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 Mayor.
Incumbent mayor Paulette Guajardo has served 2 two-year terms, and will face five challengers this election: fellow city councilman Michael Hunter, fellow small-business owners Joshua Fraedrick and John Calkusic, journeyman plumber Anthem Powers and college instructor Isabel Araiza.
3NEWS sent out questionnaires to all six candidates asking the same questions. 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.
Candidate Anthem Powers has not returned his questionnaire.
Isabel Araiza
Do you support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project? (Please answer yes or no and then give your reasoning.): NO. The city changed its discharge application from 75 to 238 pages without sharing that with the public. The city refuses to do a far field study to determine its impact on the bay and its ecosystem, which could have dire consequences on the fishing, tourism, hotel, and restaurant sectors of our economy. People and local businesses don’t need desal, industry wants it, and they want us to pay for it. The city hasn’t done a study of the impact the $757 million loan will have on water bill.
What is the biggest thing the current city government currently does well? The city government caters quite well to the rich, the powerful, and the well-connected. The city approved and extended industrial district agreements for 77 special interest groups, which allows them to avoiding paying their fair share for another 15 years. The city extended the drought exemption for high-volume water-users outside our city limits. In addition to paying lower water rates than the rest of us, for few cents per 1,000 gallons these water guzzlers can continue to use all the water they want, as residents (who only consume 16% of the water) continue to live under drought restrictions.
What is the biggest issue in Corpus Christi? The biggest issue is the philosophy under which the city operates. Leadership treats government like a business. Businesses’ goals are to provide goods/services so as to maximizes profits for the owner(s). Government is not a business. Government is supposed to use the taxes and fees it collects to sustain and improve OUR quality of life. The lack of transparency, pursuing projects that cater to special interests, and the city’s the inability to center the needs of people, their families, and the neighborhoods we live in are all symptoms of the treating government like a business.
John Calkusic
Do you support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project? (Please answer yes or no and then give your reasoning.): I do not approve of the devious plan of problem, reaction and solution to move this project forward. It was nothing short of a criminal conspiracy to defraud the citizens into believing we needed desalinization to solve our water issues.
What is the biggest thing the current city government currently does well? Lies, steals, wasteful spending. Lack of prioritizing needs.
What is the biggest issue in Corpus Christi? Not having enough accountability, oversight, transparency, honesty integrity and common sense. We need more funding for the police and crime control.
Joshua Fraedrick
Do you support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project? (Please answer yes or no and then give your reasoning.): No, I do not support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project due to its significant environmental risks to the Corpus Christi Bay ecosystem. Instead, we should enhance our existing water infrastructure and promote conservation initiatives. A key focus should be on water reclamation and investing in systems that treat and reuse wastewater for non-potable applications. Additionally, exploring sustainable alternatives like rainwater harvesting will help us create a more resilient water supply. Protecting our natural resources is essential, and I advocate for solutions that prioritize the health of our environment.
What is the biggest thing the current city government currently does well? The current city government does a commendable job of promoting new and small business openings. By providing resources, support, and incentives for entrepreneurs, they create an environment conducive to economic growth and innovation. This focus on fostering local businesses not only boosts our economy but also strengthens the sense of community by encouraging diverse offerings and job creation. It's essential that we continue to build on this momentum to ensure sustained support for our local businesses.
What is the biggest issue in Corpus Christi? The biggest issue in Corpus Christi is water management. As our population grows, ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply has become increasingly critical. We face challenges related to aging infrastructure, potential shortages, and environmental concerns. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that includes improving our water systems, promoting conservation, and exploring alternative sources like water reclamation. Prioritizing effective water management is essential for the health and prosperity of our community.
Paulette Guajardo
Do you support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project? (Please answer yes or no and then give your reasoning.) I support seawater desalination because Corpus Christi is experiencing a severe drought and needs a reliable water source. It takes strong leadership to build large-scale desalination and work on offshore options to provide long-term water security. The city has secured funding, Texas Water Development low interest loans, and has selected a progressive design-builder for the project. The city is building desalination for the people to guarantee our water source and great jobs for our future.
What is the biggest thing the current city government currently does well? Our city government serves the public best by operating transparently and actively seeks community input. By holding open budget sessions, the city invites residents to see how taxpayer money is allocated and ensures public accountability. Public surveys and forums are essential tools we use for gathering feedback on key issues, helping us make informed decisions that reflect the community’s needs. Encouraging community engagement through regular outreach efforts has fostered unprecedented trust and collaboration. I believe when residents have a voice in policy-making and can access information easily, the city is better positioned to do our job and serve the people.
What is the biggest issue in Corpus Christi? The biggest issue in Corpus Christi? Water. The city is building a reliable water supply in desalination for our residents. Without a stable water source, our economic growth could be halted, and our residents’ quality of life diminished. Securing water ensures long-term sustainability, supports growth, and protects the health and well-being of the community. *Strong leadership is needed to build large-scale desalination and work on offshore options to provide long-term water security. *The City has worked to secure low interest loans from the Texas Water Development Board and has selected a progressive design-builder.
Michael Hunter
Do you support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project? (Please answer yes or no and then give your reasoning.) I support all new water source projects. We are currently at 23% capacity and we need water.
What is the biggest thing the current city government currently does well? Hides the truth and gets away with no transparency
What is the biggest issue in Corpus Christi? Water