In the Fourteenth installment of the 2013 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire, we hear from Roland M. Chavez, candidate for Houston City Council At Large Position 3.
Please note: Responses have been received directly from the candidate, and have been posted ver batim from the email received. This is done out of fairness to all candidates. Publishing these responses does not constitute an endorsement, but will be considered during the endorsement process. No endorsement will be issued for Houston City Council, At Large Position 3.
TL: What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot?
RC: Roland M. Chavez
TL: Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?
RC: No
TL: As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?
RC: Government is important because, citizens depend on its elected officials to be stewards of their communities, core services, public safety, quality of life, infrastructure, and tax dollars.
TL: If elected, what is your top priority in office for the upcoming term? Describe how you plan to accomplish it.
RC: To ensure all core services are maintained and funded, and to work with other elected officials, both city and county to provide a safe community where all citizens can work, live, and enjoy this city.
TL: With the exception of city government and some other select businesses, Houstonians can still be fired for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender because we do not have a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance for general employment. This lags behind other Texas cities such as Dallas, Austin, and Ft. Worth. Do you support a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance for the city of Houston? If not, please explain why. If so, please explain how you would work to pass such a measure.
RC: As a former 34 year City of Houston employee with the Houston Fire Department, Yes I support a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance.
TL: There have been an alarming number of complaints filed against officers in the Houston Police Department, accused of unwarranted police brutality towards citizens. A disproportionate amount of this violence occurs in minority communities, and in the vast majority of these cases, officers have gone unpunished. As a result, these incidents cause a cycle of mistrust between Houstonians and the very officers sworn to protect them. What can you do to increase oversight of the Houston Police Department, and help ensure that these incidents do not continue?
RC: Having worked as a civil servant, I will work closely with community leaders and HPD to ensure the department’s officers are diverse and highly trained to work in all communities and to provide protection for all its citizens and will not tolerate those officers who violate the public civil rights.
TL: What makes you the best candidate for this office?
RC: Having worked as a Houston Fire Fighter for 34 years, and served as President of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, my experience in city government, knowledge of the city and its neighborhoods, understanding labor/management relations, and working with many leaders throughout the city gives me an advantage on core services, public safety, infrastructure, and quality of life issues. Additionally, I am from Houston, raised in the First Ward, and still maintain residence in the inner city, where it provides me a greater appreciation for my parents, my neighborhood, and the entire city.
TL: When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?
RC: Living in the Woodland Heights allows me to spend time venturing out locally to festivals, sports, and antiques shops. I have been remodeling and restoring old homes. And I enjoy the outdoors, boating, fishing, camping, or just relaxing near the water.
Thanks to Mr. Chavez for his participation.
