By: Nakia L. Cooper
As the nation’s attention turns toward the upcoming presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, local elections are proving to be just as critical for the future of our communities. The impressive turnout at the Fort Bend County Candidates Forum on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, showed that voters are focused not just on national headlines, but on the issues right here in their own neighborhoods.
Held at the University of Houston in Sugar Land, the non-partisan forum brought together a wide range of candidates from local and state races. Hosted by Emgage, BakerRipley, and Houston Ethnic Media, the event highlighted pressing concerns including public safety, judicial backlogs, and community development. Candidates took the stage to lay out their visions for Fort Bend County’s future, addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Shad Bogany Calls for Economic Growth in Missouri City
Among the standout speakers was Shad Bogany, a candidate for City Council for Missouri City, District C, and a longtime realtor. Bogany, who has served as president of the Texas Realtors Association, spoke passionately about the need to turn Missouri City into a destination for families and businesses.
“Missouri City has been treated like the stepchild of Fort Bend for too long,” Bogany said. “It’s time to turn it into a destination city.”
He also addressed issues faced by small business owners, particularly regarding the city’s permitting process, which he described as cumbersome and outdated. Bogany called for streamlining the system to encourage local businesses to thrive.
“If we want businesses to grow here, we need to make it easier for them to succeed,” Bogany said. “Leadership is about fixing things that don’t work, and right now, the permitting process doesn’t work.”
Bogany’s clear vision and focus on economic development resonated with the audience, setting the stage for other candidates to share their platforms.
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Law Enforcement A Key Highlight
Following Bogany’s powerful statements on economic growth, the forum shifted its focus to law enforcement, a topic that drew significant attention from the audience. Incumbent Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan and his challenger, Marshall Slot, presented contrasting views on how to address the county’s public safety challenges.
Fagan highlighted his administration’s achievements in addressing mental health within law enforcement, particularly through the implementation of a 24-hour Crisis Intervention Team. He noted the importance of training deputies in handling mental health crises, while also addressing manpower shortages by increasing wages and recruiting new deputies.
“Mental health is a priority,” Fagan said. “We’ve made Fort Bend one of the safest counties in the nation by focusing on recruitment, raising wages, and leveraging new technology like body cameras.”
Slot, however, argued that deputies are overworked and that more needs to be done to improve morale and efficiency within the department. He called for a shift toward “servant leadership,” emphasizing that taking better care of deputies would lead to improved service for the community.
“Our deputies are stretched thin,” Slot said. “If we take care of our deputies, they will take care of our community. Right now, they’re overworked, and that impacts their ability to protect and serve effectively.”
Both candidates responded to audience questions about human trafficking, an issue that has plagued parts of Fort Bend County. Fagan noted that his office has already arrested over 100 traffickers and rescued more than 30 victims. Slot suggested that more partnerships with other law enforcement agencies could improve the county’s ability to address trafficking, particularly in suburban areas.
Judicial Backlog: Differing Perspectives
The issue of judicial backlogs surfaced during the forum, with Judge Tameika Carter and Ed Krenek offering differing perspectives on the state of the court system.
Judge Carter, who presides over the 400th District Court, emphasized her commitment to fairness in her courtroom. “I grew up knowing there were two court systems: one for the haves and one for the have-nots. I wanted to ensure that every person who came into my courtroom was treated fairly,” she said.
Carter highlighted her court’s achievements in improving efficiency and ensuring that cases move swiftly.
“We eliminated our backlog within a year and a half,” Carter said. “Through virtual hearings and increased efficiency, we’re no longer facing delays, and justice is being served fairly and promptly.”
However, her challenger, Krenek, a trial attorney with over 35 years of experience, questioned the accuracy of Carter’s claims. He argued that significant backlogs still exist in civil cases and suggested that Carter’s lack of experience in trying such cases might be contributing to the issue.
“There is a backlog, particularly on the civil side,” Krenek said. “This judge has not tried a civil case before she took the bench, and without that experience, it’s difficult to manage these cases effectively.”
Krenek emphasized the need for innovation in court procedures, calling for better management of the discovery process and stricter enforcement of deadlines to prevent long delays.
“Discovery is a killer in litigation, and if you can’t get through it in a timely manner, you’ve already lost valuable time,” he added. “We need a judge who knows how to push cases through and manage the docket without simply dismissing cases to make the numbers look good.”
While both candidates agreed on the importance of court efficiency, their differing views on the state of the backlog left voters with two distinct approaches to consider for the future of the court system in Fort Bend County.
Focus on Accountability
Constable Nabil Shike and Patrick Quincy also took part in the forum, with both emphasizing the importance of accountability in law enforcement. Shike, the incumbent representing Precinct 3, spoke about his efforts to foster diversity and inclusion within his department, noting his appointments of the first African American chief deputy and first female captain in the department’s history.
“Diversity and inclusion don’t mean anything if you’re not truly being inclusive,” Shike said. “Our department belongs to the people, which is why I let the community design our uniforms and patrol cars.”
Quincy, a former Marine and current chief investigator at the Fort Bend County Attorney’s Office, echoed Shike’s commitment to accountability but called for a broader culture shift in law enforcement.
“We need to put the service back into public service,” Quincy, who is running for Precinct 4 Constable, said. “Mistreatment of the public is unacceptable, and we need a culture that reflects that from the top down.”
Other Candidates Weigh In
The forum featured a wide array of candidates across different races, all offering their platforms for improving Fort Bend County:
- Marquette Greene-Scott, a Congressional candidate for District 22, focused on women’s reproductive rights, veterans’ issues, and healthcare access.
- JaPaula Kemp, running for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, emphasized her legal experience in criminal and child welfare cases.
- Judge Chad Bridges, Justice, 14th court of Appeals, Place 3, currently presiding over the 458th District Court, discussed his efforts to reduce domestic violence and clear over 3,700 cases.
- Justice Margaret Poissant, an incumbent of the 14th Court of Appeals, Place 8, highlighted her work in providing justice across 10 counties.
- Andy Meyers, Incumbent County Commissioner, Precinct 3, emphasized his long record of service in reducing taxes and increasing public safety.
- Kathy Cheng, running for Texas Senate District 17, called on voters to focus on local races, reminding them not to stop at the top of the ballot.
- Lea Simmons, running for Texas House District 76, emphasized her commitment to representing all residents, regardless of race, religion, or socioeconomic status, and highlighted her passion for community engagement.
- Daniel Lee, Democratic candidate for Texas House District 26, spoke about his dedication to public service and his desire to represent every voice in the district, regardless of political affiliation.