GBC Chamber host political forum

By TRAVIS KEES

April 30, 2008 11:52 am

— The Gun Barrel City Chapter of the Chamber of Commerce held its Political Forum for the candidates running for Mayor and City Council Monday night April 28th at Brawner Hall.
Robert Reeves, Eustace Intermediate School Principal moderated the forums as he has done for the last six years.
Each candidate was asked the same three questions. They were not the generic questions you might expect but city specific.
The seven candidates, three for Mayor and four for City Council where called upon to draw a number for seating order.
Incumbent Mayor Paul Eaton drew third chair, his opponent Marty Goss drew second and David Parras drew first chair.
The mayoral candidates were asked “Besides presiding over City Council meetings, do you feel high-visibility and interaction with citizens (individuals and business) is an important part of the Gun Barrel mayor’s job? If not, why? If so, what specifically may we expect from you in the way of visibility?
Parras said, “I believe as Mayor it’s essential and important for my role to be closer to the citizens.”
Goss answered next, “It is very important to be hands-on, with the community and the citizens. Being in control at functions, events, be the leader at council meetings, be out front.”
The Incumbent Eaton: “I believe the mayor needs to be publicly available. Because the needs of our community are what we are about.”
The candidates for City council were seated according to their draw of the numbers.
Melyvn Hayes (candidate for 2 East) in the number four chair, Kevin Banghart (candidate for 4 West) in the fifth chair, John Gregg (candidate for 2 East) in the sixth, and finally Dean Wright (candidate for 4 West) sat in the number seven chair.
The next question was one for city council candidates to answer.
“The currently seated council has invested considerable time on tasks that perhaps could have been handled by others, i.e. producing parades, festivals and most recently a tourism brochure. Do you feel activities of this sort are the highest and best use of the Council’s time, or do you feel the city would be better served by involving others, such as paid professionals with proven expertise; paid city staff and/or volunteer committees for such tasks?”
Banghart: “Great question, I actually spoke out at the last session about the brochure. The Council spent a lot of time on that, only to find out that the EDC (Economic Development Committee) was doing a brochure at the same time. It didn’t strike me as the best use of time.
“I do believe the council needs to be involved in those type of activities. We are blessed with a lot of citizens who are willing to step up and help out.”
Gregg: “I too am against hiring any outside consultants to do this type of task. They are very expensive. We have wonderful citizens who are willing to help out.”
Wright: “There should be no hiring of outside help. I believe we should set up outside committees. That would be delegated by the City Council.”
Hayes: “I believe that one councilman needs to stand up and lead. One person should lead projects.Then come together and make a solution.”
The audience also got to field questions.
Parras was asked, “Considering some of the past problems with the city, how would you as mayor work to get more cooperation and less controversy from the city council.”
“Fairly simple communication. “With my experience in my work I think it is essensitial to have diplomacy. Without knowing what people are wanting, you cannot accomplish what you need to do.”
Goss was asked what he saw as the most pressing issue for the city?
“I would have to say the council not working together. They had a lot of things in the last two years that did not get accomplished.”
Eaton was asked if he will continue to bring in new businesses like in his previous term. He was also asked why was he not using the schools accomplishments as a marketing tool?
“I believe I have used it as a marketing tool. I have been on the committee for awhile to get our own hospital. “I am a firm believer in us needing a hospital. I am also working with a company bringing in a convention center and a theatre of performing arts.”
Hayes: “The council is responsible for creating contracts, laws and ordinances. What experience and knowledge do you have in these fields? “The only experience that I have is from being on the committee to review the charter. As President of the Tamarack Property Owners Association, I help keep up with our own little city’s ordinances, certain fences, no old trailer houses. I try to come to the GBC City Council meeting to pick up on what I need to know.”
Banghart was asked his opinion on city code enforcement.
“I’m a firm believer in strict enforcement of our codes, our building codes and compliance. Harbor Point is the largest addition in the city and most of it is undeveloped. We have overgrown lots and the city is making great strides to get them under control. I believe a restructuring of the Code Enforcement Department is necessary.”
Reeves asked Wright: “You said to have been quoted in the April 24th Monitor: ‘As the city approaches its 40th birthday in May of 2009, we need to celebrate in such a way to raise money for our community.’ “ Please explain what you have in mind and what you see the money used for? “After Angelfire, New Mexico just celebrated its 40th anniversary. They had a big hoopla and everything. They would give away free ski tickets and stuff. I was thinking, advertise in the Dallas papers and the Dallas ministrials. Getting some kind of promotion for coming down here. Try to make it a marketable situation.”
Several citizens made note on how smoothly the forum went, and how fast it went by. Voting for City Council or Mayor will take place at Brawner Hall on May 10th.

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