The Brackett News hosted the Second Annual Community Forum on Thursday, May 1, in the Brackett High School cafeteria.

Brackett ISD School Board candidates, Greg Stone, Brad Coe and Dan Laws were in attendance. Brackettville City Counsel candidates, Mayor Eduardo Esparza, Mayor Pro-tem Matt Bland and Anita Ertle were also in attendance.

Alderwoman Francisca Chica Hernandez was unable to attend the forum to avoid breaking the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Stone led the forum by introducing himself to the citizens. Stone is a native of Del Rio and relocated to Brackettville in 2001, for his child’s education. He is also an 18 year professor of Spanish and linguistics at Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College. Stone also taught at other universities previous to Sul Ross.

Stone believes staffing issues need attention, especially coaches also having to teach and then being taken out of the classroom for athletic events. He wishes to increase the number of professional staff within budgetary restraints. Stone also hopes to improve community relations, possibly establishing a community relations person or activity director for after school activities and believes every child has almost unlimited opportunity to participate in extra curricular activities.

Coe also believes the teachers need to be kept in the classroom without student extra curricular act ivies interfering with classroom time. He also suggested looking into possible better drug education or more law enforcement presence to deal with a severe drug problem in the school. He stated there have been many positive improvements to BISD in the last few years, including cafeteria improvements and the addition of the new high school.

Laws, Rio Grande Electric Co-op, Inc. (RGEC) General Manager/CEO has lived in Brackettville for a number of years and is familiar with the different aspects of education including being a student, having children in public schools and the job of a teacher. Laws also brings in his business experience with RGEC. Laws stated, "I look forward to the opportunity to serve".

Laws would like to see teachers "paid for what they are truly worth," and fairness for all members of the district. Laws believes the District should hire only the finest professionals for the children at BISD. He also recognizes the excessiveness of fighting among students in the school and believes additional programs will help with the problem, but sees the positive classroom atmosphere.

Mayor Esparza and his family have been a part of the community for many years. He was elected as the youngest mayor in the history of Brackettville. Esparza stated he wants to continue working for the City of Brackettville and continue to clean up the City.

Esparza says he pushed for counsel pay of just $10.00 per month. He does not view the positions as a paid job but said, "You’re an elected official, you do it upon you wanting to better the community. It’s an honor to serve your community." Esparza also believes the City keeping control over the gas lines is in the best interest of the citizens. He is planning on continuing the push for local code enforcement and a city police department.

Mayor Pro-tem Bland is currently a Fort Clark Security employee and previously owned a business in the city for 15 years. Bland has served four years on the counsel, three of which have been as Mayor Pro-tem. Bland stated, "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve." He has served on several different committees over the last four years and believes in positive community development.

Bland also concurred with Esparza on cutting counsel pay saying, "At this time, we did not have the money to pay." He stated the reduction will flow back to the budget and help cushion the cost of rising gas prices. On the Contrary, Bland believes it is a personal preference of counsel members. Bland hopes to continue working together and finish the infrastructure of the City by establishing a municipal court, police department and enforcing City codes.

Ertle moved to Brackettville 12 years ago and is part owner in Southwest Service. Ertle also owned and ran the Burger and Shake. She previously worked for Amoco Chemicals for 10 years. She has worked on the budget committee for city in the past and plans to make decisions that will be best for the citizens and the city of Brackettville and stated, "I’ll do the best I can". Ertle also challenged the citizens to get involved with the city. In response to counsel pay Ertle stated, "The budget needs help in any way,". She also hopes the city will begin looking into grants for issues such as city streets.

In closing, all candidates encouraged all citizens to get out and vote.

Both City and School Board elections will be held on Saturday, May 10.