First Look: Bryan City Council Single Member District 3

The residents of Bryan Single Member District 3 will be making a choice between two candidates that have not served in public office to represent them on the Bryan City Council, as current councilmember Jason Bienski campaigns for mayor. The choice will be between business owner Chuck Konderla and retiree Bettye Pool. Konderla is the owner of Fifth C Fine Jewelry, and Pool was the Human Resource Manager in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine.

According to an article in the Bryan-College Station Eagle, Poll stated that the reason behind her candidacy is because of the high tax rate in Bryan compared to College Station, the need for improved infrastructure, and concern with the conflict of interests policies. During an interview with WTAW 1620AM, Pool said that he focus is on better representing the citizens of the district because “the feel like they’re not having their voices heard.” Another one of the issues that she is focusing on is infrastructure, specifically on improving the water and sewer systems. “Our sewer systems are very old and need to be replaced…and we really need to get it fixed.”

Konderla has similar reasons for his candidacy, and they include improving the Bryan infrastructure, embracing the local history, and developing a business friendly environment. According to an article in the Eagle, Konderla said that “If we attract businesses here, then we get jobs. If we attract jobs, then we get people. If we get people, then our neighborhoods flourish. It’s all connected.” During an interview with WTAW 1620AM, Konderla mentioned the importance of improving the infrastructure. “We’ve got to pay attention to our infrastructure…any economic planning of the city has to include the aging infrastructure.”

It should be interesting how this campaign proceeds, since neither candidate has any significant political experience. The candidate will have to appeal to votes in a very diverse district with several different types of neighborhoods.