Editors note: NPT emailed the questionnaires to the candidates, and received answers from four out of the five. The same questions were asked of all the candidates, and, since this is the Internet, there were no space limitations placed.

Biographical info:

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Name: Emma Acosta

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Age: 54

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Education:
BBA- UTEP
MBA- Webster University (Ft. Bliss Campus)

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Occupation: Consultant

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Length of Residence in District: 6 months

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Relevant Experience: over 30 years experience

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Website: www.emmaacostacampaign.com

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Questions (no word limit):

1) What is the role of a member of City Council?

A City Representative is elected to represent the constituents of the district and to be the voice of the people who elected him/her. It is also the responsibility of the elected official to ensure that the district’s needs are being addressed, that adequate funding is directed to the district for infrastructure, safety, and quality of life needs. It is the responsibility of the representative to ensure that the voices of the people of the district are heard and that their voice is heard through him/her on City Council. Thus, representation for the people, by the people. A simple concept that is the basis of our democracy.

A representative should be available to meet with constituents, to provide information on issues affecting the district and the city as a whole. To provide information on major and minor issues and proposed policy decisions that affect the district and the city, so that these issues are understood and the constituency may be able to provide feedback. A representative must also be able address the needs and concerns of issues affecting the lives of the district, such as road maintenance, street lighting, flooding and drainage, and safety concerns.

As with any other elected official, a representative must adhere to ethical and moral standards.

It is essential for a member of City Council to have citizen’s advisory committees to gauge the opinions and values of its constituents and have transparency and accountability. It is also the role of the City Representative to fully understand and have experience in the inner workings of city government.

2) What are the five most important issues facing the district? How would you address those?

Infrastructure & Development especially those surrounding the Medical Center of Americas.

Influx of troops based on BRAC-work with community stakeholders and have open dialogue with Ft. Bliss, assure that our city has the infrastructure to accommodate the influx of troops by ensuring that funding for infrastructure is secured, partner up and communicate with all the governmental entities to include but not limit to: School Districts, County Government, Chambers of Commerce, REDCO and non-profit organizations.

Economic development-Utilize the Empowerment Zone Funding to help small businesses grow around the Medical Center of the Americas. Work with Chambers of Commerce and REDCO to help bring in new businesses that will create new good paying job by designing workable, accountable, and reasonable tax incentives.

Basic infrastructures & Quality of Life- ensure general & bond funds are allocated to the district and built on time and within budget; ensure fair share of funding for safety, streets, drainage & lighting for district 3

Community Safety-establish a citizen’s advisory committee to generate policy direction on major issues, work with the police department ; make sure our streets are safe and well lighted; work with non-profit organizations and school districts to ensure that gang related activities are curtailed

3) What are the five most important issues facing the city? How would you address those?

Infrastructure & Development, (including transportation infrastructure)
Safety
BRAC
Medical Center of the Americas
Economic Development

4) What are the largest businesses in your district?

Phelps Dodge
Western Refining
El Paso International Airport
Medical Center of Americas- Thomason, Texas Tech, Paul Foster Medical School
Cielo Vista Mall & Bassett Mall
While Ft. Bliss is a Federal Military Installation and not a business, its economic impact to district 3 is considered.

5) If you could bring any business to your district, what would it be?

Pharmaceutical Companies

6) Do you think public amenities and services are being fairly distributed among the eight city council districts, including libraries, parks and facilities for youth and adult sports and street paving and improvement projects?

No! Many areas of district 3 have been severely ignored for many years.

7) Do you support impact fees (that would require developers and, ultimately, home and commercial property buyers in new developments to pay more of the costs to provide those areas with water service, police and fire stations and amenities) on new development?

Yes, I would support that developers pay t a fair distribution of the required cost to build the new homes with the new homes paying a fair share.

8) Would you support a definition of blight as a precursor to use of eminent domain that evaluates blight property by property, rather than by neighborhoods or districts?

I would support evaluation of property by property.

9) Do you support the eventual use of light rail and other mass transit options that will be competitive to private auto use?

Yes.

10) If so, how much emphasis would you put on supporting new roads in El Paso versus building a mass transit system that more people would choose?

I would balance both systems to accommodate mass transit options and vehicular drivers. I would look at stimulating a higher usage of the current transit system, then expanding, at a cost effective and sustainable level. In addition, I would also support expansion of roads that are currently needed in order to utilize available state funding.

11) Do you support the city's efforts to keep Asarco from reopening?

I support the will of the people in District 3.

12) Do you believe Western Refining or Phelps Dodge poses a threat to the health of nearby residents, and how would you deal with that?

If they pose a threat to the health of nearby residents I will work with the company itself to ensure all federal, state and local environmental laws are being complied with.

13) Do you support the Medical Center of the Americas concept? What would you do to limit its impact on the neighborhood, or, conversely, what would you do to support its growth, or both?

Yes. I support the Medical Center of the Americas. Additionally, I support the growth around the surrounding area. I also support encouraging new businesses and restaurants to relocate to the surrounding area including the development of housing for medical students,

14) What is your view of the Public Service Board’s new stormwater utility and the monthly fees that homeowners, business owners and apartment dwellers are being charged to finance it?

I believe that the stakeholders, those businesses that have been impacted, should have been better informed of the fee structure that was being proposed. The fee goes against economic development because it places a burden on business owners and goes against the concept of businesses relocating to El Paso. El Pasoans should be informed on the basis on which the fee was developed, the purpose of such a fee, and the use of the collected fees for short term, midterm, and long term projects, including the cost of maintenance after projects are completed.