By Ruth Ann Ruiz
The Post Newspaper Features Editor
Galveston Mayoral Candidates William Boike, John Paul Listowski and Marie Robb were on stage for a public debate on Thursday. The debate was livestreamed on I45NOW for those who could not attend.
There was a lot of attention placed on the Port of Galveston and tourism. All three candidates want to continue to strengthen the progress of city hall getting along with the Parks Board and the Wharves Board. The three candidates expressed confidence in the current executive directors of the Port and the Parks Board.
The three differed on their opinion of the current city administration.
“We have to lower taxes; too many people are leaving the island, which means the current administration is not working,” said Boike.
“We will work with the current administration,” said Listowski. He commented that the current administration has done a great job since Hurricane Ike and for a while at least he would continue to work with the same. Listowski is a former city council member and served for six years.
“We don’t have a budget issue, we have a management issue,” said Robb. She spoke of the detailed budget studies she had championed as a member of the city council. Robb has served a total of 8 years on the city council and is termed out of her current position representing District 6.
The debate was hosted by The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with LULAC Council 151 and Youth Council 12, The Galveston Island Pachyderm Club and the League of Women Voters.
The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce also hosted two evenings of City Council Candidate Forums in partnership with LULAC Council 151 and Youth Council 12, The Galveston Island Pachyderm Club and the League of Women Voters.
Tuesday evening candidates for districts 1, 2, and 3 spoke to a standing room only crowd at The Elks Club.
Candidates for Galveston City Council District 1 are Sharon Lewis, Gerald Wilson and Tarris L. Woods. District 2 candidates are Luke Bohlman and Jeffrey L. Taylor. District 3 candidates are Raymond Arce and Bob Brown.
District 1 candidates all agreed no more parking lots are needed in their district.
Wednesday evening’s forum with candidates for districts 4, 5 and 6 was held at Galveston Urban Ministries and was attended by many residents.
There is only one candidate for District 4, Alex Porretto. This is a sharp contrast to Districts 5 and 6, which have a combined total of 9 candidates.
District 5 candidates are Michael Niebuhr, Beau Rawlins and Charlie Worthen. District 6 candidates are George R. Guajardo, Jason Hardcastle, Scott Hickman, Shane McKinney and Daryl Williams.
The evening forums were free to the public; however, the debate was a private event, but everyone was and continues to be invited to watch each event on i45NOW.
Early election starts on April 20th and ends on April 28, election day is May 2nd.
