COUNTY JUDGE

Dennis Fitzgerald

Editor’s Note: Judge Evans’ answers were taken verbally over the phone.

1. Why are you running for this position?

I learned at a very young age that, the key to creating a pleasant nurturing environment to live in, is NOT who you vote for in the Presidential or Governor’s race – It’s who you put in the key local elections which have the most impact in our daily lives. This includes your taxes, allocation of proper funding to maintain infrastructure and public safety, these are things within our control at the local and county level.

2. What experience and qualifications do you bring to this position?

I have served as a Judge and Magistrate in Texas. I am a credentialed Mediator and Arbitrator trained for hearing and resolving complex disputes and issues. And have over thirty years of experience investigating and working in the legal system, in both civil and criminal courts.

I also bring this one very important skill-set, I’ve owned and operated small businesses for over forty years and know how to work with locally owned and operated small businesses! Not run political agenda’s as we have seen so very much of lately.

3. What are the biggest challenges facing Bandera, and how do you plan to address them?

Growth, Infrastructure, Public Safety. Every day we are adding to the population of this county, and with each addition comes an increased drain on our resources, especially water and roadways. Public safety, we have got to focus and work on solutions to the excessive and pervasive drug usage throughout this county, we can do better and it will require not just boots on the ground in law enforcement, it will require a genuine effort to also help those who are addicted to get clean.

4. What is something you’d change during your time in office?

My focus will be on the issues above but I will be transparent and honest in all dealings of county business! No back door deals, “who you know” transactions or deceptions, this is not and cannot be of any benefit to the taxpayers here.

I’ve been in this county about a dozen plus years, the old Courthouse and Jail were slated for repairs and being open to the public when I arrived here, but it’s not done yet, I promise I will have that resolved and open to the public within 18 months! It only gets more expensive every single day we are not maintaining these historic structures, inflation, material cost and labor – all of which would have cost considerable less five or more years ago.

5. What is something you’d keep?

TEXAS! I will keep this a Texas County lead with Texas leadership, we have much to be proud of here in Bandera County, people love to move here because we have such a unique community and lifestyle. Well, it wonderful that folks have come, but remember that what you came and visited and eventually moved into, was built and run by multigenerational Texans!

It is significantly important that if you indeed want to keep this county as much like it is as things are now, understand that when you vote in folks from elsewhere, you are not getting Texas! You are in the transition phase to become more like somewhere else! I will definitely KEEP BANDERA TEXAS!

6. What sets you apart from your opponents?

First off, I’m not running against anyone, I know both of my other candidates and like them both on a personal level! I am the only candidate to date, who cares enough to actually address the elephant in living room here, our young people!

I am reaching out to the younger generation of this county, for support and to step up, get involved, and take over! We need to induce the 25-50 year old young Americans to engage, step up and run for these local offices. For Pete’s sake – the majority of the leadership here has been in office two plus decades. Let’s transition our leadership to the next generation and back our young people.

These young folks are who will ultimately be footing the bills for the blunders made long before they got here, let’s leave a better world for them to develop, rather than having to spend their whole lives trying to pay off debt they didn’t incur, and repairs to things they did not break!

I absolutely am not an insider, neither am I an outsider, I know and see what is going on and the nastiness of certain political entities in this county! I hope with the help of my friends and the younger voters of this county to serve this county as the best candidate for the position.

Last but a key issue: I want to study and see what it will take to get the older generation of citizens a badly needed TAX RELIEF! I believe with proper structuring and lobbying we can reach a point where people over the age of 65 eventually be tax free – these people have paid taxes on property they already owned, paid taxes on the money they paid for the property with, and long paid off mortgages!

There should be a concentrated effort to reduce this burden so people can afford to live out their old age without choosing, medical care and groceries, or taxes!

I’m very proudly NOT ENDORSED by anyone but those of you who vote for me, that’s the only proper endorsement any Judicial Candidates should be seeking OR accept! Very difficult for an office holder, especially a Judge to be unbiased and neutral, all the while beholding to the people who endorsed them. It’s so very wrong on so many levels for the local “misguided republican party”, to engage in malicious acts against candidates!

This is for power and control, don’t be fooled, they have no interest in your future, they are endorsing people for their own political interest! I suggest, if you want what is best for the county, that you open your eyes and make your decision with you vote!

Richard Evans

Editor’s Note: Judge Evans’ answers were taken verbally over the phone.

1. Why are you running for this position?

To continue the work I have been doing, particularly with the annex next to the courthouse, to provide security to employees, and also to minimize operational costs of multiple buildings that are in bad condition.

2. What experience and qualifications do you bring to this position?

I have held this position for 25 years. I know my job and take it as a full-time job.

3. What are the biggest challenges facing Bandera, and how do you plan to address them?

The biggest challenge is the lack of funds the state sends us to do the jobs they require us to do. Property taxes are onerous, and there’s a limit to what people can afford, and a limit to the state’s unfunded mandates. The plan is to lobby the state to pay their part to reduce property taxes.

4. What is something you’d change during your time in office?

To have the state actually pay their part of county government.

5. What is something you’d keep?

Conservative values. I have been conservative with budget and spending, and will continue to be conservative and not go beyond what the county can afford.

6. What sets you apart from your opponents?

Experience and track record of 25 years. We have a substantial fund balance, currently $10 million, that when I started we didn’t have.

Susan Junker

1. Why are you running for this position?

I was honored to be asked to run for County Judge by a variety of concerned citizens. I hadn’t considered it before, but when examining requirements and my experience, it was clear that I could serve. When I spoke to Judge Evans last spring, his reasons for running included the wishes of his family, the Commissioners Court and his desire to build an annex to the Courthouse. I am running for the Citizens of Bandera County: to make the lives of all our county residents safer and better.

2. What experience and qualifications do you bring to this position?

Capable: I have held leadership positions in high school sports, college ROTC and throughout my military career, industry and local non-profits. I have supervised up to 1100 people, multi-million-dollar inventories, equipment and projects. This includes being a quick study, reaching out for input, analyzing the issues, being a creative problem solver, continuously studying to find the most cost-effective solutions, listening, seeking outside the county funding, and prioritizing county taxpayer needs.

Committed: I am committed to the people of Bandera County – this is a 24/7 job. That has been a requirement in all my jobs both inside and outside the Army. God, family and the Bandera County family are my priorities. We have a rich heritage to preserve, safety and security to deliver, and a way of life to protect.

Character & Ethics: Uncompromising standards of conduct and character are a must – there is a higher standard required of elected officials. Fair treatment for everyone. I do not have relatives in the county. I do not have personal business dealings or owe anyone a favor. When people’s lives are at stake, moral

Communicator: Communication with our taxpayers is a must – two-way communication. Listening, asking questions, utilizing the best technology to be transparent and open with our citizens and make it easy to participate in county government -- these are critical to finding the best solutions and developing plans to get there. For example, Commissioners Court meetings on You Tube, interactive and easy to use website, routine communications by all available media.

Care: A county judge must genuinely care about the welfare of families in Bandera County. I do not believe this position should be a career. Selfless service is the only form of leadership I know.

3. What are the biggest challenges facing Bandera, and how do you plan to address them?

Law Enforcement given population growth in the county, economic growth while preserving our heritage, unchecked development and their environmental impacts, and education. These are the most pressing issues identified by Bandera County citizens – they came from a survey on my website and feedback from taxpayers. There are near term actions that could be taken to quantify and prioritize law enforcement shortfalls such as personnel, equipment and technology or training shortfalls: are corrections affordable over what time frame. Economic growth has a longer horizon to identify ways to increase or improve tourism: rodeos, cowboy related events or similar conventions and events. This is also related to our local work force and educational opportunities. Bandera County land and water regulations must be reviewed and lessons from our neighbors in Castroville and Center Point applied. All these are also budget challenges to keep taxes in check.

4. What is something you’d change during your time in office?

There is an immediate need for transparency and new communication tools – a new level of openness and access to what is happening in county government. Review of law enforcement, emergency medical and emergency management statistics, compensation, equipment, and issues to determine how we can attract and retain the right number and quality of each. The growth in our county demands it. Develop plans to address economic development (e.g., preserve tourism base and seek diversity), roads and bridges and information technology. Review the justification for a new Courthouse annex: cost/ benefit of consolidation of county offices, the location, timing, and requirements to build given other pressing needs.

5. What is something you’d keep?

Bandera’s heritage is strong. Its beautiful land and water and special “Cowboy Capital” designation provide the economic engine for a way of life many envy. This and our historic sites must be preserved and serve as a source of pride and education for not only tourists, but the next generation. Our children should have the opportunity for a safe, secure rural upbringing. Parents should be confident that a quality education and employment are within reach. Conservative values such as accountability personal freedom, and limited government must remain.

6. What sets you apart from your opponents?

The two most prominent differences are in the areas of communication and caring. I will reach out to initiate opportunities to communicate with taxpayers, educators, non-profits, other government entities and agencies on a routine basis. As a local non-profit leader, integrating efforts has reduced cost and improved fund raising for all when we worked together. The office of Bandera County Judge is not a career: it is an opportunity for selfless leadership. I believe that I am here at this place at this time with the faith, leadership skills and experience to make a positive and lasting impact. We absolutely cannot address the speed of tomorrow at yesterday’s pace. It would be an honor to serve and make Bandera the very best it can be.