Candidates for Kerr County Clerk

1 – Serving as County Clerk, what would your guiding principles be?

I have two major guiding principles – one offensive and one defensive.

1. Offensive is “Do the right thing – always”
2. Defensive is “Follow the money”

2 – What is your philosophy on taxpayer-funded debt?

While I want the government to provide national security, local security, good roads and bridges, secure elections, and I believe in giving a hand up, not a hand out – maybe we need a cafeteria-style tax plan. The government needs to live with a balanced budget. We don’t need to finance career welfare, NGO’s that are not America First, home child care that has no children and the 177 other countries to make them like us – DGP- follow the money.

3 – How would you define the role of the government?

Similar to above- provide national security, public services, maintain order in the community, manage resources, election integrity. It should also address social and economic issues in the community- but not be the ones to tax citizens to pay for niceties. It should also manage the budget. OGP- Do the right thing- always.

4 – What are your thoughts on the current pay of county/city employees and pay raises (how often, how much, how is a raise applied – across the board or merit-based)?

Typically government raises are once a year, tied to inflation or internal whims- these are across the board rather than merit, and if a merit raise is given it is generally in addition to the across the board raise. In attending Commissioners Court where budgets were addressed, across the board raises were easy- less work on our employees. Force departments to justify the raise. Overall, merit increases should be the norm- incentivize the employees want to work for the citizens. OGP- Do the right thing- always.

5 – In regards to the July 4th flood, tell us what you think of the local response?
What should be the focus for the rebuilding efforts?

Overall the response times from local, state and national was excellent- certain individuals lacked clarity in their job requirements, but overall it was good. It also seemed that the community pulled together and local, state and national assistance seemed to be excellent- any behind the scenes in-fighting was not evident to me. Recovery should be the first priority- no stone left unturned until everyone is accounted for. Rebuilding should be done for the citizens next- to make sure they are all assisted as best possible,then homes- with as little government interaction- give the homeowners the permits without unnecessary burdens and stipulations- then community- parks, river walks, etc.- unless those can be done in conjunction with other e orts. OGP- Do the right thing- always.

6 – Should tax dollars be used for economic development “incentives” to corporations? What about tax abatements? Please explain why or why not.

Yes, if there is a return on the taxpayers investment- why build a stadium for a billionaire’s team when the majority of revenue goes to the billionaire? Yes, a stadium brings in revenue for the local community, but the percentages are not usually discussed. One bright spot that I am aware of- the US 90 bridge over the Mississippi River from the West Bank to downtown New Orleans was financed by bonds and paid for by tolls-the population was told once it was paid o the toll would go away. I traveled across that bridge many times, and one day the toll booths were gone! Imagine my surprise. Tax abatements should have a payo and some form of guarantee by the recipient- DGP- follow the money.

7 – What are your thoughts on water infrastructure & availability and the current
level of development in the county?

I don’t see the car washes being limited during drought conditions? While development is mandatory- grow or die- government should hold accountable the developers who seem to make statements about their products- houses no more than $xxx.xxx, gray water golf courses and my favorite- mega cement plants. A certain federal candidate has a plan for RO water plants along the Gulf of America, using the same infrastructure already in place to hold the water. Before development is approved, AND OFFERED TO THE VOTER, the question should be- where is the water coming from? Development is needed, but houses without jobs doesn’t make sense. DGP- follow the money.

8 – Battery Energy Storage Systems, solar farms, data centers, and bitcoin mining have been controversial issues in the Hill Country, what are your thoughts about them?

There are two sides to every argument, but I have yet to see the “good” side. What if the government subsidies (maybe a selection on the cafeteria-style tax plan) were gone? The harder and fastercompanies push for these “good deals” the harder and faster the local governments and citizens should dig into each venture. Case in point- the acres of cut-up fiberglass wind generator blades laying by the side of the road in Sweetwater, and how much “entrepreneurs” made from the government subsidies, and then just left. DGP- Follow the MONEY!

9 – Has there been anything during the COVID pandemic and the government’s response to it that you would change? If so, what?

We the people need to be more accountable to ourselves and less reliant on the government to tell us how to live our lives. Yes, offer the jab, offer ivermectin and other options, but don’t tell me what I have to do. And don’t threaten my livelihood if I don’t subscribe to government demands. DGP- follow the money.

10 – What are your thoughts on term limits?

ABSOLUTELY! The offices are not supposed to be a career- I was told some time ago that certain things in government “just took time” and that is why term limits aren’t good. My response to this legislator (in Ohio) was- maybe term limits would encourage expediency. And while you didn’t ask, make any and all elected, term-limited officials subscribe to our healthcare and Social Security rather than their super healthcare and exorbitant pensions- healthcare and Social Security would be fixed immediately. DGP- follow the money.