University of Houston Sugar Land was the site of a well-attended candidates’ forum for the Fort Bend ISD school board and Sugar Land mayoral and city council elections, organized by Emgage Texas and the following sponsors: Houston Voting Initiative, Alpha Kappa Alpha – Alpha Gamma Alpha Omega Chapter, Fort Bend Voters League, Baker Ripley and Wharton County Junior College. Information about some of the candidates who attended, their answers to questions, who won and who will be in the June 7th runoff election are below.
The FBISD school board had two open seats – Positions 3 and 7 – each with three candidates vying for the spot.
FORT BEND ISD POSITION 3
Afshi Charania (winner)
Rick Garcia
Angela Collins (not in attendance)
FORT BEND ISD POSITION 7
Angie Wierzbicki (winner)
Allison Drew
Cheryl Buford (not in attendance)
SUGAR LAND MAYORAL RACE – (Now moving to June 7th runoff with William Ferguson and Carol McCutcheon)
PANEL WITH THE CANDIDATES:
William Ferguson – city council member, lived here for 18 19 years, been police officer for more than 30 years. Conservative values, married for 35 years, like to continue serving you as your mayor. You will continue to receive safety as top priority and community redevelopment as second top priority. “I will listen to you. I will hear you. “
Michelle Mikeska – running as a “people first mayor”. I was a teacher, college pastor, I’ve made my life’s work in investing in young lives. We need to think about the future and attracting young families. I am a mayor for everyone
Alex J. Sowell – (not in attendance at forum)
Naushad Kermally – currently council member, on 3rd term… “I love Sugar Land and that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing…We have one of the finest police forces in the nation… We are focusing on development… I have experience in finding developers, I’m a registered nurse by profession… It’s important to be an educated voter… I’m the only one that has run a big business… I bring a different style of leadership. I want to understand what goes on… on a day-to-day basis.”
Carol McCutcheon – 8 years on city council, former mayor pro tem, married 37 years, home here for 32 years, keep Sugar Land a welcoming place and moving forward, public safety is top priority, infrastructure maintenance is very important… “I have a track record for getting things done… want to keep taxes low.”
Sarwar Khan – (not in attendance at forum)
How will you support small businesses?
William – I am a small business owner… I love using our brick and mortar.
Carol – We have an economic development department that is aggressively trying to bring in large businesses, but I think we also need to focus on small businesses too.
Naushad – 46 small businesses (nail salons to tea house), I’ve worked with small businesses and the owners know who I am… 46 of my banners are in small businesses. I know them… we work together
How to make the city more resilient – after Beryl
Naushad – We are going to make sure we are resilient to make sure we are ready. We passed a $350M bond for flooding. We can be prepared for mother nature
Carol – Flooding and Drainage work
William – we use our regional partners to define our tax dot, Brazos River authority, etc., to protect our community from threats related to water
Michelle – one of the things we shouldn’t do is build a gas plant in the middle of sugar land and the power grid is a concern. Perhaps we need to do micro grids and look at solar power that is sustainable.
Sugar Land City Council, At-Large Position 1: June 7th Runoff with Jim Vonderhaar, a retired businessman and Maggy Horgan
PANEL WITH CANDIDATE:
Jim Vonderhaar – (Candidate not in attendance at forum)
Maggy Horgan – I speak 5 languages… I immigrated to us in 1988. I speak Spanish, French, English, Armenian and Lebanese.
Biggest Issue – We have all these little issues that need to be taken care of, roads to be fixed, animal shelter, power, small businesses, we need to help us
As small business owner I support small businesses. I go to restaurants and wonder why we don’t help each other. They are our neighbors.
Sugar Land Town Square is the face of Sugar Land. It’s one of my favorite places.
I’m here to do whatever you all want me to do. I can negotiate and bargain for you. I don’t have involvement with the builders and city council. Pick people who represent a diverse community.
Sugar Land City Council, At-Large Position 2
PANEL WITH CANDIDATES:
Robert Boettcher (winner)
Ameer Malik – escrow officer in Sugar Land, decided to run for office to serve the community
Ammer – biggest issue in Sugar Land is that there are many residents that are leaving, we don’t have much development or infrastructure… we need attractions and bring more development and youth back to sugar land, roads, safety, are also important. Focus on traffic too
Robert – population and looking at decline – lots of that is focused on jobs, starts and ends with jobs. We need to make sure housing meshes with the community and make sure jobs are coming to our community.
We have office space for lease, we’ve lost Fluor and Minute Maid.
How will you support small businesses?
Ammer – start promoting events via social media… I’m big on social media
Robert – small businesses are a large part of our community. Construction happens it’s hard for them to stay in business, (egresses are blocked, etc.). Give people a reason to work and live in Sugar Land.
Rapid Fire Questions – one word:
Leadership style?
Rob – thoughtful
Amerer – trustworthy
New mixed-use development?
Both yes
CLOSING
Ameer – over 14 years’ experience, real estate background,
Rob – I’m an engineer – we solve problems, not create them…. We didn’t even get to talk about drainage or wastewater. My main mission is to make sure I represent all communities in Sugar Land.
Sugar Land, City Council District Two (Runoff – Hussain and Singhal)
PANEL WITH CANDIDATES
Cindy Picazo
Gladys Nunez – first time running. I’m excited and I have dreams of getting our young people to sit in these chairs, and to work for our city. I’m here. I need you to work together with me for our generation.
Nasir Hussain – I work in telecom and infrastructure for over 25 years… running to bring employment back to Sugar Land
Sanjay Singhal – believe in open dialogue, cut taxes and make city more efficient
Bradley William Tilton, II – Attorney, running to make sure I’m the voice for District two. I have the skill set to collaborate and be excellent representative
Biggest issue in your district?
Gladys – to create recreation areas, parks, to change our city and attract visitors and increate our economy too
Nasir – New Territory, Telfair and River Park areas – restaurants with low foot traffic
Bradley – redevelopment of aging shopping centers in New Territory, aging shopping centers are zoned correctly, support these businesses
Sanjay – growth and support of local businesses, providing tax incentives and growth in local economics, and the high tax rate is driving people out… so we need to look at that – break on tax – bring them down
Cindy – aging infrastructure – I worked on MUD 67 and the annexation for City of Sugar Land. I know issues with flooding and water systems. Worked to increase flood protection by over 400 percent. We were looking at a huge project.
Sugar Land City Council District Four (Rick Miller won race)
PANEL WITH CANDIDATES
Dr. Zeenat Mitha – I’[m research oriented, I’m a problem solver, I bring our community together… Public safety, transparency, and development.
Sapana Patel – current Commissioner; I have stood up for our district, I want you to vote for me because I’m the right candidate for this position. I am already involved in issues; I’m an accountant by trade. I add value and will stand with the residents. I am independent and here for the residents of Sugar Land.
Rick Miller (not in attendance at forum)
Rapid Fire Questions:
Bike lanes? Both candidates Patel and Mitha – yes
Mixed use development? Both candidates Patel and Mtha – yes
New apartment buildings? Both candidates Patel and Mitha – yes
Special thanks to the sponsors for this informative candidate forum:
Emgage Texas, Houston Voting Initiative, Alpha Kappa Alpha – Alpha Gamma Alpha Omega Chapter, Fort Bend Voters League, Baker Ripley and Wharton County Junior College.
Be sure to exercise your right to vote in the upcoming runoff election on June 7th.
-Kim Floyd
