Contributing Writer 

Six candidates are vying for the seat to be vacated by term-limited Sa Antonio Councilman Art Hall. Their diversity alone reflects the expanse of their region, a sprawling District 8, home to some 70,000 San Antonio residents.

Two Latinas - a retired schoolteacher and a young business owner – are among the hopefuls. After a failed first effort, a septuagenarian retired air force colonel is gunning for a second run at the seat, ready to battle for ballots against two younger combatants, a 37-year-old Hispanic proprietor and a low-key accountant. Rounding out the slate is the lone African-American candidate, a prominent podiatrist..

As diverse as the slate of candidates, so are the myriad issues affecting the district they seek to represent. Much of the district’s issues are growth-driven, with brisk housing development – much of it in Leon Springs - taking place near some of the city’s higher-profile retail complexes such as The Rim and the Shops at La Cantera and locale to main city arteries such as Loop 1604 and Interstate 10.

With such growth, traffic – and ongoing efforts to tame it - has become arguably the biggest priority among the district’s denizens. Almost to a candidate, the double-pronged issue of addressing traffic congestion and its ensuing pollution in the form of emissions has emerged as a major platform plank. Another main issue emerging in the race for District 8 is a call for additional resources to bolster emergency response to the growing area. The perennial issue of protecting the Edwards Aquifer – heightened in this district with portions atop the recharge zone – has taken on greater urgency in light of increased commercial development.

The Hill Country View sent each a questionnaire for input into their goals and personal qualifications. For candidates who did not respond, information was culled from political literature and comments made during an April 18 forum.

* CANDIDATE: Gloria A. Sanchez, 56, a retired public schoolteacher.

What would be your biggest challenge as a District 8 council member? “Taking care of our streets and managing the traffic. This is a priority.”

What are your goals as a council member? “My goal is to improve the quality of life of our residents, and to do that I would address public safety. Streets and drainage, city services, environmental responsibility, and being there to listen to people’s concerns.”

What are your qualifications? “I have a strong work ethic, I care, I have the time and energy, dedication, responsibility, maturity, and I have lived in San Antonio all of my life. After teaching for 28 years, there’s nothing I can’t do.”

* CANDIDATE: Jacob Joseph Dell, 27, a special projects accountant at Valero Energy Corp.

Biggest challenge? “Citizens must be protected by adequate numbers of police/fire/EMS personnel and equipment and their numbers must be increased in proportion to the city’s growth. I would immediately increase the number of emergency services personnel on the ground and work to build new stations as growth occurs, not after. The most vital way the city government can support this is by guaranteeing that 85 cents of every tax dollar collected goes to police, fire and EMS services and infrastructure/drainage.”

Goals? “My primary goal is to move the city budget from its current state towards 85 percent spending on the basics mentioned in question three. As your councilman, I will practice conservative values to make San Antonio a better place for our children and our future, and I can’t think of a more fitting goal than that.”

Qualifications? “My accounting/finance background in business, education ... and work experience on community projects and at Fortune 50 companies provides a sound platform to achieve my goal of creating a better San Antonio for our children.”

* CANDIDATE: Mario Obledo Jr., 37, small business owner.

Biggest challenge? Making sure that we promote smart growth to ensure that we have a quality of life that we can all be proud of for the future of our city/community. I am up for the challenge and will work together with everyone to ensure we win as a whole.

Goals? To make sure that everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. Open-door policy with a work ethic of commitment, community and compassion.

Qualifications? “Being from San Antonio, I believe I bring a true understanding of where we have been, where we are and where we are headed as a community. Combine this with real government experience working for the taxpayers for 15 years (three state agencies, Texas Senate and the mayor’s office nearly two years). I believe I have an overall understanding of how our local government works with other levels of government to secure policy that pertains to our quality of life. … I live in Leon Springs and see the issues that a growing community needs to address before urban sprawl overtakes our environment. I drive daily from the top part of the district to the bottom, and I feel it provides me with a good understanding of our needs.”

* CANDIDATE: Bert Cecconi, 71, retired U.S. Air Force colonel.

Priorities: More EMS/fire/police and solutions to traffic congestion.

Talking point: “I’m concerned about police, EMS and fire and traffic. These are issues I will address and bring solutions to at City Hall.”

* CANDIDATE: Diane Cibrian, 41, small business owner

Priorities: Property tax relief; traffic management and street repairs, more police and firefighter personnel.

Talking point: “I want to lower your property taxes. And I mean that.”

* CANDIDATE: Morris A. Stribling, 51, podiatrist.

Priorities: Traffic congestion and infrastructure; public safety; enhancement of healthcare and bioscience industry; and campaign finance reform.

Talking point: “SAWS (San Antonio Water System) should have greater enforcement over what can be developed over the (Edwards) Aquifer. It should be more specific.”

Editor’s note: The latter three candidates did not respond to the View’s questionnaire.