Copperas Cove City Council Candidate responses to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove"

Copperas Cove City Council Candidate responses to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove"

Election Quick Links and Dates:

Chamber of Commerce Voter's Forum

VFW Voter's Forum is October 26, 2019 at 1PM at the VFW

Coryell County Election information

State of Texas Voting information

The last day to register to vote is October 7, 2019

Early voting is from October 21- November 1, 2019

Election day is November 5, 2019

Texas Ethics Commission (Rules for advertising for candidates to follow)

------

Hello Copperas Cove! It's that time of year again in which we get to go to the polls and decide who we want on our City Council. About a month ago we emailed to all the city council candidates for place 3, 4, and 5 several questions that might interest our many readers about Copperas Cove. When place 7 opened up after a resignation, we sent those candidates the same questions, also. The deadline for all submissions was even extended until Saturday, September 21. All but three candidates submitted responses.

Here are the questions given to all the candidates:

1.      How did you feel about Copperas Cove voting to bring Fathom in to administer the utility billing?

2.      How do feel about the Business 190 median project, since in the recent past with the      Bypass being closed due to accidents?

3.      In what ways do you think you can improve the quality of life to Copperas Cove?

4.      How do you recommend we bring higher paying jobs to Copperas Cove?

            5.      What qualifications do you bring to the council that will benefit the city? 

Question 1. How did you feel about Copperas Cove voting to bring Fathom in to administer the utility billing?

Place 3

Dan Yancey: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Jayme Sigler: I was not in Cove when the city made this decision. I moved here about a year ago, so I do not know what it was like before Fathom was here. I have had problems with them personally. I usually get the bill and just pay it when we get paid. There have been two times when my water was disconnected because I missed or did not receive a disconnect notice. One of those times they didn’t send a notice and refused to turn the water back on until we made a full payment, despite their mistake. The notice wasn’t even on the website. This month, my bill is about $30 higher than usual. I don’t know if that’s because of recent increases in utility costs, but I was only about 10 gallons over my normal water usage according to the portal.

Aside from my own personal experiences, I have heard and read numerous complaints about Fathom. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a positive comment on the company, maybe one or two if any. I’ve heard about people having their water disconnected even after paying their bill. I have a friend who didn’t receive a bill for several months and then got a bill for $3,000.  This level of incompetence is unacceptable for a company responsible for an entire city’s water and utilities. Access to water is an essential part of living and we can’t afford to have such an incompetent company handling our water. I know that we are locked into a 15-year contract with Fathom, but the city and Fathom need to do better. If there is a way to renegotiate the contract, we should push for that. The company itself needs to fix its policies and technology and, if necessary, employees, to avoid these problems going forward.

Also, anyone who voted for Fathom, if they have the city’s best interest at heart and not their own, should not be seeking re-election because they should know the damage they have done and should put their pride aside for the good of the city. 

Dario Eubank: I don’t think at the time the council, nor the approving authority really understand the ramifications of bringing in Fathom into managing the different aspects of our water utilities. It would have been more prudent to hold off and continue with cove’s own in-house water department until a solution was fully realized, rather than this 10 to 15 year contract we have now with fathom.

Place 4

Jay Manning: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Matt Russell: I was on the Council that voted to bring Fathom into the City. The briefings we received presented Fathom as a very reliable company. A company which would greatly decrease our city’s water utility expenditures, reduce overhead, install state of the art digital equipment, and streamline the billing process. On paper a good concept, but Fathom’s execution was poor. Some of the issues: The contract oversight was poor. Fathom did not understand the complexity of our military community. Along with oversight this contract lacked specified deliverables and penalties should the contractor fail, and an equitable termination clause. The contract has been paid. The City would incur a $1M fine for every year it terminates this contract, for the length of the original contract. Again, this is not a fair and equitable termination clause. We are all quite aware of the bad details with this contract. the city needs to hold Fathom to its basic service requirements. Fathom is now understanding what a large military community we are and how to function within their contract with us. We need to continue to work with Fathom to ensure our citizens are being served properly.

Benjamin Beck: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Place 5

Dianne Campbell: The conversion to FATHOM was filled with challenges.  While some issues might be expected, it is estimated that as many as 15% of the

Accounts were adversely affected by the conversion.  I feel the frustration of our citizens. Services were disconnected in error, higher than usual water charges were incurred, excessive wait periods were experienced, and some problems were not resolved. 

The City and FATHOM have worked to lower the number of problems associated with the conversion.  FATHOM established dedicated Customer Service Representatives “PODS” to service the citizens of Copperas Cove exclusively, and recently began quarterly updates to the Council and our community with information to accurately track services provided.  Customer Service Levels from June to August of 2019 reflected a 4.78 Customer Satisfaction with 5 being the highest.  Excellent progress.

We are in a fifteen-year contract; therefore, it is in the best interests of our citizens that the City Administration and our City Council continue to hold FATHOM accountable and responsible for excellent service, while continuing to work together to resolve any further issues; particularly, high call volumes.   

Gary Kent: We must watch and monitor the progress of this decision.

Place 7

Jack Smith: Personally I did not like the idea when I first heard of the decision because it outsourced some of our city jobs to Phoenix AZ. I am certain we could all go back and find decisions made by past councils that didn’t always have the intended outcome. I understand we have a long term contract in place and it won’t be cost effective to cancel or try to break a contract of this magnitude. So moving forward we need to work with Fathom to make sure they serve our residents efficiently and eliminate billing errors to keep cost down as much as possible.

Terri Deans: FATHOM is a very bad contract that we're unfortunately stuck with for another 12 years.  FATHOM was never thoroughly researched and the contract wasn't thoroughly reviewed by the city attorney or a contract attorney.  The decision of city council to allow the city manager to negotiate the contract was a poor decision that resulted in the city being scammed IN MY OPINION out of millions of dollars.  We are still being scammed.

Question 2. How do feel about the Business 190 median project, since in the recent past with the Bypass being closed due to accidents?

Place 3

Dan Yancey: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Jayme Sigler: I’ve been researching the project and reading people’s opinions and I know two things: I don’t understand the project and people don’t like it. The second of which is more important. The government is supposed to represent the people and if the people don’t approve, how can the government say they represent the people? However, safety is very important to me.  There’s no going back at this point since the project has already been approved and has already started. I hope this improves safety is all I can say. I would never root for it to fail. I hope the city made the right decision. 

Dario Eubank: After researching TXDoT and KTMPO it appears that these improvements to the roads are needed for Cove and the traffic that uses the 190. The size of the medians however are suspect and I would question who had input into that as this appears to be a huge point of contention, as well as the overall communication between various government agencies to the residents of Copperas Cove.

Place 4

Jay Manning: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Matt Russell: The vehicle safety issue greatly out weighs the smaller inconveniences of a designated protected turn lanes and the construction associated with it. The 190 median project does not remove any lanes we currently use. It provides a large sidewalk and bike lane. Protected median lanes will allow traffic to flow unconstricted. Large eighteen wheelers will soon adapt to how they enter the city in order to properly and effectively deliver their goods.  The added lanes on the bypass will increase safety and facilitate unnecessary traffic from entering the city. Both projects will help our city move forward as we plan for the future. Construction and reconstruction of our roads will always be an issue with growth.

Benjamin Beck: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Place 5

Dianne Campbell: The closing of the Hwy 190 By-Pass was a reminder that safety (41-43% of accidents on Bus Hwy 190 occur on this 1.2 mile length of highway) is an important factor. Population growth is inevitable, controlled growth requires smart planning and a well designed infrastructure.  The construction of two additional lanes for the Hwy 190/I14 by-pass to the west end of Copperas Cove scheduled in 2021 Planning Year will alleviate a future need to reroute traffic through Bus Hwy 190.

To encourage economic development cities must demonstrate a willingness to adapt its infrastructure to meet the changing needs of its citizens and its business community. 

Gary Kent: No one person makes the decision for the city, so it’s imperatival that we work together with a common goal. And that is to do what’s best for our great city.

Place 7

Jack Smith: It seems to be another question about decisions made by past councils. I think we should work with KTMPO to make widening I-14 to 4 lanes the number one priority with expanding Hwy 9 a close second.

Terri Deans: Hwy 190 project is another poor decision made by the city council.  Hundreds of hours of research and surveys by private citizens and the results of input provided by the citizens to KTMPO undeniably prove that CC citizens DO NOT want our thoroughfare torn up with dangerous medians.  Any project that cost this much money and that impacts the infrastructure, traffic flow, and safety of our citizens should be put on a ballot for us to vote on. The bypass in theory was a good idea IF the bypass had been constructed properly to begin.  The bypass project was "sold" to CC as a 4 lane, continuous loop around the city from FM 2657 to FM 116 going into Gatesville.  The citizens on the North side of CC are still essentially "cut off" from grocery stores, pharmacies and other basic amenities because the bypass BYPASSES all the businesses they need.  Fighting the traffic and the trains in downtown CC just to get to grocery stores and pharmacies is ridiculous.  The bypass needs to be expanded to 4 lanes and access from State Hwy 9 to I-14 to Constitution Avenue or RGIII needs to be constructed.

Question 3. In what ways do you think you can improve the quality of life to Copperas Cove?

Place 3

Dan Yancey: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Jayme Sigler: I believe that safety, especially for our children, is of utmost importance. This city needs sidewalks. I have spoken to both the city manager and the city secretary and both have said that laying and maintaining sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owners. According to them, they require or can require new properties to build sidewalks, but city manager Ryan Haverlah claims there is no way to enforce an ordinance requiring owners of current properties to build and maintain sidewalks. I disagree. It is just as easy to enforce an ordinance on sidewalks as nearly any other ordinance. That is an excuse. Another way that I can improve the quality of life is just to listen to the people. We need the people’s input to figure out what even needs to be changed or improved. 

Dario Eubank: Quality of life issues I think come down to how to install a small town feeling in a city setting that works for everyone. From a personal perspective, I know that Copperas Cove lacks family activities, centers and properly planned parks that will enabled families to get together and stay in Copperas Cove. I think as a Council member, working with some of the ad hoc groups we have, and other organizations we can address the shortfalls we have in this area. For other quality of life issues such as lack of sustainable planned business, clinics and senior services, this will require a whole of government approach, where we look at the resources we have, look at what the residents of Cove need within the community and come up with solutions to address those issues.

Place 4

Jay Manning: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Matt Russell: We need to stop with the WE - THEY mentality.  We need to move forward as a whole body. I would like to see the council, EDC and the Chamber of Commerce work together to move the city forward. Our city staff works to maintain and improve our quality of life. The Chamber of Commerce is showing they want to take on events to enhance our living. I would like to see the EDC nominate a small project every year to help improve the city. They receive a portion of our sales tax collected and can nominate projects to enhance the city which would be voted on by the citizens during regular November elections. These small projects could also lead to enticing corporations and industry to the city. I want to continue improving the parks and recreation activities, roads, and keeping the sanctity of our neighborhoods.

Benjamin Beck: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Place 5

Dianne Campbell: As a proud Coveite, Copperas Cove is a great place to live, work,

worship, recreate, and raise a family.  It has been my city of choice

for over forty years.  We can boast of affordable housing, low cost of

living, low traffic, and low crime rates.

Citizens feel safe and confident in our police, firemen, and city employees who are responsive and committed to protecting and serving our community. We are blessed to have an excellent school system with committed teachers and administration, with an award winning School Board which all inspire academic achievement and personal excellence in our students.  These qualities help to make Copperas Cove the “city of choice” for Central Texas!!!

Our Parks and Recreation Department has been working on a Master Plan to update and improve our Parks System.  I am supportive of funding improvements for our Parks; particularly for new and/or renovated bathrooms, walking trails, etc as outlined in the proposed Master Plan available on the city’s website.  These improvements will greatly enhance our quality of life.  

Gary Kent: By working with the city council on working out a good plan to benefit the city’s short- and long-term growth plan.

Place 7

Jack Smith: All cities Priorities should be:

1. Transparent Government

2. Strong and resilient Economy

3. Safe and Flourishing Neighborhoods

4. Sustainable Infrastructure

5. Effective and Efficient Services

The number one priority is to make sure that we have youth football next year. We need to focus on our youth and make sure we have the facilities available for all sports. We need to support the non-profit leagues that our youth are involved in by working on facility availability for practice and tournaments. All sports for all ages should be available. Team sports build character,  create lasting friendships, and keep kids happy and healthy. Lets utilize the parks to serve our youth.

Terri Deans:  The citizens of Copperas Cove know that I will fight for them and speak for them.  I don't own any businesses and have no financial interests that could possibly motivate me to vote on anything that doesn't benefit the citizens of CC.

Question 4. How do you recommend we bring higher paying jobs to Copperas Cove?

Place 3

Dan Yancey: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Jayme Sigler: This is not an easy question to answer. I’m not a business owner or an economist. But I think the best answer is we need to talk to companies and find out what they want. What would it take for them to bring their company to Copperas Cove? What does Killeen offer that we don’t? Because Killeen has no shortage of businesses there. We need to reach out to these companies who may not have even considered bringing their business to us and show them how they could benefit by expanding their market and how they can help our community. 

Dario Eubank: This will come from empowering the EDC and other stake holders to attract and retain business to the Cove area. We need to really look at the land that Cove has available for development, and look at what we can offer incoming businesses (ie labor pool, skills, economic incentives) and really go after these businesses to bring in higher paying jobs.

Place 4

Jay Manning: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Matt Russell: We need to enhance the quality of life and appearance of our city. Higher paying jobs will not come unless corporations and industries see a benefit in our city. What does Copperas Cove have to offer? The EDC plays an important role in enhancing our city’s quality of life. They are ours and we need them greatly. Our EDC needs to get into the game.  Its been off the field of play now going on two decades. Just think if our citizens had one or two projects, each year for the past twenty years, to vote on and approve.  Note: The public must vote on and approve... By

State Law, nominated projects from a "TYPE A" EDC. Our city would be a vastly different place. A high quality of life location; one that can easily draw corporations and industry to our town.

Benjamin Beck: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Place 5

Dianne Campbell: We must foster a culture that is business friendly.  We must continue to review our city ordinances insuring that we remove unnecessary restrictions, regulations, and policies that hinder economic growth.  We must question why the policy/regulation was established, determine if the rationale is still valid, and then remove or change it if it does not pass the common sense test.

Fort Hood is the lifeblood of our community and surrounding cities. It

is in our best economic interest to support and advocate for the sustainability and growth of Fort Hood.  We must continue to support Private Organizations such as the Heart Of Texas Defense Alliance and Association of the United States Army that actively lobby to keep Fort Hood viable and as an installation of choice.

Copperas Cove is in the heart of the Texas Triangle and our EDC has identified and is targeting a number of markets. I am supportive of our EDC and Chamber of Commerce and will vote in favor of smart opportunities to retain, expand, and bring business and tourism to Copperas Cove.  These organizations work daily to support businesses through networking, education, counseling, and funding which is essential to retaining, growing, and attracting businesses with upward mobility for our citizens. 

Gary Kent: First, we need to stop the exiting of business and to do a better job in showing our city to the many different business around the country and around the world.

Place 7

Jack Smith: Copperas Cove is better positioned now than any time in the past to bring in jobs and Industry. We now have an Interstate Highway leading to our door and we have a multi model rail facility in the works that will be joint use with Fort Hood. We have plenty of properties available in our Business and Industrial park. We also have a great workforce available of soldiers that leave the army  every month. Not to mention graduates from Copperas Cove, CTC, and Central Texas A&M. (A majority would rather stay and work here if they had jobs).  Our EDC is working on getting the word out of all the great things this town has to offer. The Council needs to make sure our ordinances make it welcoming for any businesses that want to locate here.

Terri Deans: The first thing we need to do is fix our city from the bottom up and improve the quality of life for all of us.  Fix our infrastructure problems (main roads, residential roads desperately need repair).  Force owners of dilapidated, decaying houses and businesses to fix them up or tear them down.  Stop building houses!  We have enough subdivisions in CC to handle not only our current population but growth as well.  Fix what's "wrong" with CCISD.  Give our senior citizens a community center they can be proud of and want to use.  Keep working on our parks.  Prove to the world that we are indeed the city built for family living.  Until we clean up our own house so to speak we won't be able to attract living wage industry and commerce.  We need to put our city out there!

Question 5. What qualifications do you bring to the council that will benefit the city?

Place 3

Dan Yancey: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Jayme Sigler: This is my first political campaign. I do not have experience in government, and I don’t have a ton of experience working, period. But I do have passion. I have a passion for helping people and for making a difference. I have a passion for those without a voice and right now the people of Copperas Cove feel like they don’t have a voice. I am qualified because I am a regular person. I don’t own a real estate company and I’m not the president of a bank. My interests are the same as every other regular resident of Cove. I just want a safe place where my family can thrive under the circumstances we’re given, including low income, which is a very common problem in this city. This is a low-income city. I am also a mom. The city’s slogan is “A city built for family living.” How can we expect people who are done raising their families to be conscious of and understand our current needs? How can we expect the privileged to understand the ordinary? The only way to bring about change in this city is to elect new people, people who represent the people. I believe I represent the people better than anyone because I am one of them. 

Dario Eubank: My background in the military and time spent overseas has given me the ability to work with a wide variety of individuals to be very task orientated. I find that exposure to different cultures, ideas and ways of thinking, has allowed me to approach problem sets differently, which enables me to see a bigger picture when making decisions.

Place 4

Jay Manning: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Matt Russell: I am a retired U.S. Army Colonel. I am a Leader. I have been involved in long range strategic planning throughout my career. I enjoy the challenges of strategic goal setting, critical thinking, and I am in my comfort zone when dealing with complex issues and problems. My last position in the Army was the Senior Engineer for Forces Command (FORSCOM) at Fort Bragg, NC. One of my duties and responsibilities included the planning and execution of military construction on posts across the continental United States. I know the importance of building teams, getting results and getting things done. I know Fort Hood, how it works, and how to facilitate their support for our city. LET’S MOVE FORWARD with our city, and enhance our city’s quality of life.

Benjamin Beck: Did not submit any answers to "Speak Up!!! Copperas Cove".

Place 5

Dianne Campbell: We moved to Copperas Cove in 1963.  After attending CCISD first grade through graduation I chose to live, worship, work and raise children in Copperas Cove until marrying my soldier in 1997, and then returned to Copperas Cove upon his untimely death in 2016 to be near my children, grandchildren and family.  Copperas Cove is HOME!!

Having worked as a Communications Industry Professional for 15+ years

specializing in business accounts, and in the Savings and Loan Industry as an Assistant Vice President specializing in investments to include bonds, has given me a depth of experience in business, finance, innovative thinking, problem solving and project management.   

Having past experience serving on the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Industrial Foundation Board of Directors, the Economic Development Marketing Team, as well as Rabbit Fest Chairperson has provided excellent training on working as a team member and leader, networking, and most especially, how to promote and advocate for Copperas Cove,

Currently I am serving as a Bible Study Fellowship Group Leader, as a

Children’s Program volunteer at First Baptist Church Copperas Cove,

as a co-captain for the Wreaths For Vets Committee, and on the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Executive Board.

In that capacity, represented Copperas Cove at countless military ceremonies and events.  Servant leadership is deeply ingrained in me, especially after having served as a military spouse and a family readiness advisor.

My strengths include an ability to listen and to respectfully consider others opinions with an open mind.  When there are differing opinions, discuss it, vote for what is in the best interests of the citizens of Copperas Cove, and once the majority vote is decided, support the decisions of the council.  My desire is to join this great team and make Copperas Cove the “City of Choice” for all!!

Gary Kent: I bring LEED to the table and that means the following: 

·      L- Leadership: 24yrs of faith service in the U.S. Army and retired as a First Sergeant, 

·      21yrs retired Chief of Police, 2 Term Former City Council member, I believe in                       working hard for the citizens of Cove. 

·      E- Experience: 2 Term Former City Council member   

·      E- Education:    4 college degrees, and finishing my 5^thdegree (Graduate now) 

·      3 CTC, 1 BS with Liberty University; (Finishing Master w/ Liberty University  

·      Determination: I work hard to get the job done right the first time.

Place 7

Jack Smith: I am on and have been in the past on several different boards in Copperas Cove. To name a few I am currently on Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, The Coryell County Economic Development Board, and the National Mounted Warfare Foundation board. In the past I have served as Director for the Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation, Copperas Cove Education Foundation,  Charter Review Board, Board of Adjustments and the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1. I have been an active part of this community for years while serving on different boards in town, and I care about what happens in Copperas Cove. I have been in Real Estate for 22 years and care about the growth of our community.

Terri Deans: I have strong leadership skills, a solid career history, and a passion for helping others.  I am very detailed oriented and determined to help CC become stronger and more resilient. My family is strong, united by love, and dedicated through their careers and volunteer work to doing the same.  I am 100% committed to my city.