Name: Tanya Castro
Current occupation: Retired
Relevant experience: Served the citizens for the past 22 months as a trained municipal official demonstrating thorough knowledge of ordinances and laws regarding municipal governance. A successful 30-year career with a Fortune 500 public utility as an experienced and successful program manager and consultant, leading multimillion-dollar projects designed to reduce costs and improve service delivery to customers. Well versed in managing expense and capital budgets, and the development of effective methods and procedures.
Platform: Committed to restoring integrity and respect in city governance, standing against political favoritism, and insisting on the citizens’ right to open and transparent government. Pledging to restore public trust in how taxpayer dollars are spent by calling for honesty, accountability and responsible planning and decision making. Strongly dedicated to protecting our beautiful coastline and waterways, keeping our small-town feel, improving our parks and public spaces, and solving our stormwater management crisis.
What do you see as the greatest challenge facing your city: The expected answer is probably the Parker House Project, which is a symptom of the actual problem most see as irresponsible conduct, misguided priorities and careless disregard for the taxpayer. The project, awarded three years ago, is fast-approaching $1.8 million, while the current budget has a mere $20,000 funded for stormwater improvements, a critical need for the community. The real challenge is having all of the leadership willing to put the people first.
Why do you deserve to be elected/re-elected? No other Mexico Beach city official has fought harder for the taxpayer or been more diligent in keeping the people’s business “in the sunshine,” working tirelessly for the citizens while standing against the status quo. For the first time in years, the taxpayer saw no increase in property tax millage rate, greater cost-sharing with the CDC for tourism-related expenses, and heavy expense items like employee healthcare competitively bid.
Campaign website: None listed