Please describe your background.
I was born in Michigan in 1993. I moved to Corpus Christi in 2009, and graduated from Flour Bluff High School in 2011.

Why did you decide to run for office?
No specific reason, I had a feeling I should. Those feelings tend to turn out well.

What do you believe to be the biggest issue facing Corpus Christi?
It seems like water restrictions will become the biggest issue.

Do you believe the city is addressing it effectively?
The candidate did not respond to this question.

If you believe it necessary, how would you change course?
Desal can be a good option, but we need to be careful with the discharge and be sure not to harm the bay. I suggest running a discharge pipe out into the gulf.

Where do you believe the current city government has succeeded?
Expansion

Where do you believe the current city government has failed?
Residential road repair.

Isabel Araiza

Assistant Professor of Sociology

Please describe your background.
I was born and raised in Corpus Christi. I’m a first-generation college student who graduated from Del Mar College (AA in English) and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (BA in English and Political Science). I earned my PhD in Sociology from Boston College. I’m also a co-founder of For the Greater Good, a group that has been advocating for quality of life issues (beginning with access to clean water) since 2016.

Why did you decide to run for office?
We really need leadership that will center the people and the neighborhoods we live in. We need a mayor that sees government as a public good that exists to serve everyone. Right now, we have leadership that centers outside special interests that take our water, impact our natural resources, and don’t pay their fair share. We as a community suffer from this orientation. For example, desalination is for the fossil fuel industry, but residents are expected to pay for it. We had a street fee we paid for years but that money was not spent on residential streets. When we have a budget crisis, community services that people use/need — our libraries, senior centers, parks, trash collection — are the things that get cut. That’s wrong.

What do you believe to be the biggest issue facing Corpus Christi?
Our biggest issue in Corpus is the way leadership caters to the rich, the powerful, and special interests.  Most of our problems emanate from that. If we had government that centered the people, the neighborhoods we live in and the services we use, we would have different policies. The desalination project and how it has been pursued is probably the best example of that. The current mayor is fine with borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars to build a plant that residents and households don’t need. The city has not conducted a far-field study to see how the rest of the bay will be impacted, which could be detrimental to small local business and can affect our ability to enjoy the bay. They haven’t been transparent about how borrowing all that money will impact our utility bills. They haven’t even been transparent about the permitting and application process. In fact, they are spending extraordinary sums to try to convince residents to support desalination. It’s just wrong and evidence of how they are catering to special interests at the expense of people.

Do you believe the city is addressing it effectively?
They do a good job of investing resources in the downtown area and on the island. This shows that government can work when and for who it wants to. They are willing to invest in those areas, just as they are willing to expend resources to move the desalination project forward. It’s just sad that there are so many residents who don’t even trust drinking the water coming out of the faucet while at the same time the city is building a desalination plant to make water for industry.

If you believe it necessary, how would you change course?
My philosophy about government is fundamentally different than either the current mayor or Michael Hunter (who is a current at-large candidate). I’ve been watching city council for over eight years, and they almost never ask questions that show they are thinking of residents. In fact, they show a willingness to cater to special interests like the leaders of the fossil fuel industry and leaders of the real estate industry. Treating government as a public good in service to the community will be a profound shift. As a sociologist, I’m also trained to think about how decisions impact different segments of society, so I think my leadership will lead to more sound, more considerate policy.

Where do you believe the current city government has failed?
Look at all the budget cuts in the last budget — to trash collection, animal control, homeless services, libraries, senior centers, parks. It’s awful. Look at the raise and the wasteful spending by the city manager’s office, which I also see as a failure. I think the industrial district agreements were also poor decision-making. You have rich corporations (corporations that literally make billions quarterly) avoiding paying their fair share for 15 years. #gross We deserve better. I am also horrified by the politicization of the library board and the targeting of the LGBTQ+ community via the library board. That’s a huge failure on the city’s part. Michael Hunter, who is also running for mayor, appointed one of those library board members that has been spewing hate, misinformation, and intolerance. Already marginalized communities SHOULD NOT be used in political ploys. That’s disgusting. A candidate/public official who legitimizes and promotes such intolerance should be disqualified from holding office. I have students who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, and to think there are leaders who are complicit in making them feel more ostracized and less safe infuriates me.

John Calkusic

Owner of a crystal shop

Please describe your background.
John Dennis Calkusic. It’s of a Croation heritage last name. Where am I from? The Nebulon Galaxy from the outer edges of the Milky Way and decided to parachute in for the election. I have lived in the Flour Bluff area for 14 years. I grew up in southwest Pennsylvania, but liked Morgantown, West Virginia. The area was nice for camping and fishing. I left the area in 1983, after being laid off from US Steel when the company cut the local workforce by 250,000 full-time employees. After that, wanted to explore around the country as to where I could establish a new place to reside, and eventually wound up here. I have a great son, Kyle, who is a sophomore at Texas A&M in Kingsville, after getting his entire education and graduating from Flour Bluff High School in 2022.

Why did you decide to run for office?
To help alleviate a looming water crisis in the near future at Corpus Christi and surrounding area. I have presented an idea of cloud seeding. It can be beneficial due to our location next to the Gulf of Mexico. Which would take 75 years to equal the cost of building a new desalination plant. I was tired of our city being continuously run by narcissists, sociopaths, and criminals. The word honesty is facing extinction.

What do you believe to be the biggest issue facing Corpus Christi?
Our precariously low levels of water resources. We would not have such an impending water shortage, had it not been for the clandestine criminality of our elected leaders of 2017 and 2018. During this time, they gave away our city’s water rights to Exxon, then Dynamic Steel in Sinton. This was more than 20 million gallons daily. I call it stealing because the citizens and already established businesses never had a vote or referendum on the issue. This was no help but exacerbating our already existing water problem. There was absolutely no backup plan in place to offset the giveaway. Also, it’s not like they just borrowed the water. I have recently filed a criminal complaint with our District Attorney on behalf of the citizens, against the villains who stole our water and gave it away. This was an obvious mind-over-matter scenario, where our elected officials did not mind that the citizens did not matter.

Do you believe the city is addressing it effectively?
NO. Because they refuse listening to reason and common sense. It’s a shame it always seems to be in short supply when needed. I will be forwarding you the letter I wrote the District Attorney. You will notice I’m not shy about speaking up for what is right and just.

If you believe it necessary, how would you change course?
By inviting the best cloud-seeding experts in the country to a citizens’ forum at the American Bank Center to educate the public with a complete exposure of how the program works and the results to expect. I would also follow up with the District Attorney for the criminal investigation. When bad people do bad things to others without remorse, they deserve to be punished.

Where do you believe the current city government has succeeded?
Wow!!! That’s a tough one. I guess helping with the new Del Mar College on Yorktown and the new police training academy.

Where do you believe the current city government has failed?
Hmmm… A.) For starters, they have failed at honesty, integrity, transparency, oversight, accountability and common sense. Seems to have been flushed away. B.) CCPD is still 99 officers short of the recommended level. C.) They deliberately created our water problem. D.) They treat Padre Island like a red-headed stepchild on bond issues. E.) Animal control is a zoo. It’s in need of serious scrutiny. F.) Roads are a mess, putting it mildly. You can’t drive hardly anywhere in the city without traveling through construction areas. There are far too many projects going on all at the same time. This requires better planning. E.) Fiscal Responsibility policy not adhered to. This is why we have well over $700 million of new debt created in the last five years. For the first time in city history of 172 years, the city debt cruises past $2 billion FYE 2023. F.) Mr. Peter Zanoni has a Machiavellian-style personality, and the Mayor Paulette Guajardo is a full-blown oblivious peacock narcissist. They appear to be on an egotistical power trip and could use some counseling. G.) The homeless problem is deteriorating. Seems to be more of them and especially more panhandlers. H.) We don’t possess a respectable low income, affordable housing program that treats American citizens first. I believe they could have staffing issues. I.) Stop wasteful spending by prioritizing needs first. You a [sic]

Joshua Fraedrick

Owner of a lawn care business

Please describe your background.
I was raised in Corpus Christi, where I developed a deep love for the community. Growing up, I participated in local traditions, from painting myself like a tiger for Carroll High School football games to enjoying bonfires on the beach. These experiences instilled a sense of pride and connection to my hometown.

 As the owner of a lawn care business, I’ve spent my entire adult life working here, which has given me valuable insights into the everyday challenges residents face. My work involves driving through the city, allowing me to observe the condition of our roads and engage with diverse community members.

My commitment to Corpus Christi extends beyond my business. I am passionate about fostering community connections through events that promote unity and collaboration. These experiences have shaped my vision for a thriving, compassionate city where everyone can flourish.

Why did you decide to run for office?
I decided to run for office after I began to pay closer attention to our city politics a few years ago. Initially, it made me sad to see the challenges our community faces, which then turned to anger as I realized how much needs to be addressed. This anger transformed into motivation to create real change. I firmly believe in doing more than just complaining; it’s essential to take action. By stepping into a leadership role, I hope to advocate for the needs of our community and drive initiatives that promote growth, sustainability, and inclusivity in Corpus Christi.

What do you believe to be the biggest issue facing Corpus Christi?
I believe the biggest issue facing Corpus Christi is the push for desalination plants. While they are often presented as a quick solution to our water needs, they come with significant environmental concerns and long-term implications. The potential harm to our marine ecosystems and the challenges associated with brine waste management are serious considerations that cannot be overlooked. Instead of relying on desalination, we should prioritize sustainable water management strategies, such as enhancing existing infrastructure, promoting conservation, and exploring alternative water sources. Addressing our water challenges responsibly is crucial for the health of our community and the environment.

Do you believe the city is addressing it effectively?
No, I do not believe the city is addressing the desalination issue effectively. The focus on developing desalination plants seems to prioritize short-term fixes over long-term sustainability. This approach ignores the significant environmental impacts and the need for a comprehensive water management strategy. Instead of investing in potentially harmful desalination projects, the city should be concentrating on improving existing infrastructure, enhancing water conservation efforts, and exploring alternative, eco-friendly water sources. A more thoughtful and strategic approach is essential to ensure the health and well-being of our community and environment.

If you believe it necessary, how would you change course?
If given the opportunity, I would change course by prioritizing a comprehensive water management strategy that emphasizes sustainability and environmental protection. First, I would advocate for a thorough assessment of our existing water infrastructure to identify areas in need of repair and enhancement. Next, I would push for the implementation of advanced water conservation programs, educating residents on efficient water use and providing incentives for adopting water-saving technologies.

I would also explore alternative sources of water, such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling, to diversify our supply without relying on desalination. Collaborating with local experts and engaging the community in discussions would ensure that our approach reflects the needs and values of Corpus Christi residents. By taking these steps, we can move toward a more sustainable and responsible solution for our water challenges, protecting both our community and the environment.

Where do you believe the current city government has succeeded?
Admittedly, it’s tough to identify successes when I’ve been so focused on the changes I want to see. However, I believe the city government has succeeded in promoting art throughout Corpus Christi. The addition of beautiful murals by local artists has significantly beautified our city and showcased local talent. Events like Art Walk, Music Walk, and Concerts in the Park have also been effective in bringing our community together, fostering a sense of unity and pride. These initiatives not only enhance our cultural landscape but also create opportunities for residents to connect and celebrate our shared identity.

Where do you believe the current city government has failed?
I believe the current city government has failed in effectively listen to the citizens and prioritize the protection of our environment. Many residents feel their voices are not heard when it comes to important issues, such as infrastructure, water management, and community development. This disconnect leads to decisions that may not reflect the community’s needs or values.

Additionally, the government’s focus on projects like desalination without adequately considering their environmental impact demonstrates a lack of commitment to protecting our local ecosystems. Sustainable practices should be at the forefront of decision-making to ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations. The city can better serve the community and safeguard our natural resources by fostering open dialogue with citizens and prioritizing environmental stewardship.

Candidates MICHAEL HUNTER and PAULETTE GUAJARDO did not respond before deadline.