is priority number one—but we can’t x it without updating our codes. Second, quality of life matters. Families deserve to thrive in Bastrop. Third, we must bring in the right businesses and jobs—boosting incomes and strengthening our city’s economy. Together, we’ll build a stronger, more prosperous Bastrop.
1. Solve the trac ow situation in the Burleson Crossing area between 969 and Hwy. 304, which seems to be at a standstill. 2. Work on the permit process to eliminate long waiting periods while working to protect our neighborhoods. 3. Expand more recreation opportunities for the youth of Bastrop.
The B3 Code, as it stands today, will need to have corrections to some of its deciencies that aect density in those neighborhoods. What challenges do you think the City of Bastrop is currently facing, and what is your plan to address those? Challenges the city is facing include rapid population growth, insucient infrastructure, lack of responsible leadership, as well as government reactive response instead of a more-proactive posture. Last but not least negligible trac ow controls, and a much frustrated public and no clear demeanors considered to date.
The challenge is unity—city, county, and schools working together to lift up our citizens. Bastrop has undeniable appeal, but growth must elevate our community, not just take from it. Let’s bring in the right development, create real opportunities, and ensure families don’t just spend here—they thrive here.
Have city council meetings in certain areas of the community, especially if there is an item in that part of the community throughout the year. At least four in dierent areas of our community to get our residents coming into the council and address their concerns. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Making myself available at key times to be seen, listen, and give feedback while providing transparency.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process? Advocate for community meetings or town halls to address concerns that are complicated in nature. I’ll use my website for transparency, updates, surveys, and polls to gauge public opinion before major decisions. Most importantly, prompt phone responses and direct engagement. Leadership means listening. As Chair of P&Z, I redened meetings—giving citizens a real voice. By the time I stepped down, people felt heard. I pushed for earlier agendas, better access to information, and a more transparent process. Because in Bastrop, every voice matters. Every opinion counts.
What are your top 3 priorities that you would like to achieve if elected? Priorities I would like to achieve if elected are restoring harmony and public trust in the council, nding smart and collaborative solutions to address rapid growth and development concerns. Housing aordability is always on the list, the answer will take the community, council and sta to solve. 1. Identify top 5 residents & local businesses concerns within the City’s control, otherwise reach out to the entity(s) responsible. 2. Make smart, thought out decisions steering growth and development towards appropriate places, control sprawl, increase aordability being mindful not to overburden city infrastructure. 3. Identify under- represented populations to encourage cohesiveness & belonging.
Bastrop City Council, Place 1
Perry Lowe Experience: Lifelong Bastrop resident. Austin 311 Command Center Lead. Austin City Manager’s Oce. Broadcast radio. Musician. www.perryloweforbastrop.com Cecilia Serna Experience: Vendor management, developed projects, optimized workows, high accountability and rapid response, trainer, educator Facebook: Cecilia Serna for Bastrop City Council Place 1
Being scally responsible. Establish mass texting and emailing. Use the communication board by the iron bridge announcing upcoming events in Bastrop. In addition to city’s Facebook page, expand to other social media outlets, to reach as many citizens in as many demographics as possible. PSAs.
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. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
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