Hays County Primary Candidates Gather For Public Debate

 

Commissioner Will Conley, incumbent, and Rob Roark are the two Republican candidates competing to represent Precinct 3.

 

Conley did not attend the debate due to a prior commitment, but sent a statement for the moderator to read the attendants. Hays County continues to provide high-level services in the community, remains financially strong and progresses each day, Conley stated in his message.

Roark said he has come to know the county well through his involvement in the community.

 

“I ask for your vote to help bring a new voice to Hays County,” Roark said.

 

Roark said his campaign is self-funded and will kick off on March 1 because he believes 30 days is enough to win the people’s vote. Elected officials should spend time serving the community instead of campaigning.

 

“I’m not looking for endorsements form elected officials,” Roark said. “I’m looking for endorsements from each and every single one of you.”

Roark said county officials must have a good plan to protect the people and property when flooding occurs. As Hays County continues to grow, officials must make sure people are safe.

 

“We’re going to have to look at some major projects here in the county,” Roark said. “We’re also going to have to look at how we’re going to protect the infrastructure we have so that we don’t have to keep replacing it every time we have a flood.”

 

Roark said the county budget must be kept “under control” and that, if elected, he would make this a priority as a commissioner. Furthermore, citizens must have some input when it comes to planning out the budget.

 

Candidates for Precinct 2 Hays County constable are Republicans Jimmy Zuehkle, Steve Avalos and incumbent James Kohler. Mitch Johnson, John Ellen and incumbent Matt Mancillas are the three Republican candidates for Precinct 5 constable.

 

“I’m just a damn good constable,” Mancillas said.

 

There is a lot more the constable’s office can do for the community, Ellen said.

 

Johnson said it’s important for the constable to work closely with the public.

 

There are four candidates for the Justice of the Peace of Precinct 1, Place 1 position. Alex Aguirre and incumbent JoAnne Prado are the two Democratic candidates. Naomi Narvaiz and Sylvia De Leon Muzzy are the two Republican candidates.

 

There are five candidates for the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2 position. Sandra Sepulveda-Lopez, Scot Courtney and Maggie Hernandez Moreno are the three Democratic candidates. Shane Scott and James Elshoff are the two Republican candidates.

 

The candidates discussed the fact that there has not been a Place 2 Justice of the Peace since April 2015. Since then, Prado has been managing the JP 1-2 docket, according to the Hays County website.

 

Getting the Place 2 justice court running will be a priority for whoever is elected, the candidates agreed.

 

The Hays County Sheriff Republican candidates are Tommy Ratliff and incumbent Gary Cutler. Cutler was not present

This article originally published by The University Star.