Cameron City Council candidates talk issues, why they are running

Cameron residents will decide several races for city council on May 5.

A special election for the Ward 3 council spot will see a three-way race between Kyle Deal, Kyle Nuttall and Will Sanders. The spot has been vacant since Robert Davis left the council in September of 2017.

Lekethia “Keke” Sims will face incumbent councilwoman Rose Mondrik for the Ward 4 seat.

Incumbents Mayor Connie Anderle and Ward 2 councilman Robert Schiller have no opponents and will reclaim their spots on the council

Early voting began this week at City Hall and will continue today and tomorrow between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. It will continue on Monday, April 30, through Tuesday, May 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day May 5.

The Cameron Herald asked the candidates in contested races to let us know a little more about themselves in a question and answer format.

Ward 3 

Candidates are Kyle Deal, Kyle Nuttall and Will Sanders.

Question 1: Why are you running for city council?

Deal: I believe we all have a responsibility to community service. Over the course of my life I have strived to make public service an important part of my life and demonstrate to my family what civic duty should be. My grandfather, a World War II veteran and farmer, taught me how to be a man, listen to God, and cherish family.  I learned that our decisions must be made with honor, and that hard work is the great equalizer. I strive every day to make these beliefs the guiding principle of my life.

As the Director of Technology and Operations for Cameron ISD, a small business owner, and a civic volunteer, I understand the issues that must be addressed for the betterment of Cameron. I recognize the tough decisions that must be made and the work that must be done to secure a bright future for Cameron and those who live here.

Nuttall: With my background, as an attorney and as an Assistant District Attorney, I feel I am uniquely qualified to help Cameron as we deal with replacing our infrastructure without breaking the bank. My relationship with county leaders can help as we coordinate with Milam County through these difficult economic times to better assist Cameron citizens.

Sanders: Because of my love for the community which has been such a blessing to me all my life, and my desire to ensure it becomes an even better place to live and raise a family.

Question 2: What do you feel is the most important issue the city faces right now?

Deal: The most important issue facing the City of Cameron is the aging infrastructure, it touches all aspects of life here in Cameron. From quality of life, to public safety, to business growth, to building the tax base; nothing improves unless we first address these infrastructure needs. Whether it’s the quality of our water system, state of our city streets, lack of adequate technology delivery, or reliability of city services; we must work to maintain and improve the status of all these infrastructure needs. Without a strong infrastructure and the city services to maintain them, all facets of life here in Cameron are affected. That will be my priority if I am elected as the Ward 3 City Councilman.

Nuttall: The most important issue is replacing the old and crumbling infrastructure, like the water pipes, without making Cameron an unaffordable place to live. We need to fix our water problem, while lowering the water rates and without increasing property tax rates.

Sanders: Economic development. We should be welcoming to new businesses, while also ensuring that adequate regulations are in place. Residential development must also be a priority. Cameron should have a supply of owned and rental housing that is affordable to people of all income levels and ages.

Question 3: What is your background and how will that help you to make decisions for the city?

Deal: I have a long history of public service. After graduating from Yoe High School in 1987, I served 12 years in the United States Air Force. Following my time in the service, I came back home to Cameron with my family and in the 16 years since I have volunteered in several organizations here in Cameron and Milam County. These organizations include: the Boy Scouts of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lions Club, Yoe High Band Boosters, and the Milam Community Theater. Whether serving as a member, as a board member, or as the leader of these organizations, I always strive to make them better and help those that are serviced by them. I intend to bring these same attributes to my work on the Cameron City Council as I firmly believe that our investments of time and energy turn towns into communities.

Nuttall: My background is in city planning. I earned my undergraduate degree at Arizona State University in the Phoenix area. At the time, Phoenix was one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. I witnessed how quickly and drastically rural communities, such as our own, can be affected if they are unprepared, and how much strain can be placed on a community’s infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, etc.). While there, I gathered experience I can now use to help my community deal with the ever expanding metropolitan areas around Milam County, without losing the culture that brought me here to Cameron in the first place.

Currently, I am a lawyer in the District Attorneys office where one of my resposibilities is to provide legal counsel to the Commissioners Court. That opportunity has allowed me to learn the legal aspects related to how local governments are allowed to run and what Cameron can do to make ourselves attractive to new employers and businesses.

Sanders: As a lifelong resident of Cameron, I believe I know our people and can represent their interests well. As a business owner, I know what companies need to succeed.

Question 4: Tell me about you: family, job, hobbies, etc.

Deal: I have been married to my wonderful wife, Judy, for 27 years. We have four sons and are all Cameron Yoemen. I am the Director of Technology and Operations for Cameron ISD and I own D6 Technologies. One of my main hobbies is my participation in the Milam Community Theater, acting, directing, and even singing. While the stage gets the attention, I enjoy the background. If I’m involved in a play, I’m not just performing, I’m also making sets and organizing materials to improve the overall program, not just the visuals. I’m the same way with my other activities, whether as Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts or helping with VFW. One of my proudest moments was in 2014 when I was named Volunteer of the Year by the Cameron Chamber of Commerce. There is a great sense of satisfaction in these efforts that will translate well to the City Council.  The effort will improve the whole.

Nuttall: My wife, Mary, and I have two young children, our oldest, Lillyana, is attending Cameron Elementary, while our youngest, Lucas, is at Ben Milam. I am a member, and soon to be second vice president, of the Cameron Lion’s Club. My wife and I are active in our church and my wife serves on the board of the Milam County Republican Women. Currently, when I get home from work I often watch my son play t-ball or play board games with my daughter. 

As a father of two, I appreciate the parks, schools, and activities Cameron has to offer. As my children grow I would like to see more businesses and employers come to Cameron that I can use to teach my children the value of hard work and earning an honest paycheck.

Sanders: My wife, Jennifer, and I are both 1997 graduates of Yoe High School. We have three children: our son Haden, and twin daughters Maggie and Mollie. I am a truck owner-operator, and we are members of Marlow Baptist Church.

Ward 4

Canidates are incumbent Rose Mondrik and Lekethia “Keke” Sims.

Question 1: Why are you running for city council?

Mondrik: I have always had a mission to try and do whatever it takes to keep Cameron a prosperous community that keeps up with the times and still moves forward with new innovations and technology and is always ready for changes as they present themselves.

Sims: I am running for city council because I believe our city needs fresh ideas and change.  As a citizen of this city, changes can only come when you actively try to make a difference and push to move forward for a better outcome.  Sometimes a fresh set of eyes and a different view can be the change that helps a community progress to the next level.

Question 2: What do you feel is the most important issue the city faces right now?

Mondrik: There are a lot of important issues facing our city without any one being more necessary for progress than another one. Always keeping the expenditures in line with the budget and giving the residents a necessary return on their tax investments.

Sims: The quality of water.

Question 3: What is your background and how will that help you to make decisions for the city?

Mondrik: Having served this city on the council for the last 28 years has given me an opportunity to be a part of the progress and keep things moving in an upward trend.

Sims: I have a Bachelor of Business Administration Management Degree. I have resided in Cameron for 13 years now. I grew up in the small town of Crockett, that is just like Cameron. Almost all of my past jobs and my present job centers on helping people to better them selves. I take pride in mentoring young people because they are our future leaders. I strive to make an impact on anyone I encounter in a positive way. I believe in the sayings: “to lead by example,”  “keep pushing until you make a difference,”  “hard work pays off,” and an important saying that was instilled in me and I instilled in my children “can’t  is not a word that fits in your vocabulary until you have exhausted all possibilities.” 

Question 4: Tell me about you: Family, job, hobbies, etc.

Mondrik: I have lived in Cameron over 50 years, but am originally from California. I have been married to Joseph Mondrik for 62 years. We have six grown children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. I have been the Lone Star Beer Distributor since 1977, since purchasing the business from Joe’s dad who started the distributorship on Jan. 1, 1947. My position is bookkeeper and I file all reports. I work part-time at the local radio station KMIL 105.1 FM as a DJ with my own talk show Monday through Friday called the “Rose and Joe Show” and Friday afternoons a three-hour show of polka music. Oil painting is one of my hobbies and designing my own greeting cards on the computer along with making two- or three-inch pins (buttons) with my button machine.

Sims: I am a loving mother of two young men. My husband is a dedicated Texas State Trooper for Milam County. I have a granddaughter that is the light of my life. I am employed by the Milam County Adult Probation Department. I enjoy reading books, decorating, dancing, and going on family vacations. Spending quality time with my family and helping others gives me the greatest joy.