Ahead of the City of Tomball’s May 14 council election, the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce held a forum April 25 at Lone Star College-Tomball.

This year’s candidates each had two minutes to answer questions submitted by those in attendance. Candidates up for election are for Position 1 Field Hudgens (FH), Judy Wilson (JW) and William Harris (WH). Preston Dodson (PD) is the incumbent for Position 5 and is being challenged by Bill Webb (BW).

Pictured, Tomball City Council candidates (from left to right) Field Hudgens, Preston Dodson, Judy Wilson, Bill Webb and William Harris take part in a forum April 25 at Lone Star College-Tomball.

Photo by Brian Walzel

The following are highlighted comments from last week’s forum.

On a possible tax increase to fund infrastructure improvements:

FH – Hudgens said that if the city’s sales tax base were to increase, it would eliminate the need for any increase in property taxes and that efforts should be made towards that goal. 

PD – Dodson said he couldn’t say if he would be in favor or opposed to a potential tax increase. “We do know infrastructure needs work. But we need to look at all of the options and variables.”

JW – Agreed that work needed to done on infrastructure, but said the city “should be able to operate within a budget.”

BW – “Before I would consider a tax increase, I would look at ways we are spending our money.”

WH – Believes the city could obtain “much-needed funds from other sources.” “In this economy at this time, we can’t afford a tax increase.”

On how they would improve water/drainage system:

PD – Said city drainage may need improvements “in certain parts of town,” but that the city may be “constrained by what is available in the budget.” Dodson said he would consider a re-allocation of budget funds to improve the system.

JW – Said the city should evaluate its maintenance schedule to ensure it is working as well as it can.

BW – Belives the city’s current water wells adequately serve residents and businesses, but said “if need be, I would look at being supplied by other resources.”

WH – Said the city should “best utilize all the resources we have,” but admitted that the subject was “one area I don’t know about. I’d have to study more about it.”

On if they are a member of, or support the Tomball Tea Party:

JW – Said she has attended rallies of the party, but denied being a member of the party. “But their values and mine do match.”

BW – Said he was not a member of the Tea Party, but has attended meetings. “I find nothing they do or say contradicts with our constitution.”

WH – “I do not know what their goals and objectives are,” and said he was not a member. He did say he has “talked to and networked” with members of the Tomball Tea Party.

FH – Said he was not a member of the party and said the Tomball Tea Party “has taken a different position” than the national Tea Party. “It’s a grassroots project and locally that’s just not happening.”

PD – Disputed Wilson’s and Webb’s claims that they were members of the party, saying he received party documentation showing their names. “I don’t know what the Tomball Tea Party stands for.”

On whether or not they signed or distributed a petition to recall Mayor Gretchen Fagan:

JW – Said she “did not circulate the petition. I know you have been told otherwise.” Wilson also denied involvement in political rallies that were held at the Tomball HEB.

BW – Said he “has not read the recall petition, signed or circulated it.”

WH – Harris said he signed the petition to recall Fagan and did attend the rallies at HEB in order to “give residents the vote” on the recall.

FH – Said he was not involved. Hudgens also disputed Wilson’s claim of uninvolvement, citing a Dec. 13 Tomball Tea Party meeting agenda in which Wilson was named in conjunction with a discussion of the petition.

PD – Dodson said he was not involved in the petition and said it contained “mostly inaccuracies.”

On the city’s Day Labor Site:

WH – Said the city tax money does not need to go toward funding the site, but suggested working with local churches to find alternative funding for the site or another site.

FH – Hudgens said the Day Labor Site keeps laborers in a central location and off streets near businesses. “What’s another alternative?”

PD – Said the Day Labor Site “manages a problem,” and that it was the most cost-effective solution to keeping loiters away from businesses.

JW – Also suggested working with local churches to create an alternative solution and “close the Day Labor Site.”

BW – “I’m not opposed to a site for anyone looking for a job, white collar or blue collar.” Webb said that “we should be more concerned about everyone.”

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