PCRW hosts first candidate forum

Yahoo

17-04-2025

Hopefuls for city, school and SUD races made their pitch to voters Monday night, as the Parker County Republican Women hosted a candidate forum ahead of the May 3 election.
Candidates for Aledo and Weatherford ISDs; Weatherford, Aledo and Willow Park mayor; Willow Park city council; Springtown mayor and the Walnut Creek Special Utilities District showed up at the Doss to talk about their top issues and answer questions submitted by the audience.
Aledo Mayor Nick Stanley, running for his second term against challenger Shane Davis, said Parker County's rapid growth is causing most of the challenges his area faces, and said he's very capable of meeting those challenges as he's brought Aledo forward over the last three years.
His priorities, he said, include creating a police department, establishing good economic development policies and making the taxpayer's dollar go further.
Davis was not present at the forum.
Weatherford Mayor Paul Paschall, seeking his third term, said public safety is the city's No. 1 goal — acknowledging the appointment of Jason Hayes, a Weatherford native, as the new police chief earlier in day — along with parks and rec, and protecting who Weatherford is while welcoming in growth and change.
He also noted some of the accomplishments the city has achieved since he became mayor, adding, 'It's not the time to train somebody, folks.'
William Montgomery, who is challenging Paschall, said it's his first political venture ever.
The challenger is also facing two felony charges of terroristic threats against the entity he is running for.
'The city of Weatherford brought that fight to me,' Montgomery told the Weatherford Democrat regarding his 2022 arrests after allegedly threatening a 'Ruby Ridge/Waco' type incident against a code enforcement officer.
'And I decided to get involved and clean it up from the inside,' he told the newspaper.
The case is scheduled to go to trial in mid-May.
Montgomery listed power bills and water adjustments as concerns to address for the city.
'We may have to stop growth for awhile ... stop annexing for awhile,' he said. 'This is a long run, but I feel there are some gaps and I want to fill those gaps.'
Paschall, listing roles with the chamber, his church, Weatherford ISD and more, said he's been volunteering in the community since he got to Weatherford 20 years ago.
'I will spend the rest of my life trying to pour into people,' he said.
Montgomery said he hasn't volunteered or served on any committees, but believes his experience as a small business owner in the cutting horse industry is an asset.
'I know what it's like to lose, to worry about putting food on the table or pay bills,' he said. 'I believe these things are more critical and better ... than a committee.'
Paschall pointed out that as a fellow small business owner, he's also 'been in the trenches.'
To a question by moderator Rachel Watson regarding support for small businesses, Montgomery said first and foremost, government should 'stay out of their way. Stay out of the way and these businesses will grow like grass.'
Paschall said adequate housing and training for employees as well as connecting business with the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce and other resources for networking and support are key.
'It's not gonna be easy, but it's worth it,' he said.
Two of three Weatherford ISD candidates, Sam Stephens and Dan Woods, detailed their backgrounds and how they would address issues such as growth, teacher retention and support for low-income students. Devon Flowers, who was not present Monday, is also running for the Place 4 seat.
Stephens said his vision is to enhance the lives of students and parents, as a former Curtis Elementary and Weatherford High School student himself.
He said his role as a financial controller prepares him for financial management, budgeting and building.
He said one of his first changes would be to emphasize getting above average in math, reading, writing and literature scores.
Woods, as the owner of the Tailgaters BBQ food truck, said he stands by his motto of 'be yourself,' adding he's the one that greets his customers and that has his name on his business.
Regarding increasing enrollment projects, 'we can't fix growth but we can fix the infrastructure,' he said, adding that he'd like to make sure every student has an avenue that they can grow in.
Four out of six individuals running for two Aledo ISD spots were present for the audience's questions and the opportunity to give their background.
AISD Place 4 challenger Jeremiah Stoker, running against incumbent Forrest Collins, said as an engineer, it's literally his job to be a problem solver.
He said his concerns for the district center on the teacher turnover and the special education community. He said he'd like to initiate an ombudsmen program for students and families to navigate any issues quickly.
Collins, first elected in 2016, listed ways trustees have helped Aledo grow over the years, including adding a communications department and focusing on other programs — the creation of a dance team and wrestling. The district is also Parker County's largest employer, he said.
Stoker said one thing he would change is improving transparency, and that he's spoken with people 'who had difficulty having their voices heard.'
Collins said teachers need to stop being attacked and get more support, adding they should, 'Give 'em the ball and let 'em play.'
Lynn Morgan, vying for AISD Place 5, is an economist and professor at Texas Christian University who said she has a heart for the students.
She referenced funding at the state level as one of the major challenges for the district.
'We need to be pushing for [more] purse allotment, for special education ... and classes are getting too big,' Morgan said of teacher-to-student ratios and the need to hire more teachers.
Kelli Stahl, also running for Place 5, said her experience beating childhood cancer helped her desire to create that same kind of community when she moved to Aledo roughly five years ago.
A pediatric nurse, she said communication is key with helping the district thrive.
'Actively listening to these parents and going from there ... communicating with staff, teachers and getting from them what they truly need,' Stahl said.
Miles Lewis and Leia Brown, also vying for the position, were not present Monday.
Other speakers included Springtown mayoral hopeful Mike Kelley, who is running against Richelle Pruitt.
Kelley, who served as a principal and superintendent for SISD, said he learned as a 42-year-old administrator to 'admit what you don't know and seek out those people that do.'
He lauded his leadership experience and said his main objectives include infrastructure with a looming water crisis pending; incentives for businesses and industries to come to Springtown and improvements to the downtown area.
Doyle Moss, who's been Willow Park's mayor since 2017 — and a councilman before that — noted the city's accomplishments over the last several years, including his goal of getting water to Willow Park, doubling the sales tax and making the city one that people are wanting to come to.
'I'm excited to continue doing what we're doing,' he said. 'One of the phases to mayor is to let the people do their job. We've got a good council, a good city manager.
'There's lots of good stuff going on right now.'
Moss is being challenged by Teresa Palmer and Catherine Davis, neither of which were present Monday.
Eric Contreras, seeking reelection to WP's Place 1 against David Allen, said he remembers growing up in Aledo when the biggest issue was which video store to go to.
Serving on the council since 2018, the incumbent said his goals include continuing to keep taxes low, keep working on infrastructure, including wastewater and roads, and continuing to focus on what the needs of the city are.
Early voting begins April 22.
Another candidate forum was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Weatherford Holiday Inn Express & Suites, hosted by the WISD Council of PTAs, for WISD Place 4 candidates.
The Parker County Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a forum Wednesday at 6 p.m. at 100 Willow Bend Drive in Aledo.