Candidates Forum held despite wild weather

FERRIS – While the thunderstorms roared through the Ellis County area Saturday and was the reason Ferris’ annual Brick Fest was canceled, it did not dampen the spirits of the candidates who showed up to participate in the City Council Candidates Forum.

It was noted before the candidates were introduced the Ferris Chamber of Commerce, hosting the event, was in no way endorsing any candidate and all eight candidates were invited to participate.

The forum was moved indoors to the Ferris First Baptist Church’s Family Life Center, and five of the eight candidates participated.

Place 2’s Michael Martinez, Place 3’s John Riley, Rudy Amor and Tommy Scott and Place 5’s Sherie Chapman were all in attendance.

Across the street at the Ferris Bar and Grill, Place 2’s Cindy Aspin and Place 3’s Bobby Lindsey held a meet and greet in lieu of attending the candidate’s forum.

It was not certain why Place 5’s Jennifer Stanford did not attend the candidate’s forum or the meet and greet, and she did not return calls by press time.

The forum began with each candidate in attendance given the chance to tell the audience why she or he was running for the seat, what qualifications they had to sit on the council, and their top three items to focus on if elected.

Following the opening, each candidate pulled a number from one to 16 and was read a question to answer. As time permitted each candidate drew numbers three times for random questions.

All questions asked were submitted to the Chamber by Ferris citizens.

The top questions put to the candidates related to the city’s water issues, growth in the city – and economic development, as well as the city budget.

John Riley opened the forum stating he felt the city needed change, which was why he was running.

“I spent most of my life running businesses for other people,” he said. “I am now retired so I have the time.”

Riley said he could not comment on the items he would work to change if elected, stating he would prefer to wait and see and then make that judgment.

Sherie Chapman spoke second, opening with a story about how she first got into politics due to her daughter contracting leukemia through contaminated well water – so water quality and related infrastructure were at the top of her list.

Chapman is vying for re-election to her Place 5 seat, and said another one of her top priorities if re-elected included terminating the current city manager in Ferris.

“He is not good for the city – he is a cancer for the city,” Chapman said, citing the city manager’s highly publicized ethics violations and recent public censure by both the International City Managers Association and the Texas City Manager’s Association, and multiple examples of his poor business judgment and waste of taxpayer money.

Tommy Scott spoke third, passionately explaining that he is from Ferris and raised his children in the city.

“I’ve heard a lot of complaints about the city spending money,” and Scott said he felt it was time he stepped up because “I am tired of the negativity.”

Scott said it was time for the city to come together and heal because the people make a great city, he added “and that is what we need right now.”

Rudy Amor said he has been on the Planning and Zoning Commission for 12 years as well as the 4B board and he has lived in Ferris for 20 years.

Amor said his main objectives were decent Internet to attract more business to the city, addressing the water issues and to provide the police and fire departments something better than the temporary facilities where they are currently housed.

Michael Martinez said he is qualified to lead the city in a city council seat because he has a strong background in finance and would like to assist with what currently exists and help to create change.

He also said he would like to bring accountability and “that means we have to be role models.”

A solution for the water issues was also top on Martinez’s mind.

“This is the right time for Ferris to experience change,” Martinez said.

He also cited a real lack of respect at city hall for the residents as well as much needed accountability and transparency.

At the bar across the street, both Aspin and Lindsey – when asked by the reporters – would not consent to being filmed on camera, but both promised to send in their objectives for running for city council in order to allow the citizens to know who they are before the election.

Lindsey did not respond by press time, but Aspin sent her information in writing.

“I am a candidate for City Council Place 2,” Aspin wrote. “I have lived in Ferris over 55 years, graduated Ferris ISD in 1979 with a “B” average. I have owned a very successful business on Main Street from 1995 to 1999. I currently serve on the Planning and Zoning Board and have since 2017,

“I am here for the people of my hometown. I have some ideas that just might help Ferris to regain its small town feeling while growing for the better. It’s the quality of the town – not necessarily the numbers. I promise to do my best and let God guide my steps.”

Many of the questions and responses from the candidates can be viewed on The Ellis County Press’ website at https://www.elliscountypress.com/ecp-tv-ferris-chamber-commerce-city-council-candidate-forum-april-13-2019