Early voting in the Brownwood City Council Ward 3 election began Monday as candidates Melody Nowowiejski and Linda Heitman are vying for the position being vacated by Larry Mathis, who is moving from Brownwood to the Austin area.
Both candidates stopped by KOXE radio Monday morning for an interview and each gave their response to the following questions:
DECISION TO RUN?
Heitman – A couple of friends of mine approached me. We were talking about the resignation of Councilman Mathis and I made the comment that I live in that ward and they said ‘oh, you’ve got to run.’ I asked why and they told me the work I do with the homeless would be really invaluable to have a voice for that segment of the population on the city council for policy making. I did some investigating and visited with H.D. Jones who I’ve worked with before with the tiny homes, and asked him about time commitment and things. I prayed about it for a couple of weeks and decided to throw my hat in the ring.
Nowowiejski – I have had political ambitions since I was 16, it was something I always wanted to do. Back in the day it was national, I wanted to start small and go big, but the more I learned about politics and watched government the more I realized here at the local level is where it really happens, where it really matters and where we get to make a difference. The changes we want to see at the national level, we are better equipped to do them at the local level so that’s what prompted to decide this is the time.
AGENDA IF ELECTED?
Heitman – The only agenda, if you want to call it that, that I have is just hoping to bring more affordable housing to Brownwood. I think the city has done a fantastic job bringing in new businesses, large and small, and good paying jobs, but there are a lot people who are in the service industry and the rents in Brownwood are high and it’s hard for them to make it on $10 an hour. That’s the only agenda I have other than working toward making city services fully accessible to every segment of the population and just working to help everybody have a better life here.
Nowowiejski – I feel like the city is doing pretty well. I’ve spent the last few weeks getting to know what all they do and that’s mind-boggling, I would have a lot to learn I think. One of the big things we’re working on is trying to keep people in Brownwood. Having housing that fits into people’s budget is one of the things on the list to get people to stay.
WHY VOTE FOR ME?
Heitman – I do have experience with city government, I was a city secretary in a town I lived in in Nebraska, as well as I have continuing education with Texas Tech on governmental accounting. In my position as executive director of Brown County Home Solutions, I prepare the budgets there and we do a lot of fund accounting which is basically the same as the city. Each department has its own budget and you have to follow that budget and it’s the same with Brown County Home Solutions, each different program that we have has its own budget and is accountable. I definitely have a lot of contacts and relationships in this community, I solve problems for people every day, which is a large portion of what a council person does for their ward.
Nowowiejski – I’ll be honest, I don’t have a lot of experience in government so I would just say I represent the regular person well. It will be a learning experience, I’ll be learning right along with you. I encourage you to come and be part of city council meetings. You’re allowed to come and I think it’s good to know what’s going on and what your city is doing on your behalf.
BACKGROUND
Heitman – I am originally from Houston, I was born and raised down there. I have lived all over the country. I lived outside of Texas for 20 years, came back in 2013 and have no intention of going anywhere ever again. I moved to Brownwood 5 years ago. My background is low income property management, accounting and ministry.
Nowowiejski – I came to Brownwood because of Howard Payne in 1997. I went to Tech for a year, but I’ve mostly been here. I was married and we have four kids, an almost 15 year old down to 7.
Early voting will take place at the Brown County Elections Office, located at 613 N. Fisk Avenue, on April 19-23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 26-27, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election day voting will take place on May 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., also at the elections office. All Brownwood residents are eligible to vote in this election.
A video with both candidates being interviewed by Randy Turner can be found at KOXE.com.