Print
E-mail
Comment
Next year’s Council races already heating up
By Nancy Flake
It’s going to be a long, hot election season for the Conroe City Council. Five people already have committed to running in the May 2010 elections – including the brother of a sitting councilman.
Even though filing for positions won’t begin until early next year, the races for Position 4, now held by Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Streater, and Position 5, held by Jay Ross Martin, each have two candidates. One of them is Guy Martin, brother of Jay Ross Martin. The brothers faced off in a bitterly contested race in 2006, in which Jay Ross Martin won in a run-off.
With term limits in place, Streater and Jay Ross Martin will reach the end of their two terms next May and cannot run for re-election.
Guy Martin, an attorney, confirmed Tuesday he is seeking Streater’s position, running against Cara Canada McCollum. Melvin Douglas, a former councilman who ran unsuccessfully against the Martin brothers in 2006, also confirmed Tuesday he is running for Position 5. Douglas said he will face Leo Hewett, a Realtor and longtime friend of Jay Ross Martin.
Position 3, currently held by Jim Gentry, also is up for election in May. Gentry said Tuesday he will run for re-election; so far, he knows of no one who plans to run against him.
Guy Martin and Douglas have been embroiled in three libel and defamation lawsuits the past two years over statements or postings in The Watchdog newsletter and website. The first two suits brought favorable decisions for Martin and Douglas; a third, brought by civic leader Rigby Owen Jr., is pending, Guy Martin said.
In the first lawsuit, The Watchdog alleged a local businessman had used alcohol and money to buy votes for Jay Ross Martin in the runoff election against Guy Martin.
The bitterness from that 2006 race – and also from a sibling rivalry – is still there today.
Guy Martin said he had not talked with his brother about running for the council in 2010 but did say he didn’t want to follow in Jay Ross Martin’s footsteps by filing for his position.
“That wouldn’t be good for the city and it wouldn’t be good for me,” he said. “And there’s no way I’d run against Jim Gentry.”
“I’m going to show him (Jay Ross Martin) respect by not running for his seat.”
The two brothers don’t speak, Jay Ross Martin said.
“If he feels he has the need to run, he should,” Jay Ross Martin said of his brother’s decision. “It’s a free country.”
“We need new blood,” Guy Martin, 57, said of his decision to run. “I think I can bring the fiscal discipline that’s badly needed and a bit more of the integrity that is needed with organizations.”
He opposes the recent spending of 4B funds on several projects.
“The 4B projects are absolutely over budget,” he said. “If all citizens have to tighten their belt, it’s way past time for the city to do the same thing.
“The city simply has to quit going over budget on every project.”
Under state law, 4B funds generated by city sales tax revenues can be used for professional and amateur sports and athletic facilities; tourism and entertainment facilities; convention and public park purposes and events; related store, restaurant, concession, parking and transportation facilities; related street, water and sewer facilities; and affordable housing.
Governed by a board of directors, the Conroe Industrial Development Corporation has approved the spending of hundreds of thousands of dollars for several projects in the past year, including a South Gateway welcome sign at Gladstell and Frazier streets; a “liveability” study to determine long-term projects for the city; asbestos abatement for the Conroe Motel, which the city purchased a year ago for $1.9 million and demolished; and the construction of a “pocket park” at the corner of Main and Metcalf streets in downtown Conroe.
CIDC directors, however, have delayed final approval of funding for the South Gateway until costs can be reduced from the estimated $464,700 to build it.
Guy Martin founded The Watchdog newsletter and website after the 2006 election to address issues in Conroe, including the City Council. He is the editor, and Douglas is a contributing editor.
The two also share a political philosophy of fiscal conservatism.
“It’s time for me to get back in,” said Douglas, who served on the council from 1986-90. “People have asked me to run. I’m very conservative, very frugal. I disagree with many of the items we’re spending money on. 4B tax money should be used for better things, such as roads and infrastructure. When I was on the council, we spent it on infrastructure.
“Remember, we’re there for the taxpayers; they’re not there for us.”
Even though Douglas, 58, is running, there’s still a lot of time, he said, to make a final decision.
“I might back out,” he said.
Hewett, 61, is one of the founders of the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival and the Sounds of Texas music series, along with Jay Ross Martin. The two have been friends since high school, Jay Ross Martin said.
“Conroe is our home,” Hewett said about running. “I care about it. It’s a way to give back, to apply for the job.”
He sees the opportunities that have turned The Woodlands into a major shopping and tourism draw as coming up the road toward Conroe, especially when the expansion of Interstate 45 is complete.
“Cities have a choice. ... They can have good change, or they can have bad change,” he said. “I want to get Conroe up to what other cities are doing, such as going green and working on quality-of-life issues.”
But while he will be running for the position now held by his good friend, people should not expect Hewett to be a “rubber stamp” for policies and issues espoused by Jay Ross Martin.
“Jay is a very good friend, but he and I don’t agree on everything,” Hewett said. “I’m my own thinker. I’m a little more conservative than Jay Ross. It’s got to make sense; it’s got to make money.
“Some people say, ‘Don’t spend any money;’ others say, ‘Spend lots of money.’
“I’m somewhere in the middle.”
McCollum, 34, is a fourth-generation Conroe resident who made the decision to run, she said, two months ago.
“I’ve always been interested in city government,” she said. “I have a heart for service. It’s very important this is a good place for my children to be.
“It’s real important we get the right kind of jobs here.”
McCollum is a stay-at-home mother to her 2- and 5-year-old daughters.
A 1992 graduate of Conroe High School and 1996 graduate of Texas A&M University, McCollum holds two degrees in poultry science and agriculture education.
She taught at Peet Junior High for several years and served as director of St. Mark Lutheran School for three years. A member of Conroe Noon Lions, she was named Lion of the Year by that organization on Friday, she said.
She agrees with the council’s decisions on spending 4B sales tax funds for different projects.
“Anything that makes the city a better place is good for the city,” she said. “But they’re on the right track by putting a hold on the (South Gateway) sign to cut costs. That was a great decision.”
The race for both positions is shaping up to be a good one, Jay Ross Martin said.
“If Leo does run and Cara runs, I’m assuming that’d be two hard candidates to beat,” he said.
He and Hewett share similar philosophies about the revitalization of downtown Conroe, he said.
However, “I don’t know if he’s as passionate about some of the same things,” Jay Ross Martin said. “It’s not my job to pick my successor.”
Even though filing for positions won’t begin until early next year, the races for Position 4, now held by Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Streater, and Position 5, held by Jay Ross Martin, each have two candidates. One of them is Guy Martin, brother of Jay Ross Martin. The brothers faced off in a bitterly contested race in 2006, in which Jay Ross Martin won in a run-off.
With term limits in place, Streater and Jay Ross Martin will reach the end of their two terms next May and cannot run for re-election.
Guy Martin, an attorney, confirmed Tuesday he is seeking Streater’s position, running against Cara Canada McCollum. Melvin Douglas, a former councilman who ran unsuccessfully against the Martin brothers in 2006, also confirmed Tuesday he is running for Position 5. Douglas said he will face Leo Hewett, a Realtor and longtime friend of Jay Ross Martin.
Position 3, currently held by Jim Gentry, also is up for election in May. Gentry said Tuesday he will run for re-election; so far, he knows of no one who plans to run against him.
Guy Martin and Douglas have been embroiled in three libel and defamation lawsuits the past two years over statements or postings in The Watchdog newsletter and website. The first two suits brought favorable decisions for Martin and Douglas; a third, brought by civic leader Rigby Owen Jr., is pending, Guy Martin said.
In the first lawsuit, The Watchdog alleged a local businessman had used alcohol and money to buy votes for Jay Ross Martin in the runoff election against Guy Martin.
The bitterness from that 2006 race – and also from a sibling rivalry – is still there today.
Guy Martin said he had not talked with his brother about running for the council in 2010 but did say he didn’t want to follow in Jay Ross Martin’s footsteps by filing for his position.
“That wouldn’t be good for the city and it wouldn’t be good for me,” he said. “And there’s no way I’d run against Jim Gentry.”
“I’m going to show him (Jay Ross Martin) respect by not running for his seat.”
The two brothers don’t speak, Jay Ross Martin said.
“If he feels he has the need to run, he should,” Jay Ross Martin said of his brother’s decision. “It’s a free country.”
“We need new blood,” Guy Martin, 57, said of his decision to run. “I think I can bring the fiscal discipline that’s badly needed and a bit more of the integrity that is needed with organizations.”
He opposes the recent spending of 4B funds on several projects.
“The 4B projects are absolutely over budget,” he said. “If all citizens have to tighten their belt, it’s way past time for the city to do the same thing.
“The city simply has to quit going over budget on every project.”
Under state law, 4B funds generated by city sales tax revenues can be used for professional and amateur sports and athletic facilities; tourism and entertainment facilities; convention and public park purposes and events; related store, restaurant, concession, parking and transportation facilities; related street, water and sewer facilities; and affordable housing.
Governed by a board of directors, the Conroe Industrial Development Corporation has approved the spending of hundreds of thousands of dollars for several projects in the past year, including a South Gateway welcome sign at Gladstell and Frazier streets; a “liveability” study to determine long-term projects for the city; asbestos abatement for the Conroe Motel, which the city purchased a year ago for $1.9 million and demolished; and the construction of a “pocket park” at the corner of Main and Metcalf streets in downtown Conroe.
CIDC directors, however, have delayed final approval of funding for the South Gateway until costs can be reduced from the estimated $464,700 to build it.
Guy Martin founded The Watchdog newsletter and website after the 2006 election to address issues in Conroe, including the City Council. He is the editor, and Douglas is a contributing editor.
The two also share a political philosophy of fiscal conservatism.
“It’s time for me to get back in,” said Douglas, who served on the council from 1986-90. “People have asked me to run. I’m very conservative, very frugal. I disagree with many of the items we’re spending money on. 4B tax money should be used for better things, such as roads and infrastructure. When I was on the council, we spent it on infrastructure.
“Remember, we’re there for the taxpayers; they’re not there for us.”
Even though Douglas, 58, is running, there’s still a lot of time, he said, to make a final decision.
“I might back out,” he said.
Hewett, 61, is one of the founders of the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival and the Sounds of Texas music series, along with Jay Ross Martin. The two have been friends since high school, Jay Ross Martin said.
“Conroe is our home,” Hewett said about running. “I care about it. It’s a way to give back, to apply for the job.”
He sees the opportunities that have turned The Woodlands into a major shopping and tourism draw as coming up the road toward Conroe, especially when the expansion of Interstate 45 is complete.
“Cities have a choice. ... They can have good change, or they can have bad change,” he said. “I want to get Conroe up to what other cities are doing, such as going green and working on quality-of-life issues.”
But while he will be running for the position now held by his good friend, people should not expect Hewett to be a “rubber stamp” for policies and issues espoused by Jay Ross Martin.
“Jay is a very good friend, but he and I don’t agree on everything,” Hewett said. “I’m my own thinker. I’m a little more conservative than Jay Ross. It’s got to make sense; it’s got to make money.
“Some people say, ‘Don’t spend any money;’ others say, ‘Spend lots of money.’
“I’m somewhere in the middle.”
McCollum, 34, is a fourth-generation Conroe resident who made the decision to run, she said, two months ago.
“I’ve always been interested in city government,” she said. “I have a heart for service. It’s very important this is a good place for my children to be.
“It’s real important we get the right kind of jobs here.”
McCollum is a stay-at-home mother to her 2- and 5-year-old daughters.
A 1992 graduate of Conroe High School and 1996 graduate of Texas A&M University, McCollum holds two degrees in poultry science and agriculture education.
She taught at Peet Junior High for several years and served as director of St. Mark Lutheran School for three years. A member of Conroe Noon Lions, she was named Lion of the Year by that organization on Friday, she said.
She agrees with the council’s decisions on spending 4B sales tax funds for different projects.
“Anything that makes the city a better place is good for the city,” she said. “But they’re on the right track by putting a hold on the (South Gateway) sign to cut costs. That was a great decision.”
The race for both positions is shaping up to be a good one, Jay Ross Martin said.
“If Leo does run and Cara runs, I’m assuming that’d be two hard candidates to beat,” he said.
He and Hewett share similar philosophies about the revitalization of downtown Conroe, he said.
However, “I don’t know if he’s as passionate about some of the same things,” Jay Ross Martin said. “It’s not my job to pick my successor.”
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. Comments to stories and articles on the Web site are not edited or pre-approved before appearing online. Readers posting comments are solely responsible for those comments. Comments must be germane to the story to which they apply. Online comments that are libelous, profane or personally attack another site participant can be reported as abuse using the link provided on each comment. Comments reported as abusive will be reviewed and may be removed from view, as will off-topic comments. BE CIVIL. Individuals continually posting abusive comments to the site may have their registrations revoked. |
Reader Comments
Gene Strong wrote on Jun 16, 2009 11:45 PM:
" Anyone and Everyone on the council that had anything to do with the promotion
or approval of the new employee Medical Center needs to be voted out of office. "
or approval of the new employee Medical Center needs to be voted out of office. "
Judge Roy Bean wrote on Jun 17, 2009 1:18 AM:
" strong, do you even know the difference between city and county government? the clinic you are refering to is being implemented by montgomery county, not the city of conroe. the city of conroe has actually cut employee retirement benefits. please do us all a favor and don't speak until you are educated on an issue. you are shooting your mouth off about something and are flat out wrong. "
revlbrown wrote on Jun 17, 2009 1:47 AM:
" Mr. Strong, you don't know if your pitching or catching. You are piffing and moaning about something you don't know anything about. How bout it night rider, let's get your spin on this?
I can't believe old Leo is 61 years old. What handsome little critter he is.
Rev. LeeeeeeeeeeRoy Jackson Brown "
I can't believe old Leo is 61 years old. What handsome little critter he is.
Rev. LeeeeeeeeeeRoy Jackson Brown "
gopher2 wrote on Jun 17, 2009 7:54 AM:
" I can't believe old Leo is 61 years old. What handsome little critter he is.
Now that there is funny I don't care who you are. Huh, Flea? "
Now that there is funny I don't care who you are. Huh, Flea? "
rg.wilson wrote on Jun 17, 2009 9:06 AM:
" I'm going to "split" my support for each rival team and go w/ Guy Martin and Leo. They are both reasonable, intelligent, and will vote for both downtown revitalization (that makes sense) and lower taxes.
Should be a GREAT RACE!!!! "
Should be a GREAT RACE!!!! "
pprwrtr wrote on Jun 17, 2009 10:53 AM:
" What a three-ring circus this is going to be--just like all politics! I wouldn't run for an office for a million dollars! Some run thinking they will make a difference and most just end up going with the "good ole boys" that are in the establishment already and that's why our country is in the shape it's in. Some of these people who are running are friends with those on the board and, unless they want a large problem, they can't buck them! Ridiculous! "
Gene Strong wrote on Jun 17, 2009 11:15 AM:
" Apparently the self-appointed reincarnation of Judge Bean has difficulty in reading
& comprehension skills...
"Everyone / Anyone" who had anything to do with the promotion or approval of
the new employee medical center needs to be voted out of office".
That includes Everyone / Anyone holding political office in Montgomery County.
Are Conroe City employees going to be able to use this medical facility ?
Think about it before you run your mouth off.....Just like your mentor Judge Bean..
Read a little history about your great Judge... "
& comprehension skills...
"Everyone / Anyone" who had anything to do with the promotion or approval of
the new employee medical center needs to be voted out of office".
That includes Everyone / Anyone holding political office in Montgomery County.
Are Conroe City employees going to be able to use this medical facility ?
Think about it before you run your mouth off.....Just like your mentor Judge Bean..
Read a little history about your great Judge... "
Nightrider wrote on Jun 17, 2009 11:29 AM:
" You know I totally give up on old Gene Strong, he is in a world of his own. He specifically stated vote out city council members and when he is called on it tries to justify it by saying do we know if city employees will be able to use the clinic. Never was mentioned in the original article so Old Gene just decides to make up something. I have to agree with the Rev, old Leo looks pretty good for 61. I think old Judge Bean hit the nail right on the head when it comes to Gene no so Strong..... "
Gene Strong wrote on Jun 17, 2009 11:43 AM:
" Thats why I said "Think About It" Nightrider & Judge Bean & Rev. Brown..
Don't be so gullible that you believe everything that is said by politicians..
Don't "assume" that because it is not stated in the article that it isn't going to happen.
IF Conroe City employees are going to be able to use the Montgomery County
Medical Facility then don't you think that the Conroe City Council promoted and
supported this Medical Facility ?...You problem is that you just don't think..
"Think About It"...Use some common sense...Of course Conroe City Employees
are going to be using the Montgomery County Medical Facility and of course
Conroe City politicians promoted and supported this taxpayer rip-off..
Quit embarrassing yourselves... "
Don't be so gullible that you believe everything that is said by politicians..
Don't "assume" that because it is not stated in the article that it isn't going to happen.
IF Conroe City employees are going to be able to use the Montgomery County
Medical Facility then don't you think that the Conroe City Council promoted and
supported this Medical Facility ?...You problem is that you just don't think..
"Think About It"...Use some common sense...Of course Conroe City Employees
are going to be using the Montgomery County Medical Facility and of course
Conroe City politicians promoted and supported this taxpayer rip-off..
Quit embarrassing yourselves... "
tired of rino's like sadler wrote on Jun 17, 2009 11:54 AM:
" We expect to save county taxpayers $1.1 million to $1.2 million a year,” County Judge Alan B. Sadler said after Commissioners Court Monday. He believes the county-owned clinic, in conjunction with CareHere!’s philosophy, will allow the county to recoup its construction costs on the building within seven months of operation.
Someone please tell me how these savings will affect the taxpayers! Will our property taxes decline? This is being built on the premise of saving the taxpayers money I just want to know how these savings will filter to me?
Lastly I noted that Sadler mentioned he would support Melder's one cent tax increase if half of it goes to reducing property taxes . . . Am I missing something here but Sadler is going to decrease our property taxes by increasing another tax? TYPICAL. " "
Someone please tell me how these savings will affect the taxpayers! Will our property taxes decline? This is being built on the premise of saving the taxpayers money I just want to know how these savings will filter to me?
Lastly I noted that Sadler mentioned he would support Melder's one cent tax increase if half of it goes to reducing property taxes . . . Am I missing something here but Sadler is going to decrease our property taxes by increasing another tax? TYPICAL. " "
tired of rinos like sadler wrote on Jun 17, 2009 12:57 PM:
" We expect to save county taxpayers $1.1 million to $1.2 million a year,” County Judge Alan B. Sadler said after Commissioners Court Monday. He believes the county-owned clinic, in conjunction with CareHere!’s philosophy, will allow the county to recoup its construction costs on the building within seven months of operation.
Someone please tell me how these savings will affect the taxpayers! Will our property taxes decline? This is being built on the premise of saving the taxpayers money I just want to know how these savings will filter to me?
Lastly I noted that Sadler mentioned he would support Melder's one cent tax increase if half of it goes to reducing property taxes . . . Am I missing something here but Sadler is going to decrease our property taxes by increasing another tax? TYPICAL. " "
Someone please tell me how these savings will affect the taxpayers! Will our property taxes decline? This is being built on the premise of saving the taxpayers money I just want to know how these savings will filter to me?
Lastly I noted that Sadler mentioned he would support Melder's one cent tax increase if half of it goes to reducing property taxes . . . Am I missing something here but Sadler is going to decrease our property taxes by increasing another tax? TYPICAL. " "
Judge Roy Bean wrote on Jun 17, 2009 1:43 PM:
" here we have it again old not so strong, except in the mouth area, is spouting off about you know city employees are going to use this clinic too. well like ol nightrider and rev said not even mentioned in the article or around town. i guess using not so strongs philosophy we should vote out magnolia and splendora because even though it hasn't been mentioned they are going to use it too. what a dip stick this guy is. if i was that ignorant don't think i would open my mouth.
Judge Roy Bean "
Judge Roy Bean "
Gene Strong wrote on Jun 17, 2009 2:27 PM:
" Sounds like we have a few gullible Obama voters commenting here that believe
everything they hear and read from the self-serving politicians & bureaucrats.
Of course the Splendor & Magnolia city councils support this clinic because
they are going to be using it..
Who do you thing will be paying for this clinic ?
Do those of us who pay for the clinic get to use this clinic ? "
everything they hear and read from the self-serving politicians & bureaucrats.
Of course the Splendor & Magnolia city councils support this clinic because
they are going to be using it..
Who do you thing will be paying for this clinic ?
Do those of us who pay for the clinic get to use this clinic ? "
mbx1 wrote on Jun 17, 2009 5:16 PM:
" Mr. Strong...
Having worked for both the city and the county, I can tell you that they don't work together in the way you're talking about. City employees won't be able to use the County employee's clinic. City employees are not able to use county rescources and vice-versa. Kinda goofy that you'd even think that. "
Having worked for both the city and the county, I can tell you that they don't work together in the way you're talking about. City employees won't be able to use the County employee's clinic. City employees are not able to use county rescources and vice-versa. Kinda goofy that you'd even think that. "
nightrider wrote on Jun 17, 2009 7:09 PM:
" For old Gene, not so, Strong, you are the only embarrassment here, look in the mirror and you might figure it out. Sounds like your pretty heavy into the liquor bottle too, lay off that stuff, its harmful, you will be needing to go to the clinic, any clinic, in the near future if your not careful. "
lakeresident wrote on Jun 18, 2009 12:07 AM:
" Is there anyone out there that will SERVE us, the citizens of this city, this county, this state, this country and not force your own personal agenda down our throats? If so, stand up and we will all support you.
Please read below just a small excerpt from "The Open Letter" written yesterday by a women from Arizona and posted on Glenn Beck's website. She is so right........We Want Our Country Back! And that starts at the city, county, and state level. I am 57 years old and grew up in Conroe. Went to school with all the local "Good Ole Boy" politicans. They were arrogant and prideful back then.......just got worse the older they became.
Read the entire letter on glennbeck.com
_____________________________________________________________________________
Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming. "
Please read below just a small excerpt from "The Open Letter" written yesterday by a women from Arizona and posted on Glenn Beck's website. She is so right........We Want Our Country Back! And that starts at the city, county, and state level. I am 57 years old and grew up in Conroe. Went to school with all the local "Good Ole Boy" politicans. They were arrogant and prideful back then.......just got worse the older they became.
Read the entire letter on glennbeck.com
_____________________________________________________________________________
Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming. "
onedayatatime wrote on Jun 16, 2009 10:42 PM: