Monitor Photo/Exiyannah Lujan
Candidates Robert Stykes (from left), Mark Holley, Greg Figueroa and Vance White attend the City of Tool’s Meet the Candidates Oct. 7. 

TOOL–The city of Tool held a Meet the Candidates event Oct. 7 at Oran White Civic Center for residents to learn and hear from each candidate running for Tool city council. Four of the five eligible candidates were present. During the meet the candidates event, each candidate was asked a question by the moderator, and were given three minutes to answer the question, from there, candidates could rebuttal. 
Candidate Robert Stykes introduced himself and mentioned that he has been a resident of Tool for five years and currently sits on his neighborhood’s Property Owners Association (POA). He stated, “It’s easy to sit back and not be happy with what’s going on but I think all of us, at one point should step up to the plate, put your name in and go for it.” 
Stykes was asked about the qualifications he has to serve as a councilman for the City of Tool. Stykes stated his work with the Department of Agriculture and with Homeland Security taught him to work with large groups of people and solve complex problems. Lastly, Stykes was asked about any previous leadership roles and the responsibilities that came with the role. Stykes informed residents that he was Union President for JFK and negotiated with management about working conditions. He also worked with the federal government as a law enforcement officer and was tasked with scheduling, negotiating with unions and writing contracts. 
Candidate Mark Holley introduced himself and recalled his first campaign for city council in 2022 and discussed how he noticed the number of things that weren’t happening as fast as the residents would have liked and ran for city council in hopes to help the growth of the city and lowering taxes. Holley stated, “How do you get what you want in life? You first help somebody else get what they want.”
The first question directed toward Holley was about his preference towards expanding the reach for the City of Tool, annexation or ETJ growth. Holley replied with annexation, for the reasons of bringing in additional tax revenue and is overall an easier option. He mentioned the annexation of Arnold Hills and its likelihood to bring in more revenue with the number of homes and taxes that could potentially be added. Holley was then asked, if elected, would he vote to approve a tax cap/exemption for residents 65 years of age and older in line with the county exemptions, to which he responded with yes. Holley stated the people have been requesting this for a long time and thinks they will find a $50,000 tax incentive that will eventually pay for itself. Robert Stykes rebutted and stated that while he supports the $50,000 tax incentive, he does not favor a tax freeze and believes it would not benefit the city and its people. 
Candidate Greg Figueroa introduced and stated that has goal has been to strengthen the finances of the city and mentioned the achievements during his time on city council such as having a fully staffed police department, hiring a city controller, and expanding the budget from $1.8 million to almost $3.1 million. Figueroa stated, “I just think there is a lot more to do that I can get accomplished with the city in the next two years.”
Figueroa was asked about the disappointments he experienced from his first term on city council and what was learned from it, and responded with the pace item are being accomplished was disappointing but he has since learned how to process these issues in a political standpoint rather than a business standpoint. Figuroa stated, “Disappointment isn’t something I dwell in, I dwell in challenge and trying to get accomplishments”. He was then asked if he believed that city funds or exemptions to existing code should be used to incent development. 
Figueroa answered by saying the city doesn’t have the capital to give funds to all projects, especially considering the size of some of the projects. He also stated that some of the developments are being self-funded by their sales and property tax and believes that if the project would be bringing in profit for the city, it would be worth spending the city capital.
Candidate Vance White introduced himself by stating that he’s grown up with great memories of being in the Cedar Creek Lake area and hopes to help with some issues in Tool. White was asked what he plans do to create better road infrastructure an influence approved traffic control on highways 274, to which he responded with that having to be a conversation with the state and maybe petition. 
He also mentioned the possibility of adding on-ramps and off-ramps. White was also asked about his plan for the term if he were to be elected. White brought up a few issues such as downing power lines, blind corners and maintenance or the streets. White states. “I’m not looking to spend everyone’s money; I would rather see a larger emergency fund for the city and only spend money on things that are needed or that can promise growth.”