Richard Tew

 Stokes enters Position 3 race

Deer Park resident Shelley Stokes is running for Deer Park City Council position 3.

Original story at:

www.deerparkbroadcaster.com

Shelley Stokes has lived in Deer Park for most of her life after her parents relocated to the area in 1972. She graduated from Deer Park High School in 1989, and for the past 12 years, has helped manage Tucker Hardware, which is located just southwest of Deer Park. Stokes is married and has two daughters.

She says she chose to run for Position 3 for several reasons. She has contemplated running before and has picked up a candidate packet, but never turned it in. She said it was only after hearing other residents complimenting her for addressing issues at council meetings that made her think she could do more for for the community by running for elected office. She says didn't want to be the fourth to run for the Position 1 seat and didn't want to run against Councilman Thane Harrison out of respect for his vote regarding hotel rezoning. That left Position 3. Position 3 is currently held by incumbent Chris Richey.

On the subject of city services, Stokes says cities should provide their residents with water, sewer other public works such as sanitation; along with fire and police protection. “I think we have outstanding city services right now,” says Stokes. On the subject of 'amenities,' Stokes said:

“I know that we have amenities such as our parks, our pool, our library; the city should provide those amenities. However, a lot of people consider the golf course an amenity and I consider it in a different class. I don't think that you can compare it to the library or the pool. I don't think the city should be in the business of providing a golf course facility. It is nice to have but I don't think that tax payer dollars should continue to float it.”

Stokes says she likes golf course, “I think the golf course looks nice in the city.” She says she has a different opinion than others who are critical of it. “A lot of people say they want the golf course closed, I wish that it was sold to a private entity; let someone else maintain and operate it, not our tax payer dollars. What we are doing right now is not working.” Stokes said that money spent of the golf course could be spent on things like flooding or funding the police.

On the proposed Type B Sales Tax: “I am against the Type B Sales Tax increase,” said Stokes. She says there are several reasons she is not in favor of it. “Money can be spent on projects outside of Deer Park; and I don't think the residents realize that,” said Stokes. She also said that the current ballot wording is too 'all-inclusive' and that she wants residents to know that if the proposal is passed it cannot be changed later on, even with a ballot initiative. According to the recent State of the City Address, the city's financial outlook looks good; sales taxes are up, and new businesses are being added to the tax base. She also noted that the Providence senior living apartments were mentioned during the address as being able to eventually contribute 11 million dollars to the city's tax roll. “Why would we want to raise our sales tax; that makes no sense to me,” said Stokes. She noted that other cities such as Baytown have similar taxes which are earmarked for certain, specific programs for funding.

For more information on early voting times and places, please visit the city of Deer Park's website at www.deerparktx.gov.