Beard, Johnson highlight qualifications, issues

Incumbent Brewster County Judge Val Beard and challenger Jerry Johnson, a local businessman, were each given a questionnaire from the Alpine Avalanche. Below are the answers tothose questions. Early voting continues through tomorrow, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Name: Val Beard

Family: Husband, Tom; daughter and son-in-law, Marty Beard-Duncan and Mike Duncan; mother and father, Dr. Jim and Marty Clark; living at Leoncita Ranch Headquarters for 33 years.

Community activities: Citizen of the Year, Alpine (1982); Woman of the Year, 2000 (GFWC of Alpine); Private Conservationist Award, Davis Mountains-TransPecos Heritage Association (2000); director, Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, Inc. (1987-94); Big Bend Conservation Award, Sul Ross State University Wildlife Society (1989); vice president, Alpine Centennial Celebration (1982); past president, Pilot Club of Alpine (1979); past president, Brewster County Bar Association; cited for pro bono legal services by Texas Department of Welfare; director, Alpine Public Library board; alternate member, Far West Texas Water Planning Group (1997-present); director, Texas Israel Exchange Fund, appointed by Commissioners of Agriculture Rick Perry and Susan Combs (1994-2005); board of visitors, McDonald Observatory, member-at-large (1997-2006); Selection Committee for U.S. Magistrate, Western District of Texas, Pecos Division (1996); Executive Committee, Center for Rural Health Initiatives (2000-04), appointed by Gov. Bush.

What qualifies you for the office of county judge? Training, education and experience: J.D., the University of Texas at Austin, December 1972; B.S. with honors, education with concentration in government and history, the University of Texas at Austin, 1970; fellow, Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution, University of Texas Law School (2002); 33 years of business experience in ranching, real estate and small business; Constitutional County Judge, Brewster County (1993-present); county attorney, Brewster County (1983-91); special county judge, Brewster County (1980); president (2001) and director (1993-present), Rio Grande Council of Governments; chair, Rio Grande Regional Grant Review Committee (appointed by Gov. Ann Richards, appointed chair by Gov. George W. Bush, re-appointed chair by Gov. Rick Perry, 1994-present); chair, Criminal Justice Advisory Council (2001); Brewster County Appraisal District Board, member or chair (2001-present); Tri-County Juvenile Board; Brewster County Elections Commission, chair; Sul Ross State University Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Board, member and past chair (1994-present); Continuing Legal Education Program sponsor (1988-present), including annual juvenile law conference; and a proven track record of getting things done for our county.

What are the most important issues facing Brewster County? Balancing growth and development with the preservation of our heritage; encouraging economic development which is appropriate for our area, like tourism, to provide more economic activity and jobs for our citizens, especially for young families; protecting our natural resources, particularly our water; keeping county government independent as we fight against the growing problem of unfounded mandates from Austin and Washington; maintaining a vigorous and vocal presence in Austin and Washington to protect and promote our interests (and those of other rural areas) from exploitation by much more powerful political and economic interests; how to provide our growing county with needed infrastructure and services, such as roads, community facilities, law enforcement and emergency services on a limited budget; keeping our taxes low so that our residents who have lived here all of their lives can afford to stay here, and so that prospective new residents and businesses see financial reasons to relocate here.

Other: A rural county judge must continually be prepared to face a multitude of diverse challenges. I love meeting those challenges, solving problems and making things work for our citizens. That is why I am asking to be re-elected as your Brewster County Judge.

Jerry Johnson

Family: Wife, Sheila; son, Trey; daughter and son-in-law, Hayley and Brian Portillo, and their daughter, Ashlynn Portillo.

Community activities: Alpine Ambassadors, secretary/treasurer; American Legion member; veteran, U.S. Army Infantry captain; Sul Ross State University Vet Tech Advisory Council, past president, current board member; Alpine High School Business Education Advisory Committee member; Friends of the Alpine Public Library member; Big Bend Livestock Show Association member; Alpine Chamber of Commerce, past board member, current business member; Big Bend Regional Medical Center Senior Circle business member; Chuck Wagon Cook-off committee member; West of the Pecos Republican Club member; Alpine Country Club member; Friends of Fort Davis, treasurer; Living History interpreter at Fort Davis National Historic Site; Volunteer of the Year 2005 at Fort Davis National Historic Site.

Past community activities include: Alpine Rotary Club member, Permian Basin Girl Scout Council board member; Volunteer Western Riding Instructor at Camp Mitre Peak, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Permian Basin, president; Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest, board member; McDonald's Permian Basin Advertising Coop, treasurer; Trappings of Texas, board member; Brewster County 4-H, member; Alpine Main Street, board member; City of Alpine Charter Commission, member; Brewster County Tourism council, member; Brewster County Tax Appraisal Review Board, chairman and member; Big Bend Hipp O Therapy Clinic, founder and instructor; Davis Mountains Trans-Pecos Heritage Association, member; American Veterinary Medical Association Site Accreditation, team member.

What qualifies you for the office of county judge? Having owned and operated several businesses in Alpine, I have good financial and administrative management skills that will be applied to my duties and responsibilities as Brewster County Judge. I support fair, honest and open government for everyone in Brewster County, and a teamwork approach to managing county affairs, involving not only our elected officials, but also the citizens of Brewster County. If you want to be involved in shaping our future, I will find a place for you, your ideas and your willingness to help.

What are the most important issues facing Brewster County? A few of the important issues facing our county are: economic development, equitable and fair property appraisals, courthouse restoration, managing the population and housing growth in the county, and the mining and exportation of our water (an issue to which I am opposed). I have a lot of good plans, ideas and solutions dealing with these issues, and with the support of our elected county officials and the citizens of Brewster County, we can address these issues and produce positive results.

Other: I believe that it is time for a change in the Brewster County Judge position. I offer new and positive leadership for our changing times. A breath of fresh air in the county. I would appreciate your vote and support in this election.

Beard, Johnson highlight qualifications, issues

Incumbent Brewster County Judge Val Beard and challenger Jerry Johnson, a local businessman, were each given a questionnaire from the Alpine Avalanche. Below are the answers tothose questions. Early voting continues through tomorrow, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

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