City Council District A Candidates

Ignacia Garcia

Phone: 832-884-4456
Email: igarcia.dista@yahoo.com
Facebook: N/A
Website: N/A

 

 

Why are you running for city council?

I have worked in a diverse workforce of community service, outreach, and volunteer programs all of which have given me the opportunity to assist in many different areas and bring that knowledge to my neighbors. I have a desire to help my neighbors and community to make Pasadena a better, safer and likable community. As Councilwoman I will be able to assert this experience and knowledge to 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?

I have worked for over 30 years in the customer service industry, as well as volunteered with over a dozen organizations such as The Houston Food Bank, Houston Children's Charity Network, Habitat for Humanity, Project C.U.R.E. and many more. I have also worked for Family Houston as an Outreach Coordinator, The Mexican Consulate, Catholic Charities, and am currently employed with Harris County PCT.2 as Commissioner Adrian Garcia's Coordinator, and Constituent services representative. These positions have all given me an upper hands with assisting the people of Harris County on may different levels.

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?

Bring more healthcare availability to the District A area. Strive to maintain lower property taxes, and 3rd. continue to work on our infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks, and flooding issues that plague our area.  I will also strive to bring revitalization to our older historic North side of Pasadena to help beautify and make it a safer community for our residents.

Attracting new business and retaining existing businesses is vital to the success of a community.  Business owners and industry partners large and small are faced with daily challenges - regulations, fees, permitting, workforce challenges and access to information and resources. What do you think needs to be done to support and grow existing businesses and to attract new businesses to choose Pasadena?

I believe there are way too many barriers that restrict so many small business owners, as well as minority representation. I believe with all the past hardships our country has been through, business owners are finding it hard to make a comeback for their business's. In many cases public policy, zoning policy's, and soaring real estate costs make it extremely hard to start back up.  By getting zoning right, we can focus on making more pedestrian oriented areas and bring revitalization to our older more historic areas. There should also be small business incentives to help make it happen. 

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 believe we need to reorient economic development incentives, and "any" funding to redevelop and foster business should be readily available to small business that brings local growth to our community's. I am a strong supporter of small business ownership. 

“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 am a strong supporter of small businesses. I also believe that small business ownership has been a pathway for the middle class for generations, and continues to be a crucial tool for building our communities. It is a proven fact that the presence of locally owned businesses is linked to job creation in the community as well as stronger social networking.  As a city, we need to continue to work on beautification, safety, and revitalization so that new entrepreneurs like what our city has to offer. We should also work on Marketing to focus on how much we as a city have to offer newcomers. In my opinion, our historic north side is a great place to start. There is an abundance of history to be brought back to life.

Keith Nielsen

Phone: 281-830-2741
Email: keith@keithnielsen.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KeithNielsen63
Website: www.keithnielsen.com

 

 

Why are you running for city council?

District A has had little to no representation over the last eight years. Being retired will allow me to serve as a full-time councilman and address the much-needed work. The issues of our district have been ignored for far too long. I believe I can bring the issues to the forefront and bring a higher quality of life to District A.

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 owned and operated several successful local businesses and have a strong finance and real estate background. For more than 30 years, I have served the community in many capacities. Here are a few of the organizations I have worked with to improve the quality of life throughout our city, the City of Pasadena Planning Commission Chairman and board member, Our Neighborhood Association President and board member, Sarah's House Homeless Shelter Chairman and board member, North Pasadena President and board member, Pasadena Historical Society President and Board Member and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.

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?

Lowering property tax
Economic Development for all
A fair, transparent & rapid permitting process

Improve the quality of life through improved infrastructure, decreasing crime & enforcing code violations in District A

Attracting new business and retaining existing businesses is vital to the success of a community.  Business owners and industry partners large and small are faced with daily challenges - regulations, fees, permitting, workforce challenges and access to information and resources. What do you think needs to be done to support and grow existing businesses and to attract new businesses to choose Pasadena?

The city needs a faster permitting process, and we must prioritize exceptional customer service. We should revisit outdated City Codes and create exceptions for older properties without going through the variance process. The homeless camps are also creating many issues for businesses in all parts of the city. We must do more by working with local shelters and law enforcement to address solutions for the homeless problems.

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 would be against anything that would add or raise the property tax.

When the residents of Pasadena voted on the Economic Development Corporation, they were told it would be used for redevelopment on the north side. The city should focus on the original purpose, using the money where it was initially intended.  

The city should implement a fast-track program to expedite the development and redevelopment process to support economic development.

“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?

Pasadena Loves Local is an excellent example of what can be accomplished by chamber partnerships with businesses. When people are proud of their city, they want to do more. Many aspects of our daily lives reflect our quality of life. Improved infrastructure is not glamorous but vital to residents' and businesses' quality of life. Without good roads, drainage and high-quality water, little else matters.

Ruben Villarreal

Phone: 409-420-7075
Email: councilman.ruben@yahoo.com
Facebook: N/A
Website: N/A

 

 

 

 

Why are you running for city council?

My motivation for running for city council stems from my strong desire to serve the community in a different capacity. Given my background as a pastor and as a resident of Pasadena, community service is an issue that holds great importance to me.

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?

1. Having grown up in District A and now raising my own family here, I have a deep connection to this community and a vested interest in its well-being.
2. As the pastor of a church that has served the North side of Pasadena for over four decades, I have a strong commitment to serving the needs of the community.
3. Through organizing various community events such as food drives, rental assistance programs, COVID testing initiatives, health care fairs, and clean-up teams, I have demonstrated my dedication to improving the lives of those in the North Side of Pasadena.
4. I hold two master's degrees, which have provided me with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills to effectively serve in a leadership role.
5. My past experiences serving on the board for the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and the Crime Control and Prevention District have given me valuable insights into the workings of local government and the needs of the community.
6. When the councilman for District A stepped down, I was appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council to serve in his place, demonstrating my ability to lead and serve effectively in a political capacity.
7. I am proud to have earned the endorsement of the Pasadena Police Union for my candidacy in District A, which reflects my commitment to public safety and working collaboratively with law enforcement to ensure the safety of our community.

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?

1.        Ensuring the safety and security of our community remains paramount.
2.        Continuing to invest in the infrastructure of Pasadena to support the growth and prosperity of our city.
3.        Supporting initiatives that maintain Pasadena's status as a desirable location to raise a family and attract new businesses to the area.

Attracting new business and retaining existing businesses is vital to the success of a community.  Business owners and industry partners large and small are faced with daily challenges - regulations, fees, permitting, workforce challenges and access to information and resources. What do you think needs to be done to support and grow existing businesses and to attract new businesses to choose Pasadena?

To support and grow businesses in Pasadena, we must take a comprehensive approach that addresses their challenges. This includes working with stakeholders to update outdated regulations, promoting job training and education, improving accessibility to resources, and investing in infrastructure. With this approach, we can create a thriving business community that benefits both businesses and residents.

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 approach redevelopment effectively, we must take a multi-faceted approach that involves researching what other successful cities of our size are doing and exploring all available options. Additionally, we must prioritize our citizens' input and concerns, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are not minimized in the redevelopment process.

“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?

Pasadena is an excellent place to live and work, but we have room for growth in terms of becoming a more appealing destination for leisure activities, such as shopping and entertainment. To achieve this goal, we must continue investing in our city's infrastructure and safety measures. Doing so will improve the quality of life for our residents and make our community more attractive to visitors. Ultimately, this investment will help us to enhance Pasadena's status as a great place to live, work, play, and shop.