Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Nederland community gathered at First Methodist Church April 1 to hear from candidates in the upcoming election for NISD Board of Trustees, City Council 2 and 4 and Nederland Mayor. Angel San Juan was the host for the evening. 

Each candidate received 5 minutes to make their case for the position they are running for. The forum, much like other local forums, emphasized that it was not a debate but an opportunity for candidates to introduce themselves to the wider community. 

Jefferson County Commissioner Cary Erickson was invited to flip a coin to determine which candidates presented first in the sake of fairness. A full video of the forum is available on the Nederland Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

First up to the speaker were the candidates for NISD Board of Trustees, incumbents Nicholas Phillips and Suzanne Isom. Also speaking was challenger Todd Perkins. Here is what they had to say:

Nicholas Phillips: 

“When public education is your passion it’s what drives me to serve my community in Nederland. I was born and raised in Nederland, I graduated from Nederland High School. It’s where I live and I choose to give back.”

Suzanne Isom:

“We started the Shane Isom award, which gives scholarships to NHS students. We also give scholarships to other schools. We have probably given over one million dollars in scholarships in the name of Shane.” 

“I have served on the board for 24 years and I hope I can do 3 more.”

Todd Perkins:

“I believe we need to change a few things: the work ethic of our employees and the attitudes we have around our district. I just think it could be a lot better. I believe we need a change for transparency.” 

 

For the Councilmember Ward 2 seat, incumbent Sylvia Root faces Britton Jones. Both candidates spoke at the recent Nederland City Hall meeting, where constituents voiced their frustration on the city’s drainage issues. 

Sylvia Root:

“While not every decision I’ve made [in city council] has been easy, or well-liked by some of you, you can know that every decision I made was always made with the intent of what was best for our citizens.”

“With your vote, I would like to be able to continue. I would like to see these projects that are ongoing for now and see they get done.”  

Britton Jones: 

“The basis of my campaign is often ‘Change over more of the same’.”

“There are many issues that have plagued our city for years that have not been addressed by city leadership.”

“At the last city council meeting, frustrated citizens asked a simple question to counsel ‘What is the city’s plan?’ The answer, there wasn’t one. I aim to deliver transparency, accountability and positive change over more of the same for the citizens of Nederland.”

 

The Ward 4 seat had incumbent David Guillot facing Jeff Ortiz. 

Jeff Ortiz:

“I am running for city council because I deeply love our city. Like many of you, I’ve chosen to call Nederland home.”

“We have several present issues that require thoughtful solutions. It is clear facing challenges we cannot ignore any longer, challenges like infrastructure improvements, EMS issues and response time, sewage drainage problems and long standing repair issues.”

“So tonight I ask for your support; together we can make a positive change that Nederland needs.” 

David Guillot:

“City government is very interesting and very challenging. I’m enjoying what I’ve done and do what I can to make the city of Nederland move and I hope y’all understand that we all try and it’s not done overnight.”

“I’ve enjoyed working with the city of Nederland and this council and other people. I would like to continue to do that for the citizens and the community.”

 

The end of the event featured the two candidates running for the mayoral seat, Jeff Darby and Emmett Hollier. 

Jeff Darby: 

“I’m honored to run alongside Jeff Ortiz and Britton Jones. We call ourselves the ‘DOJ’. When trouble arises people call the DOJ, the Department of Justice. We feel Nederland is in trouble so we call this ‘DOJ. ’

“Turn around is usually terrible in city elections, less than 10%, giving support to us now on the campaign doesn’t mean anything unless you take the time to go vote.”

Emmett Hollier: 

“For those that don’t know me, I’m passionate about Nederland, Texas. I think it’s the greatest city in the state of Texas and the United States and we have room to make it even better. I’m passionate about Nederland citizens and their employees, whatever their needs are, we need to listen and take care of them. I’m a very conservative, experienced, dedicated to serving, prudent leadership, transparent, committed, servant leader, common sense type of guy who wants to move Nederland forward.”

Attendees then had the opportunity to mingle with the candidates and ask questions after the presentations were over.

 

Early voting is from April 22 to April 29. Election Day is May 3.