These men are running for two seats on the Houston city council Here are their answers – written in their own words – to issues related to the district:

JOE HONEYCUTT (incumbent, Ward I): I have grown up in Houston, graduated from Houston High School and graduated from Missouri State University with a business management major. I held a management position for several years in a local Chevrolet dealership until it closed.

I was employed with Fairgrounds Auto Plaza in Rolla for almost three years, where I developed a success fleet department with sales to several large and small fleet companies. Since then I have been employed by the state of Missouri as an eligibility specialist with the Department of Family Support.

My wife, a retired Houston Schools teacher, and I have two children, six grandchildren and two great-grandkids.

I am a deacon and treasurer at First Baptist Church in Houston.

KEVIN STILLEY (challenger, Ward I): I am Kevin Stilley and I am asking for your vote for Ward I Alderman for City of Houston. I grew up in Texas County and have been a resident of City of Houston for 19 years. I graduated from Houston High School in 1987 and been employed by the IBEW Local 453 for 29 years. I am married to Angela (Angie) Stilley. I have three sons, Tyler, Hunter and Parker and one daughter, Jasmin.

CHALKY WELLS (challenger, Ward II): I am 72 years old. My wife, Alice, and I will celebrate our 19th anniversary in May. We have two sons and three grandsons. I was born in Houston, and have lived here most of my life. I graduated from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and worked as a staff pharmacist at Texas County Memorial Hospital for 10 years. Now I am semi-retired and work at TCMH as a relief pharmacist.

Why are you seeking re-election?

Honeycutt: I am seeking re-election to the city council in Ward I so that I can continue to help plan the future of Houston in creating new jobs, supporting the law enforcement and fire protection, and listening to the public.

Stilley: I am seeking election to Houston City Council because I want to work the economic developer to get new industries and businesses in the City of Houston. I am also committed to promoting growth for the youth that currently are living in this town. I would like to focus on the recreational needs of the youth.

Wells: Previously I was on the city council for six years and am familiar with the duties of a councilman. Also, I have current experience on boards of The Bank of Houston, the Houston Development Co. and the Houston United Methodist Church. I am very interested in our community’s future and will do my best to represent the citizens of Ward II.

What are the three greatest needs for the community?

Honeycutt: The three greatest needs for the city is above-average paying jobs, affordable housing and opportunity for the youth to further their education/technical training.

Stilley: The three greatest needs for our community are: economic development so that we can bring in good paying jobs to this community. The next most important thing is to built a long term plan to update the infrastructure such as streets, water, sewer. The third most important thing is recreation activities for everyone. We need to concentrate on the youth activities and offer activities for adults as well.

Wells: In my opinion, Houston needs more job opportunities and trade school classes for youth who are not going on to college. We have a good school system, but need more security in all the school buildings to protect our kids and teachers. I also hope we can develop more leisure activities for all ages.

Following a recent public hearing, what are your thoughts related to a no smoking ordinance for Houston?

Honeycutt: The State of Missouri has a law that addresses smoking places already. Any further restrictions, I feel, should be addressed by local businesses.

Stilley: My thoughts on the recent smoking ordinance is that there are already state laws that allow for businesses to prohibit smoking in their establishments if they so choose to. I feel it should be up to the individual business if they don’t want smoking in there establishment.

Wells: Regarding a no-smoking ordinance, I think business owners should be able to decide if smoking is permitted in their business.

The City of Houston is considering selling the Forbes property in Ward II. Do you support the sale or should the city develop it?

Honeycutt: It would be a good location for several uses. We will have to see which will be the best for the future for the City of Houston.

Stilley: My thoughts on the Forbes property is that they City of Houston should sell the land to a developer to build single dwelling housing.

Wells: There is a need for more moderately priced housing in Houston, so I would support selling the property for that purpose.

If you controlled the budget, the city would spend less on what and more on what?

Honeycutt: The budget is a complex balance of income, restrictions and needs for a progressive community. I feel that the spending of the city has been conservation for several years, protecting the funds that the citizens entrusted to the city to wisely spend.

Stilley: If I had control of the budget I would spend less on land purchases that we cannot develop and more on infrastructure and economic growth.

Wells: City budget: more emphasis on renewable (solar) energy, close monitoring of expenses, continued support of the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Houston Inc., all city departments and employees. We must keep our city up-to-date. 

What is your vision for Houston?

Honeycutt: The future of Houston is bright with new businesses in development in both the north and south industrial parks and expansion of existing businesses.

I would like to continue to serve the citizens of Houston as Alderman, Ward I.

Stilley: My vision for Houston is to bring industries and jobs back to Houston to make it a thriving city again. I would achieve this by sitting down with the economic developer and discuss incentive programs that might be able to promote and entice businesses to want to come here and make Houston their home.

Wells: Low unemployment, a growing and vibrant downtown, good communication between city council and the community, activities for young people. I will do my part working with other council members, to try to secure grants and funding for small business development and promote good relationships with the county, hospital and schools.