First Look: College Station City Council Candidate Arthur Pinto

Arthur Pinto says that the reason he is running for College Station City Council is sot hat he can “work to reengage the City Government to focus on providing quality core services essential to the safety and well being of its citizens.” According to his campaign web site he “will lead by example by both listening to and respecting our citizens, rather then acting as a member of a privileged ruling class.” Pinto is a candidate for City Council Place 3, but was born far away from Aggieland.

Originally from Lisbon, Portugal Pinto has lived for most of his life in the United States, after serving three and a half years in the Portuguese Military which included a two year deployment in West Africa as head of transportation, facilities and all infrastructure associated with the deployment. After moving to the United States, he worked for Phelps Dodge Industries in New Jersey while taking night classes to pursue an engineering degree. Pinto earned a bachelors degree in Mechanic Engineering from New Jersey Science & Technology University (NJIT) and a masters in Applied Science from Middlesex College in New Jersey. Since moving to College Station, Pinto has been very involved in the community. In 2010 he graduated from College Station Citizens University, and that same year completed College Station Citizens Police Academy. He is currently attending College Station Citizens Fire Academy, and was recently appointed to College Station Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals.

Among the three candidates to sing the “Pledge,” Pinto is in disagreement with the current College Station on several issues. According to Matthew Watkins blog Off the Agenda, Pinto believes that “spending continues to be approved for projects that in difficult times should be tabled” and that he senses “a certain degree of arrogance from some members towards their colleagues and to the public in areas and issues that do not conform with their ideology.” Pinto’s campaign web site list several things that would like to focus on if election. These include a “focus in improving core services, the primary function of City Government, to provide a safe community with good quality of life” and “evaluate each and every issue on its merits, but let the thought process be guided by my conservative values.”