Q12. DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATE RESPONSES:
Angela Cardona - My priority is to make the most impact for all community members. I look forward to the opportunity to connect more so that I can be a better advocate and stronger representative for you. As a person with spine fusions and limited mobility, as well as a nephew with disabilities, your issues and concerns are close to me as well. Whatever I can do to assist is my will and intent. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this discussion.
Marcello Martinez - Equality and Inclusivity are part of what makes us great. We need to keep opening doors and removing barriers.
Tomas Uresti - Once again the disabled are very dear to my heart as I stated earlier, having two grandchildren that are severely handicapped. I learned early in my career the importance of proper transportation along with the correct staff working with high school life skill students one on one. I saw things I wasn't very happy with and promised to ensure no child would suffer the loading of a bus without the proper handling and care. I made that come true at the Weitzel center. I never knew my grandchildren would end up being in need of such facilities and myself later on also suffering from a neurological disorder. So needless to say I will stand strong for us.
Stephen Valdez - This has been a wonderful questionnaire and has opened my mind. Thank you for the opportunity to educate me on the possibilities of a whole demographic. Please hold me accountable.
Mark Vargas - I am an educator, an advocate, a lifelong South East Side resident, and I am proud to be in this race to be your next District 3 councilman. Growing up on this side of town, I recognized the tremendous growth and opportunity that exists here, but this pandemic has hit us hard
Too many of our businesses have closed their doors, too many of our workers have yet to find a job, and too many of our families have lost a loved one. These tragedies are some of the things I witnessed firsthand as a college and career readiness counsellor. These inequities and inequalities that exist are what I plan to address with big and bold action
I'm in this race to be your full-time councilman. I pledge to work with you and to always come to the table. I know that together we can ensure the future of San Antonio runs through District 3.
My top three priorities are:
COVID Vaccine Dispersal and Relief- District 3 has been hit hard by the pandemic, with the majority of cases and deaths happening in our neighborhoods. Now, we are dealing with issues with vaccine distribution where many of the vaccines have gone to residents on the North Side, with little having gone to sites on the South and West sides. We need to make sure the process is even, and all residents have equitable access to a vaccine.
It is important that we disburse as much relief as possible for our small businesses and unemployed workers who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
We still have over 100,000 citizens in the city alone who have not gone back to work. It is promising that we are seeing more aid come for the federal government, but our city needs to be sure to use these funds properly. We need to make sure that the process to apply for PPP loans is easy and simple for all businesses to access and understand, with the criteria to qualify being clear. I have heard from some small business owners who have had to shut their doors for good because they did not qualify for a loan, before revised criteria.
Accessible City Wi-Fi- As a college and career readiness counselor, I witnessed firsthand how the pandemic turned the world of so many families, upside down. Something as simple as an internet connection became a luxurious necessity. After losing their jobs due to decreased business operations, many of them struggled to pay their bills. It was one thing to make sure our student had laptops, it was another ensuring it could connect to the internet.
I believe San Antonio needs free equal and equitable city Wi-Fi and I propose we can start this process in District 3. I want to make sure that every park within our area is a Wi-Fi Hub, while also ensuring we are covering some of our lowest connected areas. In D3, some zip codes have as much as 60% of our homes not connected. This sets up these families at a disadvantage, especially when it come to education rates and getting back on track, such as the workforce programs that have been proposed. By connecting our city, we also set ourselves up for remaining competitive to national business when it comes to expanding in San Antonio.
Revitalizing our District- This pandemic has hit District 3 hard, with our side of town having the most infections and deaths within the city. Too many businesses have closed their doors, too many people have lost their job, and too many families have lost a loved one. I believe my district needs a full-time councilman who will fight for them. I strongly believe that if can accomplish the above, while also focusing on what makes our side of town so special, we can have the future of San Antonio run through District 3.
We are home to opportunity and promise, with many businesses big and small building here. We also have world class colleges, and this is only the start. Not to mention the UNESCO World Heritage sites in our San Antonio Missions, D3 represents the deep history and our optimistic future for the city.
Rafael Vela - I have a sister who has Cerebral palsy and seeing all the challenges she had to face growing up has made me realize that we can’t forget about anyone, everyone matters and I want to ensure if I am elected I will be here for my community and my city. We will move forward. Together.
Phyllis Viagran - I am from Southside, the place where my parents raised me. I have lived and breathed this community my entire life. Growing up, my family owned and ran Viagran Softball Complex, which led up to opening our own small business called Alamo Awards and Trophies. Started in 1988 by my mother and father, my sister and I worked alongside many aunts, uncles, and cousins to create all types of awards, from school awards to retirement plaques. I got to see people from the Southside celebrate every walk of life. Our business went through a life of its own as well, as online trophy sites lead to tough times and we had to close shop. I learned so much of what it means to run a small business on the Southside and how the community continues to work together through tough times.
I earned my bachelor's degrees in Political Science and History from Texas Tech University, where I proudly served as Champlain and pledge leader for Sigma Phi Lambda. After graduating, I stayed in San Antonio to teach in Castroville. I earned my master's degree in Bicultural Studies from The University of Texas at San Antonio and began to teach on the Southside. In 2009, I was hired by the San Antonio Police Department as a Community Service Specialist, where I regularly worked with individuals involved in domestic family violence. In 2016, I began to work for Visit SA as the Destination Services Coordinator, and later in 2018 was promoted to Membership Sales Coordinator. After being furloughed due to the pandemic in June 2020, I began to work for Older Adults Technology Services as a Community Outreach Coordinator and Trainer. I love working for OATS and helping our older population get connected to technology.
I love District 3 and do as much as I can to work within the community. I have served on both the Brooks Gives Back Board and The Rape Crisis Center Board and am proud of the work these organizations do for our community. I am a resident just like you: I've run a small business, I've closed a small business, been furloughed due to the pandemic, lost a job, and sought services provided by the city and state. My life experiences and knowledge of the district have prepared me to be your next Councilwoman.
If there are any parts of my questionnaire you would like to know more about I am accessible to answer any of your questions. If you need me to record these answers, or provide them in a more accessible format, please let me and my office know as soon as possible.