2016 Ellis County Commissioner Pct 1 GOP Candidate Questionnaire responses

Photo by Dave A. Vance.
2016 Ellis County Commissioner Precinct 1 Republican candidates

ELLIS COUNTY — Learn more about the candidates running for Ellis County Commissioner Precinct 1 in their own words. Three of the five candidates vying for the position answered a comprehensive questionnaire presented by Ellis County Citizen.

Voters will take to the polls on March 1 to cast a ballot for their preferred choice. The candidates are: Bobby Crittenden, David Pagan, Randy Stinson, Tim Sadler and Jeffrey S. Walsh. Incumbent Dennis Robinson has chosen to not seek re-election. Bobby Crittenden and Randy Stinson did not respond to the questionnaire despite multiple attempts at contacting them.

Election day voting will be held on March 1, 2016 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click here for a list of election day polling locations. Early voting will take place February 16, 2016 through February 26, 2016. Click here for a list of early voting locations and times.

Get to know each candidate by reviewing their responses to several questions posed by Ellis County Citizen. Compare the responses of each candidate to each question below or click on a candidate's name above to view an individual candidate's responses to all questions on one page. The candidates' names are in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.

Candidate Questionnaire Responses

1) What is your age?


 
2) What is your city of residence?


 
3) How many years have you lived in Ellis County?


 
4) Tell us a little about your family.


 
5) Describe your education.


 
6) What previous public office experience have you had?


 
7) What is your occupation?


 
8) Describe your church and civic involvement.


 
9) Please provide a biographical narrative.


 
10) What motivated your interest in running for Ellis County Commissioner?


 
11) Briefly and succinctly define the job responsibilities of the office you are seeking.


 
12) What qualifications and professional experiences do you possess that are applicable to road and bridge construction and maintenance? Be specific.


 
13) What qualifications do you possess that will enable you to manage a budget of over $57 million for Ellis County and a budget of over $1 million for the commissioner's office you are seeking? Be specific.


 
14) How has your education prepared you for this office?


 
15) Do you own property in Ellis County, and if so, for how long?


 
16) Have you declared bankruptcy or have had any liens placed upon you in the past 10 years? If so, please explain.


 
17) Prior to your candidacy, or prior to your election for your first term (for incumbents seeking re-election), have you attended Commissioners' Court meetings? If so, how often during the previous 12 months? If not often, please explain why.


 
18) What distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?


 
19) What are the three greatest challenges facing Ellis County? If elected, what measures would you propose to resolve them?


 
20) If elected, what are your top three priorities? How will you work with other elected officials and county staff to achieve them? Be specific.


 
21) Is there a specific item you would add or remove from the county budget? Please explain.


 
22) If elected, will you work with others to reduce county spending? Please explain.


 
23) Would you vote to increase or decrease property tax rates? Please explain.


 
24) Would you vote in favor of a pay raise for yourself and other county commissioners during your first and second year in office? Please explain your position.


 
25) Do you support a raise for non-elected county employees, including employees of the Sheriff's Office?


 
26) Name one county program or department you would like to improve. Please explain.


 
27) In recent years there have been situations where other elected officials have had disagreements with some members of the Ellis County Commissioners' Court and the perception of budgetary revenge has ensued from some of those members of the court. How would you handle these situations and what would you do to prevent this from occurring in the future?


 
28) If elected, what measures would you take to ensure the efficient operation of Ellis County?


 
29) If elected, what measures would you take to generate economic development opportunities for Ellis County?


 
30) Government transparency has been an issue at all levels of politics for the past few years. Do you feel that the county is transparent enough? If not, what needs to change?


 
31) If elected, would you support changing one daytime Commissioners' Court meeting to an evening meeting so that daytime working residents can participate in our county government meetings? If so, how soon would you propose the change after taking office? Please explain your position.


 
32) Using human waste and processed sewage sludge, known as biosolids, as fertilizer in Ellis County made headlines in 2013 and 2014 before the practice was temporarily halted. What is your opinion on the practice returning to Ellis County and will you take any steps to push for that action to occur? Please explain.


 
33) In March 2014 the Ellis County Commissioners' Court voted to enter into an agreement with North Texas Tollroad Authority (NTTA) that gave the Ellis County Tax Assessor/Collector the authority to refuse vehicle registrations for habitual toll violators. The commissioners' court voted in June 2015 to terminate the agreement with NTTA because of problems with NTTA's appeals process for alleged toll violators. Do you support the initial agreement with NTTA or similar agreements with other non-county organizations that may be proposed in the future? Please explain.


 
34) In order to successfully represent the residents of Ellis County you will have to work with people who do not share your opinion on issues. What is your plan to ensure that all residents are fairly represented and that their voice is heard?


 
35) If elected, how would you reach out and form relationships with residents of Ellis County and how would you reach out to those residents in the outlying areas of the county?


 
36) What are the factors on which you will base your decisions as a county commissioner?


 
37) Is there any additional information that you feel voters should know about your political views?


 
38) Why should voters choose you?

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