Rafel Dueñas: NO RESPONSE
1. If elected, what three concerns would you prioritize for District 6?
Vish: As citizens we need to be concerned over 1. Our water system, 2. taxes, and 3. Review and make recommendations on the hiring processes and talent retention of the city.
First, water is a precious resource and as we move forward into another term, I will ensure that we are meeting best practices for a healthy water supply, I will be involved in reviewing alternate water sources, and making sure the current infrastructure exceeds the necessary codes. Finally, I will ascertain that we have the right talent in place to alleviate and improve the current state of our water supply.
Second, higher taxes take on a new meaning in this uncertain economy. Our citizens are working harder than ever only to see their budgets shrink. Their priority is the well-being of their family. I will review the budgets, eliminate needless and wasteful spending, and maximize our existing resources without adding an extra tax burden to our citizens.
Finally, what ties all these together is that I will review the hiring processes and talent retention of the City. I will ensure best business practices are situated that will have a long-term impact on the hiring and retention of our talent. We need qualified individuals that are ready to take on the opportunities of our growing trade infrastructure, and that come ready to tackle the innovations occurring daily in our city. We must have effective onboarding in place that provides employees with quality training, and cross-training to provide a culture of teamwork. Together we can make a difference.
Laurel: Clean water: The city’s water issues are severe and extremely important for Laredo’s future growth! How are we to attract new businesses when we can’t take care of our water’s infrastructure? I will work with Council to ensure that the proper attention is given to this issue. We have kicked the can down the road for too long and it is time for action! Let’s get the job done and take care of our city’s greatest need.
Quality of life: Working with private and public entities to bring more amenities to our district is a must and is not being addressed by other candidates. Together we can bring things to the district that allow our children to have a better experience in the district. Having places for them to enjoy themselves is very important; I will work to bring a rec-center/e-library or elderly center to the district. We need to involve the whole community in these plans to learn what they want, instead of imposing our will on them.
Infrastructure: I will help finish the Springfield connection from International to Shiloh and San Isidro at the same time extending the reach of North Central Park to this area. We must do this as a community to ensure the protection of the wetlands in the area. Protecting the ecosystem is vital for District 6 and I will champion the project to ensure this protection.
If I can add a 4th: Improving neighborhood security. Having a secure and safe district for our children is very, very important. I would work with local law enforcement to increase law enforcement presence in the parks and secluded areas of the district
Baldazo:
1. Safety and mobility on loop 20
2. Sidewalk on Del Mar extension for Alexander freshmen to use walking towards Loop 20. They currently they walk on the street next to 18-wheelers.
3. Resurfacing damaged streets
Dr. King: My top three concerns specifically for District 6 are as follows: 1. Create more quality of life attractions so we have more things to do with our families such as More splash pads, a Recreational Center, and more outdoor covered spaces to beat the heat, 2. Add more traffic-calming measures to our most dangerous streets and improve lighting and access to bike lanes, and 3. Bring a customer service mentality to our small businesses so they don’t feel obstructed by the city when trying to open and receive various permits. Ultimately, we have to create a city our kids and grandkids will want to come home to. And regardless of the above district specific issues, the #1 issue for the City needs to be water infrastructure and long-term water planning. Without water, we won’t have a city. We have seen what has happened in my wife’s hometown of Monterrey, Mexico. That is our future if we don’t plan properly for the long term.
2. What sets you apart from the current District 6 Council member?
Vish: I plan to strategize and innovate to tackle the issues that are most pressing. I plan on being visible, more vocal and better involved in improving the current water infrastructure. We need to review the reservoir tanks, chemicals used, and make sure we are meeting the demands of the city; and that we are disaster ready. I am ready to work on whether the city is actually implementing best hiring practices and retention. Improvement projects are always welcome, but we must look beyond the aesthetics to ensure the future of our city.
Laurel: I’m a Laredoan, I was raised in Laredo; I love Laredo, I am proud to be raising my family here. I understand constituents needs and wants. I attended local public schools and graduated from United High School in the heart of District 6. I am a successful international trade executive and a Licensed Customs Broker. I would be the first Council Member to represent the transportation/international trade industry. I bring 22 years of professional experience in international trade; I run a multimillion-dollar business and know how to handle a profitable business. I attended the University of Texas at El Paso and earned my Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. I am the most viable and legitimate choice for District 6. I would use my business experience and education to ensure the growth of the district and the city, ensuring that we are fiscally responsible to ensure success for the future of our city.
Baldazo: I do not have patients to prioritize my time, therefore my commitment will be 100% to the citizens of Laredo as a full-time City Council member.
Dr. King: To start, I was the first person to enter the campaign, and I did so when the incumbent was presumed to be running for re-election. I was willing to challenge the status-quo and fight for a better Laredo when it wasn’t going to be easy. The other candidates decided to run once it became an open seat. Additionally, I am relatively new to Laredo, and I bring a fresh perspective to how we can solve some of our city’s biggest problems. To the best of my knowledge, I am also the only candidate in this race with any military experience. I am a Captain in the US Army Reserve, serving as a physician officer. I was also a high school history teacher for four years before going to medical school. On top of that, as a physician, I am uniquely qualified to help address our status as a medically underserved area.
3. Please characterize the typical residents of District 6 and what they have told you their needs are. In what part of District 6 do you reside and for how long?
Vish: I reside in San Isidro for over 20 years, and for over 15 years my business has been situated on McPherson and Del Mar. The residents are all well-informed, caring, and equally concerned. They are friends, family, neighbors, clients, and strangers who became friends that express mounting anxieties over the water supply, politics, taxes, quality of life, and safety of this great city they call home.
Laurel: District 6 residents vote. They’re educated on the issues at hand and can’t be bought. They’re centered around family and driven by business. The district is vast and diverse. We have people of all ages and from all industries living in Dist. 6. There are so many different needs to be met, and the needs of many falls on the shoulders of someone that should be open to information because of the people’s education levels.
I reside in Sontera Subdivision off of San Isidro Blvd.
Baldazo: District 6 is a mix of government employees, trade industry associates, and entrepreneurs. Their concerns are the outrageous water bills and property taxes, as well as all the questionable business and unethical behavior going on in City government.
I have lived in the district for 25 years and currently live in Winfield.
Dr. King: The residents of District 6 are very diverse. They are working class, middle class, upper middle class, and wealthy. We have the Country Club, but we also have people working multiple jobs so their kids can be zoned for the best schools. We have a lot of Small Business Owners, Border Patrol Agents, Teachers, Police Officers, Nurses, Doctors, Firefighters, and many in the trade community. They want a government that works for them and that cuts the fat and waste. They want to see where their tax dollars are going. They know Laredo has so much potential, but they are frustrated their government seems to get in the way. As for me, my wife and our daughter, we live in the Khaledi Heights area, just north of Del Mar near Loop 20.
4. What about you do you believe invites the electorate’s trust in your ability to serve without compromising or violating their trust?
Vish: As a citizen, I am consistent, passionate, and I too am concerned. Through “Our Laredo,” a non-profit group serving the citizens of Laredo, I have long advocated for change, accountability, and transparency. Over the years, my attitude has not changed. I take an interest, and I make myself available to the citizens. As the selected candidate, I will continue to champion accountability and transparency. We need change that continues to carry us into a more promising and stable future –for all.
Laurel: I feel all the pains that my constituents feel. I’m a taxpayer, I have children, I want more for my family, I want a better Laredo for all. We deserve it. I grew up in Laredo
Baldazo: I have been calling out City Council on dubious dealings and illegal ordinances for over 7 years. I do not provide any services to the City, nor do I have a hidden agenda. I want to get elected to be able to get things done for the citizens of Laredo.
Dr. King: The people are tired of the same recycled names and career politicians. I am someone who is not from Laredo without favors to return and without backs to scratch. I don’t have any political baggage or skeletons in my closet. As a former Teach For America Corps Member and currently as a Captain in the US Army Reserve, I come from trusted institutions that select people with character and instill values such as honesty and service. My entire professional career up to this point has been about serving others. It would be an honor to continue that service as the next City Councilmember for District 6.
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?
Vish: It is critical that hiring policies, practices and hiring criteria change. The City of Laredo is a main artery –the beginning of the lifeline of goods and services that travel to critical locations all across the northern hemisphere. It is imperative to scour the best talent to move us forward. There is so much talent within the city that –all they need is an opportunity. The local college and University produce top tier talent. The School of Business is certified by the main institution, the highly coveted AACSB. We cannot continue to recycle and curry favor. Laredo needs to be ready for opportunities and must withstand change, turmoil, and uncertainty. We need to be competitive, aggressive, strategically situate our talent to bring the very best of Laredo forward. We must recognize long term employees and foster their talents and knowledge. We must give them a voice and an opportunity. They are the ones that know where we can best improve and change. We must recognize their efforts, and promote with fairness. Finally, we need to implement a reward system, and we need to bring a breadth of innovation and much needed training.
Laurel: I strongly believe that the City Council’s job is to set policy and not micromanage the City Manager or the department directors. The mingling of both should not be allowed. The hiring of a strong city manager will be a priority of the new council, and I will make sure that who we hire is strong enough to not take part in the micro-managing and the nepotism that we have heard so much of. The hiring process should be the same throughout the city and we should hire the best candidates for the job.
Baldazo: Human resources needs better training. Give HR direct number or email to a state official to report any hiring of employees as political favors. We need to incentivize employees so they can go above and beyond their responsibilities while working as a team. Pay them above competitive salaries and add a yearly bonus as a motivation to stay working for the City.
Dr. King: We must change the toxic culture at City Hall. We all know far too many people who have been passed over for jobs by those who have connections to City Councilmembers or other higher ups in City Management. We need to completely overhaul the Human Resources department to ensure up to date and equitable hiring practices are being implemented. It’s also imperative that City Council members stay out of the day-to-day micromanaging of City Management so we can hire a qualified City Manager to do the job well. No quality City Manager will want to come to Laredo if they know there is a crooked City Council looking over their shoulders. That is why this coming election is so important. We need to elect Council members with honesty and competence to show the world we are ready to move Laredo forward.
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.
Vish: The change we need comes from within. We must ensure that the city has hiring policies and practices that meet the highest standards. Once reviewed and polished, the policies must reflect the highest forms of scrutiny, integrity, and transparency. Strategically, this City is too important to recycle the same ideas; otherwise, we will continue to see the same mistakes. There is no one true formula, I plan on working hard at this, but we must rely on the best practices to reform our hiring and retention policies. Highly desirable candidates will be easier to vet once these are in place.
Laurel: I consider the hiring of the next city manager the #1 priority for the new council. My role is to ensure that the best candidate for the job is hired. We should make a nation-wide search to ensure that no stone be left unturned. I will ensure that the search be a neutral one where there is no favoritism for one candidate or another. I would go as far as to ask for only the applicants’ experiences rather than know who they are and where they’re from.
Baldazo: I recently attended a workshop on what defines a good City Manager. I would attend another workshop and hire a Human resources company to help present Laredo with 3 possible candidates for the position.
Dr. King: If we say we are going to have a national search for the best possible City Manager, then we better mean it. We cannot let history repeat itself with what happened in 2019. Laredo deserves a City Manager with competence, integrity, but no such person will take the job if we have a City Council that won’t allow them to do their job well. We also need more checks and balances in our City Government to ensure a City Manager has the ability to do the job correctly. Also, if a perfect candidates comes along, we must be willing to hire them quickly without indecision from Council.
7. Do you use cañoneros(as)to harvest votes for you?
Vish: No. I am running an ethical campaign. I have supporters who believe in a better community. I run on integrity and grass root word of mouth. My supporters expect me to run on integrity.
Laurel: No.
Baldazo: No, I do not use cañoneros. I use my work ethic, my over 30 years of management experience, and community volunteering to earn support and votes.
Dr. King: I absolutely do not use cañoneros(as). I find it an unethical practice. We should all be playing by the same rules and fighting for the same votes equally.
Thank you LareDOS and Meg Guerra for the opportunity to share my thoughts.