PORT NECHES —
Elementary school principal Julie Gauthier is ready to serve the residents of Port Neches as the Place 5 councilmember.
Gauthier, 34, is principal at Ridgewood Elementary School and has served as an alternate to the City of Port Neches Board of Adjustment.
She feels the city’s financial issues are the most pressing topic in Port Neches at this time.
“Current economic times require that priorities are set for basic services without tax increases,” Gauthier said. “We must make sure spending for the basics is well provided for and within the tax income.”
Riverfront development could be a positive project for the city, she said, but is an issue that should be submitted to the residents for their input.
“The citizen’s first decision should determine whether or not the city should be involved in the development as opposed to private enterprise,” she said.
The city of Port Neches owns 80 acres of land adjacent to Port Neches Riverfront Park. Formerly two tracts of land used by industrial companies, the land underwent environmental and decontamination work through the years. In 2008, a master plan was unveiled consisting of six components; central park, retail village, marina, neo-traditional neighborhood, nature park and recreational vehicle park.
Litigation between the city and the Port Neches Police Officers Association is ongoing. Gauthier feels the city should make a good faith effort to settle the lawsuit.
“The longer the lawsuit draws out the larger the dollar signs. At some point the high cost of litigation is no longer beneficial to the citizens of Port Neches nor the Police Officers,” she said.
Gauthier, a life-long resident of Port Neches, feels now is the time for her to give back to the city where she was born and raised and now raises her children.
“After watching my dad, Leonard Giblin, serve Jefferson County and the State of Texas as a Judge for 25 years while I was growing up, I understand the importance of giving back and being involved in my community,” she said.
Gauthier is a member of the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, District 5, second vice-president and member of Delta Theta Educator Sorority.
She and her husband Blake have two children, Jake, 8 and Claire, 4. She is a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.
Gauthier is endorsed by the Port Neches Police Officers Association, Port Neches Firefighters Association, United Steel Workers Local 13-228 and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
1. What do you think about the tax rate in your community and what should be done about it?
1. The tax rate is appropriate for the present economic times. I do not see a need to raise taxes. I would like to spend our efforts as a council making sure the tax dollars used to run the city are spent by providing and improving basic city services.
2. What should be done about development of the city’s riverfront?
The Riverfront could be a positive project for the city, but I believe it is an issue that should be submitted to the residents to get their input. The citizen’s first decision should determine whether or not the city should be involved in the development as opposed to private enterprise.
3. What should be done about the negotiations between the city of Port Neches and the Port Neches Police Association?
The longer the lawsuit draws out the larger the dollar signs. At some point the high cost of litigation is no longer beneficial to the citizens of Port Neches nor the Police Officers. The city should make a good faith effort to settle the lawsuit.
4. State your platform in 75 words or fewer. If you go over the 75 word limit, entries will be edited to fit appropriate space.
Being a life-long resident of Port Neches I believe now is the time for me to give back to the city where I was born and raised and now live and raise my children. After watching my dad, Leonard Giblin, serve Jefferson County and the State of Texas as a Judge for 25 years while I was growing up, I understand the importance of giving back and being involved in my community.
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