2021 District B Candidates

Bill Pittman
Phone: 713-941-5858
Email: elect_billpittman@aol.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BillPittmanForCouncil

CLICK HERE to watch Candidate Video

 

Why are you running for city council?

I am running for city council because I have fresh, insightful ideas that have come from living in Mount Vernon for over 26 years and working with various city councilmen, observing needs and how the city works. I would like to share and help to implement these ideas to help Pasadena to excel above other cities.

Each council district is comprised of thousands of people who live and work in Pasadena. What qualifications, job training and/or volunteer experiences prepare you to serve as the representative of your district?

My previous leadership and management roles include: crew leader and relief foreman during my 41 years at Center Point Energy; organizing and/or leading 19 foreign and domestic church mission trips with youth and adults; and serving as Mount Vernon Civic Club President for 8 years. In addition to engaging with the community through the mission trips and Civic Club, I had regular experience in working with the public as a volunteer fireman with Bacliff VFD, and deputy with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office & Galveston County Pct. 7 Constable’s Office. Other experiences and affiliations that have helped to form my character and better prepare me as a representative include: Graduation from Pasadena Citizens’ Police Academy Class 12, serving in the US Army 101st Airborne Infantry, and active membership with American Legion Post 521, Archives Masonic Lodge 1399, Sunset UMC and Hope Community UMC. I have learned to envision, plan, work hard, and problem solve as was needed in each area and have also had the opportunity to work with various age and ethnic groups in a variety of circumstances.

What are your top three priorities in serving the city of Pasadena and one thing you want to advocate for specifically on behalf of your district?

My priorities are to assist in improving the police and fire departments with expanded educational opportunities and updated equipment, attract new businesses, and upgrade our parks and recreational facilities with lighting and security. I would like to specifically advocate for the senior citizens in District B, making sure that their voices are heard and their needs are met.

What needs to be done to support and grow existing businesses and to attract new businesses to our city? *

Organizing workforce development opportunities for businesses as well as incentives to nurture, train and hire our young people before they leave the nest will encourage our talent to stay local and attract businesses focused on young people and families. Also, having a nice looking, regularly updated, central location for city statistics and city-wide successes that potential investors could monitor could be inviting.

Our city is mostly developed, and in order to grow, will have to begin to redevelop. How would you facilitate redevelopment? What tools (TIRZ, chapter 380 agreements, municipal bonds, livable community funding, management districts, grants) would you support to assist with redevelopment? *

To redevelop and possibly attract new businesses I would work with all tools available, that would benefit the businesses and the city. I would use the livable community funding, municipal bonds, and grants, depending on the type of business. Working closely with the established Neighborhood Network, I will promote revitalization through grant funding, as needed within the neighborhoods.

“Pasadena Loves Local” is an initiative focused on supporting local business and encouraging all citizens to choose local to benefit our community. In your opinion, what can be done to improve the quality of life in Pasadena so that it is a great place for people to choose Pasadena to live, work, play and shop? *

In addition to focusing on shopping local, I would encourage an even stronger relationship between schools, communities and businesses so that there is a drive to hire local talent. I support the idea for exploring transportation options to make it easier for all our residents to get around our city.

Debbie Ramos Trainor
Phone: 832-483-3189
Email: DebbieT4DistrictB@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DebbieRamosTrainor4District.B

CLICK HERE to watch Candidate Video

 

Why are you running for city council?

As a proud native of Pasadena, I would like the opportunity to give back to the community I love. After graduating from Sam Rayburn High School, I joined the Texas Air National Guard where I was honored to serve 6 years with the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group at Ellington Field. I was also fortunate to work at the NASA/Johnson Space Center with over 20 years as an international spaceflight training manager in the elite mission operations directorate and astronaut office. 

I have been blessed with many unique experiences that have helped me to grow into a forward-thinking leader who knows the importance of working as a team. I am blessed to be retired after 30 years of productive federal service. I feel I can provide a useful perspective given my background with the Texas Air National Guard and NASA/JSC when it comes to organization, project coordination, and long-range planning. I want to use that experience to strengthen infrastructure, keep our community safe, encourage economic growth, and be a voice for all in District B. I’m used to tracking things down. I feel I have a good skill set and determination to help residents in District B.

Each council district is comprised of thousands of people who live and work in Pasadena. What qualifications, job training and/or volunteer experiences prepare you to serve as the representative of your district?

I have been very fortunate to work with and lead people from all different backgrounds across the world. I have learned much from each and every opportunity. Additionally, I was a member of the NASA Speakers Bureau for over 20 years where I served as a keynote speaker and participated in a variety of educational and community outreach events for children and adults of all ages and backgrounds across the United States. I was also a founding member of the Hispanic Employee Resource Group at the NASA/Johnson Space Center where we actively sought out opportunities to reach out to Hispanic communities in the Houston area to make them aware of resources available to them. Communication, coordination, and community outreach has been a major part of my daily life for the past 30 years. Although I am not fluent in Spanish, I have enough knowledge to converse with someone in Spanish and have enjoyed the many conversations I have already had with Spanish-speaking residents in District B. Since I am retired, I have plenty of time to devote to the people of District B.

What are your top three priorities in serving the city of Pasadena and one thing you want to advocate for specifically on behalf of your district?

My top three priorities for District B are to strengthen infrastructure, address public safety concerns, and encourage economic growth. I talked to residents in my district who have seen the city come in and do street surveys and yet their streets are still damaged with major drainage problems. I would like to address that first. I have also talked to residents who are concerned with their safety due to poor lighting in neighborhoods which provides opportunity for thievery. There are also safety issues regarding speeding down residential areas which has led to frequent accidents. I feel there are opportunities available to encourage economic growth in Pasadena and would like the opportunity to explore ideas to help improve Pasadena so that we can be proud of the entire city. I understand the need to remain fiscally responsible and want to be a voice for all to ensure fair practices are in place as each of these topics are addressed across the city.

What needs to be done to support and grow existing businesses and to attract new businesses to our city?

I believe our first step is to educate ourselves on what metrics new businesses look for when they consider location and work toward improving those metrics in our city. We should gather the metrics of where we are now and be totally transparent with our residents and possible future investors in our city. The city also needs to continue to work with and support the chamber of commerce to help both existing and new businesses by making them aware of local resources available to them. The better our record is for new businesses to succeed, the more future businesses are likely to come in if we can show that our city is willing and able to help them succeed. Additionally, I think it would be beneficial to do some benchmarking. The city should reach out to other cities in the area to learn what has worked and not worked for them in the past, to help their city grow. I have had the opportunity to speak with a few council people from other cities in our area and I feel we can learn a lot from each other.

Our city is mostly developed, and in order to grow, will have to begin to redevelop. How would you facilitate redevelopment? What tools (TIRZ, chapter 380 agreements, municipal bonds, livable community funding, management districts, grants) would you support to assist with redevelopment?

Our city is mature. There is much to be done in the way of maintenance for the city. The city should look at ways to change the image of the city. For instance, we should look at more properly lit walking trails, beautification around major thoroughfares, wider sidewalks, improving streets in neighborhoods and ensuring there is better lighting in those neighborhoods. There should be a sense of urgency for these issues across the city as a whole. Regrowth in the sense of revitalizing the city would promote more pride and interest in our city. We have a good city with excellent city employees and city services. I talked to one resident who moved from Houston to Pasadena for better schools for their children. They moved here 3 years ago and now they are thinking of moving again even though they love their house and schools because their street has consistently flooded.  I would not oppose any of the tools mentioned, but would want to ensure the real winners in any economic incentive plan are the taxpayers of Pasadena. How many jobs would come to Pasadena, tax dollars generated, sales tax revenue and how does that development spur other growth?

“Pasadena Loves Local” is an initiative focused on supporting local business and encouraging all citizens to choose local to benefit our community. In your opinion, what can be done to improve the quality of life in Pasadena so that it is a great place for people to choose Pasadena to live, work, play and shop?

I feel there is so much potential for Pasadena, particularly in the center of Pasadena near City Hall. Again, I think the city would have a lot to gain by doing some benchmarking with other cities. For instance, the center of League City has a nice little shopping area made of up local shops. I feel the area left behind after the demolition of the Pasadena National Bank and the old Southwestern Bell building would be a good place for a nice shopping area in Pasadena. This would be beneficial to encourage some economic growth and also serve to boost the current push in Pasadena to buy local and support more local shops. If possible, it would be even better to scale down the large MacroPlaza mall near city hall since there are so few shops operating in there now. I feel it would be beneficial to investigate the idea of scaling down the mall to make way for this little mini shopping area oasis in the heart of Pasadena. Between the MacroPlaza and the land left from the destruction of the bank and SW bell building, there is room for a major beautification/economic project for Pasadena.

Bianca Valerio
Email: info@biancaforb.com
Phone: 832-714-8369
Facebook: www.facebook.com/biancaforb
Website: www.biancaforb.com

CLICK HERE to watch Candidate Video

 

 

Why are you running for city council?

I am running for City Council to represent my neighbors and to continue the best leadership Pasadena has ever experienced.  As a lifelong resident of District B, I have convinced my current councilman with my inquiries and participation in community events that I am the right candidate for this job. With my family being 3 generations of homeowners in Pasadena, I have deep roots in the community and am dedicated to my hometown. Being an active member of the Queens Neighborhood Association, I feel that I have listened and acted on many issues within the community that have benefited Pasadena for the better. I am committed to staying aware of the problems and needs of the people and I am confident that I have the drive and passion necessary to advocate for my community.  

Each council district is comprised of thousands of people who live and work in Pasadena. What qualifications, job training and/or volunteer experiences prepare you to serve as the representative of your district?

The Bachelor’s degree that I obtained from a private women-focused university gives me a unique qualification that is most necessary in this day and age as more women than ever are juggling home life and careers. My experience working in sales not only gives me the advantage of negotiating skills but also the benefits of impeccable customer service manners and nurturing communication tendencies — small courtesy changes I believe all our constituents would appreciate. I have volunteered for all of the Queens Neighborhood Association events including Picnic at the Park.  I worked as a volunteer in the Sunset Methodist Food Pantry, in the Children’s Ministry at First Baptist Church Pasadena, and I was inspired to get involved with politics when I volunteered to help Senator Carol Alvarado’s campaign by block walking and phone banking with her.

What are your top three priorities in serving the city of Pasadena and one thing you want to advocate for specifically on behalf of your district? *

My first priority is to bridge the gaps between constituents and city government.  We need to build trust between city officials and citizens and encourage more people to utilize their voices and votes. My second priority is to continue the incredible leadership Bruce Leamon has demonstrated to District B by committing to respond to citizens’ calls within 48 hours and constantly attending community events.  Thankfully, I have a great working relationship with the Mayor. Flooding mitigation is at the top of my supporters’ priorities and I will continue the current administrations’ vision to ensure street and drainage improvements continue to enhance District B.    

What needs to be done to support and grow existing businesses and to attract new businesses to our city? *

Infrastructure improvements must continue to enhance our city.  If we have good roads, sidewalks, and add drainage capacity, businesses will be attracted to our robust economy. A lot of money is made and spent in Pasadena.  Beautification projects and park improvements will improve the quality of resident’s lives. 

Our city is mostly developed, and in order to grow, will have to begin to redevelop. How would you facilitate redevelopment? What tools (TIRZ, chapter 380 agreements, municipal bonds, livable community funding, management districts, grants) would you support to assist with redevelopment?

I know that the administration has already begun redevelopment projects and many design phases are already in place for Historic Pasadena.  I look forward to working with our EDC because they have a lot of great ideas to improve our city.  I would consider all the tools and as a team decide which options are most reasonable. 

“Pasadena Loves Local” is an initiative focused on supporting local business and encouraging all citizens to choose local to benefit our community. In your opinion, what can be done to improve the quality of life in Pasadena so that it is a great place for people to choose Pasadena to live, work, play and shop?

I think we are already doing an incredible job supporting local businesses; it is Pasadena’s culture.  Our city services, police department, volunteer fire department, neighborhood associations and civic groups set high standards for surrounding cities to model after. I believe we need positive voices in Pasadena to relay the changes this administration is making and to encourage residents to notice more reasons to love where they live. We need more solution finders and less old school ways of thinking.