Jerry Perez: NO RESPONSE
1. If elected, what three concerns would you prioritize for District 3?
Cigarroa: My priorities for the residents of District 3 are:
- Ensuring that the Water Infrastructure Master Plan is executed promptly and well, in the hands of experienced, qualified contractors;
- Aligning traffic safety with the needs in District 3 neighborhoods; and
- Working with the City and private interests to stimulate development of the Old Hospital in order to remove the burden of a public safety hazard and encourage economic vitality.
Lugo: Currently, Clean reliable water, pro-business support, and increased safety and security for District 3 are the major concerns. In order to effectively move forward, we must first deliver these basic functions. Recent shortcomings have derailed the public’s trust in our local government. I will tend to restore it and move Laredo in a new direction.
Wickstrom: Water quality, having the City Manager and Assistants to be on top of their job supplying reports from LaredoWater Utilities and the reports to and from TECQ. 2. I would make it a priority to focus on the replacement of water lines in the Heights due to the return of repairs of line breaks even after they’ve been repaired. 3. Safety, not only in District 3, but oversee all situations for the safety of the public.
2. What sets you apart from the current District 2 Council member?
Cigarroa: As an environmental advocate, I am passionate about introducing Laredoans to the natural wonders that exist in our community, because the health of our environment is absolutely central to the health and sustainability of our City. As a mother of five, I think about decisions that guide the direction of our City’s growth in terms of how it will impact future generations. I also believe that maintaining communications with District 3 residents is necessary during the Council tenure so that their needs are prioritized when making decisions that affect them. Therefore, if elected, I plan to hold regular town halls and meetings at neighborhood centers in the District.
Lugo: With the new redistricting, District 3 has taken on a new form. This requires a candidate who understands compromise and one2. who can adapt to the changes that unfold. My journey will be different from the current council member. I can better answer what sets me apart from other candidates. I have a tested leadership background serving overseas in Iraq as a Marine. I’ve served my Country, I’m serving my State, and now I’m a candidate ready to serve my city. No man can point to my riches, of all the candidates running for District 3, I’m the only one who has pledge to donate the entire salary. Please characterize the typical residents of District 3 and what they have told you their needs are. In what part of District 3 do you reside and for how long?
Wickstrom: What makes me stand out from the current Council member, he stepped down from his position and can’t answer other than I’ll do my job and not approve unnecessary and wasteful spending of the taxpayers money.
3. Please characterize the typical residents of District 3 and what they have told you their needs are. In what part of District 3 do you reside and for how long?
Cigarroa: Typical residents of District 3 are family-oriented and hard-working. They are concerned about the lack of sidewalks when they take their children to school and the traffic congestion because of the restricted access to their neighborhoods. They pay high water and electricity bills and then feel neglected when the boil water notices and service cut-offs seem to “target” those that live in the South. They want to see their green spaces well-cared for and connected to a longer greenbelt for their families’ enjoyment. They want access to the City departments that control these things, because when they have made time to take issues to City authorities in the past, at a cost in lost work or arranged childcare, they feel like the responses they have received are dismissive. They feel that services like traffic lights at intersections, speed bumps on longer streets, and maintenance and lighting in parks are City responsibilities that have not reached their neighborhoods yet, and they believe that is wrong.
I have raised my family in District 3 for 29 years in the same neighborhood, the Heights.
Lugo: In District 3 you can find residents from all walks of life, but the vast majority have voiced their concerns to improve our water quality and infrastructure. In addition, new and established communities have safety concerns with the lack of speed bumps to control speeding within residential areas. For the last 4 years, I have resided in the Heights area of District 3. However, as a graduate of United South High School, I am very much familiar with the entire District 3 communities. My childhood friends grew up in these communities. This is where we played together when we were children.
Wickstrom: What I have gathered from residents in District 3 their concerns are traffic safety, water quality and water distribution, along with reaching out to local law enforcement to patrol for the safety of pedestrians and other drivers. Another subject is the old Mercy Hospital and how is it going to be handled and the assurance that the City of Laredo will not purchase that property, and stopping the unnecessary spending.
4. What about you do you believe invites the electorate’s trust in your ability to serve without compromising or violating their trust?
Cigarroa: I have served the community since my family came to Laredo. I was a breastfeeding educator, a Laredo Children’s Museum board member and later director for the Imaginarium of South Texas, a volunteer for Casa Misericordia, a teacher trainer with the Texas Regional Collaborative, and I have been a passionate advocate for the environment and the river with the Rio Grande International Study Center. My work in the No Border Wall Coalition and the Clean Air Laredo Coalition, standing against Federal seizure of City lands and drawing attention to the public health issue created by the emissions of a toxic chemical in our neighborhoods, has driven me to run for this public office. I have never chosen to put profit over people. I sincerely wish to contribute to Laredo’s progress as a community and better the lives for the families and people who choose to call Laredo their home.
Lugo: Upholding an oath is not a new commitment for me. I swore an oath as a U.S. Marine to defend my Country and I did so with honor. I swore an oath with DPS as a State Police Officer to serve and protect the public. In the words of Bjorn Ironside: “You know who I am, I grew up with many of you. You were my neighbors, my friends. We played together when we were children.” I hold all of Laredo’s best interest at heart.
Wickstrom: Other than some of the residents in our City know who I am and where I came from, I ran a successful air conditioning company for 26 years, I brought back Wizard Wicks Pizza after being closed for over 36 a successful business that created jobs and supports the talent of our local musicians and provides entertainment to our community. Many people approach me for help of a fundraiser for burial of a loved one or fund raising for someone with cancer to generate money for medical expenses. We have helped families by opening our doors by donating the restaurant and our time to help in any way we can. I would like to add that we need to reduce or eliminate the property taxes of the elderly, disabled, retired teachers, and disabled veterans who qualify. I’ve heard from many that some living on a fixed income have lost their homes due to being disabled and limited. We can save money for the taxpayer by not overpaying City officials or paying the salaries of unqualified individuals.
5. It is no secret that there are morale issues among City employees who have witnessed the micromanaging of City staff and department heads, and the demoralizing practice in the past by some Council members to ask for jobs for friends and family members, sometimes at a salary higher than a skilled, experienced employee. How will you address employee morale in this and other aspects?
Cigarroa: I will respect the City Manager, working with her or him to promote a professional work environment. I pledge to never recommend potential hires for City Departments unless serving on an official search committee, and I will hold to basic ethical standards while conducting City business, which I would expect in all of City government. I will ask interviewees for the position of City Manager (since it appears that this Council will not proceed with this pressing duty) for their plans to enforce our City ordinance against nepotism and favoritism in hiring, and I also will ask the new City Manager to review procedures at the department of human resources to ensure that a process to receive and investigate City employee complaints maintains anonymity and that these requests are given the respect and attention they deserve.
I believe every City Council member should pledge to refrain from any interference in the hiring or firing of City employees.
Lugo: Inconsistency is what created the issues we are facing now. I will bring consistency and stability to all our city employees. This is the first step to building morale. Micromanaging has been proven to be ineffective in various organizations. Moving away from this practice must be implemented entirely. As a council member, it is not my duty to create followers, I will create efficient and effective leaders and provide them with the tools needed to move Laredo forward.
Wickstrom: Nepotism and favoritism have no place in City government. An individual looking for a job should get there on his own without the help of relatives or favoritism. I’m all for qualified individuals and having professionals in our City’s work force instead of contracting out. We should be able to generate good jobs in house.
6. The recent instability in City government has been unsettling. The hiring and speedy exits of city attorneys, and the hiring (and exit) of an inexperienced individual as City Manager (over the recommendations of a nine member search committee appointed by the Mayor and Council in 2019) – these are telling indicators of dysfunction and a lack of leadership.
Cigarroa: I will insist that the City Council reviews only qualified candidates who have the necessary background, experience and education to fulfill the duties of the City Manager. I believe in the use of a search committee, one that consists of a variety of respected leaders in our community, to find candidates without bias and who come from outside the city and state, and I pledge to allow this committee to do its work unimpeded by Council interference. I will stand by the recommendation of this committee in my vote.
Lugo: This is a difficult task. Laredo currently holds an unfavorable perception in the hiring process of city managers. I will work to outline the exact path needed in order to highlight Laredo’s full potential. The next city manager must also be able to study our city and formulate a plan of progress. If we are to place them at the head of our city, then they hold our future in their hands. My role would be to test them and ensure that Laredo’s best interest is in their hearts and most importantly, do they even possess the abilities to lead us in a better direction?
Wickstrom: I think the hiring of a (Qualified) City Attorney and (Qualified) City Manager should be under an agreement between the applicant and the City, the applicant being under a probationary period and evaluated periodically by Council members to ensure the candidates were a right fit for the job and not being over paid for incompetence, having a binding contract, and being covered by a a Golden Parachute.
7. Do you use cañoneros(as)to harvest votes for you?
Cigarroa: No. The idea of paying for votes is such a slap in the face of what we as Americans believe: elections are not for sale to the highest bidder, and decisions made by those elected should be based not on some local special interest, but on a judgement of what is best for the City and its residents.
Lugo: No.
Wickstrom: No, no need for cañoneros, I am running a grassroots campaign leaving the decision to our constituents and people who know who I am in District 3 and throughout our City.
