Responses to the Leander Professional Firefighters Association
NAME: Simon Garcia
ADDRESS: 1605 S West Dr. Leander TX 78641
CAMPAIGN OFFICE PHONE: (Cell) 1-512-363-0974
EMAIL ADDRESS: Simon.Garcia3@yahoo.com
1. Why are you seeking office?
I have a history of serving, and after 8 years this is my chance to give back to the citizens of Leander for
what they have given to me. My family members now all reside in Leander. My family works, and
attends at schools here in Leander. The future of this city is dear to me, and this is why I volunteer to
work towards a stronger, safer, and competitive Leander. My platform consists of:
-Promoting Economic Development to Create New Jobs in Leander
-Stabilizing and Securing our Water Resources for the Future
-Encouraging new retail shopping choices, more restaurants, unique startups, and entertainment
businesses.
-Enriching Quality of Life in Leander by supporting community events
-Supporting our first responders in keeping Leander SAFE.
(This is what is appearing on my mail outs and push cards)- I understand that with growth comes an
added burden of responsibility to our first responders. Making sure that they are supported to meet this
increase is key to our stability, and future economic growth.
2. What is your political party affiliation?
None
3.List all previous elective offices
None
4. List current employment other than elective office, if any?
Ross – Store manager.
5. List all past work experience.
(2009-Current) ROSS Store Manager/District Team
(2005-2009) Toys R US Store Manager
(2006-2009) Legislative Aid -TX House of Representatives (Sen. Sub. Committee on Higher Education)
(2001-2005) Target- Logistics Manager, HR Manager, Executive, Store Manager
(1997-2001) Wal-Mart- Dept Manager, Assistant Manager
6. List educational background.
One year away from B.A in Economics
7. List all affiliations with clubs or other organizations.
Former Leander Community Club, Board Member,
Graduate of Leander Citizens Police Academy
8. List all experience directly relating to the office you are
Seeking.
* (CITY)In the past 8 years I have been on our Planning and Zoning
Commission, Board of Adjustments, Capital Improvements
Board, Community Club Member, and Graduate of our Citizens
Police Academy.
* (Political) have worked at the state level on Higher Education initiatives, and Acting chief of Staff as
well as Legislative Aid for a State Representative. Also, Worked for Senate Sub-committee on higher
education in the “Closing the Gap”
*(Management) 13 years of Business Management Experience.
9. Do you have any management training or experience?
Thirteen years of business management experience for two fortune 500 Companies.
-Managed over 400 employees at one time
-Created /Managed budget in the millions
-Human Resources Experience
-Help research and plan new retail locations
-Create, as well as test/implement, new policy and procedures.
10. What makes you the most qualified person for this office?
My experience in Business Management, background in economics, and my service on City Boards and
Committees has given me the experience I need to be a successful and proactive Councilman. Most
important, my ability to communicate with people makes me the most qualified person for this office.
11. What are your personal goals?
My personal goals at this time would be to get elected as your representative on Leander City Council.
At this point in my life I have a 9 yr old daughter and a 9 month daughter. My personal goal is their
happiness and success. Creating a strong and safe Leander where they can grow up, is one of many
reasons why I run for this office. What father does not want to help shape the world his daughters grow
up in?
12. What are your future political aspirations?
If elected, simply to earn a second a term as a Leander City Council member.
13. Please explain your knowledge of all services rendered by the Leander Fire Department?
-Large scope of responsibility including: Fire protection and prevention, first aid, first responder to
accidents, citizen education on safety.
-Building inspections, fire marshal responsibilities, RESCUE both on ground and in water (as one of the
first departments in our area to provide swift-water rescue).
-Lead on Emergency Management for the entire city.
14. Do you understand the ISO rating system, it is important to our City, and it’s cost savings to the
citizen of Leander. Would you support budgetary measures to improve the City’s ISO rating?
a) ISO rating is a benchmark measurement on excellence, including facilities, response time, apparatus
b) With regards to training and equipment, yes, as it relates to future budget commitments on higher
level measures – being part of the budget process, I will study our budget from year to year to see
what I can do in improving and maintaining our ISO rating.
15. In your opinion how important is it to maintain good labor – management relations and maintain
open communications?
Communication is vital, and as an elected official it is very important to maintain open communications.
Your input will help me make better decisions. Knowing the causes and effects of my decisions, future
and past, is necessary.
16. Would you support the adoption by the City of Leander of Chapter 174 of the Texas local
government code as it pertains to fire fighters? Please explain your answer.
I would support placing a collective bargaining referendum on the ballot to allow our citizen to decide.
The fate of an election is up to our citizens, and would need to be respected by all parties, public and
private.
17. Would you support the adoption by the City of Leander of Chapter 143 of the Texas local
government code as it pertains to fire fighters? Please explain your answer.
Coming from a family with many civil servants, I see the positive effects concerning stable employment,
stable employee benefits, and loyalty to the City. My job as a City Councilmember will be to prepare us
for this reality. In time, we will realize Civil Service, as a policy, will benefit our employees and
citizens.
18. Would you support a methodology in which Leander firefighters salary and benefits were
compared using 10 Texas cities that City Management, Fire Department Administration, and
Local 4298 agreed upon in writing.
Yes, I would support a methodology that included the following: ten cities of similar size and budget,
and, I would support taking either an average benchmark, or a top five salary position from those cities.
As allowed by law, I would also support a biennial review of cities to make certain we evaluate on a
consistent (same size and budget) benchmark. This way we do not lock ourselves to inappropriate
benchmarking.
19. Should the Leander Professional Firefighters Association expect that you would communicate
with them through established and recognized contacts and seek input from them on issues that
would directly affect them prior to a final decision being made, within reason.
As previously stated, communication is vital. Therefore, yes, I would reach-out to the Fire department to
educate me concerning the effects of the decisions I will make.
20. Is it your desire to have the Leander Professional Firefighters Association endorse and support
you in your bid for City Council #3?
It would be an honor and a privilege to earn the endorsement of the Leander Professional Firefighters
Association. As trusted professionals within our community, your endorsement would make the
difference in this election.
21. Why should the Leander Professional Firefighters Association support you in this election?
I am the most qualified candidate, and the fact that I communicate well with all parties before making
decisions is the most important quality a candidate can have. My goal is the same as yours, the safety
and protection of our citizens as we grow. Which means, giving our first responders the training, and
tools needed to do their job effectively.
22. If the decision is made to endorse your candidacy for City Council Place #3, what would be your
expectations of the Leander Professional Firefighters Association?
I would ask for permission to:
1) Communicate the endorsement of the Leander Professional Firefighters Association publicly;
2) Assistance with block walking and flyer distribution;
3) Making calls to local fire department relatives and contacts during both early voting and
election day;
4) Placement of campaign yard signs at the homes of local Association members.
23. Do you have any additional comments, concerns, clarifications on responses, or questions for this
committee?
I appreciate the Association reaching out to me and considering my position on important issues raised
by this questionnaire; as well as the possibility of earning your endorsement. Please do not hesitate to
contact me if I can be of further assistance. 1-512-363-0974. I added a picture below from The Fall
Festival (2005) in hopes of affirming my strong support of our first responders.
(2005 Fall Festival) Simon giving Chief Williams donation
check on behalf of The Leander Community Club.