Beaumont deserves better leadership. Beaumont deserves leadership concerned with municipal services, like streets you can drive down without getting shot up and drainage that lets your toilets take refuse from your home rather than dumping it in your bathtub. Instead, politicians have deceived the public into supporting elected officials centered on how to make more money for themselves and the bigwigs that support their campaigns.
As in every election, The Examiner has reviewed the candidates seeking your vote, to lead your city, to spend your money, to pave your roads and to provide the police and fire service you need in emergencies. When visiting the polls for early voting through April 29, or on election day May 3, make your vote count. We will.
Beaumont City Mayor: Randy Feldschau
A real leader for real change
The Examiner endorses Randy Feldschau for Mayor of Beaumont. Beaumont needs experienced leaders with integrity and the determination to do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do. What we don’t need is more rubber-stamping deficit spending budgets and exorbitant raises for management.
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 a lot of 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 as Mayor of Beaumont 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. He jumped into service 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 Feldschau apart from the pack; it’s not only his job, but a calling.
Beaumont’s future is at a critical crossroads, and we need change – not just, as they say, slapping lipstick on a pig, but real change – so our community can feel safe and our businesses will feel confident in an investment in Beaumont creating jobs and opportunities for our young and old alike.
We must feel as though, if we invite company over for an occasion, we can feel comfortable flushing the toilets without it backing up. We need to feel safe in our homes, going to the store or to church and we need to have strong leadership of council. Randy Feldschau checks all those boxes – and we whole-heartedly support and endorse Randy Feldschau for Mayor of Beaumont.
Beaumont City Council At-Large: Mike Williams
Honor among politicians
Getting to know Mike Williams has been an honor and pleasure. Williams, during his first time running for public office, has been somewhat unconventional in his style of campaigning; we find it refreshing. No dirty deeds, no name calling, no nonsense and he goes high when others go low.
Mike Williams is a husband to Katherine, a father of two and a business owner, who says he is a proud Beaumont resident committed to building a stronger, safer and more prosperous city for all.
Many times, we ask ourselves: What are we leaving to the next generation? I can tell you that Mike Williams, when elected, will be a significant catalyst to the real change that Beaumont wants – and desperately needs.
Williams is a successful entrepreneur, growing a locally owned business from a single storefront to 18 locations across 10 cities. He is also the founder of SETX Whiskey Fest, which has raised over $650,000 for Cure Rare Disease, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the community.
Mike, we believe, understands the challenges facing Beaumont: strained public safety resources, aging infrastructure and a city government that, too often, mismanages taxpayer dollars. With a strong background in business and a fiscally conservative approach, he will fight to ensure the city operates efficiently, prioritizes public safety and makes smart investments in infrastructure and economic development.
Above all, Williams believes in common-sense leadership that focuses on results, not politics, and we believe him, if elected, we will hold him to his word.
The Examiner fully endorses Mike Williams for City Council At-Large.
Beaumont City Council At-Large: AJ Turner
Proven service, enough said
Beaumont At-Large Councilman Albert “AJ” Turner deserves another term to work for the residents of Beaumont. Turner has proven with his actions that he is willing and able to work toward the betterment of our city. The platform Turner ran on for his first term centered on addressing economic development, youth mentorship, infrastructure improvement and crime reduction. But, this candidate who represents the entire city didn’t just make idle promises or just talk about problems; he’s working on solutions every single day. A family man, married with four daughters, Turner knows first-hand the importance of a better Beaumont. Full of ambition, Turner lists his love for the city only after that of his wife and the couple’s four daughters.
We need new ideas and energy that is exemplified in Turner’s actions during the past two terms. After graduating with honors from Central High School in 2005 and earning a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Wiley College in Marshall, Turner served for seven years as a District Parole Officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice before pursuing entrepreneurship as the founder of AJ Turner Enterprises. Currently, he is Director of Operations for TGPA and Logistics, a thriving company with roughly 100 employees that has contracts with Amazon and FedEx.
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 City Council, Ward 1: Cory Crenshaw
#VoteCrenshaw, a voice for the people
Early voting commenced April 22 and Cory Crenshaw stands out as the only candidate that represents real change for Beaumont in the race for Ward 1 City Councilman. Born and raised in Beaumont, Crenshaw’s love for the city and his commitment to changing its downward spiral is evident far beyond any campaign promises; it is also demonstrated in his lifelong commitment to serving the people of our community.
It’s not just Crenshaw’s professional accolades that make him the ideal candidate for representing Ward 1; it is his deep-rooted connection to the community and sincere dedication to its people. Crenshaw understands the needs and concerns of Beaumont’s citizens, and he is committed to addressing our collective issues with diligence and compassion.
Crenshaw, routinely recognized for infamous #CallCrenshaw postings on social media and a cadre of coveted collector Stanley cups, has been just as visible in public service as he is online.
After law school, Crenshaw served as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, then stepped up and stepped in as a County Court at Law judge when the court’s longtime magistrate, Judge Lupe Flores, passed away. During Crenshaw’s time in the position, the court’s docket noted significant reduction, paving the way for incoming Judge Terrence Holmes to take office unburdened by backlog.
As interim district attorney, Crenshaw secured support for expansion of the county’s DWI blood collection, advanced litigation to declare Jefferson County street gangs as public nuisances under Texas law and filed cases against former Beaumont ISD electrician Calvin Walker that ultimately resulted in felony theft conviction and the ordered return of more than $1 million to the stakeholders of the local school district.
“I’m not running for influence. I’m blessed to already have a successful legal practice,” Crenshaw stated, indicating intent to use his talents for betterment of the community he calls home. “Just as I daily help my clients, I promise to now help my fellow Beaumonters solve the real problems we face in the city we all love.”
Once he began private practice at the Crenshaw Law Firm, his commitment to serving did not diminish. While his services as a lawyer can command top dollar from clients, Crenshaw’s commitment to the underserved through pro-bono work deserves recognition. That is added to the generosity Crenshaw exhibited when he took on the mission to raise money for bulletproof vests for our police officers, or the scores of families he made sure had Christmas that otherwise may not. You won’t see that on any campaign material or in his posts on social media. He certainly will joke of his “Yachting with the Duponts” or challenge you to do something kind for a stranger to win one of his “Call Crenshaw” Stanley cups; yet, his true giving nature will only be spoken of by the recipients of his generosity.
Throughout his career, Crenshaw’s leadership acumen, honed through years of service and specialized training, has earned him recognition as a trusted member of this community he so loves – and, he deserves your vote.
Beaumont is at a turning point and, without a change in leadership, Beaumont will not change for the better. As Crenshaw embarks on this new chapter, his journey is not merely a personal transition but a profound opportunity for Beaumont to usher in a new era of governance characterized by transparency, collaboration and unwavering dedication to fiscal responsibility and the safety and well-being of its residents.
The choice for Beaumont Ward 1 City Councilman is clear: Cory Crenshaw is not just a candidate but a catalyst for positive change. With his experience, vision and unparalleled dedication to service, Crenshaw is poised to be instrumental in leading Beaumont into a future defined by safety, accountability and prosperity.
“For far too long we have been electing people to government who end up only serving themselves and we are sick of it,” Crenshaw said, vowing to be a voice for the people who elected him, rather than a self-serving politician od days past.
Crenshaw’s opponent, Mark Stiles, draws on political service from decades past, but fails to recall those days accurately. Stiles, who as a long-removed Texas State Representative, boasts of an award by the Texas State Troopers Association that happened over 40 years ago; yet, he fails to mention the honor bestowed by Texas Monthly in 1983 that lauded him as one of the “TEN Worst Legislators.” The honor goes on to say that, “By session’s end, the floor had turned openly hostile, hissing and catcalling when Stiles took the mike. He had even veteran lobbyists mixing their metaphors wildly. But Stiles represented something more than an overweening freshman or a bad joke. He was the bad old days come back to life – a man with no beliefs, save in his own advancement, a legislator who shamelessly declared he’d do anything to curry favor, including bargain away his independence for a mess of Speaker’s pottage.” We can do without any more of that.
The Examiner completely endorses Cory Crenshaw for Beaumont City Council, affirming a solid belief in his ability to uphold the values and principles that define our community.
Beaumont City Council, Ward 2: Joey Hilliard
Taking the high road with Hilliard
The Examiner fully endorses Joey Hilliard for Beaumont City Council Ward 2 Councilman. Hilliard’s campaign concentrates on his family values, volunteer work in the community, and of building a business from the ground up now in operation for the 33rd year. What Hilliard doesn’t talk about, that I know of him and his wife, is that Joey and Shanoah Hilliard are two of the finest members of our community I know. My wife and I got to know them when we both had children suffering from childhood heart disease. Hilliard’s son unfortunately passed while in high school, while our son survived and is a now, through the grace of God and good medical care, a healthy young man.
What we saw of the Hilliards was a reverent energy to help others through their volunteering for youth and community events.
For several years, Hilliard has dedicated himself to serving the children and families of our community. He has raised funds for playgrounds, school supplies, sports equipment, and special education resources. He has coached little leagues, supported programs like Kairos and Chrysalis to guide youth and adults toward hope and faith, and ensured countless children experienced the joy of Christmas. Joey Hilliard was a frequent visitor to Beaumont school district board meetings, concerned and advocating for proper management of the district.
What really stands above and beyond for this candidate is he truly cares for Beaumont’s future; he is young, a business owner, an Army veteran and has a good platform of ideas for the city to include a commitment to improving the drainage issue we have every time it rains and our toilets back up. He has a commitment to supporting our fire and police and ideas on how to work with our police, schools and youth to reduce crime.
Hilliard’s opponent, Mike Getz, has served for 14 years on city council and, given his failed campaign last year for a County Commissioner seat, has shown his commitment to be one of seeking power and recognition for himself rather than the service to his constituents he claims to have.
It is time to move past the divisiveness and rhetoric peddled by self-serving politicians, term after tiring term, and elect some new energy and new ideas. Beaumont is either standing still or going backward – and doing the same thing over and over appears to not be working well.
For a better Beaumont, we highly endorse Joey Hilliard for Ward 2 City Councilman.