Thursday evening, April 26, the 3rd Annual Friendswood Candidates’ Forum was held for the Friendswood City Council Candidates at the Village on the Park in Friendswood. Israel Galvan welcomed the crowd of 90-100 people. Boy Scout troop 468 provided a Color Guard ceremony. Dr. Warren Chaney was the moderator for the evening.

Places for the four candidates running for elected office were provided in their respective ballot position on the panel that followed an hors d’ourves reception provided by Village on the Park.

Seated for Council Position #4 was Jay Horecky; Leslie Reid was not available. For Council Position #6 Marcus Rives was present; A.M. (Andy) Rivera was not available. Horecky and Rives answered questions provided by the audience and screened by a joint team of Democrats and Republicans.

The candidates’ philosophies became quickly apparent. Candidates Horecky and Rives supported the current Council majority and stood for the Tax Rebates and developer-funded, rather than taxpayer-funded, projects on “Main Street” and possible convention center.

Candidates Reid and Rivera, citing other obligations, did not attend.

Candidates attending are long-time Friendswood residents, having lived in the City for at least 30 years. Horecky stated that he is a businessman in Friendswood who does not do business with the City. Rives is an architect with a Friendswood office. Both promised to apply the skills from their professional and community service activities to the City Council.

Horecky and Rives felt that the past year’s tax rate reduction and 2005 rebate, together with the increase in the number of police and City Services, has been one of the best actions of the current Council.

Horecky and Rives both agreed that the proposed 3% tax cap would benefit the residents of Friendswood. Rives stated that everyone should want their rate of tax increases lowered.

The Sunmeadow golf course issue was of concern to many in attendance. Horecky stated he was willing to work with anyone that had a viable plan, but that the golf course had failed to be viable through 5 or 7 previous owners. If the City were to take it over, it would have to be by a vote of the people, as it would cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.

Flooding and drainage was a major issue among residents. Horecky cited his leadership in easing the restrictions for small land owners and making the Clear Creek project more beneficial to Friendswood residents, as reasons for keeping him on Council. Rives felt the Drainage District has not done enough. He cited experiences with professional and personal projects as his qualifications
for being elected.

The candidates’ closing statements summarized the evening.

Horecky urged voters to stay the new course and referred to the fact that he has kept his campaign promises. He promised never to speak at Council meetings if he had nothing to say, to much laughter throughout the room.

Rives cited his working relationship with citizens, businesses, previous position on Planning and Zoning Board, his firm, his church, as well as his long family history in Friendswood as his qualifications for representing the homeowners and small businesses of Friendswood.

Village on the Park provided a scrumptious hors d'ouvres buffet prior to the forum, during which time the public had an opportunity to speak with the candidates on a personal basis. Those in attendance seemed truly interested in learning more about the candidates and in making an informed decision at the polls.

Early voting starts April 30 (with voting on Saturday May 5) and ends Tuesday May 8. Election Day is Saturday May 12. Polling locations are at City Hall and Wedgewood Elementary School (Election Day only).

# posted by O. Markum : 12:16 PM