HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968 Letter about candidacy 1202 Foster Avenue
College Station, Texas
March 26, 1968
Dear Fellow Citizen,
I write you on behalf of my candidacy for the office of Mayor, City of College
Station, an office I have been privileged to hold as your representative for the
past two years.
Since I am personally underwriting the cost of mailing this letter, it will not
be sent to all citizens, but rather to a representative cross-section of the
public at random, with the hopes that you will communicate my stand on issues to
others.
During my tenure of office as mayor I have tried, earnestly, to serve all people
of our community, attempting to fulfill pledges I made when I first became a can-
didate for the office. How well the council and I succeeded you can best judge
by accomplishments in the various areas.
You have seen the inauguration of an annual report to the citizens on the steward-
ship of the council; more involvement of citizens on city committees; enactment of
ordinances so important to the orderly growth of our community, as adoption of an
updated plumbing code and Southern building code. Through your support, steps were
taken to improve the water situation; to establish a new city hall, fire station,
police headquarters and roads; and to revise the city charter to provide for more
representative government. We have achieved improvements in the police department;
development of underpass and Jersey Street construction; a compromise agreement
with Bryan on extraterritorial jurisdiction between the two cities; establishment
of a Justice of the Peace position for our city; securement of a sub-postoffice to
better serve the needs of our community; revision of electrical rate structure to
provide more equity for all--especially the homeowner; initiation of progress on
park development in terms of tree planting and play equipment; action on East and
West by-passes; and a revised telephone franchise in favor of the city--to name
but some items.
However, this is past history. Of importance to you, I know, is my present stand
on various matters. May I present the following for your consideration:
1. A firm belief in the principle that government is established to serve all
people. —
2. Progressive, orderly development of our city in keeping with our ability to
pay. I am not unmindful of the admonition given in Luke 14:28.
3. The need to establish short and long range priority goals to guide the orderly
development of the city. An earlier attempt on my part on this matter met with
defeat by a 4-3 margin in the council. I am opposed to the philosophy of "oiling
the wheel when it squeaks". We need planning so that available monies will be
spent on priority items first.
4. Cooperation with the city of Bryan, A & M Consolidated School, Texas A & M
University and Brazos County in matters of mutual interest that will benefit you,
the citizens of College Station.
5. Representation of citizens, of all interests, in making appointments to city
committees; for the involvement of citizens in city government.
6. The activation of a program for city beautification through the establishment
of a committee of interested citizens.
7. Maintenance and further development of city parks. To this end we have made
a nominal start on tree planting and acquisition of some playground equipment.
8. Continuation of anniaa l report to the citizens on the stewardship of the council,
as a means of keeping citizens informed.
9. Expediting the completion of the water improvement program, city hall, fire
station, police headquarters, and roads as approved by you, the citizens.
10. A council policy that will provide for the proper maintenance of and develop-
ment of streets within the city. -~
11. Strengthening and supporting of law enforcement and fire prevention.
12. Necessary updating of zoning ordinance that will protect homeowners, provide
business and industrial opportunities, and encourage desirable businesses to
locate in our community.
13. Implementing street lighting policy of the city.
14. City participation in indigent care, with city of Bryan and Brazos County.
The present council defeated this measure by a 4-3 vote, much to the discredit
of our city.
15. Support of Easterwood Airport financing on the part of the county, recognizing
the present and future value of the airport to the growth and development of our
community.
16. Expansion of the sewage disposal system to meet anticipated needs of our city.
17. For the benefit of the public, strengthening of city ordinances pertaining to
soliciting and peddling, weed and brush control, taxis and limousines, electrical
wiring, and meat standards, among others.
18. Cooperation of the city with developers and others to encourage needed housing
in our city.
19. A Workable Program for c=Tnunity improvement.
20. Help to citizens in low income areas, in terms of housing and other needs, in
whatever way possible.
21. Through the Board of Equalization, or otherwise, strive for equalization of ad
valorum taxes where inequities may exist.
22. At appropriate time, extend city boundaries, as needed, to the East and West
by-passes to control the proper and orderly development of the city for the benefit
of all citizens.
23. Continuation of the city of College Station as a separate unity of government.
24. Upgrading standards of performance for all city employees, payment of salaries
commensurate with other similar employment, and provision of hospitalization insur-
ance. With respect to the latter, we are one of few Texas cities that do not pro-
vide such.
25. Establishment of "communications" with leadership of the youth of our community
and with Texas A & M University student body.
There are, of course, other matters of importance to our city, but the above cited
represents major items. While they are terse, I believe they are self-explanatory.
If, however, you desire clarification on any point, please advise.
As a candidate for the office of mayor I feel you should judge me not only on past
accomplishments, but also on my present stand. This should be expected of any
candidate.
I would like to make one point clear. As your representative at the council table
I will act on behalf and in the interest of all citizens. I do not have now, nor
will I have, any obligation to any individual citizen or group of citizens. Fur-
ther, I do not stand to gain either directly or indirectly from any action of the
city council. I have no "axes to grind" that will benefit me personally. Is this
not what should be expected of your representatives?
For the record I would like to add that I have given ten years of continuous service
to our city. I served six years as city councilman, two years on the Planning and
Zoning Commission, and the past two years as mayor.
In closing, I pledge to you that, if elected, I will continue to work diligently on
behalf of all the people in our community.
And, I do solicit your vote, and above all, your active support in my behalf.
With kindest regards.
Sincerely,
D. A. Anderson