CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Corpus Christi residents are set to head to the polls during the next few weeks, and one of the city officials they will be deciding on is their preference for Corpus Christi City Council's District 1 representative.
The District 1 councilperson represents North Beach, Downtown, Uptown and North Side Corpus Christi, Calallen and Annaville
Incumbent Everett Roy has served two terms as the Dist. 1 representative: one in 2019-2020 and the current term. He is facing challenges from pastor Anthony Aquino, sales and marketing manager John Garcia, consultant Eli McKay and former Dist. 1 city councilman Billy Lerma.
3NEWS sent out questionnaires to all six candidates asking the same questions of each of them. Each answer was limited to a 100-word response, and candidates were informed their responses would be cut off if more than 100 words. The deadline to return questionnaires was Oct. 11. Any candidate whose responses were not found here has not replied.
Anthony Aquino
Do you support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project? I DO support desalination to meet Corpus Christi’s future water needs, but not in the Inner Harbor. The Inner Harbor is vital for industry, and placing a desalination plant there would cause concerns that affect both the harbor and the industries that depend on it. I believe we should explore desalination in a location that does not compromise the harbor's role and ensure that industry, not just citizens, shares the cost of such projects. We need water but we do not need more problems or costs for our citizens.
What is the biggest thing the current city government currently does well? The city has made strides in improving public safety, particularly in maintaining a strong relationship with first responders. I commend the efforts to ensure our police and fire departments are equipped and supported to handle the needs of our community.
What is the biggest issue in Corpus Christi? The biggest issue is our crumbling infrastructure, particularly the roads, which are full of potholes and in desperate need of repair. This issue impacts daily life, slows economic growth, and costs residents in vehicle repairs. It’s time we prioritize fixing the basics and restoring our streets.
John Garcia
Do you support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project? (Please answer yes or no and then give your reasoning.): Yes, I support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project. It is essential for meeting Corpus Christi's future water needs as the city continues to grow. With proper environmental safeguards, the project can provide a reliable water supply while minimizing negative impacts. This will support economic growth, public health, and the city's long-term sustainability.
What is the biggest thing the current city government currently does well? The current city government excels in enhancing public safety. They've improved resources for police and firefighters, ensuring quicker response times and better protection for the community. By investing in necessary equipment and support for first responders, they’ve created a safer environment for residents and businesses. This focus on safety strengthens the overall well-being of Corpus Christi.
What is the biggest issue in Corpus Christi? The biggest issue in Corpus Christi is water security. As the city continues to grow, ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply is crucial for residents and businesses. While solutions like desalination are being considered, concerns about environmental impacts and long-term viability persist. Balancing the need for water with economic growth and environmental protection poses a significant challenge for the city's future.
Billy Lerma
Do you support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project? (Please answer yes or no and then give your reasoning.): NO, This project needs to place in an area that it will pollute the Environment. This discharge should be place out into the Gulf of Mexico where the currents are strong enough to disperse the brine,
What is the biggest thing the current city government currently does well? They are SPLIT on most of their decisions.
What is the biggest issue in Corpus Christi? NOT having GOALS or a Common VISION for the City of Corpus Christi,
Eli McKay
Do you support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project? (Please answer yes or no and then give your reasoning.): The core issue that keeps our city from moving forward is the sentiment of those in leadership positions who bow down to special interest groups and local developers. This keeps things moving for a few instead of the greater good of the community. We need to elect leadership who will stand up to special interests and implore all large corporations and developers to pay their fair share, just as residents and small businesses do. Whether we are talking about water security, infill development instead of urban sprawl, reducing homelessness, or diversifying our economy, the decision should be based on what. . . .
What is the biggest thing the current city government currently does well? Our city staff is a well-oiled machine of passionate individuals who care greatly about their work and the services they provide to the city. The workers in departments like Solid Waste, Development Services, Parks and Recreation, and many others deserve more credit and respect. I will continue to advocate for collective bargaining for all non-uniformed employees to ensure their services in our city are reciprocated by living wages and high-quality benefits.
What is the biggest issue in Corpus Christi? The core issue that keeps our city from moving forward is the sentiment of those in leadership positions who bow down to special interest groups and local developers. This keeps things moving for a few instead of the greater good of the community. We need to elect leadership who will stand up to special interests and implore all large corporations and developers to pay their fair share, just as residents and small businesses do. Whether we are talking about water security, infill development instead of urban sprawl, reducing homelessness, or diversifying our economy, the decision should be based on what. . . .
Everett Roy
Do you support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project? (Please answer yes or no and then give your reasoning.): Yes, I support the City looking at all possible water resources to include ground, surface, and desalination. I also depend on the TCEQ, EPA and Corps of Engineers to do their job and make sure that whatever source we are seeking does not harm the environment. I don’t believe anyone wants to do harm to our environment. It is important that the location is properly permitted and approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies.
What is the biggest thing the current city government currently does well? One of the most consistent complaints from city residents is fixing potholes and residential streets. I am proud to say after leading the effort to improve the pothole repair process, the city has a new internal pothole repair system called “skim coating.” The entire process is completed by in-house city staff. Usually where there is one pothole there are several close by or coming soon. This process allows staff to repair entire sections of a street quickly and yields a longer lasting repair. Since my term starting in 2023 we have filled over 122,000 potholes and repaired over 46 linear. . . .
What is the biggest issue in Corpus Christi? One of the biggest issues in addition to water and streets is public safety. We must continue to hire and retain good police and fire personnel. These men and women risk their lives daily to protect our families and have a direct impact on our quality of life.