Voter Guide: Beaumont Mayoral Runoff

Q3: There seems to be a growing percentage of people who just don’t believe their local government. Is that a concern, and how do you address it?

Q4: The council sometimes seems to need a referee more than a mayor. How do you handle these disagreements fairly?

Q5: What quality of life improvements should the city be looking at?

Q6: What makes you the best candidate?

Roy West

Age: 60

Occupation: Branch manager/mortgage banker and radio host

Highest level of education: Master’s degree in Divinity from Southern Methodist University

Volunteer work, endorsements or previously elected office (up to three):

1. Beaumont Police Officer’s Association endorsement

2. Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas board member

A1: I would like to see more data so we can see what we’ve done with how much money and what we would expect to accomplish with additional resources. I’m used to first looking at metrics on what kind of return on investment we’re getting.

A2: I work in a referral-based business. That means I get all my business by doing a good job for the clients I work with. So, I think it’s important that we communicate well, have good information and have every department set goals on how to improve. In my business, I know how I’m doing based on performance instead of an emotional feeling on how I’m doing. We need to do a better job making sure we have that information and showing residents the real progress we’re making.

A3: Communication is really important. Having more evening council meetings allows greater access. I’d also like to see the city council host one meeting per quarter in the wards in the evening. When people get upset, oftentimes it’s because they don’t feel like they’ve been heard. You have to give them an opportunity to speak and show up. People may not want to burn half a day just to address the council, but if you’re available in the evenings, it’s their choice. They may not want to do it, but they can’t say they didn’t have access.

A4: It all starts with relationships. You have to earn the right to be heard. Being respectful to everyone and allowing them to have their say is how you set the tone. I’m used to people not always liking what I have to tell them. I’m in the mortgage business. The answer isn’t always yes. The way you give people news is the way they treat you. When you disrespect a council person, you’re not just disrespecting the councilman. You’re disrespecting their constituents. Let voices be heard.

A5: We need partnerships like with the school district — sharing facilities and being able to reach more folks. For example, the swimming pools are never open the whole time summer because there aren’t enough lifeguards. Everyone can’t drive and pay to be certified. I don’t think it would be difficult to raise the money to get students certified. BISD has a natatorium. We have better use the facilities we have. Another example: The basketball courts are always maxed out. It doesn’t seem like there would be a large expense to add a court or two. I don’t think we have to spend a lot more money on our existing facilities to make them better.

A6: My life experience and work experience makes me stand out. There is no normal mortgage. People are at a stressful time in their life. I’ve learned how to manage that on a day-to-day basis. You have to keep the wheels on the bus and not let personalities get in the way of what you’re trying to accomplish, remember the words you use are important and be transparent.

Robin Mouton

Age: 60

Occupation: Retired AT&T sales executive

Highest level of education: Graduated from Hebert High School

Volunteer work, endorsements or previously elected office (up to three):

1. Endorsed by the Beaumont Firefighters’ Local 399

2. Endorsed by the People’s Political Action Committee

3. Endorsed by the Sabine Area Labor Council

A1: I believe the city should borrow more money because that’s our number one concern with citizens — infrastructure and street repair. There’s a cost to anything. However, I would first see if there’s any available dollars we could move from somewhere else. I’m not in favor of borrowing money if there are bonds we can restructure or other places to find money. So, I would always first look to see if we can do any of that before deciding to borrow where it would affect raising taxes.

A2: I think the plans are great. I welcome every citizen to get involved on the city website, contact your council member or attend council meetings. We cannot spend tax dollars without publicly voting for it and having four council members approve it. That is transparency and that’s part of our charter, and we make sure that we vote in public so that citizens will be aware of how we spend their money.

A3: One of the first things you have to do is educate yourself and get involved. If you just listen to what your neighbors or a particular news station says, you’re discrediting your own knowledge and ability to get the truth. I just encourage each citizen to get involved and know for themselves. It’s public knowledge. It’s posted on the website, and even if you don’t have the ability to check the posting, you can always call your council member — call, email or visit council. There’s nothing we do that’s private. It’s all public knowledge.

A4: I’m going to respect everyone’s opinion. I believe in agreeing to disagree and be respectful of everyone’s opinion. Unfortunately, everyone doesn’t feel that way. But that’s why you have seven people, an odd number, from all walks of life on the council. Citizens have voted for the elected official they felt would represent them to the best of their knowledge. With that said, a true leader can unite even a divisive council.

A5: The first priority has to be safety. In fact, I was just on a call about the most recent homicide. When it’s domestic violence, unfortunately there our police can’t always control that. But everybody wants to live in a safe and clean environment, and we need to make sure we’re keeping that for our residents.

A6: I have the heart to do this job. No one can outwork me. I don’t believe anyone loves Beaumont like I do. Additionally, I’ve been on the City Council. I’ve proven my leadership from corporate America to working with unions. I have relationships with city department heads and city management. I’ve represented the city since I was 15 years old as an athlete when I represented Beaumont four times as a state track runner. I’ve also represented the world’s greatest female athlete from Beaumont, Texas Babe Didrikson Zaharias by carrying the torch that now sits at the Smithsonian. I’m now asking to carry the next torch for Mayor to build a better Beaumont.

Read The Beaumont Enterprise's endorsements here.

Compiled by Kaitlin Bain