Candidate forum reflects mobility and education as priorities among candidates

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- Magnolia voters had the opportunity to meet the candidates running for public office in Montgomery County that they could implore to minimize and improve government processes.

The candidate forum was staged at Bear Branch Elementary School, Tuesday, April 15, 6:30 p.m., moderated by local media sources.

On hand were the candidates running for the State Senate position vacated by Tommy Williams, who accepted the position of vice chancellor of federal and state relations at his alma mater, Texas A&M University in College Station.

Also on the agenda, the run-off candidates for both the position of County Judge due to Judge Alan ‘Barb’ Sadler’s retirement, and the Precinct 2 Commissioner’s race, Made possible by Pct 2 Commissioner Craig Doyal’s decision to run for County Judge. Also the candidates for the Magnolia Independent School District Board Positions 4 & 5.

The forum was well received by the community with over two hundred in attendance. Voters had a ‘meet and greet’ with the candidates from 6:30-7:00 p.m., then following proper protocol, an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to both the American and Texas flags.

The candidates are as follows (in alphabetical order):

State Senate
Gordy Bunch
Brandon Creighton
Michael Galloway
Steve Toth

Montgomery County Judge
Mark Bosma
Craig Doyal

Montgomery County Commissioner Pct. 2
Rob Harmon
Absent Charlie Riley

MISD School Board Position #4
Kristi Baker
Ginger Russell

MISD School Board Position #5
Joe Duncan

Regrettably, those in attendance couldn’t hear the questions the moderators were asking the candidates, unless they were sitting in the first few rows. The use of microphones would have been beneficial. The audience could surmise the questions based on the candidates’ answers, but there were instances when a candidate’s answer was far afield of the others, leaving uncertainty to the question.

Issues presented to the Republican State Senatorial candidates:

With projections of the population in the Greater Houston area doubling in the next 20 to 25 years, infrastructure was a major concern addressed by all the candidates, albeit, they had diversified ideas about how to fund projects that will address both current and future mobility issues. Bundy said transportation projects were the best way to address them. Toth recommended spending the eight billion dollar surplus. Creighton recommended budgeting for mobility projects, not taking it out of the Rainy Day Fund. Galloway advocated to cut spending.

All candidates felt education should be a priority at all levels. Toth stated the $5 billion dollar Cost of Education Index reflects spending on everything but in the classroom. Creighton added that the public education cuts during the recession has been restored with more vocational and career education. Galloway was opposed to using property taxes to fund education. Bundy said that although $3.4 billion has been returned to the education budget, it’s $2 billion less than the previous $5.4 billion.

(Texas spends $8,400 a year per student; the national average is $11.4) All agreed that education needs to be a priority.

To curb the dropout rate, recommendations included: improve vocational training (Creighton), work with industry to develop programs (Bundy), the use of vouchers (Galloway), and reinstating the classes on trades (Toth).

All candidates were also in agreement on the subject of gun control and are supportive of the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, and opposed to any gun control legislation.

And on the subject of healthcare...although none of the candidates were in favor of the new healthcare mandate, they were more opposed to the government subsidizing health care for non-citizens at the taxpayers expense.

The following remarks were provided by the candidates themselves, in their closing statement. (Again in alphabetical order.)

Gordy Bunch…”have built a successful business...have a successful track record.”

Creighton…”Experience, and proven performance”...

Galloway…”a smaller, more efficient government”...

Toth…”I refused to vote along with the Democrats.”



Issues presented to Montgomery County Judge candidates:

Both candidates are in favor of bond elections to provide for infrastructure and resolve mobility issues.

Both candidates emphasized the need for the county to work together for the betterment of the whole. Bosma said…”the north and south county regions need to put their difference to rest and work together.” Doyal stated…”I’ve been building relations through the Chambers to get the county together, and also working with other counties.”

On the subject of abatements:

- Bosma…”Abatements shouldn’t be an automatic process to attract businesses. We need to scrutinize the businesses coming into the county.”

- Doyal…”The abatements are under a constant review process. The tax abatement program works. We need to provide abatements to attract businesses that will provide jobs inside the county, so that people don’t have long commutes to work.”

Both candidates emphasized the need to monitor water usage and plan better due to the growth of the county.

What is the most important major issue facing the county?

- Bosma…”Water consumption, mobility, and law enforcement

- Doyal…”Mobility...mobility issues will stall business growth.

The only contentious issue came up in the closing remarks and pertained to an absence at a candidate forum where Mark Bosma insinuated that an inopportune time was selected, thus prohibiting him from making the debate, calling Craig Doyal out publicly for it.

A case of 'he said, he said.'

Craig Doyal took the high road and focused his closing remarks on his tenure serving Montgomery County, doing so with transparency and a successful track record.



Magnolia Independent School Board Pos. 4

On the subject of standardized testing…

Both candidates feel that there is an excessive amount of standardized testing. with Baker insisting that education should be the focus to prepare students for the future. Russell also expressed a concern with an oversaturation of the use of technology.

What is the most pressing issue? Growth

Both Baker and Russell emphasized that the growth of the population needs to be addressed, and more schools will be needed. Baker stated that to date, school balancing has been implemented where possible. Budgeting, coordinating funding, and fundraising, is ongoing for the school needs. Russell stressed that there was no transparency in the school district and also added that there was no community involvement with MISD board members. Baker offered up a rebuttal to Russell’s statement. Other concerns:

Baker stressed concern with the CSCOPE curriculum, and that it will be difficult to find materials that don’t support it. Also, the necessity for technology and trade courses for students who don’t want to go to college.

Russell is concerned that three school board members were appointed, the others ran unopposed, stating that “there’s no voice from the voters.” She also questioned money going to lobbyist organizations for education.

The candidate for MISD School Board Position #5, Joe Duncan, was given the opportunity to address the crowd and expressed appreciation in advance, for the opportunity to serve on the board.



Precinct 2 Commissioner

It’s unclear why candidate, Rob Harmon, was not in attendance, but Charlie Riley was also given the floor. Apparently responding to the allegation of being a ‘good ol’ boy,’ Riley listed all the ways he was a ‘good ol’ boy.

“I’m a good ol’ boy who loves his country. I’m a good ol’ boy who loves his wife. I’m a good ol’ boy who loves his momma,...(etc.),” said Riley. He also stated that mobility was the #1 problem facing Montgomery County. He supports tax abatements if they favor the county, and emphasized the need for a holding facility in Precinct 2, for the benefit of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. When asked, “Aside from bond elections, how can we resolve mobility issues?”

“There is no other way,” replied Riley.

Canvassing the crowd after the forum, most already had previously selected their candidates, and were at the forum to show support. Bill Gervasi attended the forum to learn more about the candidates and make an informed decision on election day.

”I have a better idea how I’ll vote, having heard the candidates,” said Gervasi.”“I’m inclined to go with experience.”

The election schedule is as follows:

State Senate Election...Early voting April 28/Election Day May 10

Magnolia Independent School Board Election...Same

(The date to register to vote in the May 10 election has passed.)

Run-off election for County Judge and Pct. 2 Commissioner...Early voting May 19/Election Day May 27

(The date to register to vote in the May 27 election is April 28.)

The Montgomery County Elections office is not holding elections for any voters in the following precincts on May 10: 05, 08, 17, 19, 72, & 83.

Although it may appear tedious, the candidates that get elected are the ones that get their voters to the polls.

- Vote in the Early Voting election. This safeguards against an emergency on Election Day interfering with your opportunity to vote.

- If you are physically challenged or do not drive, request a ‘ballot by mail’ application in plenty of time. Go to Ballot by Mail Application.

- Don’t assume that your one vote won’t make a difference. Too many assumptions like this have left those willing to serve, without the opportunity to do so.

For voting locations, maps, dates, times, or to check your voter registration status, go to the Montgomery County election website at the link provided.