Debbie Breen

How old are you and what do you do?

I am not used to being asked how old I am , but I am 64. I do believe that with age comes wisdom. I have been a real estate professional for 22 years. I have been self-employed for over 23 years and have a track record of active involvement in the communities that I live in.

What is your previous experience to an elected or appointed office?

I ran for City Council 2 years ago and won a seat on the council. I have also served as Treasurer for one year on the Bandera EDC . Prior to City Council I have served on multiple boards such as the Lakehills Library, Boys & Girls Club and my local church.

Tell me about some of your community activities.

Some of my community involvement includes BISD Boosters Club, Boys & Girls Club Board Member, where I helped to bring Boys and Girls Club to Hill Country Elementary, ran Chili and Cajun Cookoffs for the club and volunteered at the Bandera Chapter. I was also Lakehills Library Board Member and President, St. Victor’s Church Board Member and President, help organize and work the Mardi Gras parades, MLVFD volunteer for annual BBQ, Frontier Times Museum volunteer for the Labor Day Pro Rodeo events, along with supporting many local events as a business owner. I have also volunteered with the Bandera Business Association and the Bandera Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Music Friendly Texas Board. I am a firm believer in volunteering and giving back to the community which is why I am running for City Council again.

Why should voters trust you?

I have served diligently in my position on City Council and tried to always put the best interests of the town first. I have stood up for both the residents and businesses, even when it was an unpopular position to take with the rest of City Council. I care about doing the right thing for the city. I am not a political person, but I want to make this town a better place for the residents and the businesses. Being self-employed I have had to make hard choices and and because of this I ask the hard questions at council. Why should voters trust me? Because I care.

Growth is here. In this position, how would you handle the growth and more growth coming?

I am not sure that I would say growth is here. The city population as stayed consistent and/or shrunk since the 1960’s. If you look at Main Street at any given time you would think that it has grown. The growth has occurred in the county. We need to set priorities – 1st should be the waste water treatment plant, 2nd should be our roads and parking for the first block of Main Street, 3rd should be our other infrastructure within the city. Searching/applying/ qualifying for grant money to help fund these projects is essential to our future. We cannot get all of these projects done with just our tax dollars.

What is Bandera’s biggest asset?

Bandera’s biggest asset is it’s small-town charm, cowboy lifestyle and the natural beauty of the countryside surrounding our town. Tourist come here from all over the world to be experience being a cowboy and they fall in love with the area while they are here. Tourism is our only real industry in Bandera. I believe we need to find a way to corral the tourism where it doesn’t affect the local residents as much, but we need those tax dollars from tourism.

What is your biggest strength?

I care!! I bring leadership, solution oriented organizational skills, and practical mindedness to get the job done. Working actively with the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District to plan for water needs now and in the future for our community should also be a priority for the Council along with other infrastructure needs such as roads, parking and maintenance needs. Developing more community events and the “hidden gem” of our city, the Medina River, to its fullest potential would benefit the residents of this town by bringing in tax dollars and income for local businesses.

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is maybe getting too involved… caring too much?

Why should people vote for you?

• I want to trim the fat in our city budgets, and make our tax dollars count. If we are asking people to pay more in taxes then the City should be making those same hard choices of making cuts where they can.

• I want to bring transparency and accountability back to the City Council and City Hall. I have pushed for two years to publish the City Council Meetings on the City’s website. Let the people know what is going on – be transparent!

• I want to be active in solving issues for our businesses and residents by listening to their issues.

• I want to stop the backdoor deals from occurring and restore the balance to the City Council.

• I want the City and the County to work together

• I want to hear from voters – I am accessible. My email is: debbreen.bandera@ gmail.com.