Chamber Hosts Candidate Forum By Sarah-Victoria Lozano |
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SPI candidate forum questions centered around the CVB, Convention Centre expansion, and HOT taxes. The Chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee coordinated the South Padre Island Candidate Forum.
The committee conducted the forum with the help of volunteers: Kathy Cunningham - Moderator,
Mickey Furcron – Timer and Wendy Knight - Governmental Affairs Committee Chair. |
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Question 1
We like to consider South Padre Island to be “business friendly”, however complaints about regulatory “barriers” are common. What does being “business friendly” mean to you and what initiatives should the City of South Padre Island undertake to attract new businesses and support existing businesses to spur future economic growth? |
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Langston: -
Continue to look for ordinances that balance the businesses and tourism as well as the needs of the residents.
- Use CVB to attract new businesses as well as market to tourists.
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| Ragsdale: -
Use CVB to attract new businesses as well as market to tourists.
- Suggested businesses (ex., umbrella services, restaurants, and bars) to start communities to organize any issues before presenting them to the council.
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Question 2 What are your thoughts on getting local businesses more engaged in determining the future economic growth of SPI? |
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Langston: -
Disagreed that the council stands in the way of businesses but encouraged businesses to approach the council if an ordinance does not work for their businesses.
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Ragsdale: - Restoring communication among all businesses.
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Question 3
What role and tools does the city council have to stimulate the economy, increasing sales tax revenue and hotel tax? |
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Langston: - The Convention Centre expansion project will increase the available space and bring youth-oriented sports (ex., cheerleading, and basketball competitions) and the families that come to support their children.
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| Ragsdale: -
The Convention Centre expansion project needs to be built with good infrastructure, noting the roof that blew off during an unexpected storm recently.
- Complimented Harmony Heard, Director of Sales, with the SPI Convention and Visitors Bureau on the marketing and sales plan while attending a Coffee and Conversation.
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Question 4 What do you think are the biggest obstacles to increasing tourism and revenue for our local businesses and how would you help overcome those obstacles? |
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Langston: - The City of SPI will gain sand for beach renourishment from the dredging work on the Brownsville ship channel.
- The City Council is working on Bay renourishment by building additional boat ramps for the fishermen.
- The Groundbreaking 2024 Quiet Water Sports Park.
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| Ragsdale: - Protecting Beach/Bay renourishment
- Marina Expansion
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Question 5 The CVB spends large amounts of revenue to attract tourists to SPI? Should those monies be spent on attracting locals (RGV) or be more regionally based? |
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Langston: -
It should be broader than regionally based and Texas-based. Langston noted that she and her family drove 13 hours to arrive at SPI every summer, which led to her and her siblings and their children doing the same, ultimately affecting four generations.
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| Ragsdale: - Not in favor of spending on RGV locals, instead spending on Texas and out of state.
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Question 6 What guidance would you offer to our island Convention and Visitor's Bureau for promoting SPI? |
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Langston: - Promoting Sea Turtle Inc., and the Birding and Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary.
- Promoting to families.
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| Ragsdale: -
Several hotels harness the ability to bring in large numbers for conventions.
- Continuing to promote conventions during the offseason.
- Promoting Sea Turtle Inc., and the Birding and Nature Center, and Alligator Sanctuary.
- Promote businesses outside of going to the beach.
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Question 7
Do you support the Convention Centre Expansion, and why? |
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Langston: -
In support. Langston noted that the current Convention Centre plans to bring big names and a built-in theater fit for 600.
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Question 8
The city of South Padre recently placed a $125 annual license fee for all vacation rentals. This new fee which amounts to around $300 thousand dollars annually was designated for software expenses to help track vacation rentals and any complaints. The data has now been collected since May 1, 2023. If you can, share your opinion of the results.
Are you in favor of implementing further regulations on this sector of the lodging industry? |
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Langston: - In support of the city ordinance.
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Langston voiced that the island now has about 2,400 Short Term Rentals (STR) due to the explosion in Short Term Rentals on SPI. The City recently added parking restrictions and trash can requirements, and Langston agreed to continue to analyze the data for more helpful changes.
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| Ragsdale: - In support of the city ordinance.
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Question 9 In regard to establishing medical facilities and services on the island, what type of facilities and services do you believe can be sustainable on the island? Should such an endeavor be privately or publicly funded? |
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Langston: - In support of private funding.
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Langston stated a private group is interested in making an agreement that will allow SPI to have seven-day health care access here on the island.
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Ragsdale: - In support of private funding.
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Question 10
How do you feel the City can balance the desire to be a pedestrian and bicycle friendly community with the traffic management issues that we currently have? |
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Langston: - The Laguna Blvd project completion will complete a circle without getting out into traffic.
- The crosswalks help pedestrians, especially with the flashing lights.
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| Ragsdale: - In support of catering to the bikers and walkers.
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Ragsdale suggested starting on Gulf Blvd, what she calls "fitness row," to slowly incorporate traffic lights.
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Question 11
What are your thoughts about the golf carts on Padre Blvd.? There has been much discussion on how dangerous they are to not only themselves, but to all vehicular traffic as well. What can be done to ensure they are more compliant with local traffic laws? |
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Langston: - Suggested cap on rental golf carts on the island.
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In support of working with the golf cart business owners to educate renters about how to drive the golf carts on the island.
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| Ragsdale: - In support of enforcing the rules already in place rather than making new ones, and pointed out the safety hazard of the 45-speed limit going north poses for golf cart owners who live at The Shores.
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Question 12 As a future city council member, what would be your short term and long-term goals? Where would you like to make an impact first? |
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Langston: - Short-term: Finish Laguna Blvd. (expected completion in mid to late February)
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Long-term: City ordinances, Convention Centre expansion, Quiet Water Sports Park, and future dog park. (land is still needed)
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| Ragsdale: - Short-term: Update and simplify ordinances.
- Long-term: Focus on city employees working together and keeping the turnover rate between police and firefighters low.
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First Impact: Simplifying ordinances.
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Question 13
Can you provide us with a brief background of your experience in public service (On SPI or any other cities). Any committees, school districts or private organizations you have served that will help you lead as a city council representative? |
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Langston: Background - Associate member of the SPI Chamber of Commerce
- Walk for Women
- Lady Kingfish committee
- Texas International Fishing Tournament (TIFT) Challenge group
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City Council member
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Question 14 What do you feel is the most pressing issue in our community at this time that needs to be addressed and how will you address it if elected? |
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Langston: - Work to increase tourism
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Convention Centre expansion
- Second Causeway (environmental impact study in progress)
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Ragsdale: - The internet, electricity, and water
- Burying cables
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Question 15 As an elected official, your ability to effectively represent our Island with County, State and Federal Leaders is very important. What established relationships and unique experiences do you have which will be beneficial to our Island? |
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Langston: - Established relationships with other city council members, city staff, and local representatives
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| Ragsdale: -
Established relationship with the City and continues to grow network through calls to legislators
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Question 16 What are your qualifications for the position you are seeking, which makes you the best candidate for the job? |
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Langston: - Forty years of project management experience.
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Vice President of a $300 million dollar company
- Two years of experience with SPI City Council
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Ragsdale: - SPI is home for Ragsdale, and she intends on hearing and speaking for the community, not herself.
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Question 17 What motivated you to run for this position? |
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Langston: Hot topics like the golf cart dilemma drove Langston to act as a mediator |
| Ragsdale: -
Getting involved instead of sitting on the sidelines
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