The general election voting for Alderman in District #5 will take place on May 6th from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The registered voters of the City of Devine can vote at the Devine Municipal Building located at 303 S. Teel Drive in Devine.
All applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than close of business on April 25th. These ballots should be mailed to Dora V. Rodriguez at 303 S. Teel Drive, Devine, TX 78016. Here are the candidates in their own words.
Hal Lance, incumbent
I am a candidate for the Fifth District of the Devine City Council and am running for my sixth consecutive term.
The first time I lived in Texas was in 1942 or 1943, (I was about 8 years old) when my father, who was a captain in the U.S. Army, was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso. The second time I lived in Texas was in 1976 when the company I worked for transferred me from California to Utah and then to Waco.
My wife and I have lived in Devine since Thanksgiving of 2001, which makes this the third time I have lived in Texas. Our three children completed high school and went to college in Texas. All three are married and live in Texas. My wife and I are here in Devine to stay.
The city is in a good financial position and the city property tax rate has decreased to less than it was in 1994. This is due to several factors including: the city employees performing their duties well; the current City Administrator operating the city at a professional level; the current council members working well together; and the continuing increase in retail activity here.
My goals for the city include keeping the tax rate lower than it was in 1994, providing the necessary services, improving the roads, maintaining police readiness for the safety of our citizens, improving entertainment for our children such as a skateboard park.
My priorities for Devine also include improvement of the infra-structure and to continue to improve the economic picture of the city.
I think my experience, my knowledge and my understanding of the problems facing Devine makes me the best candidate for city council.
Kevin Hicks, candidate
Let me introduce myself, I am Kevin Paul Hicks-Christian, family man and servant leader. My wife and I have been married over 25 years. We have a daughter, Mary who will graduate college a year early in Sports Camp Ministry, May 2017.
My wife’s family has lived here for over 150 years. I personally have been helping to care for the family farm for over 25 years. We plan on retiring here in our newly built home in our district.
Why I am the best choice for District Five City Councilman?
I take pride in our community and support Mayor Herring and the council on the UTSA revitalization plan. I’m all about educating youth for a better tomorrow. This plan will make more jobs for our youth in Devine. I will work to open the pool and build a splash pad at the city park. Sports Complex to include a fish pond. Workforce Development Career Center. Automotive Technology, Auto Body Technology, Diesel Technology, Welding, Health Care and Public Service. Certification Programs. State-of the-Art Training Facilities. UTI (Universal Technical Institute) is talking about locating in San Antonio. Gulf States Toyota Training Center locating in the San Antonio area. Junior College partnerships. Chick-fi-A. Tesla Showroom Charging Center.
I was the President for 10 years, of a Western Auto Automotive Parts and Supply Store. Career and Technical Education (CTE) Educator. In the Education Business for 25 years. I currently serve as Poteet Career and Technical Education Instructor specializing in Automotive Technology and Career Prep. I am Dual Credit Adjunct Instructor St. Philips College. Approved Costal Bend College Adjunct Instructor.
Building Business and Education Councils to benefit our students. Advisor, Award winning Skills USA Automotive Technology Clubs and Robotics Clubs. My students have competed at District, State and qualified at National Events. I have spent over 15 years in Youth Ministry working with Middle School students, Job Aid Ministry. I also currently hold the position of Sunday school teacher at First United Methodist Church of Devine Third-fifth Grade. We look forward to expanding our enrollment by getting students back involved in the Christian faith for a better future for all of us. Served many years with Mission Devine, Upwards Basketball, Awana’s, Royal Ambassadors and Salvation Army. I am easy to talk to and ready to work on fixing our drainage issues and making Devine, Divine again! Vote Kevin Hicks District Five councilman. Thank you.
Cory Thompson, candidate
I see two possibilities for the future of Devine. The first being one where we keep doing what we’ve been doing over the past 20 years. This is a bleak future because what was done 20 years ago clearly does not work now, and will not work in 10 more years. I remember back 20 years ago when Devine was economically on par with towns like Hondo and Pleasanton, and was clearly ahead of towns like Castroville and Lytle. However, all the economic growth that flooded into the surrounding communities over the past few years has not been experienced by Devine. For the past 10 years, the greater San Antonio region has experienced the largest economic boom in its history, yet all we have experienced in Devine is Walmart, bad roads, and water that residents are questioning.
The second future possibility is a super exciting one, one that doesn’t just return us to being economically competitive, but one that makes us culturally relevant. Unlike Bandera, or Kerrville, or even Castroville, we here in Devine have no history that we must conform to or preconceived idea of what we must be. We here in Devine have the unique opportunity to mold our own future. What do we want? Do we want to be a day trip destination (think of Wimberley, but food trucks and restaurants everywhere)? Great! Let’s do it, it’s ours for the taking as are many other options. I truly believe that with the right city leadership we can elevate Devine to the level of Bandera, Wimberley, and Gruene. This is the future I want for Devine, and this is the level of success I want for my hometown.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of losing to all the towns around us. I’m tired of businesses bypassing Devine to go build in Lytle or Castroville. I’m tired of our income not being on par with the rest of the towns in Medina County…And if we keep doing what we are doing now, we will continue to lose. Yes, change will take money and lots of work, but together we can make it happen.
So, if you believe like me: That Devine can become economically successful again. That clean and safe water should be a guarantee. And that our roads need to be repaired in a timely manner. Then I humbly ask for your vote.