Early voting kicked off April 24 in Beaumont with just a trickling of its populace turning out to select city leadership. During the first two days of early voting for the May election, just under 2,136 voters made their way to one of Beaumont’s five polling locations – Rogers Park, the Jefferson County Courthouse in Beaumont, John Paul Davis Community Center and Johns Library, with an added 691 mail-in ballots received by election officials.
Beaumont Mayor: Roy West
The Examiner fully endorses the candidacy of Roy West for Mayor of Beaumont, whose selfless commitment and service to the residents and students of Beaumont – even without and elected seat to fill – is nothing short of admirable.
Roy West has a plan for Beaumont that begins with a focus on our future – the community’s children – rather than a future rooted in aspirations of keeping up with the moneypits flowing in Austin. New hotels, million-dollar parking lots and admittedly beautiful murals are hard to enjoy in a downtown rife with crime, toilets that overflow and tap water as brown as the Neches River itself – all while our children are either carrying guns, or are at risk of being shot by someone else who is.
Roy never meets a stranger and he never meets a fight he won’t fight on the side of right. Working to help Beaumont maintain home values, attract new residents, keep the younger generation in town and grow new business has been Roy’s bread and butter for decades – but, truth be told, it’s also his passion. Roy works hard at his job, he works hard to promote education in the community and he’s worked hard during his mayoral campaign. For certain, Roy will work just as fervently for the city – and residents – of Beaumont.
Banding together, civilly, Roy will be the binding glue on council to bring transparency, trust and community engagement to a city that is in desperate need of a unifying entity. A vote for Roy West, we believe, will be a vote for our kids and their future.
Beaumont At-Large: Albert ‘AJ’ Turner
Albert “AJ” Turner, at the end of his first term as an At-Large councilmember for the city of Beaumont, has proven with actions that he is willing and able to work toward the betterment of our city.
AJ’s platform when he ran for his first term centered on addressing economic development, youth mentorship, infrastructure improvement and crime reduction. But, this candidate who represents the entire city doesn’t just talk about problems; he’s working on solutions daily. A family man, full of ambition, AJ lists his love for the city only after wife and the couple’s four daughters.
AJ is a familiar face with a bold vision for Beaumont’s future, and The Examiner’s pick for one of the two at-large council seats on the ballot.
Beaumont At-Large: Randy Feldschau
The Examiner endorses Randy Feldschau for one of two At-Large council seats currently up for election. Beaumont needs experienced leaders with integrity and the determination to do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do. There’s value in experience that hasn’t over-ripened, and continuity of leadership can be vital to the success of initiatives already underway in the city. We do need change in Beaumont but, as they say, be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. We need Randy’s voice, his honesty and integrity on the council perhaps now more than ever. Randy’s commitment to the community is apparent, not only through his tireless and many times what must seem like thankless work on council, but long before he was elected to city council when Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on Southeast Texas, as he rose to the challenges set before us. In a matter of hours, hundreds of waterlogged evacuees were being comforted, fed and homed by Feldschau’s initiative. His efforts didn’t stop there. In the days, weeks and months ahead, Feldschau grew a team of supporters to get those harmed by Harvey back in their homes. Countless residences were gutted, cleaned, renovated, repaired, or all-out rebuilt. This is what sets Randy Feldshau apart from the pack; it’s not only his job, but a calling.
You have two votes for Councilmember At-Large, and we know Randy Feldschau deserves one of them.
Beaumont City Council Ward 1: Taylor Neild
Taylor Neild has the endorsement from The Examiner because he truly stands on principle and will fight for what he believes is right, even when, many times, he is standing alone. He will show compromise and flexibility when needed, yet never waver in his core beliefs and morals.
Our community faces unprecedented growth of industry in years to come and we believe the business sense and acumen Neild has acquired as a Beaumont business owner will serve the residents of Beaumont well as he understands the complexities of growth, the challenges, and the opportunity the growth will have for our youth if managed properly.
Taylor is father to five children and understands first-hand the risks to our community if crime is not reduced; he was attacked recently by thieves in his own garage while his children were at play just feet away. Taylor Neild is the best and only reasonable choice for City Councilmember Ward 1 and we hope you will support him, too.
Beaumont City Council Ward 3: Carlton Sharp
A viable candidate with a vision for Ward 3 and Beaumont is in Carlton Sharp, a preacher, developer, author and community servant. Sharp and his wife, parents themselves and longtime residents of the neighborhood, understand the needs of this ward. Sharp says he has gone door-to-door in the precincts that make up Ward 3 and spoken directly to as many of the residents as he could.
The neighborhood’s residents, Sharp shares, are primarily concerned about crime in the community, but are also anxious about jobs, toilets that flush, and water that can be used to make iced tea.
We believe that the residents in Ward 3 will be well-served by Carlton Sharp and The Examiner endorses him to spark change in that ward for voters interested in addressing their concerns through their elected officials.
Port Arthur City Council: Tiffany Hamilton
In addition to our endorsements in the Beaumont municipal election, The Examiner believes there is one standout for City Council District 2 in Port Arthur, and endorses Tiffany L. Hamilton for that seat.
As one of Hamilton’s many supporters recently shared: “Voting … is right now, go out and be a part of the change you want to see. When you know better, you must try your best to do better.”
We believe Hamilton can be instrumental in the changes needed in Port Arthur, and will serve and be a voice for those who otherwise would not have one. She understands the challenges and the opportunities of our youth, together with the stress on an outdated infrastructure in dire need of repair.
We fully endorse Tiffany L. Hamilton and believe she is up to the challenge and will work hard for the residents of District 2.