Here's what City Council candidates said on major San Angelo topics
The San Angelo city council seats in Districts 1, 3 and 5 are up for election with two candidates running unopposed in their re-election with District 3 being the only contested race.
Tommy Hiebert (District 1) and Karen Hesse Smith (District 5) are running unopposed. The current council member Harry Thomas is being challenged by Michael LePak for District 3.
A general election will be held on May 6, 2023, to elect the members to four-year terms.
For a peek at what's on the ballot in San Angelo, visit https://www.tomgreencountytx.gov/page/ele.SampleBallots
Monday, April 24, 2023 - First day of early voting by personal appearance.
Tuesday, May 2, 2023 - Last day of early voting by personal appearance.
Saturday, May 6, 2023 - Election day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 - Anticipated canvassing of election results.
Here's what the candidates said on major city topics at a public forum on Tuesday, April 11.
Harold "Harry" Thomas (District 3)
Harry Thomas served in the Air Force, as a leader in multiple nonprofits, and worked over 40 years at Goodyear including a comptroller position. Thomas is also an accountant by profession.
Top issues and how to address: “Sustainable water sources is going to be a challenge. We are also eight years into a 10-year plan to fix streets. We need to work on our waste water plan and water treatment plan. Our economic growth too ... we have to find additional economic generators in order to continue to raise sales tax.”
How to recruit and maintain city staff: “We set a plan in action for the HR department to attract talent in San Angelo with appropriate compensation packages. We aren't where we were pre-COVID and it will take us a couple years to get back to that situation and we are taking positive steps."
The comprehensive city plan is over a decade old, how do you remedy this?: “We really need to update it. We need to develop it with our partners in town. It won't be overnight."
Assessment on the current financial state of San Angelo: “We rely on sales tax. When we budget, we budget conservatively. Typically, we are not going to be in the red."
How is the quality of life in San Angelo?: "There are always opportunities to increase quality of life. People that visit need to know how to get around, we know we need gateways to these things."
In closing: “In the seven years I've been a council person, there have been number and numbers of things citizens want to take care of and we want to have those conversations. There are still challenges to be met and I believe the citizens of San Angelo deserve the experience I bring to the table."
Michael LePak (District 3)
LePak, also known as Big Mike, said he has a humanistic approach to city council to make San Angelo a better place. LePak has served his country 16 and a half years and 13 and a half years in active and reserve. He holds a Bronze Star Medal from the United States Armed Forces.
Top issues and how to address: “Getting money for RiverStage renovations ... incorporate income from rent on temporary lots along the river, food trucks, art vans, etc."
How to recruit and maintain city staff: “If you compare us to other cities in the area, you can have a better competitive package and incorporate that into a plan."
The comprehensive city plan is over a decade old, how do you remedy this?: “This is the key to my platform. We have great things that bring people to town, but there is more the city can do. The river front plan will bring more people downtown and it will create a more active community. The mall ... I'm a super fan of ways to help the mall. Abilene has a zoo, why don't we?"
Assessment on the current financial state of San Angelo: “I have offered an alternative to help facilitate better pay for the fire and police departments as well as the multi-million dollar renovation on the RiverStage. To better serve the community, the city needs to be more transparent in the budget process. The best way to fix our issues is to be transparent about it."
How is the quality of life in San Angelo?: “It's wonderful. On the other hand, there is a homeless city. I have a faith-based initiative that will attempt to take care of the issue without using a dime of city dollars. For the quality of life to improve, it has to improve for everyone as a whole."
In closing: “The community would be better for it if our homeless community was taken care of. I love and care about San Angelo. Vote for me."
Tommy Hiebert (District 1)
Hiebert has been a resident of San Angelo since 1957. He has served on the chamber board of directors, served in council from 1990-1996 and again in 2017.
Hiebert said a sustainable reliable source of water is one of the top issues. He said the city needs to stay competitive with other cities in the compensation department. He also hopes the council will update the city's comprehensive plan sooner than later.
He believes the city's financial state is strong. Hiebert want to improve "holes" in our community with parks and green space to improve the quality of life in town. He said he always tries to be open to different thoughts and ideas and want to listen to the people.
Karen Hesse Smith (District 5)
Smith has a background in architecture and urban design. Smith believes San Angelo needs a community that has support services including safety, streets, water, sewer and more to improve the quality of life. She thinks the city needs to be good community development partners for everyone.
Smith said they are on the path of improving compensation for city employees.
"Happy employees become the best recruiters," she said.
Smith said they will create an environment of respect and appropriate compensation. She said they have a terrific council that works together and finds a way to the best answer.
She said they recognize an updated city plan is needed and they have begun meeting about it. Smith said city council needs the help of the people. "If you have ideas, talk to us about them."
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: San Angelo City Council candidates discuss major topics at forum
