As the election that will seat one new face on the Kyle council nears, the District 3 council candidates make their case and appeal for voters’ support.
The Hays Free Press sent the candidates questions of interest to Kyle voters. Each candidate submitted their answers and are provided here in their entirety.
Hays Free Press: Why are you running for Kyle city council office?
Bacon: The next six years are going to be financially challenging for the City of Kyle. I have the maturity, business management and budget experience needed to meet the challenge. I know I can make a difference in Kyle’s future and that is why I decided to run for office.
Benninghoff: I have always had a commitment to public service and work hard to improve the community where I live. As an Army enlisted soldier and now an officer I have served my country in peacetime, conflict and war. I have a proven track record with volunteering in the community. I volunteer at Hats off for Hospice events, play a bugle for military funerals and volunteer as a bereavement counselor for children to name a few. I committed to the citizens of this country. I continue this dedication to the residents of Kyle as a council member.
Sinor: I want to continue the good work of the current council and be an active, present voice in helping Kyle grow.
HFP: In your opinion, what is the single most important issue facing Kyle and how will you help address the matter?
Bacon: I don’t believe defining Kyle’s future based on a single issue is practical or responsible. However, one area of focus has to be on our infrastructure. We need our roads upgraded, a long-term solution for clean water sources and we need to upgrade our water treatment facilities.
Benninghoff: Infrastructure particularly city streets, sewage treatment and water rights, storage and delivery systems is a concern for any growing city. Due to my first hand experience in other countries, I can be instrumental in recognizing and infrastructure issues. I hope to be able to work with the mayor, council members and city staff to make the best decisions possible to benefit our citizens.
Sinor: If you ask me this prior to May 11th, I would say roads. If the bond package passes on May 12th I would tell you taxes. I will work with and encourage our economic development team to continue bringing new business to Kyle.
HFP: If elected, what top three things would you like to accomplish in your first year on the council?
Bacon: 1. Ensure that the Road Bond package successfully completes the design phase. 2. Work with city staff to identify and attract potential light manufacturing development for Kyle. 3. Improve citizen’s ability to communicate with council and staff.
Benninghoff: First, I would like to see a percentage of the city’s budget dedicated to road maintenance. Ideally, the roads would be maintained or replaced based on an annual priority schedule. Second, I look forward to working through the budget process. I will be fiscally responsible and work equally hard to protect and add value to the financial interests of the citizens of Kyle. Third, I will establish a good working relationship with my fellow council members and city staff. My experiences, knowledge and desire to work as part of the team will benefit the council and the city of Kyle.
Sinor: As I am sure most of the council members both current and past would agree, the first year I will be busy learning processes and procedures, and holding “Town Meetings” to understand what the voters are concerned with. This will help me be a better representative in years 2, 3 and beyond.
HFP: Kyle has about $68 million in debt (principal), and is in need of several infrastructure improvements. How will you balance the city’s needs versus increasing debt?
Bacon: This is an area of great concern for everyone who lives in Kyle. We have to make the necessary improvements to our roads and other services. And anyone who tells you that it isn’t needed or can be done without creating debt at this time is not being honest with the voters. That said, there are opportunities with our increase in sales tax revenue to make responsible decisions about where our tax money is being spent. I have attended previous city council budget workshops. I am familiar with the process and discussion that takes place. This year’s budget is over 400 pages. As the budget workshop for 2013-2014 begins I will be looking closely at every department to ensure that every dollar spent brings improved services or is used to reduce future costs.
Benninghoff: Financial planning for future anticipated infrastructure is a starting point. As a city, we need to begin saving money for specific projects from the city’s budget. I recognize this is a tough task and is not part of the current culture. Changing a culture is done slowly. The city has a tight budget, and we need to gradually establish a savings program to save dollars for specific projects. As a city council member I want to ascertain what our city would consider the tax rate too high for attracting new development? We need to plan and save for infrastructure projects now.
Residents of Kyle should have an interest in the current lawsuit with the company contracted to manage the wastewater treatment plant. There is an opportunity to save the city more than half of what is paid now to the management company.
Sinor: By keeping our focus on economic development and encouraging growth because no city can survive on residential property tax alone.
HFP: Kyle voters will be presented with a $36 million road bond set to improve five city roads – the reconstruction of Bunton Creek, Burleson, Goforth and Lehman roads and the extension of Marketplace Avenue. If approved, the road bond will increase Kyle’s debt by 53 percent. Do you support or oppose the proposed road bond? Why?
Bacon: Yes I support the road bond package. While on the City of Kyle’s Mobility Committee, I played an integral role in developing the road bond package as it appears on the ballot. The other candidates can’t seem to make up their minds if they are for it or against it. But here are some facts: neither one of them attended a mobility committee meeting during the formation of the road bond; neither one of them attended the public hearings where the final bond package was discussed; and neither one of them spoke before the City Council to voice their concerns or opinions.
Why is the road bond package needed? For eight years the city has discussed the fact that these roads need to be re-constructed. If we don’t do it now, these roads will continue to fail and the safety of our citizens is at stake.
Benninghoff: I will support the tax payer’s decision in the May election. If the road bond passes, the decision to move forward with the roads causing the most safety concerns must be addressed quickly. If the road bond does not pass, the Kyle city council and city staff must work together to determine the best course of action when addressing road conditions and safety concerns of our roads.
Sinor: I feel we must approve the bond. As it is now, no one can safely travel Bunton, Goforth, and Lehman roads. These roads are only getting worse and if we do not take care of them now then when will we and how? Police/Fire/EMS will respond slower as these roads deteriorate. Marketplace extension and Burleson must be addressed. Residents who live in the area do not have a quick and easy access to IH-35, and to HEB, etc.
HFP: Why should Kyle voters elect you over your opponents?
Bacon: I have 40 plus years in the business experience. I know what it takes to prioritize where money is spent. I have turned around failed businesses, stabilized companies that were struggling and started a company from scratch. 14 years ago I started a business with six quality people and grew it to over 30 employees. We started with zero revenue on day one and had over 2 million dollars in annual revenue when I sold it. And we were profitable.
Benninghoff: As a City Council member I will be fiscally responsible while still staying mindful to citizen needs. I will NOT accept pay for my time as a council member. We are living in a tough economy and I will be careful with tax payer dollars. I have valuable civic experience in countries around the world. I have a real estate Broker’s license in Texas and California, and have a Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati as a Nurse Practitioner. I have the knowledge and background to become a valuable member of the city council. My connection to the community has been established for many years as a lifetime member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, Hats off for Hospice, Camp Heart Song and the Ronald McDonald House.
Sinor: All of us live in Kyle, I am however the only candidate that also works here. I feel the pressure of the small business owner and will be their voice. Watching Kyle grow over most of the last decade I can see where Kyle is going and will do what it takes to ensure we maintain the values Kyle was built on.
HFP: If you could live the life of any historical figure, past or present, who would you want to be? Why?
Bacon: I am perfectly happy being myself and living my life. My life has had its share of ups and down. I have been blessed with a loving wife, great family and friends. That said, there are some characteristics of historic figures I try to emulate: I would like to have Ronald Reagan’s communication skills; Sam Rayburn’s ability to get things accomplished; and like Harry Truman, I am willing to take responsibility for the decisions I make. “The Buck Stops Here.”
Benninghoff: I have been blessed! My wife Larissa and I have been married for 12 years. We have two great sons Taylor (9) and Jake (1). We have great neighbors and friends. Our son goes to a great school. We enjoy the activities within our community. I enjoy working at Central Texas Medical Center in the emergency room as a nurse practitioner. I like the city we live in! I can’t imagine wanting to living the life of any historical figure.
Sinor: Davy Crockett, because he fought for what he believed in.
Incumbent Diane Hervol, running for reelection to her District 1 seat, was not included in this questionnaire as she is running unopposed and will breeze through to victory.
The city and school board election is May 11 and early voting begins Monday, April 29. Voters can cast ballots at Kyle City Hall, HCISD Administration Office and Buda Elementary Upper Campus during early voting, according to Hays County’s election website.
Early voting on April 29 is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voting on Tuesday, April 30 through Friday, May 3, will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all three locations.
The polls will be open on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Hall and Buda Elementary.
Early voting will resume at all three locations on Monday, May 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
