Residents fill a Laguna Vista community room on April 11 for an all- candidate forum hosted by the newly chartered League of Women Voters chapter, following weeks of controversy leading up to the event. (Photo by Jacqi Leyva-Hill)
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
A candidate forum intended to give residents direct access to all local candidates nearly fell apart before it began after a series of disputes, challenges and public confusion in the weeks leading up to the event.
On April 12, residents filled a meeting room to question candidates running for mayor and city council seats, the first such forum hosted by the newly chartered local chapter of the League of Women Voters (LWV). All candidates present introduced themselves before taking questions from the audience for nearly two hours in a packed community room at the HOA building.
Organizer Jeannie Kanter, who co-led the effort with Natalie Ruiz, opened the forum by addressing the pre-meeting challenges directly. What began as a straightforward effort to host an all-candidate forum quickly turned into a series of complications that nearly prevented it from happening.
“Natalie and I decided that you all deserved the transparency,” Kanter told attendees. “We started in February… and we were recognized on March 24th.”
Kanter said invitations were sent to all candidates shortly after the group received official recognition, with responses beginning in early April. The incumbent for Place 1, Dr. Christopher Romero, responded to thank organizers for the invitation but said he would be unable to attend due to work obligations. Kanter said none of the other candidates who did not attend responded to the invitation, including incumbent Mayor Mike Carter.
Concerns began shortly after the event was publicly advertised.
“Shortly after the ad went in the paper, the HOA got involved and said that we were false advertising because we called it an all-candidate forum,” Kanter said. Organizers clarified that the forum was open to all candidates, though attendance could not be guaranteed.
Additional confusion arose when alleged attempts were made to contact the state League of Women Voters’ office by event detractor but instead the Austin chapter was reached. The chapter was not aware of the newly formed Laguna Vista group.
“He asked, ‘Do we even exist?’” Kanter said, noting the group had only recently received official recognition.
Kanter said the situation escalated when the Texas League of Women Voters president publicly distanced the organization from the event on Facebook without first contacting local organizers and after the deadline had passed for the second newspaper advertisement.
“She didn’t contact me first… she didn’t talk to Natalie… she just did it,” Kanter said.
As a result, the state organization declined to formally sponsor the event.
“The state is not sponsoring this… this little town has become so toxic that they didn’t even want to come in,” she said.
Despite those setbacks, organizers proceeded independently, and the forum drew a strong turnout, with standing room only at one point.
Candidates answered questions on city finances, infrastructure, development and transparency from the audience.
Incumbent council member Johvonne Howard, who is seeking re-election, pointed to instability within city leadership as a major concern.
“It was tumultuous. It was a little toxic in there,” Howard said, referring to past conditions at City Hall. She said frequent turnover has made it difficult to maintain continuity on projects.
Howard also addressed the city’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) agreement tied to development near the golf course. She said she generally supports development and TIRZ agreements but took issue with how this one was structured.
“However, the dynamics of our particular one is a conflict, and that’s where I voted no,” Howard said.
She added that an affidavit had been signed, recusals had occurred during discussions, but there should have been more transparency.
Mayoral candidate Darla Jones focused on governance practices and accountability, particularly regarding conflicts of interest.
Jones said elected officials with a conflict should remove themselves from the desk, sit in the audience, refrain from participating in discussion and not vote on the item.
“That did not happen the other night,” she said, referencing the recent March 10 town council meeting at the South Texas Ecotourism Center.
Jones said Jason Starkey, president of Gallery Built Homes, spoke about the TIRZ during public comment and that Mayor Mike Carter participated in the discussion before later recusing himself.
“And then when it comes time to vote, he says, ‘I recuse myself.’ I’m sorry — it’s like, strike that from the record,” Jones said.
Candidate Natalie Ruiz, running for Place 3, emphasized transparency and public involvement.
“Why don’t people go to city hall meetings? Because they feel it’s already been decided in a back room,” Ruiz said. “No more secrets. No more back room.”
She also raised concerns about oversight of development agreements.
“The agreement is great… the idea is terrific… but who is going to manage this?” Ruiz said.
Place 1 candidate Frank Galvan emphasized the need for greater community involvement and said strengthening the city’s ethics committee was a priority.
“It’s kind of hard when there’s only one family that’s in charge of everything,” Galvan said. “If you don’t get along with that family, then you’re kind of on the outs.”
Public comments reflected ongoing concerns among residents, particularly related to financial transparency, communication through the city’s website, and oversight.
“There is nothing that adds up. The accounts do not match,” one resident said.
Others raised questions about access to information, responsiveness from city leadership, and oversight of public funds and community assets. Additional concerns focused on drainage issues, flooding, and whether the city is prepared for anticipated growth tied to regional development.