Marlin mayoral candidates discuss plans to put in place if elected

There will be a three-way race for mayor of Marlin on May 1 between incumbent Carolyn Lofton, John Keefer and Myra Buindo.

They Democrat asked the candidates the following in a question and answer format.

 

Why are you running for mayor 

specifically? 

Biundo: I, Myra Biundo, am running for Mayor of Marlin to work with state and local governments to improve the quality of services as it relates to the finances, police department, fire department, Marlin Independent School District, streets and sanitation, Marlin Hospital, Marlin Health Department, Marlin Department of Housing, nursing homes, Marlin Water Plant, Samaritan House, animal shelters, and businesses to ensure that the concerns and needs of the residents of Marlin are addressed and met.  

As Mayor, I would like to promote wealth in the community by bringing in industries for economic development that will create jobs, and bring in community resources to assist with the needs for the residents of Marlin. 

I look to serve using integrity as a positive presiding officer at council meetings and as an honorable representative of the municipality at ceremonial events, while diligently overseeing the daily operations of the municipality. I will actively ensure that the laws and ordinances of the municipality are properly carried out promoting a clean, peaceful and safe community for the people of Marlin.

 

Keefer: I started a plan and found the city $14 million for our infrastructure, and I want to see that project through. I have a great plan that I want to bring to the city to grow and rehabilitate our city. I have a very detailed plan to repair our roads.  

 

Lofton: I am running for mayor because I was born and raised in Marlin and have a genuine love for my community. I was frustrated with the continued decline of our city’s infrastructure, finances, and morale. I made a personal commitment to bring about improvements in our streets, water system, schools, and recreation. 

Since being in office, we have increased our operating capital by cutting wasteful spending and implementing a cashless transaction policy. 

Under this administration, we have secured and applied for grants totaling over $17 million. We are holding contractors accountable before any monies are dispersed. 

I have overseen the research on repairing the streets and water/sewer lines in Marlin and want to be able to educate the citizens on the importance of their collective role in generating the necessary revenue to facilitate permanent improvements. 

We have identified what is needed to achieve Marlin’s short and long-term goals. I have been purposeful in sharing this information with the citizens as it becomes available to me through our city council meetings, social media sites and town hall meeting. 

I want to see the continued efficiency that was gained through our contract with our Frontier Waste Services, which included bulk pick up curbside. 

I would like to see continued focus on keeping our parks and lakes clear and clean for community utilization. I would like to see more programs such as the young pilot’s program that gives the children of Marlin opportunities that have never been available before. I would like to continue with city-wide clean up efforts. 

I would like to continue my established relationship with state agencies to help with water quality improvements. I want to be the strength Marlin needs to ensure that citizens are kept safe and informed during times of natural and man-made crises. 

 

What is the most important issue the city faces right now? 

Biundo: The City of Marlin needs industry for economic development. Productions and employment will increase rapidly.  This will cause economic growth, development and capital formation.

 

Keefer: The most important issue the city faces right now is our roads and drinking water. I have created a very detailed low cost, productive plan to resurface our roads. We have already proven the Durapatcher will work on our roads if it was just used. My plan is put it back on the roads and start to fill our potholes.  

 

Lofton: The most important issue facing Marlin currently are our water concerns, which I will expand on in the following question. I think that equally important is our need for street and infrastructure improvements along with a need for new business development because all are vital to Marlin’s growth. 

 

Can you specifically address the city’s water issues and what your plan for fixing them will be?

Biundo: Marlin relays on the Marlin Old and New Lakes and the Brazos River Authority for sources of water.

The City of Marlin received $10.8 million dollars in funding from the Texas Water Development Board for the construction of the New water plant.  MRB Group was hired by the City of Marlin to complete Water Treatment Plant improvements. 

The water concerns are: lack or no water, water pressure, and water treatment (filtrations, leak, broking pipes, harmful toxins).

My water crisis plan: 

- To be proactive.

- Send written communication on the marques in around the city, news, TV screens, social media, newspaper and flyers when the pipes are leaking or broken.

- Verbally communicate on the radio, news as well as sending the warning out through the Police and Fire Department.

- Communicate when water need to be boiled.

- Encourage Water Conservation when it is not in use. 

- Work with Disaster Relief Programs to get water to the residents.

- Accept Water Donations.

- Distribute water to the residents when there is a Water Crisis. (filtration, leak, broken or harmful toxin(s)

- Monitor the City of Marlin when a report of water and sewage problems are filed. Make sure the water report is investigated and the issue resolved.

- Work with hotels in neighboring communities to set a respectful rate for residents to receive that may need to rent without price gouging until the Water Crisis is resolved.

The City of Marlin is known for its Hot Mineral Water.  They are said to have healing powers. As mayor, I will work with the Centers for Disease Control to sell the Hot Mineral Water to treat illnesses and diseases.  This will create wealth for the City of Marlin.  Also, rehabilitate the Hot Water Mineral Well and the surrounding area to promote tours and travel, which creates jobs and wealth in the community.

I will continue to work with the Marlin Water Plant to make sure that the water is being filtered properly with good water flow and great water supply.

I will write grants for Water Treatment, Water Plant repairs and Water Plant Construction on a New Build.

I will continue to work with state and local governments to ensure that citizens of Marlin, Texas in Falls County receive adequate resources and allocate those resources expeditiously.

Keefer: Our water plant is in desire need of repair. 

First the generator has had a leaking fuel injector pump for over a year and as of March 2021 it still has not been repaired. This could lead to a catastrophic problem if not repaired immediately. 

This city has had 12 violations/notices with the new one issued April 14, 2021, and still has seven of those that are open for the next administration to resolve. I only had five violations with two being a notice due to water main leaks. 

What the problem is this administration has failed the most important sample test, which is the distribution sample test, which is the actual drinking water out in our water lines when they are sampled and tested. 

We have failed every quarterly test since this mayor has been in office. Prior to that we haven’t failed that test since 2016 before the last plant manager started (per TCEQ Website). 

Our water plant is days away from shutting down. It is my prediction that the water plant will go down in the next 2-6 months and when it does, we will be without water for 3-9 months or on a boil order for 3-9 months.  When I am elected, I would fix the issues immediately if it is not too late to rectify the issues.   

 

Lofton: Marlin’s water plant currently has a filtration system that is outdated and in desperate need of an upgrade. The current filters, purchased on or around 2018, have a life span of less than 5 years and has deteriorated after less than three years of operation. 

The filtering system is no longer supported by Koch Systems who initially manufactured them. In order to upgrade to the new Koch filters, the filtration system would need to undergo a multi-million-dollar upgrade that the city cannot afford. 

We have researched and discussed piloting of a Nanostone filtration system that would provide filters that carry a life span of 20 years. The system is compatible with our plant and would not require much alteration of the plant to implement. We have obtained approval from TCEQ to pilot these filters. In addition, we have revenue included in our recent grant/loan package that would cover the cost of these filters. 

Once this upgrade is complete, the Marlin water plant will be able to maintain current water usage loads and can handle increased usage loads. In order to ensure that quality water reaches the homes, we are looking for resources to help to increase city water lines to the recommended water line size that would replace the current lines, which are too small.

These lines would also need to be of a material that would withstand extreme heat and/or cold. We will seek additional resources to help homeowners replace piping in their homes. 

 

 

What is your background and how will that help you to make decisions for the city? 

 

Biundo: I was a former educator. I have written lesson plans.  I understand the school budget and school law.  

Our school needs competent and highly qualified teachers to teach our children. Parents need educational resources to help support their child’s learning.  I would like to bring in community-based programs for the youth.  Their gifts and talents need to be cultivated. These experiences have equipped me with the ability to lead, guide and direct.  I was a former Track and Volleyball Coach.  

I taught sportsmanship, pertinent skills and techniques.  I know how to abide by rules and regulations.  As a former principal, I am aware of the needs of the students, faculty and community. I have managed a school budget. I have written a School Improvement Plan.  This leadership role embedded into my character the willingness to serve and meet the needs of others.  I am a loving mother of two sons.  I know that our children are important.  They are our future leaders.  As a parent, it is my nature love, teach, nurture and protect. All these prominent roles in my life will resonant as I make decisions for the good of the Citizens of Marlin.

I am a loving mother of two sons.  I am a Christian.  I enjoy reading, poetry, and writing.  I love all kinds of music.  I enjoy nature and love animals.  History fascinates me.  Traveling and visiting friends and family is a joy.  Cleaning is therapeutic.  Cooking is a pleasure.  Baking is delightful for me.  I am a people person.

My hobby is collecting perfume.

Keefer: Leadership is a necessity to move any city forward. Poor leadership can destroy a city at a rapid pace. Strong leadership must start from the top and flow downward. 

My plan is to be a strong leader as I have had to lead my company for over 17 years. I want to also bring strong leaders to run our city. 

When I was mayor, I Implemented a training program to train all our employees to meet TCEQ licensing requirements. We made it clear that if you could not meet the licensing, you would not be able to work for the city. We provided and paid for the training. I just looked up and found out that the training program has been canceled and there have been no new licenses issues since I left. 

Training is extremely important to keep our employees trained to avoid improper work and equipment breakdowns. A strong leader also comes with experience and knowledge. A leader can also think outside the box and be creative to come up with solutions.  

I am a workacholic. If I am not working, I spend my time with my family. We love to travel and take vacations.

 

Lofton: I have owned my own business since 2013. I maintained a work force until 2017. I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. I have a Master’s Degree in social work that encompasses a working knowledge of policy engagement, grant writing, and resource identification. 

I am a professor of social work at Baylor University. I educate and instruct social workers in recognizing the social need of communities, individuals, and groups. I have worked in leadership positions throughout my career that involved initiating policies and managing employees. I am a current member of the Clinical Leadership team that reports directly to the Senior Management team of Accentcare, Inc. 

I worked for four years as an accounting clerk under the leadership of the Director of Accounting with the University of Texas at Arlington. I attended the Governor’s Center for Management Development while working with the Texas Youth Commission. 

I developed and created policies and youth programs while working as a Program Director for Avalon Center. I was the Director in a voluntary position with the Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG) for many years in Falls County. 

I have been a member of the Medical Reserve Corps since 2011 and received my FEMA certification for Emergency Management through the Waco Dept of Health. I have written and verbal communication skills that enable me to educate and communicate with individuals and groups to secure needed resources for Marlin. 

I can initiate policies that would help with providing needed services in this community. I have grant writing skills that is needed to secure financial assistance for programs and services. With these credentials, I am well positioned to lead and manage the City of Marlin’s vision for revitalization and future growth. 

replace the current lines which are too small. These lines would also need to be of a material that would withstand extreme heat and/or cold. We will seek additional resources to help homeowners replace piping in their homes. 

What is your background and how will that help you to make decisions for the city? 

I have owned my own business since 2013. I maintained a work force until 2017. I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. I have a master’s degree in Social Work that encompasses a working knowledge of policy engagement, grant writing, and resource identification. I am a Professor of social work at Baylor University. I educate and instruct social workers in recognizing the social need of communities, individuals, and groups. I have worked in leadership positions throughout my career that involved initiating policies and managing employees. I am a current member of the Clinical Leadership team that reports directly to the Senior Management team of Accentcare, Inc. I worked for 4 years as an accounting clerk under the leadership of the Director of Accounting with the University of Texas at Arlington. I attended the Governor’s Center for Management Development while working with the Texas Youth Commission. I developed and created policies and youth programs while working as a Program Director for Avalon Center. I was the Director in a voluntary position with the Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG) for many years in Falls County. I have been a member of the Medical Reserve Corps since 2011 and received my FEMA certification for Emergency Management through the Waco Dept of Health. I have written and verbal communication skills that enable me to educate and communicate with individuals and groups to secure needed resources for Marlin. I can initiate policies that would help with providing needed services in this community. I have grant writing skills that is needed to secure financial assistance for programs and services. With these credentials, I am well positioned to lead and manage the City of Marlin’s vision for revitalization and future growth. 

Hon. Mayor Carolyn Lofton

The Marlin Democrat

251 Live Oak St
Marlin, TX 76661
Phone: (254) 883-2554
Fax:(254) 883-6553