Council incumbents, hopefuls share ideas, positions
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Who'll Keep A Seat? Candidates for the three at-large City Council positions shared their views during a radio roundtable Wednesday. Pictured (l-r) are Jimmy Roppolo, Tim Ryan, L-N Photo Complilation by Shannon Crabtree Phiilip Spenrath, Richard Young, radio moderator Jerry Aulds, Henry Dornak Jr., Kenneth Martin, radio station DJ Clint Robinson and Otha Edison Jr.

The seven hopefuls for three at-large El Campo City Council positions shared their views on campaign issues during a radio roundtable discussion Wednesday.

With two incumbents and three seats to be filled, City Council will definitely see at least one new face following the May 10 election. Those hoping to take the oath of office at the May 13 meeting include Henry Dornak Jr., Otha Edison, Kenneth Martin, Jimmy Roppolo, Tim Ryan, Phillip Spenrath and Richard Young.

Each answered questions from a media panel in the live broadcast. KULP has yet to announce when the hour-long session will be rebroadcast.

Issues discussed included:

Direct Election

Of The Mayor

All candidates with the exception of Martin and Spenrath said they favored a public decision. Spenrath said he'd support "whatever the citizens want" while Martin said he favored the current system whereby Council selects the mayor from among the seven elected members.

"Each of us know who has the most experience," Martin said, but added he would also follow the wishes of citizens.

Ryan pointed out a 1991 City Charter Amendment vote where El Campo citizens approved the direct election of the mayor - a decision which was not implemented after the Department of Justice nixed the first submission for change.

Dornak said he'd requested the item be put on the 2000 Charter Amendment ballot, but was rejected.

U.S. 59 Corridor Development

With the city's 2020 Comprehensive Plan - issued in 2000 - calling for development along the U.S. 59 corridor, candidates were asked to weigh in on the lack of major new development.

"Growth happened on the north side of El Campo and changed the view," Young said.

Edison urged the public to give it more time and businesses would start to expand.

Without development there, those traveling U.S. 59 may not see what El Campo has to offer, Roppolo said.

Rail Bypass Efforts

All candidates agreed that no city funds should be used to fund moving the rail line from the heart of El Campo to a bypass following the U.S. 59 corridor.

Civic Center Improvements

Candidates' views varied on whether more than $1 million should be spent on renovating the El Campo Civic Center.

Dornak said the center was in much better shape than presented. "The Civic Center is a great facility right now. I do not support spending $1 million on the Civic Center." A new roof and air-conditioning system may, however, be needed he said.

Edison said he felt the remodeling was probably needed.

Martin pointed out how many people used the center, adding the majority of the funding was for roof and AC work.

"Something has to be done," Roppolo said, adding the audio visual system at the center definitely needs to be upgraded.

Ryan called it a "perfect example" of a question which should be taken to the voters. "They're going to have to pay for it," he added.

Spenrath said the city needs a first choice facility.

Young called for the creation of a committee to review center needs.

Voting on Annexations

On this issue, too, candidates quickly divided.

Young said laws were clear and there was no need to vote.

Spenrath said, "This is the vote (choosing who serves on Council and thus represents the people)." Those voted into office then make those decisions.

Ryan disagreed. "Anything the taxpayer would have to pay for" should be considered. "We should vote on these things when its $6 million, $1 million," he said.

Roppolo took a different stance. "Council should be able to annex," he said, but added citizens should have the right to be heard. He also called for the City Charter to be changed to clarify when a petition could be used to force an election.

Edison said to "leave it in the hands of Council."

Dornak urged Council to heed the wishes of the majority at public hearings on such issues.

Overview

In their closing statements, Council hopefuls added thoughts on their goals if elected.

'We need to grow faster than we are," Edison said.

Dornak called the May 2008 election an historical one for the city of El Campo. "You have a clear choice. There are two groups. One, Council knows best, decisions are absolute. My group the citizens keep (the power).

Martin urged voters to consider experience. "We have an excellent Council right now. We're all very conservative. We run our own companies and use that experience to run this city."

Roppolo said he "was not part of any group" and was "never against growth and never will be." He promised an analytical approach to all decision making.

Ryan warned that annexation would not solve financial woes.

Spenrath said improvements had occurred and borders had been protected.

Young said his goal is to "learn, listen and make common sense informed decisions."