2018 Ellis County Judge GOP Candidate Questionnaire responses

I attended Cedar Valley College in Lancaster where I received my Associates in Liberal Arts. I also attended LeTourneau University where I was working on my Bachelor of Business Management when I was selected to attend the Baylor University School of Radiologic Technology in Dallas.

I finished the Radiologic program and later received by Bachelors Degree in Radiologic Science from Midwestern State University.

I applied and was accepted to Texas Wesleyan School of Law and started law school in August of 2002. I graduated in December of 2005 and was licensed the following year.

I opened my law practice in Waxahachie in August of 2006, where I still practice today.

I am married to the love of my life, Rebecca. We live in the Red Oak area and we have a blended family with nine children and several grand children

First, I feel that I can do a better job as County Judge. I felt that we deserved better.

Secondly I began to see an abandonment of the Conservative Republican platform. There were too many instances where special favors were being provided for a limited few, while others were being denied equal treatment.

The raise sought and received from the salary grievance committee was the last straw. It became obvious that something had to be done, and someone would have to challenge the current Judge in the next election.

My motivation is to return the position of County Judge to someone who appreciates and respects our people. I am not motivated by money or ego. I have accomplished many things in this life and am in a good place. I am happily married, my family is in good health, and I am Blessed by God.

I think we deserve better than what we have had, and am willing to do my best to see that you get it.

First, the County Judge is a voting member of the Commissioners Court and has many of the same duties as the Commissioners. The county judge is both presiding officer of the commissioners court (Tex. Const. Art. V, Sec. 18) and judge of the county court (Tex. Const. Art. V, Sec. 15). The Judge also represents the county in many administrative functions.

The Judge also serves as budget officer in counties with fewer than 225,000 residents, like ours, and also serves as the head of emergency management for the County.

In some Counties, but not ours, the Judge may also hold broad judicial duties, including presiding over misdemeanor criminal and small civil cases, probate matters and appeals from the Justice of the Peace Court. I do not foresee taking on any of those responsibilities if elected.

The Judge also holds many financial and budgetary responsibilities, including; Receiving applications for designation as county depository; Preparation of a revenue estimate from taxes in proposed budget; Filing a copy of a proposed budget with clerk; Obtaining information from any county officer when necessary to budget preparation; Serving as budget officer assisted by auditor and county clerk; Making a report at each regular meeting of commissioners court of any money collected for county; Reporting on money collected must follow statutory format; to sign or attest order for payment issued against county treasurer or have clerk perform this responsibility; signing and approving requisition for purchase of materials before claim can be honored by auditor; Approving any resolution by commissioners court to hire accountant for independent audit, and; to keep accounts of all monies accruing to office, to name a few.

The Judge also has additional duties regarding elections, juvenile services, and bail bonds. There is too much to list. I have a copy of the duties and responsibilities I can share with anyone who wants to see them.

According to Article 5, Section 15 of the Texas Constitution, a judge in a county court "shall be well informed in the law of the state.” As a practicing attorney I would consider myself to be well informed of the laws of the State. There are no requirements for a law degree, or for any degree for that matter.

I have a broad based education that includes emphasis in business and personnel management. I have supervised and managed manufacturing facilities and numerous employees. My education and experience make me a valid choice for County Judge.

More importantly I understand the true role of an elected official, being that of a public servant. Something we have been lacking for some time. Additionally, see the answer to question 19 below.

I possess the interpersonal skills to achieve that collective effort from our Commissioners, and I possess the educational background to do the math.

We will however need a new look at our old budget process. I am willing to start that review, and with the assistance of our Commissioners I believe we can improve our budget process for the benefit of the people.

I have a broad based educational background that provides me with an advantage for this office. My combined years in law enforcement; hospital experience in trauma and emergency medicine; training in emergency response and preparedness, and my legal experience place me in a unique position above my opponents. Additionally, see answer to question 19 below.

Secondly, I was born in Waxahachie, which distinguishes me from the current Judge. Having been raised here, attended school here, and remained here in Ellis County all my life. I have a different perspective about the County. I understand Ellis County values. I understand the daily issues of the Ellis County citizens. This is my home. It is where I have raised my children, and am now raising our grandchildren. I am vested in the future of this County, as are all of our citizens.

Moreover, my experience as a trial attorney in several areas of the law gives me the ability to negotiate, discuss, and mediate issues between opposing parties. I have been part of an adversarial process which requires the skill to work with people and resolve problems. I have been successful in my practice of law and hope to bring that experience to the Commissioners Court.

Lastly, I do not seek this office for prestige or recognition. I do not intend to hold the office more than two terms. The first one to implement my plans for the future, and the second to ensure those plans are followed and to help the next County Judge take over. I have no desire to be a politician whatsoever, just a public servant offering my help for two terms and no more.

With that amount of growth comes a great deal of growing pains. We must begin to plan for this growth now. We must address the additional needs it will make on our existing infrastructure. I will have a comprehensive plan for growth within the first six months after taking office.

I intend to work closely, not only with our Commissioners, but our local and State officials and citizens to ensure that Ellis County’s growth will be beneficial to our citizens. We can achieve growth while protecting our heritage.

Taxes are always one of our greatest challenges. I intend to work with the Commissioners to see that we get a substantial property tax reduction.

Public safety is always going to be a priority for our future health and safety. We must ensure that we continue to provide those who protect and serves us on a daily basis with the tools and resources they need. With our growth will come increased demands on public safety. I have a few ideas about interlocal agreements with our cities and towns for a cooperative plan for the future and intend to meet regularly with our public safety officials.

Secondly, I intend to work closely with our Commissioners to lower our property taxes in an amount that will help our citizens. I know that we have enough money to lower our taxes without placing our County in any financial jeopardy. I believe a comprehensive review of all of the County budgets may be in order and I intend to work closely with our elected officials and department heads to ensure that we are running a fiscally conservative County Government.

Lastly I would like to see a return to a more transparent and open form of government. I will work towards a more productive and open Court. This would include a return to an after-hours Commissioners Court. I do not believe that downtown Waxahachie is a dangerous place after dark. I believe that Waxahachie is a vibrant community which will see more and more growth in the downtown area. There are people that would like to attend the Court, but working during the day makes that impossible.

Specifically I am removing the $70,000.00 raise from the first County Judge budget after my election. I intend to return the salary to the previous amount before the raise. The excess will remain in the budget to be utilized in some other area in the next budget. I will not budget for an expensive luxury SUV for conducting County business in any future budgets. I estimate that I will amend and reduce the County Judge Budget by no less than $450,000.00 during my first four year term.

With proper management and oversight we can however have a lean county government that spends no more than is necessary. I am certain we can provide better services to our citizens, and a better place to work for our employees, all while still cutting taxes. We have the funds to do so and can expect even more revenue in the future to make that happen. I intend to set an example for others to follow.

I believe that each department head or elected official is in a better place at this time to determine who among their employees is eligible for a raise. I believe in merit raises and have worked under that system for years. I do believe that the needs of our employees have been ignored in the past.

We need to evaluate where we stand in comparison to other wages in comparably populated counties of our size and demographic.

What I will not do is give a $10,000.00 a year raise to anyone in my office, or approve such conduct from any other office.

I intend to be a full time County Judge with no second job.

When I am elected I can assure the citizens, and our elected officials, there will be no perception of revenge or retaliation on my part. I can also assure you that I will not tolerate it. I know these Commissioners and I cannot fathom there ever being a time when we cannot agree to disagree and still remain committed to our duties.

When everyone else is on board with assisting in the efficient operations of the County it makes the County Judge’s job that much easier. I believe that being a more hands, full time County Judge will ensure an efficient operation.

I will take whatever measures necessary to ensure that our County operates as efficiently as possible by ensuring that everyone has the necessary tools and resources to continue efficient operations. If that means more meetings and special sessions, so be it.

There are many methods to attracting new business, including tax abatements of incentives. What we must not do is allow too much growth under tax abatements. We must prepare for expansion in our current infrastructure and focus on the needs and requirements of those businesses to encourage them to come to Ellis County.

I will explore and utilize every asset at our disposal to prepare for our future growth. We must present our county as a great place for future businesses.

I will have an open and transparent Court and office. We will do our business in the open for public review.

The main thing is to see that all people’s voices are heard. Every citizen has the right to speak in open forum and give their opinion. Each of us has the right to address our elected officials. This has been missing in the past.

I will do everything I can to address the needs of our citizens, but to say that everyone will always get what they want would be disingenuous. I promise to always do what I believe is best for our County in a professional and respectful manner.

I am not afraid to meet with the public. I welcome the opportunity to meet our citizens throughout the County to get their input on our affairs. I am a big supporter of public service and am really looking forward to traveling around Ellis County on a regular basis to ensure their voices are heard.

I am in this race for all the right reasons. I do not seek the job for personal gain. My life is comfortable, my business is successful, and I am blessed with a healthy family by a loving God. I did not apply for a place on the ballot for my own benefit. I was compelled to do so because I felt that the people of Ellis County deserve better treatment than that they have received.

I saw that our conservative values were not being adhered to or respected. Growing up in Ellis County I remember when things were better, and they will be again. We have been successful and prosperous in Ellis County, but we have seen some of that prosperity squandered irresponsibly.

I hope to return the Court to its Conservative roots, and return the office of County Judge to someone who understands the responsibilities and duties of a public servant.

I am offering to serve our people and our county as a dedicated public servant. If that is what the people seek, then I am their candidate.