Q1: What is the biggest issue the city of Orange faces, and how do you address it?
Q2: Why did you decide to run for mayor, and what makes you the best candidate?
Q3: Orange has made great strides in economic development. What’s the key to continue that momentum?
Larry Spears Jr. (I)
Age: 40
Occupation: Environmental Technician for Dow Chemical
Highest level of education: Graduated from Lamar Institute of Technology with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science
Volunteer work, endorsements or previously elected office (up to three):
1. Orange City Council member
2. Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce board member
3. United Way of Orange County board member
A1: One of the biggest issues is for us as citizens is realizing how blessed we are and knowing that we achieve all of our goals by working together. To counter that, since I’ve become mayor, I’ve publicly proclaimed that we put God in everything we do. My job is to unify and enlighten the people so they know that if everyone contributes their talents, we grow and prosper. We have all the gifts we need, but we have to be a unit, a family to use our talents to bring forth our dreams.
A2: I have unfinished business. My slogan for this year is “Purpose driven about my father’s business.” At the end of 2019, I lost my father. In the middle of 2020, I lost my mother. My parents raised us with morals and showed us the way that God intended for us — our purpose in life. As I’ve been in this position, I’ve wanted to do things in God's will. With that, I know that I have unfinished business to complete his purpose for me.
A3: I firmly believe that the growth we see is because we put God first in everything we do. My job and council and staff’s job is to love people where they are for who they are, and God does the rest. That’s why Orange is growing — we love people. It’s not about left wing or right wing.
Charles Thomas
Age: 62
Occupation: Pastor, Bishop and Chief Apostle of One Way Outreach Ministries
Highest level of education: GED
Volunteer work, endorsements or previously elected office (up to three):
1. Food distribution in Port Arthur and Orange
A1: The biggest thing I hear people are concerned about is the water. I have to sit at the table with the drainage district. What do we have to do to drain the swamp, get all the things cleaned up so the drainage system runs. We also have a problem with our water. My wife was telling me our water is rusty and looks yellow. I didn’t believe it (at first). The water condition has to be addressed.
A2: I’m taking what I learned in Illinois, and I want to make Orange great again. It can happen, but everybody has to come together. I’m running as a full-time mayor. Right now, you can go to the City Hall and pay your water bill, and I haven't seen the mayor's light on. I’m going to break that. I’ll be there. I’ll be reachable, talkable. I want to show that we can make a difference. We can make a change, and the people’s concerns can be addressed.
A3: My whole perspective running for mayor is there’s a lot of people that don’t have jobs. You have all this infrastructure being built, but none of my brothers and sisters, niece and nephews have jobs in the city of Orange. I have a problem with that. I would have to see what we can do to put some of our residents to work. I’m going to do every thing I can to help our city grow. Right now, when people pass through Orange, they pass right through. There’s no signs on I-10. I’d like to talk to people about a big sign that says, “Welcome to Orange.”
Compiled by Kaitlin Bain
