Tom Stavinoha has announced his plan to seek re-election as Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Commissioner in the March 2008 Republican Primary.
He will face Republican Greg Ordeneaux in the primary; no Democratic candidate has announced a run for the seat.
In a candidate’s statement, Stavinoha said, “I’m a lifetime resident of Fort Bend County, and I feel that this gives me a unique insight into the real issues facing our community. This background also gives me a good advantage in dealing with them in a way that makes sense locally. I’ve worked very hard to gain the confidence of the people that I represent, and I look forward to another term of service to our area as we continue coping with this tremendous growth.”
Stavinoha continued, “Fort Bend County is one of the few counties in the state of Texas that funds ambulance services and libraries. With 90% of the county’s growth being in the unincorporated areas, increased demands for these and other services make it difficult to continue to provide them. In the past 10 years, the county has been able to reduce the tax rate from over $4.51 per $100 to a little over 64 cents per $100 evaluation. I will continue to make every effort to maintain a low tax rate for our citizens, while providing county services you expect.”
“The new financial and judicial software programs I and the other members of Commissioners Court authorized will allow departments to communicate with each other so as to eliminate duplication of tasks performed. I’m pleased and proud that the citizens of the county had enough confidence in county government to pass the mobility and facilities bond issues so that we can keep our traffic flowing, construct additional libraries and add much needed jail and office space.”
Stavinoha also listed a number of projects he will continue to pursue over the next four years. “I will continue to oppose state government attempts to impose costly burdens on our county and I’ll continue my efforts to work with our legislators in Austin to provide more money for roads to keep up with our tremendous growth. I intend to continue my efforts to rein in spiraling health care costs for our employees and the indigent, and I’ll continue my efforts at finding additional sources of income for county government outside of property taxes.”
“I will continue my monitoring of the operation of the Long Point Landfill by working with the new owners. I want them to fulfill a commitment to donate an 800 acre park area to the county. The excavation of Big Creek continues with the final stages to be completed in the near future. We will be funding an emergency squad truck to the Orchard area just as we have in Needville and Fresno. The county’s new transportation van system will continue to grow, providing low cost rides for those needing to go to work, doctors, senior sites or educational locations.”
Stavinoha continued, “Our green space ordinance has made sure neighborhoods become more liveable by ensuring that there are plenty of parks and walking trails.”
“As for my family, Donna and I, along with our three married children, Bradley, Amy Schultz and Christy Legrende, are here to stay in Fort Bend County. It is important that I do whatever I can to keep this fast growing county a quality place to live. I want my five grandchildren to enjoy growing up in Fort Bend County just as much as I did. I feel my past experience as a teacher has helped me deal with people in a caring and personable way. My current involvement in cattle production has kept me in touch with the large agricultural area I represent.”
Tom Stavinoha is an active member of the Rose/Rich and Needville Chambers of Commerce, Rosenber Rotary, FBC Fair Association and Society for the Arts, and the Knights of Columbus. He and his family are members of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Needville. Tom serves on the Lamar and WCJC vocational advisory committees. He has received the Citizen of the Year Award by the Needville Chamber and Volunteer of the Year Award by the Rose/Rich Chamber.
Note: FortBendNow will provide editorial space for one candidacy announcement for each candidate for local office, including school board, city or county elected office. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and brevity.
He will face Republican Greg Ordeneaux in the primary; no Democratic candidate has announced a run for the seat.
In a candidate’s statement, Stavinoha said, “I’m a lifetime resident of Fort Bend County, and I feel that this gives me a unique insight into the real issues facing our community. This background also gives me a good advantage in dealing with them in a way that makes sense locally. I’ve worked very hard to gain the confidence of the people that I represent, and I look forward to another term of service to our area as we continue coping with this tremendous growth.”
