Decisions 2008
Voters face crucial decision on leaders
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

The face of Jasper's city council will be altered as three positions are up for election in the May 10 election.

Two incumbents face challengers for their positions while another seat will be filled by one of three challengers to the position.

District 3 incumbent Tommy Adams will face the challenge of James C. Collier. Adams was just recently released from the hospital and was unable to participate in this debate.

District 4 incumbent Gloria Monzingo will face the challenge of former city secretary Tommy Boykin Sr.

Terrya Norsworthy, Wincy Walker or Frank Perdichizzi will fill the District 5 at large seat. Incumbent Diane Pace chose not to see re-election to the position.

In order to introduce the candidates to the Jasper voting public, The Jasper Newsboy posed questions to the candidates. The questions and answers are as follow.

Why are you running for a position on Jasper's city council?

DISTRICT 3

Collier: The citizens of Jasper need someone on the council that's not just an aye man that cares about its people and we need a change. I am hoping I can help make that change.

DISTRICT 4

Monzingo: I would like to continue serving the people of Jasper as I have for the past four years; also I have a project started that I would like to finish. I would also like to see changes made.

Boykin: Jasper is my hometown, and I worked for 20 years and three months for the city of Jasper and would like to give back to the citizens from the experience gained while making a living and life here in Jasper

DISTRICT 5 Norsworthy: I believe I can make a difference in how city business is conducted. I have experience in budget- -ing, letting contracts and making projections for future needs. I bring a perspective uninfluenced by politics, but based on what's right and progressive for the city of Jasper. Although I am an independent thinker, I recognize when to suppress my personal desires in favor of the common good.

Walker: I'm running because I know the current city council and officials have done a good job. Mistakes made? Of course; they're human, but they observe laws and city ordinances. Now they are under fire from a small but vocal group of "town criers" who want to "get rid of all of them." They don't know what has gone on that shouldn't have, from what should've gone on that didn't. With them it's 100 percent personal.

Perdichizzi: I am running for a City Council position because I feel that I have something to offer to Jasper. My heart is to help move this city forward, and to promote a heightened sense of unity among city government entities and the citizens of Jasper.

Name two issues that you would like to see addressed during this term in office if elected or reelected?

DISTRICT 3

Collier: 1. Citizens will have more access to city hall. 2. Why's there no higher paying jobs coming our way.

DISTRICT 4

Monzingo: Street repairs, and maintains, also an upgrade on street signs. A second issue that needs to be addressed are utility bills and rates.

Boykin: Besides the economy and jobs, the two issues I would like addressed and implemented are a more friendly municipal government and cooperation on community needs and improvement for all citizens. To accomplish this, we should work with JEDCO and the Chamber of Commerce.

DISTRICT 5

Norsworthy: 1. Open government - There is a pervasive perception that most decisions are made out of view of the public. I believe that there should be comprehensive training on the laws governing public business and that each elected official should be tested to determine their understanding of those laws.

2. Distribution of resources - It is obvious, when you tour the city, that some areas receive more attention than others. In order for Jasper to become a destination city, clean up and refurbishing need to occur throughout the entire community. Although most of the responsibility for clean up should be the burden of the homeowner, the city must allocate funds in an equitable manner when infrastructure is being replaced. When Main Street was re-done recently, it was very clear that the far north end and the area south of City Hall were not deemed worthy of replacement.

Walker: Street repair and street signs replaced where needed; building the new library.

I think the first priority when spending city funds should be on projects that benefit and are available to every citizen in town.

Perdichizzi: There are several issues I would like to address as a councilman, but two key issues are our city streets and city services. Our streets should be regularly maintained and cleaned in all of the city's neighborhoods, not just a targeted few. And, I want to ensure that ALL tax-paying citizens are receiving basic city services.

What is the biggest challenge facing this city?

DISTRICT 3 Collier: No answer given.

DISTRICT 4

Monzingo: Having funds for the streets, and a lack of communication.

Boykin: By far the biggest challenge facing Jasper is the economy and the need for jobs. The rising cost of fuel impacts all other areas.

DISTRICT 5

Norsworthy: A Crisis of Confidence - Citizens don't trust their elected and appointed officials to openly and fairly discuss problems and negotiate solutions to their problems. There is an undercurrent of secrecy that breeds discontent, e.g., the decision to contract the billing of utility services to an obscure company in Utah. Complaints are commonplace about over billing and erroneous late notices, even to those who participate in direct deductions.

Walker: Besides lack of jobs? It's important that the city continue to be managed in a fiscally responsible manner.

Perdichizzi: The biggest challenge facing our city is the lack of forward thinking and long-term vision by our city officials. The current administration has been unsuccessful in putting forth a 5 and 10 year written plan that will help move the city forward in terms of job creation, tourism, development and growth.

What is your opinion on the city's handling of tourism for this area?

DISTRICT 3

Collier: Have the people handle it that know more about tourism.

DISTRICT 4

Monzingo: In 2007 and 2008 we had a total of 101,984.00 disbursed for tourism, this is more money than in years past. Every expenditure must directly enhance and promote tourism. I think the city does a good job.

Boykin: We need to focus on the areas that are working and improve the tourism budget in an effort to bring people to Jasper. Bass tournaments are an economic advantage to Jasper not only to the hotel/motel industry but all the area restaurants, retail sales and fuel sales. Jasper needs tourism dollars and I do not feel that a person that has several jobs can devote enough time to tourism and effectively promote Jasper. Tourism is the major industry we have in the Jasper area.

DISTRICT 5

Norsworthy: So far, it has been ineffective. Jasper's vast potential deserves to be marketed by proven professionals. The Chamber of Commerce has always done well in promoting the city and scheduling events that bring tourists to the area. They should have the authority to distribute funds that are dedicated to those purposes. To deprive them of that function only serves to make them less efficient and less competitive which chambers from around the area.

Walker: Fishing tournaments are important to the area's economy; it's smart to add and help grow more tournaments - it's "the vision thing" - Bob Sealy doesn't have many more "Big Splashes" in him. Jasper's hotel/motel tax money is collected by motels within the city limits for a purpose - to put more "heads in beds" in Jasper's motels; it's good that managers of three local motels are on the Hotel Occupancy tax committee. The city has the responsibility to ensure the tax is managed according to state guidelines.

Perdichizzi: It is my opinion that the city has been short-sighted in its handling of tourism for this area. By taking control of tourism funds away from the Chamber of Commerce, this city has crippled the Chamber's ability to actively promote tourism and growth at the highest level. It should be noted that the Chamber of Commerce includes full-time staff that are trained to provide fulltime attention to the development of tourism.

The city has proposed cutting JEDCO's funds by a _ of a percent in this election. If passed, how will this impact economic development in Jasper?

DISTRICT 3

Collier: If elected, I will have to give that a lot of attention.

DISTRICT 4

Monzingo: Taking the quarter percent will not have an impact on economic development in Jasper. JEDCO will still be getting 500,000 yearly in sales tax revenue, plus they have 900,000 in reserve, there will still be money should it be needed. Taking the quarter percent will only be effective for four years.

Boykin: Any time a budget is reduced by any amount it will impact the final product. Case in point the street department budget has bee reduced the last several years and little maintenance has been performed and the result is the disrepair of our streets. If this measure passes, JEDCO will be able to function but will be limited however slight.

DISTRICT 5

Norsworthy: Economic development is NOT about repairing infrastructure, but about recruiting and bringing business to an area, which in turn, creates jobs and boosts the economic conditions of said area. To transfer funds from JEDCO to repair streets will lessen the effectiveness and reduce the competitive ability of the agency. I anticipate that voters will reject this proposal on May 10.

Walker: How did four pair of shoes bought in Beaumont or $3,000 for JEDCO office furniture bought in Houston impact economic development in Jasper? In the recent past, hundreds of thousands of dollars have gone down the drain in the name of "Economic Development" with little impact; dollars that would have been better spent on streets! We have nothing to show for the dollars wasted. More importantly, after all legalities were met, the JEDCO board and majority of city council did right by putting it on the ballot allowing citizens a voice as to how their tax dollars are to be spent, instead of thinking they "know better." Nederland recently voted to use a percentage of their economic development dollars to improve streets.

Perdichizzi: I am very passionate on this issue, which is why I am voting NO. The city manager has proposed cutting JEDCO funds by 1/4 of a percent. This 1/4 of a percent reduction translates to actually cutting JEDCO's budget IN HALF!

While it sounds good in theory that this money will be funneled to street repairs, the simple truth is that, as of today, the City Manager does not have a detailed plan of how these funds will be spent. All we have is a general promise to "fix the streets," and then return the money to JEDCO in four years. In my opinion, this will never happen. Once the money is controlled by a municipality, it will be extremely difficult to wrest that control from the city.

If the city takes away half of JEDCO's budget, then we can never expect greatness out of the next JEDCO leader. If we want Jasper to grow, then we have to stand strong and vote NO on this proposal.

Jasper's Police Chief Todd Hunter has come under fire from city council this past year. What is your opinion on his running of the department?

DISTRICT 3

Collier: Most people that I have talked with say he's doing a good job in some cases.

DISTRICT 4

Monzingo: The city council as a whole did not have a problem with Chief Hunter - one council member did. Chief Hunter gives a very detailed monthly report to the city council.

Boykin: I would like for Jasper to have the best Fire and Police Departments possible. I assume Chief Hunter's performance is satisfactory, not much in the press lately. Statistics say crime is down, I would like to see a more aggressive drug policy.

DISTRICT 5

Norsworthy: I think Chief Hunter is the professional that Jasper needs, rather than another local who comes with political and personal encumbrances. He has proven to be a competent administrator and has brought innovations to the department that have been lacking for years.

Walker: My memory is that the police chief did not "come under fire from city council" but from the newest councilman member, Randy "Nay" Sayers. I didn't attend the meeting but did listen to the tape wondering what the fuss was about. The unserved warrant was not brought up - until the next week. I support "whistleblowing" and protection of whistleblowers from their superiors, but when person( s) blowing the whistle are not willing to go through proper channels, (appear before Council in closed session) go on record, it's hard to determine legitimate wrong doing from "sour grapes." Hunter has brought new ideas and grant dollars to the department.

Perdichizzi: First of all, I have no recollection of Police Chief Hunter coming under fire from the city council. What I do recall is that one lone councilman, Randy Sayers, asked the Police Chief a hard question in a special meeting called by Councilman Sayers.

My opinion of how Chief Hunter has run the Police Department is this: he has done some things right and he has done some things wrong. For instance, he is to be commended for his outstanding work in helping to greatly reduce the amount of drug trafficking and drug use on our streets.

But he also demonstrated a lapse in judgment when he held on to a warrant that needed to be served.

I don't believe that a Police Chief's administration should be judged exclusively by one single decision- whether it be a good decision or a bad decision. But I do believe that it is the responsibility of ALL the city council members to ask the tough questions when there is speculation of the law not being administered fairly to all citizens of Jasper.

Why should people vote for you?

DISTRICT 3

Collier: All of the above. I'm my own spokesperson and will be influenced only by the citizens.

DISTRICT 4

Monzingo: I think my experience on city council will make me the best person to represent my district.

Boykin: I have the experience and dedication to help lead Jasper. We need to get a vision of a friendly, cleaner more citizen-friendly city, the time is now for change.

DISTRICT 5

Norsworthy: This is the place of my birth and my hometown. I want to be the best small community in the state. I want it to be a destination point for visitors and home seekers, alike. I want to help ride our town of its current reputation as a little "backwoods place." To remove funds from the two agencies (the Chamber and JEDCO) that are charged with acquiring tourism and business helps to solidify that Image, but I want to help make Jasper "the Jewel of the Forest" that it should be.

Walker: I don't own nor am I "owned" by a local radio station; I'm not part of any specialinterest group, don't owe any favors; don't have an ax to grind. I am cognizant that all money spent by the city comes from somebody else's pocket.

I have no grandiose plans to use public funds to finance any pet projects. To me, right is right and wrong is wrong regardless of WHO is doing it. City Hall should represent everybody equally and should be color-blind doing it. People should vote for me because I 'm the best person to fill the position. This election is not about voting for Prom King and Queen!

Perdichizzi: People should vote for me if they support the following: street repairs (aside from JEDCO's budget); street cleaning; job growth; unity and common vision among City Hall, JEDCO, and the Chamber of Commerce; a more approachable, customerservice oriented.