In the interest of providing voters with an opportunity to learn more about their candidates for local offices, The San Saba News & Star recently mailed a questionnaire to all candidates in the San Saba City Council, San Saba School Board, and the Richland Springs School Board races. All were asked the following questions.

1) Please tell us a little about yourself and your background.

2) What qualifications do you feel you would bring to this office?

3) What do you see as the main issues or problems facing the School Board at this time?

SAN SABA CITY COUNCIL:

Marvin Riggs

My name is Marvin Riggs, I have lived in San Saba all my life. I own Marvin Riggs Trucking Company and RR Fuel Stop. My wife and I have been married since 1949 and we have four sons. We worship at The Fathers House where I have served as an Elder for many years.

I have served on the city council for over 20 years and have taken the cities business to heart. I have tried to do my best to see that everything that relates to the city be handled with wisdom and understanding. I have also tried to be available to each citizen and their needs.

As our government enforces more and more regulations we have to be very careful to protect our finances and our natural resource, our water. My desire is for our city to get to a position where we can improve the paving of our streets. Also to provide opportunities for new business growth as well as support for our existing business. Thank you for the opportunity in allowing me to serve San Saba.

Charlie Alderson

Citizens of the great city of San Saba, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Charlie Alderson and I am running for City Council. My background IS San Saba. I was raised here, spending my childhood in what I considered the most wonderful place in the world, Mill Pond Park. I graduated from San Saba High in 1984 and married my husband Larry in 1985. We have lived, worked and raised our children here. I currently work for Hill Country Community Action where I am proud to help benefit our community. I love this town!

I am qualified for a position on the City Council because I have lived and worked here most of my life. San Saba and its incredible people are my life and my goal is to see it prosper. I am aware of the challenges we have faced over the years both large and small. We are still paying for a failed water park, but have awesome new activities such as Skate Night and movies under the stars. I will provide a fresh, christian, and economically friendly voice for the working people of San Saba. I will address the issues of rate increases, street repair, and youth entertainment. Are all avenues being explored for grants, loans, or stimulus money in order to improve our roads without rate increases? How about new ideas for good, clean fun for our youth with our natural resources? I will push for these possibilities and for you.

Please consider me, Charlie Alderson, for your voice on the City Council.

Shawn Oliver

I am 45 years old and have lived in San Saba most of my life. I am a graduate of San Saba High School and Angelo State University. I have been married for 22 years to my wife Nancy, who is a teacher with the San Saba ISD, we have 3 children: Hayden (17), Haylee (16) and Holt (11). I am president of Oliver Pecan Co. Inc. with business interests in San Saba and other counties in Texas. I am president of the San Saba County Pecan Growers Association and also serve on the San Saba Airport Board. Also, I currently serve as the mayor pro tem for San Saba.

I believe my qualifications for serving on the city council include my business background, having served on the council the past few years, basic common sense and my love for the City of San Saba and wanting what is best for the community.

There are always issues and problems within a city, there is no way around it. But, I believe that San Saba has been able to overcome every obstacle that has come in our way. There have been so many changes for the good over the past year and a half. The city has some dedicated employees who really care about their jobs and our city, we have a great city manager and a very talented person as director of economic development and tourism. I have enjoyed working with my fellow board members and I believe we have done a good job of helping move San Saba in the direction that the citizens want us to go. I am honored to serve the citizens of San Saba and I see nothing but better days for our community.

David Harris

I have worked in San Saba for Hill Country Community Action Assn. Inc. since September of 2003. I enjoy being involved in the community, and have served as the local Cub Scout leader of pack 55 for the past three years. I'm a proud American and a US Army veteran of the first Gulf War. I have one son in the fourth grade at San Saba Elementary. Brownwood, Texas, was my hometown before moving to San Saba.

I have a BS in Information Systems Management. I have experience in large project management, and government purchasing. I have knowledge of grant writing and contract preparation.

One main issue I think that the City Council faces is attracting new businesses to the area for growth and employment opportunities. The housing shortage is a concern that needs to be addressed. The City has made great strides in addressing street maintenence and city beautification. I would like to see this remain a priority. The volunteer EMS service is a vital part of our community. Without a local emergency medicine care facility, it is essential that we do whatever is necessary to maintain this lifesaving service.

The major issues that are on top of my list are San Saba's Infrastructure. We need to improve and replace where needed, our water and sewer lines throughout our city. We need to continue to improve our sewer treatment plant. We need to continue our clean up efforts in the neighborhoods that have been neglected for years. We need to continue our review of our city employees benefit plans.

We need to continue our review of our city employees benefit plans.

Charles Peeler

I have been a resident of San Saba for 13 years. I moved to here from Dallas (where I was born) and married Gray-Leigh Wilson. We managed the J.G. & Wilson Sisters Ranch near Cherokee that Gray-Leigh’s grandfather founded back in the 1950’s.

I am semi-retired from the Brokerage/Public Finance and Municipal Securities business. I attended the University of Texas of Austin and the University of North Texas. I have a BBA degree with a major in accounting.

Mayor Jordan appointed me to the City Council last year.

This enabled me to have a running start as a Council Member. Having been in the Municipal Securities industry for many years I am familiiar with some of the problems that municipalities face.

I have been a member of the San Saba Volunteer EMS for the past five years and President of EMS for the past two years. During this time the EMS has (as always) served our comunity in a professional and caring manner.

I have been a active member and officer of various other originations throughout my life.

The major issues that are on top of my list are San Saba’s Infrastructure. We need to improve and replace where needed, our water and sewer lines throughout our city. We need to continue to improve our sewer treatment plant. We need to continue our clean up efforts in the neighborhoods that have been neglected for years. We need to continue our review of our city employees benefit plans.