ELECTION ESSAYS: Pearland
Special to The Facts
Special to The Facts
COUNCIL POSITION 1
Duane Sayers
Age: 47
Residence: Pearland
How long lived there: 3 years
Where from originally: San Diego
Occupation: superintendent, rail transportation, Metropolitan Transit Authority
Civic involvement: reserve deputy, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (1982-89); reserve lieutenant, National City Police Department (1992-2002)
Previous elected offices held or sought: None
Why should someone vote for you? I want to represent the interests of the people of Pearland. Sometimes politicians lose sight of who they work for. I want to give an ear and voice to the people of our community.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing the office you seek? Growth management is the biggest challenge facing our city. Our primary concern should be providing for public safety and emergency services so we don’t find ourselves in the position of constantly trying to catch up. We need to make sure our infrastructure can support the growth. Roads, drainage, school, parks and utilities all need to be considered. We don’t want to overburden property owners with tax increases to pay for us not planning ahead.
Incumbent Woody Owens did not return a questionnaire.
COUNCIL POSITION 5
Larry R. Marcott
Age: 63
Residence: 3606 Inverness Court, Pearland
How long lived there: 10-year resident
Where from originally: Scappoose, Ore.
Occupation: retired from TurboCare (35 years); independent contractor
Civic involvement: president, Brazoria County Cities Association (2004-05); alternate member, Houston-Galveston Area Council; alumni, Leadership Pearland; board member, Keep Pearland Beautiful; Pearland Day in Austin Committee; Pearland Old Townsite Committee; Brazoria County Fairgrounds Committee; Clear Creek Citizens Advisory Committee
Previous elected offices held or sought: Pearland City Council (2000-06)
Why should someone vote for you? Vote for me if you want someone to study the issues and make decisions based on the best interest of the citizens of Pearland and their tax dollars. I know how to and have made those decisions. I have no allegiances or obligations to special interest groups or those firms doing business with the city. I vote my conscious, not what outside interests want.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing the office you seek? The biggest challenges are growth and infrastructure. In 2000, we were a city of 37,000 and are now more than 80,000. This amount of growth in such a short period of time puts a real strain on a city's infrastructure. You have seen our traffic congestion. Infrastructure also includes drainage, water, sewer, police, fire, emergency medical services, higher education and recreation facilities, etc. A city of 80,000, headed for 150,000 to 200,000 citizens, requires a full-service community. As a council member, I helped formulate the 2001 bond issue and support the upcoming bond issue.
Incumbent Kevin Cole did not return a questionnaire.
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