PORT MANSFIELD, Texas - Seven people are running for three seats available on the upcoming Port Mansfield election to incorporate the fishing village as a governmental entity separate from Willacy County Navigation District.
They encompass an array of backgrounds and each of them will be vying for mayor and for two city commissioner spots if voters approve the measure set to be held on Nov. 4.
The candidates filed their intentions to run before the deadline expired on Sept. 5.
Running for mayor are:
- Holly A. Trojack, 62, a retired auto nation registration agent.
- Ruben Garcia Kr., 52, self-employed.
Running for council member on Place 1 are:
- James Michael Dunks, 55, a hunting and fishing outfitter.
- Everett Allen Price, 55, a retired Army officer.
Running for Place 2 are:
- Robert A. Flores, 55, an attorney.
- Gary A. Burton, 67, a retiree.
- Fredric Huey Collins, 67, a former firefighter.
The election will put to the test how Port Mansfield will be governed as WCND owns the land but improvements made by the property owners belong to the business and home dwellers.
On one side are supporters of the incorporation that is guided by an organization called Concerned Citizens of Port Mansfield.
On the other are those residents who believe double taxation will take place and will have to pay utilities to the district for the time being.
The issue is causing some friction among the two camps and some reports of vandalism have been going on.
According to posts on social media, roadside signs for and against incorporation are ending up inside and outside trash bins.
Early voting for the incorporation election will take place from Oct. 20 through Oct. 31.
According to the Willacy County Elections Administration’s office, 333 people have registered to vote.
The census-designated place had a population of 226 residents as per the 2010 U.S. Census.
