By Edmond Ortiz
Two former City Council members and a local business owner are challenging Converse’s longtime mayor in his re-election bid in Converse’s Nov. 4 city elections.
Aside from a crowded mayoral race, Converse will consider races for three other council positions.
Focus On San Antonio offered questions to every candidate on the ballot, each of which had until Oct. 14 to respond with more information and remarks than what are available on their online campaign platforms.
MAYOR
Marc Gilbert is a 25-year resident and a U.S. Air Force retiree who previously served with the City Council, Economic Development Corp. board and the city’s charter review commission. Gilbert currently represents the city on the Canyon Regional Water Authority board.
Gilbert possesses degrees in personnel management, business administration, and management and leadership. He is currently working on a doctorate in organizational leadership at UIW. Additionally, Gilbert has owned two small businesses.
Gilbert is focused on economic development, city staff retention and growth, and improving infrastructure in his council campaign.
“These issues are intertwined as none can truly flourish without the others. My main goal upon being elected is to make Team Converse a true reality,” Gilbert said.
John Shadron, who presently sits on the city’s building and standards commission, previously served with the council and several other city commissions.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Shadron majored in marine biology at the University of West Florida. He said he remains committed to education and civic involvement, the latter of which includes participating with multiple local groups, such as Converse Lions Club, Converse Citizens Firefighters Association, and the Converse Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.
Shadron’s top campaign issues are boosting public safety, improving infrastructure, maintaining quality of life via expanding park space, recreational amenities and community programs, sustainable beautification, fiscal responsibility, responsible growth, and government transparency.
“I believe it’s time for fresh leadership — leadership that brings people together rather than divides them,” he said.
Emilio Silvas currently chairs the Converse-based Greater Randolph Area Services Program board. Presently chief operating officer and head of product for The Silvas Group, a Converse-based consulting firm, Silvas has more than 20 years of experience in software development and product leadership roles, and was a co-founder of an early internet web development venture.
A Notre Dame University graduate, Silvas previously ran for the Judson Independent School District board, and is a former member of the San Antonio Ethics Review Board.
Silvas’ priorities, if elected, would include: quickly implementing a streetlight overlay plan with planned road maintenance; fostering a more business-friendly atmosphere for existing merchants and to lure new commerce, especially shopping, dining and entertainment; and recruiting employers to Converse and creating better paying jobs locally.
“I want a better place for my son and his generation to have a real chance at success. Converse does not afford that at present. I want to create a community where residents can live, work and retire,” Silvas said.
Seeking a 10th straight term, incumbent Mayor Al Suarez is an Air Force retiree who spent 20-plus years working with Bexar County adult probation services.
Suarez possesses five degrees, including a master’s in criminal justice management and administration, and graduated from several Air Force Academy programs.
Suarez has served on several boards, including the Northeast Partnership for Economic Development, Judson ISD Education Foundation, Greater Bexar County Council of Cities, and the Alamo Area Council of Governments.
Suarez said, as mayor, he has overseen improvements in a range of city services and amenities, including parks, emergency management operations, roads, sidewalks and animal care services, and maintaining property tax rates.
Suarez’s main campaign themes include maintaining adequate public safety manpower and resources to serve a growing community; and fostering responsible growth, with the development of an entertainment and arts district and the planned opening of a sports complex within the coming year. He also seeks to enhance infrastructure and economic development.
“I am also committed to ensuring that our city employees receive the best competitive pay and resources possible. Maintaining an open government and great customer service is key to a successful city,” Suarez added.
COUNCIL PLACE 1
In 2009, Renee Paschall was the first Black woman elected to Converse City Council. She served on the council for six years. She also spent eight years with the Judson ISD board, and one year on the city’s EDC board. She currently serves on the city’s ethics review board.
A Judson High School graduate, Paschall holds a bachelor’s degree in education, and is a retired teacher.
Enhancing Converse’s cultural and recreational features is one key issue in Paschall’s election campaign, including encouraging more visitors to enjoy the town’s parks, and helping to develop a lakeside amphitheater at City Park to accommodate musical activities and other events. Paschall added that, during her first council stint, she promoted stocking the North Park lake with fish, and feels that such a thing can be done again at another Converse lake to encourage more fishing and family activities there.
“I also want to help continue the street repair program Converse has already established,” she added.
Incumbent Stephanie Gonzalez, previously a police officer and a paralegal, is seeking a second term in office. She possesses an associate’s degree. Focus On San Antonio did not receive a response from Gonzalez to questions posed to her.
COUNCIL PLACE 3
Incumbent Kassandra Leon, a local business owner, is seeking a second term in office. She has indicated public safety, economic growth, infrastructure and community engagement as her top priorities. Focus On San Antonio did not receive a response from Leon to questions posed to her.
Robert Raney, current chair of the city’s planning and zoning commission, is a previous council contestant. Focus On San Antonio did not receive a response from Raney to questions posed to him.
COUNCIL PLACE 5
Incumbent Stacey Adams is seeking a second term in office. He is the president and founder of Limitless, a local venture that offers youth and professional development programs, and other services such as job readiness, financial literacy and career guidance.
Adams also owns San Antonio Dream Team, a youth basketball organization. Additionally, Adams works with Eduro Healthcare, and the Bryce Strong Foundation. The University of New Mexico graduate has been active in the Judson ISD community.
Focus On San Antonio did not receive a response from Adams to questions posed to him.
Terry Bourland currently serves on the city’s parks and recreation commission. Focus On San Antonio did not receive a response from Bourland to questions posed to him.
Each position carries a two-year term. Residents are invited to a Converse candidate forum set for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at City Hall, 406 S. Seguin Road.
Early voting will be held 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 20-24; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 25; noon-6 p.m. Oct. 26; and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 27-31 at the Converse Community Event Center, 407 S. Seguin Road and other sites. Election Day polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Converse Community Event Center and other locations.
