By Edmond Ortiz
Seven Windcrest residents are contending for three City Council seats in the city’s Nov. 3 elections.
Place 1
Narquiz Cervantes, a previous council candidate and a retired teacher, did not respond to Focus on San Antonio’s voters’ guide questionnaire.
A film production designer, incumbent Councilmember Susie Hamilton is seeking a second two-year term in office.
Hamilton previously served on the city’s board of adjustments, economic development corporation board, the Christmas Light-Up committee, and the local women’s club. She also co-chaired the Old Bag Luncheon fundraiser, and planned the Christmas Light-Up judging the past two years.
If re-elected, Hamilton’s priorities are to have the city’s new grant writer to procure additional first-responders and funding for upgrades and repairs to public spaces, such as the municipal pool.
Hamilton also promised to continue striving for transparency and holding staff and contractors accountable in ensuring their work benefits residents. Additionally, she wants to keep working closely with the EDC to bring more tax-generating businesses into town to raise sales tax revenues, with an eye towards possibly lowering the property tax rate next year.
“While I have been able to accomplish nearly all of my goals for my first term, there are outstanding needs that I believe I am the best qualified candidate to see them to fruition,” she added.
Joan Pedrotti previously was on the council, including serving as mayor pro tem. Financial stability and security, and public accountability are her chief priorities.
Pedrotti said given the current economic conditions, the city must be smarter with how it spends taxpayer funds. She added that vanity projects have no place in city government.
Pedrotti also said all elected officials should be able to stand behind their actions either in the scope of their duties or in their everyday lives.
“I believe City Council is a job to be taken seriously. It isn’t a council member’s job to be popular or to pander. The operation of our city government should be done in earnest,” Pedrotti said.
Place 2
Sue Alexander is a U.S. Army retiree, and a former school teacher, counselor and administrator. She serves on the board of Bexar County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10, having spent 10 years as board president.
Alexander previously sat with the city’s EDC board, including five years as president, and the former Windcrest Volunteer Fire Department retirement board.
Alexander’s priorities, if elected, are to support strong fire and police departments, upgrade city appearances through consistent code compliance enforcement and city-sponsored improvements, promote equal treatment of all residents at City Hall, and achieve balanced budgets by stressing residents’ needs. She also backs council term limits, and an active EDC.
“My background is service in both my work life and as a citizen of Windcrest. I have the experience of holding several city offices, and I believe that experience will enable me to make decisions that will give Windcrest a positive, vibrant future.”
Incumbent Cindy Strzelecki is a retired registered nurse seeking a fifth two-year term with the council. She has served as a council liaison with the Windcrest Little League board, and was the co-chair for this year’s 50th anniversary celebration of the WLL fields at Takas Park.
Strzelecki also chaired the Mayoral Committee for the Preservation of Trees, and initiated actions to have Windcrest named a Tree City USA, including launching the town’s first Arbor Day celebration in 2025.
Strzelecki’s top goals, if re-elected, are to enhance public safety with more paid firefighters and police officers, improve streets, alleys, parks and trails, and bolstering sales tax revenue so that the city could reduce property taxes.
“My campaign motto continues to be “Committed to Windcrest, Dedicated to Progress.” We moved to Windcrest over 20 years ago because of its small-town community,” Strzelecki said. “Since that time, I have worked to contribute to recognizing our history and planning for our future. Council is a distinctive way to contribute.”
Place 3
Robert Maloy, founder of Zaibatsu Financial, a local boutique investment firm, mounted an unsuccessful bid for Windcrest mayor last fall. He did not respond to Focus on San Antonio’s voters’ guide questionnaire.
Incumbent Councilmember Greg Turner is a retired Army senior leader who has managed military organizations. As a civil servant, Turner has worked as a management analyst through developing concepts and strategies to improve Army and joint installations management, program budgeting, and force management.
Turner also volunteers with fellow veterans, supporting various charitable initiatives around the San Antonio area. He did not respond to Focus on San Antonio’s voters’ guide questionnaire.
When and where to vote
Early voting will be held 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 19-23, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 24 and 26-30, and noon-6 p.m. Oct. 25 at 56 voting stations, including Windcrest Civic Center, 9310 Jim Seal Drive. Election Day polling locations will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
