Four Rivers Association Of Realtors Hosts Annual San Marcos City Council Debate

Council members Ed Mihalkanin, Place 3 and Jane Hughson, Place 4 are up for re-election in November, and each has picked up an opponent.

On Thursday, Sept. 14, the Four Rivers Association of Realtors hosted their annual debate for the San Marco November election season.

Council members Ed Mihalkanin, Place 3 and Jane Hughson, Place 4 are up for re-election in November, and each has picked up an opponent.

Councilmember Mihalkanin served on the city council from 1996 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2006. He was elected in the regular general election to fill the unexpired term of Council Member John Thomaides. Thomaides had to resign his seat to run for Mayor.

He said this term, he was most excited about the work city council has been doing to resolve the City’s drainage problems.

Local small business owner, Amy Stanfield is challenging Ed Mihalkanin.

“I’ve been volunteering for years and have a passion for working in the community,” Stanfield said. “I’ve considered running for city council for many years, and I just feel like now is the time for me to step up to the plate and volunteer in a different way.”

When asked a question concerning affordable housing Stanfield stated, “Just as a conservative, myself, I would hope that we can find ways to help without wasting dollars on other programs. I know there are a lot of federal programs we can tap into.”

Stanfield said if elected, she wanted to be “fiscally responsible with our money. I know it’s very hard to budget, but I would want to do the research and do the best I can and make sure we are spending the dollars in the right way.”

Joshua Simpson will run against current council member Jane Hughson for City Council Place 4. Councilmember Hughson has served on city council for a total of nine years; she was first elected to city council in 1996 and served until 2002. She was reelected in 2014.
Incumbent City Council members were asked how they saw the city’s processes, vision and direction.

“I think communication is always helpful,” Hughson said. “And I always watch the planning & zoning commission meetings of where they made that decision if that decision comes to us, so I understand where they are coming from. Occasionally, I will change my mind from what I originally thought.”

Simpson is a Texas State University graduate and has experience in Real Estate.

“I am a fresh face,” Simpson said. “I am unknown; I understand that. I am exquisitely passionate about the future of this city and the future it holds for innovation. We need to look at innovation first, it’s practical, cost-effective and affordable and that’s the first step we need to take.”

Topics addressed by the questions included but were not limited to the candidate’s goals, development and growth.

Dinner and drinks were available to debate attendees for a $10 fee; food was provided by Figaro’s Pizza. The event kicked off at 6:00 p.m. and ended around 8 p.m. at the San Marcos Community Center.

Corridor Title, who has offices in San Marcos, Austin, Dripping Springs and New Braunfels, was the presenting sponsor for the debate.