Transportation - What would be your approach toward addressing the transportation issues facing El Paso? Do you support solutions such as a Light Rail system and the RMA?

I am for finding more funding solutions for meeting our mobility needs. For this I am proud to have helped create the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority. Having the users of the new roads, help pay for these new roads makes sense. The opponents to this concept support higher property taxes, higher gasoline taxes or no new roads. I support light rail but we need to get what we have running good first and then broaden our efforts to expansion.

Campaign - Who are the top two people in your campaign organization and what do they do?

Allan Serna has been my biggest help. He has been my campaign manager and contributor in talent and some funding. My other helpers are my kids. Its for them and the future of El Paso and all families kids the gives me my energy to keep up the fight.

Tax Incentive - What is your position on tax incentives for businesses that relocate to El Paso? Should incentives only be given to outside companies looking to move to El Paso or also be given to local companies?

I support the use of tax abatements in a fair and equitable common sense way to attract new businesses or expand current ones that benefit families and our city.

Redevelopment - How will you approach Downtown revitalization efforts?

Make sure that the plan moves forward and stays alive. The eminent domain issue has been used not to put the plan on the right track but to derail downtown revitalization. I will make sure the plan is kept on the right track and adjusted to be the right plan for El Paso.

Economic Development – What is your plan for bringing new businesses to El Paso? Do you support the reopening of ASARCO?

I would like to move ASARCO.
Promote El Paso’s unique advantages in Defense, International trade, Medicine, Transportation, Manufacturing & Tourism. Support a fair and well planned Downtown Redevelopment. Use tax abatement in a fair and equitable common sense way to attract new businesses or expand current ones that benefit families and our city. Promote tourism with our rich history of our great area Missions, restored Plaza Theater, and Wyler Aerial Tram. Also, I will advocate for the Tigua Casino to reopen and once again benefit our community.

Quality of Life - What are three Quality of Life issues you would address?

Parks, a theme park and reduce traffic congestion.

Quality of Life - Does the city do enough for its parks and cultural institutions like the libraries and museums? What does it do right, and what else could it do?

The city is on the right track but much has to be done to make up for the inadequacies of the past. The city is doing libraries right but more computers and resources are needed. The city needs a children’s museum along the theme of what Insights does but to a higher level.

Budget - Do you agree with the way the city applies its budget? Which departments get too much and which get too little?

The city has done a good job sense going to a city manager government. With the city managers help the city has done a good job of developing the budget, in spite of some resistance of my opponent.

City Government - Do you like the City Manager role? What would you change about it?

I support the city manager form of government and the current city manager. The voters were wise to choose a City Manager form of government. My opponent should realize this is working good and respect the voter’s wishes.

Future - What city would you like El Paso to most be like in 10 years?

El Paso in 10 years will be envied by many nations as a thriving Mecca and shining example of what a bi-national, bi-cultural city can become with the right vision and planning. You can see this vision at www.troyhicks.org

More Information:  Visit Troy Hicks's campaign website.