Katy Magazine
April 23, 2018
Jennifer Skelton
Early voting begins today for the City of Katy council seats Ward A, Ward B and At-Large. Read bio's on each candidate below.
Click here for early voting information and locations.
Ward A
COUNCILMAN RAY BOOTHE - INCUMBENT
Councilman Ray Boothe was appointed as a Ward A council member, last year, after winning a special election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term when Chuck Brawner resigned to run for mayor. Previously, he served on the City Planning and Zoning Board. As a Council Member, Councilman Boothe supported the bonds to be put on the ballot in the upcoming election to assist in flood mitigation.
ABOUT RAY BOOTHE
Ray and his wife, Shari, have four children and have lived in the City of Katy since 1991. The Boothes have owned their own insurance business in the City of Katy for 30 years. Ray is a conservative Christian and faith plays a role in every decision that he makes. He has a solid foundation and a year of experience on the council that he feels qualifies him to make the best decisions for the City of Katy.
MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS
Flooding, Development Matters, and New Construction
Councilman Boothe says flooding is a major area of concern. "We must continue to put pressure on state and national government to assist in building a new reservoir to the north," says Boothe. " Second, we must do all we can locally to get the water out of our neighborhoods and moving downstream without doing damage to our neighbors to the south." Boothe also wants to reevaluate development and building standards, going forward. "If those need to be changed, then discussions need to be started." Boothe wants the council to consider building more pier and beam construction as Katy begins to tear down old homes. He also believes the city needs to learn how we elevate properties with fill dirt for new construction, without causing issues for neighbors by cutting them off from the natural flow of the land.
Additional Comments
Councilman Boothe thinks it's important to have the best and most professional police and fire departments that the City can afford. "I believe in a strong military, and on a local level that translates into strong police and fire departments. A strong police force, like a strong military, acts as a deterrent."
Click here for more information on Councilman Ray Boothe.
JANET CORTE
Janet Corte has been a working mother while her children were growing up, working as an IT Consultant. In her career, Corte has been responsible for projects from inception through closure including project estimating, scheduling and planning, adherence to schedules and project scope, and client communication. She has volunteered in our community for many years as her children's Girl Scout troop leader and volunteered in the children's school including President of Project Graduation for the Katy High graduating class of 2004.
ABOUT JANET
Janet and her husband have lived in Katy for 29 years and love this town! They have raised four children that attended KISD schools. Janet is an active member of First United Methodist Church, providing support to the young group, Sunday school and confirmation classes.
MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS
Flood mitigation, commercial growth, zoning
Flood mitigation and improved drainage is definitely the first priority. "The bonds are a good start but there is more to be done," states Corte. "I also want to ensure that while we welcome and embrace growth there is responsible management of the changes that come with continued growth."
Corte feels that commercial growth needs to occur in the appropriately designated zones and not in the midst of our residential neighborhoods. "I am also very interested in the revitalization of the downtown area," says Corte. "Through my conversations with many residents, I know this is of great interest to them also."
Additional Information
"I want the readers to know that I will work hard for all of Katy. Katy is growing and our city leaders are facing a lot of work in the near future. I will work hard to support our city leaders, assist in building relationships that will be beneficial to the entire Katy community, and ensure that Katy remains a place that we are proud to call home. I have knocked on many doors visiting with the residents. I hope I have gained the voters’ trust and confidence that I am the right person to represent them at City Council.", says Corte.
Ward B
COUNCILMAN DURRAN DOWDLE - INCUMBENT
Councilman Dowdle served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment before being appointed to the Convention & Tourism Bureau prior to being elected to City Council. He have been in construction and maintenance for 35 years, managing people, projects and budgets. Councilman Dowdle has a history of service in this city, volunteering as a coach, at church, at public events, and at KISD. Councilman Dowdle is finishing up his second term on the City of Katy council and if elected, the third term would be his last due to term limits.
ABOUT DURRAN
Durran has 30 years experience in the Construction, Operations & Maintenance industry and has been employed by KBR for over 20 years, currently as a Project Manager. He and his wife, Terri, have been married for 34 years. They have two daughters who graduated from Katy High School, and two grandchildren.
MAIN AREA OF FOCUS
Infrastructure upgrades, flood mitigation, communication and customer service
Councilman Dowdle would like to "finish what I started".
Additional Information
Councilman Dowdle is a conservative who cares about the community. "I am independent in thought and think about what is before me.
Click here for more information on Councilman Durran Dowdle.
SAM PEARSON
Pearson has been appointed by two city mayors to the Planning and Zoning Committee for the City of Katy. During Harvey, his ministry was able to provide personal necessities to the National Guard as well as physical and spiritual help to flood victims. During his career, Pearson have been involved in public budgets, State and Federal grants, internal investigations, and many assets of the public administrative process.
ABOUT SAM
Sam and his wife have been City of Katy residents for 16 years. He was a Sergeant with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for 28 years. After retirement, he joined the Harris County Attorney's Office as a Senior Investigator. In 2013, Sam retired from the Attorney's office to direct a men’s ministry called, Just Man Ministry.
MAIN AREA OF FOCUS
City services, growth, taxes, drainage
The continual upgrading our Police and Fire Departments with equipment and training is a priority. The second area Pearson would be keep a watchful eye on is growth to insure there is not a negative impact on our citizens. As the City grows in commercial and industrial business, as a third priority, Pearson would push for a shift in the tax burden from the residential property owners. His last focus includes an upgrading of our drainage system so the water will flow faster through the city.
Additional Comments
The only property that Pearson owns in the City of Katy is his home and he wants to protect it just like all other residents. Pearson pledges to read everything he votes on and personally visit the site areas concerned. A pubic servant should always be a servant to the public. Pearson says, "I am a conservative with a high regard for Christian Ethical behavior. I have a public administration Master Degree in Criminal Justice Management. One major belief I have is that Common Sense is the highest degree of education."
At-Large
LARRY GORE
Larry Gore served on the city council representing Ward B previously, but had to step down due to term limits. He currently resides on the City of Katy’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Gore is proud to be one of the founders of the Katy Prairie Conservatory. He is also a Board Member and past President of Fort Bend Levee Improvement District #12.
ABOUT LARRY
Gore and his wife are small business owners for four decades and have been residents of the City of Katy for 16 continuous years. He has been a hunting and fishing outfitter in Katy since 1977. Gore and his wife also operate the Katy ABA Center of Texas, which provides services for children with learning challenges. They were in the process of building a new location in the City of Katy, when it was devastated by Hurricane Harvey floods.
MAIN AREA OF FOCUS
Flooding, City Departments
"My priority will be focusing on flooding and flood mitigation. This is the number one issue all the citizens of Katy want addressed." Gore says he has spent the majority of his life living and working on the Katy Prairie. He feels strongly he has the expertise to work on drainage improvements to mitigate as much of the flooding issues as possible.
Gore says he plans to hold the city government accountable to the citizens. "The city does many things right; but, changes are needed," explains Gore. "The changes and improvements I want to accomplish in the city government is better communications, holding contractors accountable and finding out citizen’s needs before making changes; which was not done with the garbage pick up service. Gore says he wants to give city departments all the tools they need to do the job right. "I want the city departments to be held accountable with no excuses."
Additional Comments
"This election is important. I am asking the voters to look hard at what they want their council member to accomplish. Do you want a council member just because you see him at the football game or not? Will he be able to get the city to fix our problems? If you want a council member who has the experience, the expertise and the determination to fight for our families and make a better more livable town for all of our families; then, please vote for Larry Gore for council member at large. God Bless you and God Bless Katy Texas."
Please go to VoteLarryGore.com to see more about my positive vision for Katy.
CHRIS HARRIS
Chris Harris played an instrumental role in organizing Hurricane Harvey relief. Not only did he organize matching student and adult volunteers with individuals in need of "mucking" out their homes, but Chris drove around delivering food to the homes of whomever needed it. Harris also helped set up temporary releif center for Katy Christian Ministries, after KCM was damaged during the hurricane. As a member of the Katy Development Board, a historical marker was placed at Katy Elementary.
ABOUT CHRIS
Chris and his wife Danielle have lived in Katy for 12 years, although Danielle, who teaches 7th grade Math for Katy ISD, grew up in Katy. Their three kids are third-generation Katy residents.
MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS
Flooding, City Services, Emergency Services, Residential/Commercial Zoning
Flood mitigation is top priority. Harris serves on the Katy Development Authority and they have been heavily involved in providing resources to the city to provide the necessary drainage improvements that are actually benefitting the city.
Harris says City services is his second priority. "A customer service-oriented approach to city government is essential to the small town feel of Katy, and I am committed to addressing the garbage service issue," Harris states. "Also, with my twenty-year background in public safety, part of that priority is police, EMS, and fire departments. We must require that our emergency services are adequately staffed, sufficiently sized and trained to respond to emergencies."
Harris says his third priority is addressing the residential/commercial zoning and providing really smart growth strategies for Katy that do not change established neighborhoods into flood prone and traffic quagmires. There is opportunity to update the zoning ordinances within the city limits to benefit all citizens.
Additional Comments
Harris is a conservative who supports term-limits and tax reductions. "I will be your fresh new voice with the right experience and vision for the town to represent you on Katy City Council, states Harris. "I am your neighbor and my concerns are the same as yours. I respect our historical city. I want to be your council member that you see at church, at the local store, and at the football games and out in our community that you turn to for assistance and information. My number will be public and I want to hear from you, the citizen. I will be distinctly approachable and I pledge to work each day for you."
Click here for more information on Chris Harris.