Nederland Council Ward 1 Talmadge Austin

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May 8, 2011

Mary Meaux The Port Arthur News The Port Arthur News Sun May 08, 2011, 03:52 PM CDT

NEDERLAND — Talmadge Austin hopes to bring a new outlook to Nederland City Council.

Austin, 48, is vying for the Ward 1 seat on council.

He feels he can help Nederland by looking through a new set of eyes on city business.

Austin is employed with DuPont Sabine River Works, Orange, and is a newcomer to the political arena.

“I am a third generation Nederland resident, with deep roots in this community. Myself, my wife and three children have lived in Nederland all our lives,” Austin said. “I served four years in the U.S. Navy, and returned to Nederland to raise my family. I am not running on any particular political platform and will not make any promises I cannot keep. But I will do my best in making Nederland a better place to live.”

Austin believes the city’s most pressing issue deals with property recently acquired by the city.

“I think the most pressing issue in Nederland is to make sure that the newly annexed property adjacent to the airport gets a business that is capable of filling the void that Walmart had on our tax role,” he said. Walmart left its Nederland location on FM 356 when the Port Arthur Super Walmarts opened.

Last year, the city annexed 156 acres of land near the Jack Brooks Regional Airport, previously known as the Southeast Texas Regional Airport.

The acreage was made available after Jefferson County and the cities of Port Arthur and Beaumont approved an inter-local agreement allowing Nederland to annex the property for economic development purposes.

Austin has coached girls softball in Nederland for 10 years and served on the board for Nederland Girls Softball League.

He and his wife, Theresa, have three children, daughters Caitlin and Cara, and son, Colton. He is a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Nederland.

1. What do you think about the tax rate in your community and what should be done about it?

I am happy with our city tax rate of $0.578 per $100 valuation. The city’s taxes are among the lowest in Jefferson County and I will do my best to maintain that rate. Nederland also has a $15,000 Homestead Tax Exemption for the elderly and the disabled which is something I feel should be continued.

2) What do you think should be done with the Nederland Economic Development Corporation?

City council has appointed a very capable board of directors for the Economic Development Corporation. We should continue to make every effort to entice new businesses to our city & increase our tax base. The council also annexed 156 acres adjacent to the SE Texas Regional airport for future growth.

3) What are the major issues that face the Nederland City Council?

We must continue the improvement of our streets & roads, also continue our water & sewer line improvements. We should continue to assist our police, firefighting & city maintenance forces in obtaining the best equipment & training to help them continue to be successful in their job tasks.

4) What is your platform?

I am 3rd generation Nederland resident, with deep roots in this community. Myself, my wife and 3 children have lived in Nederland all our lives. I served 4 years in the US Navy, and returned to Nederland to raise my family. I am not running on any particular political platform and will not make any promises I cannot keep. But I will do my best in making Nederland a better place to live.

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Elections

Local sample ballots
May 10, 2011
Candidate field crowded; polling sites not
May 10, 2011
Turnout ‘fair’ so far in early voting
See candidate profiles and election Q&As in the Elections section of panews.com.

May 8, 2011
Nederland voters to choose; street maintenance or economic development
Proposition
“The reauthorization of the local sales and use tax in the City of Nederland, Texas at the rate of one-quarter of one-percent to continue providing revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.”

May 8, 2011
Nederland Council Ward 1 Talmadge Austin
Name: Talmadge Austin
Age: 48
Employment: DuPont Sabine River Works, Orange
Education: Graduated from NHS in 1981. Served U.S. Navy 1982 to 1986
Political experience/public service:
Civic/social involvement: Coached girls softball in Nederland for 10 years. Served on the board for Nederland Girls Softball League
Family: Wife, Theresa Austin; daughters Caitlin and Cara; son, Colton
Church affiliation: St. Charles Catholic Church; ACTS member

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
Nederland Council Ward 1 Jeffrey J. Ortiz
Name: Jeffrey J. Ortiz
Age: 28
Employment: Owner-Ortiz Fashions, management-Tuxedo Junction
Education: Nederland High School graduate, attended Lamar Institute of Technology
Political experience/public service: Serving first time on Nederland City Council, board member for United Way of Mid and South Jefferson County
Civic /social involvement:
Family: Mother, Patricia Ortiz Coffman; brother, John Ortiz
Church affiliation: Triumph Church Nederland

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
Nederland Council Ward 1 Rick Williams
Name: Rick Williams
Age: 56
Employment: Law office of Rick Williams
Education: Nederland High School, Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (Political Science emphasis) Lamar University, Doctor of Jurisprudence South Texas College of Law, Graduate Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma, State Certified Mediator.
Political experience/public service: Former State District Judge appointed by Governor Perry, president of the Nederland Educational Foundation, past commissioner of the Nederland Civil Service Commission, past chairman of the Nederland City Charter Task Force, former executive director of the Nederland Economic Development Corporation, past president of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, past chairman of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Response Team, board of directors Southeast Texas Economic Development Foundation and SBAlliance Capital
Civic/social involvement: President of the Nederland Rotary Club, Rotary District 5910 Texas Roll of Fame, board of directors for IEA (Ben’s Kids) Juvenile Intervention Program, board of directors of the Southeast Texas Communities in Schools
Family: Wife, Amy; two children, Jason Williams and Leah Hallmark; five grandchildren
Church affiliation: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church; served six years on the Vestry and 3 terms as senior warden of the parish, regularly serves as lecture for the Sunday service

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
PN Council Pl. 5 Julie Gauthier
Name: Julie Gauthier
Age: 34
Employment: Port Neches-Groves ISD, Ridgewood Elementary Principal
Education: Port Neches-Groves High School graduate 1995, Bachelors from Texas A & M 1999, Masters from Lamar 2002.
Political experience/public service: City of Port Neches Board of Adjustment, alternate
Civic/social involvement: Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, District 5, second vice-president; member of Delta Theta Educator Sorority
Family: Husband, Blake Gauthier; two children, Jake, 8, and Claire, 4
Church affiliation: Member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
PN Council Pl. 5 Matt Vincent
Name: Matt Vincent
Age: 52
Employment: Real Estate
Education: Port Neches-Groves ISD graduate, 1977; attended Lamar University; licensed Realtor over 30 years
Political experience/public service: Port Neches City Councilmember since 1999; Planning and Zoning Commission five years prior to council; board of directors of the Port Neches Economic Development Corporation for past 10 years; commission on the Jefferson County Mosquito Control District for Mid-County
Civic/social involvement: Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, Ducks Unlimited,
Family: Wife, Linda; daughters, Lindsey and Leah
Church affiliation: First Baptist Church Nederland

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
PN Council Pl. 3 John Davenport
Name: John Davenport
Age: 44
Employment: Owner and founder of United Unlimited Sales in Port Neches
Education:
Political experience/public service: First time candidate
Civic/social involvement: Mid-County Optimist Club, supported events for the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, the Hughen Center and other civic and charitable organizations
Family: Wife, Dianna; three children
Church affiliation: St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

May 8, 2011 1 Photo
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