City Council, Mayoral Candidates Debate

The city council and mayoral candidates discussed issues pertinent to the city in a debate Wednesday night sponsored by the Council of Neighborhood Associations.

Candidates for city council Places 3 and 4 and the mayoral contenders debated against their opponents on issues including housing developments, poverty, the environment and jobs. Issues concerning Cape’s Camp and development of single-family homes were frequently brought up by community members.

“Students are moving in, and wage-earners are moving out,” said Mike Davis, candidate for city council Place 3.

Davis said that San Marcos has heart, soul and a vibrant artistic community, but it needs career-type jobs with benefits.

“Growth is in our future,” said Councilman John Thomaides, Place 3. “We need to make sure it is beneficial for all citizens.”

This city is built on families and small businesses, Davis said.

“People like to come visit here, but there is no place to live,” Davis said.

The three candidates running for mayor are Patrick Montgomery, Jonathan Sorenson and Daniel Guerrero. The candidates debated the new housing developments, education and how the city leaders need to do a better job of taking care of citizens.

Montgomery said Texas State students are the main priority and “atrocity” of the city.

“Education is my top priority,” said Councilman Wayne Becak, Place 4. “70 percent of our children in San Marcos are economically disadvantaged.”

Melissa Derrick, a San Marcos citizen, said the city is a mess and asked how the candidates would fix the damages that have been done.

“The community has lost trust in what (city council) says and what they will do,” Sorenson said. “The damage is done. We can’t do it again.”

Montgomery said that the actions and words of the city council and mayor are not matching up.

“It’s a dog-and-pony show,” Montgomery said. “That’s why I threw my name in the hat.”

Guerrero said he doesn’t believe there is mistrust in the community and says that he listens to constituents.

“I believe that we have listened to everyone,” Guerrero said.

Cape’s Camp came up several times during the evening. Community members were upset the city let a developer build on land that was supposed to be a park.

“I would not have voted for Cape’s Camp,” said Jane Hughson, candidate for city council Place 4. “Protecting our environment is a must.”

Thomaides said there is a right and wrong place for development.

“I have never voted for an apartment that will damage the river or a neighborhood,” Thomaides said.

In the closing remarks, Guerrero said he has experience and will work for education, poverty and neighborhoods.

Both of Guerrero’s opponents closed out their remarks by saying city officials aren’t giving their all for citizens.

“Your voice is no longer being heard by your neighborhood,” Montgomery said.

Sorenson said the city needs a leader who will be consistent and “vote with the wishes of the citizens.”

Nicholas Laughlin is a University Star Reporter where this story originally published. It is reprinted here through a news partnership between the University Star and the San Marcos Corridor News.