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Ashlee Bradshaw

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Tim McHutchion

Vote 2020: Kyle City Council District 4 candidates discuss upcoming election in Q&A

Sunday, October 18, 2020

Two candidates are vying for Kyle City Council District 4 — Ashlee Bradshaw and Tim McHutchion.

Ashlee Bradshaw

A 32-year-old small business owner, Bradshaw has been a Kyle resident for a little over three years. She is a mother and volunteer within the community.

Tim McHutchion

A 57-year-old manager in the self storage industry, McHutchion serves as a commissioner and vice chair for Kyle’s Planning And Zoning commission. He is also a board member on the Kyle Chain Reaction, the Kyle train depot and historical center and the Salvation Army of Hays County.

Q. Why are you running for office?

Bradshaw: Ever since moving to Kyle, I’ve had a very clear vision of the potential this city holds, and I feel that it’s my due diligence to do what I can to help the city reach that potential. I am very passionate about increasing the quality of life for our residents in Kyle by providing more community amenities, strengthening our local economy so we no longer have to drive to Austin or San Marcos and reducing the tax burden put on our residents.

McHutchion: I feel that the people of Kyle do not feel that they are actively involved in the administration of their city. I will ensure that this participation takes place and let the voices of the people of District 4 and the City of Kyle be heard through various avenues of communication.

Q. What are the most important issues currently facing Kyle?

Bradshaw: The most pressing issue is ensuring that our infrastructure is suitable to support our population growth. The next two largest issues would be the lack of business options within our local economy and amenities for our residents to use and benefit from.

McHutchion: The biggest and most important issue of course in Kyle right now is the pandemic. Because of this I will continue to work with funding PPEN testing to the citizens of our city, continue to provide utility and rental assistance and also continue to provide assistance to our small business community to ensure the continuity of our city’s business infrastructure.

Q. What is your position on the two major proposed ballot propositions, A and B?

Bradshaw: While I would have loved to see a more affordable public safety center option on the ballot this November, I do feel that the police officers who suit up to protect us and our city day in and day out have far outgrown the bank and deserve a more suitable building with proposition A. Aside from the need for a larger police department, I appreciate that there will be community and mental health programs at the public safety center for our residents to benefit from. As for proposition B, I think we all can agree, now more than ever, on the importance of open and green spaces in our community. This pandemic has really shifted our perspective on the value of parks, trails and other outdoor recreational areas that we can utilize to get fresh air, exercise, or even socialize at a safe distance. This proposition will give the city the ability to provide these spaces and amenities for our resi-dents to enjoy.

McHutchion: I am in favor of proposition A for a $37 million bond for a new public service center in uptown Kyle. I feel that our current police department is insufficient for the size of our city, as well as being an unsafe working environment for our officers. I am not in favor of proposition B, which is a $10 million bond for the creation of fajita fields and a sports complex in the uptown area of Kyle, because this bond is solely being used in the development of the uptown area in Kyle, and does not address the infrastructure needs such as trails on the east side of Kyle, which is in desperate need of these infrastructure upgrades to support the new subdivisions that are being built in this area.

Q. During this pandemic, what do you think would be the best plan for combating active cases while also operating the city’s day-to-day?

Bradshaw: The city has done a great job of keeping people protected and safe while following the executive orders given by the governor to keep businesses open, people working and the city operating as normal as possible.

McHutchion: The state of Texas has declared a state of emergency due to this pandemic. Following on this each municipality in the state of Texas should therefore be in a crisis management mode. City management during these conditions should be to ensure the public safety is first and foremost among the population. Practicing social distancing, wearing masks and protecting the most vulnerable in our society has got to be the number one goal as we try to ensure our infrastructure remain strong during this pandemic.

Q. If elected, what would be your first steps in council for Kyle’s future?

Bradshaw: My first steps will be toward strengthening our local economy and increasing private and public amenities for our restaurants such as playgrounds, fitness centers, and more dynamic shopping and dining. These initiatives will create the opportunity for the city to leverage the increased commercial property tax and sales tax revenue rather than relying on residential property tax to maintain the city.

McHutchion: One of my first steps and most important, would be to address property taxes on small businesses. The goal of our city should be for retention of small business and to help and ensure their growth in the community. In order to accomplish this, a program similar to a residence homesteaders needs to be put into place for a small business, to assist them in making their property taxes affordable, and therefore assuring their retention and growth.

Q. How do you think you differ from the other candidate running for district 4?

Bradshaw: I have the mind of a businesswoman and the heart of a resident. I have built three successful businesses that have taught me the importance of fiscal responsibility, actionable strategies, efficient leadership, scaling and managing growth, and good old fashioned hard work. My heart and passion for the city combined with my commitment and determination provide me with what it takes to turn goals into reality.

McHutchion: First and foremost in answering this question, I want to express my respect and admiration for my opponent. Deciding to run for office is never an easy decision, and always places you in a position of either praise or criticism. I believe that I have the experience necessary to perform the duties of this office in a proactive and informed manner. As a planning and zoning commissioner, I am very familiar with the comprehensive plan, which is the back bone for the development and growth of our city. Serving on other boards and committees has given me further insight into the operations of the city itself.

Q. Why should Kyle residents vote for you?

Bradshaw: I have a service based heart and a strong desire to do what I can to make a positive impact in our community. I am here to work for the people I represent so that we can come together and do what is best for our city. I look forward to the opportunity to bridge the gap between city and citizens as we work towards creating lasting positive changes in Kyle.

McHutchion: I served in the United States Air Force to protect and defend the rights and liberties that we have today. I wish to serve now the citizens of Kyle, to help them realize that they are the government of the city of Kyle, and deserve transparency, communication, and participation in the administration of their city. Furthermore, the citizens of District 4 and the City of Kyle do not deserve a politician to represent their needs, but rather a neighbor that they are familiar with, a person that understands their needs, wants, hopes, and desires that our residents have for their homes and their families. They deserve representation that will address ensuring a quality of life that they not only will enjoy, but their children as well. Knowing that the city that they live in offered them an opportunity to have a say in its growth and future.

San Marcos Record

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