by Ginger Broomes
(Note: The Brooks Report Live is providing this as informational only, and does not endorse any candidates)
Council Member Place 4 Candidates:
Mary McKenna (incumbent):
Growing up in Orange, Texas was for me much like being in a Norman Rockwell painting. Summers were spent riding bikes, playing hide and seek, baseball, kickball, tag, skating, and building forts in the woods. And of course swimming in pools and bayous all over town. I rode my bike to school until I could drive there. When the street lights came on in the evening it was time to go inside. Orange, an ideal place to raise a family.
Working together we can keep Orange a place that is just as wonderful to live, play, work and worship as it has ever been. I have worked at Southeast Texas Hospice since I returned to Orange after college. I also have had the opportunity to serve on American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, March of Dimes, Orange Housing Authority, St. Mary Parish Council, Chamber of Commerce, Lutcher Theater Board, Orange Hospital Board. Through all of these experiences my lesson learned is working together we can accomplish many things to make life better for all of us.
Orange recently gave me another great honor and a blessing, serving on city council for the past three years representing all the citizens of District 4. Working with the entire council to make Orange a better place to live has been a remarkable experience. Many projects have been completed during our three years together on council and many more are in progress. Drainage, litter, demolitions, programs for quality of life like the new recreation center, all are projects to help make Orange the best place to live.
So please consider voting for me during early voting starting April 25 through April 29 and again on May 2-3, and then election day is May 7. It would be my great honor to continue to serve together with everyone of you for another three years. As our Mayor is fond of saying, God is in control and the best is yet to come. Together we can make it happen.
Richard G. Pillsbury:
Works for B&E Resources, Retired Marine, Owns Devil Dog Defense LLC
Education: 1986 West Orange-Stark Graduate, 2021 Lamar State College Graduate w/ Associates in Business Management
Lived in Orange: Moved here in 1980 (Age 10) from Charleston, S.C., father was transferred to the Naval Base in Orange and retired from the Navy prior to its closure. I left for military service in Oct of 1986, first for service in the U.S. Army and again in 1994 for service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Returned after a combined 28 year career of service in 2015.
Experience as an elected or civic leader: Currently serve as the Staff Judge Advocate and am the 2022 incoming Quartermaster for Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 9854, Vinton, Louisiana.
Served both the U..S Army & U.S. Marine Corps for a combined total of 28 years.
Why am I running:
As a person who has dedicated his life to the service of others it is in my nature to want to fix things that are broken and help those who are in need. I am not interested in going along with the status quo for the ease of popularity, nor do I require praise for doing what is expected of one who is in service. I am willing to make the hard calls on what needs to be done in our community.
What are your top priorities and how will I address the issue:
- Crime and Safety: Statistical data shows violent crime is on the rise in our town and a whole of approach attitude involving leadership from the council, police, and community leaders should be adopted. Presence patrols by police in our neighborhoods need to be proactive and invested with the community.
- Infrastructure: Projects should be well thought out, progression of work physically inspected, and completed on time. All involved need to be held accountable so that our communities suffer the least amount of inconvenience. Streets and Drainage are the main areas of concern.
What would be my focus moving forward:
After the priorities that were previously listed it is imperative that elected officials maintain their activity in the community. An open line of communication regardless of what social circles you are in is a must to show all that are involved you are a person of your word and are engaged in the practice of truth.
Thank you for reaching out and asking for my points of view on why I decided to run. I am still task oriented as a Marine and feel that the council seat should be as well. It is a privilege to serve others and I look for the opportunity to continue that service. Thanks again for your support, it is greatly appreciated.
Dwain Boullard:
The owner of DCD Construction LLC was on the City of Orange planning and zoning board in 2003. Boullard has said his top priority is to make sure clean up and beautification, as well as drainage, continue in District 4.
ORANGE - Council Member (at large) Place 5 Candidates:
Caroline Hennigan (incumbent):
Why are you running for re-election?
I am running for re-election so that I may continue to serve the wonderful citizens of Orange and so that I may continue to work for the city I love. There is more work to be done in continuing to improve drainage, improving parks and activities, economic growth, and stopping litter/code enforcement.
What is your experience in public office:
I have served the citizens of Orange as Place 5 At Large Council Member for three years.
Top priorities, and how to address them:
It is important to note that no council member does anything without the rest of the council. Together, we have accomplished much!
1. Continuing to improve drainage - we have improved Cooper's Gully, concrete-lined Meeks drive ditch, rebuilt and improved several lift stations, will be lining other major ditches within the city and improving more lift stations, and are set to receive $3 million in grants to further improve drainage all over town.
2. Code Enforcement and Litter - We have created the "litter force" that targets areas of the city that are commonly littered, hired an additional code enforcement officer, demolished dozens of sub-standard structures in the city, and I will be speaking to third graders in the city this week to help educate our children on the importance of keeping our city clean.
3. Improved Parks/Family Activities: We have built a new Recreation Center set to open sometime this summer, added new equipment and pavilion at Lion's Park, Navy Park is getting new sidewalks, Memorial Park is set to get new tennis court surfacing, and Northway Park has a new crushed granite surface.
4. Economic Growth: Business development is on the rise, Orange is seen as "open for business" with our EDC incentives. It is only the beginning of continued economic growth in Orange!
In the future, I will continue to focus on these four very important issues, as my constituents have made clear these are important to them. I will continue to promptly respond to emails and phone calls to constituents. I am always willing to listen and assist in solving problems. I always say that if I don't know the answer, I know someone that does know the answer. I will continue to work hard on behalf of the citizens of Orange.
Charles Thomas:
As a pastor for 28 years, Thomas has said he’s been an active participant in community affairs and he’s been working on two business developments in Orange. He works community outreach for families in need, and has said he most wants to improve neglected areas of Orange, and that his developments will bring more jobs to the city.