During election years when there is a contested race, the Mexico chapter of League of Women Voters sends a questionnaire to candidates. These are the responses from candidates for the Mexico City Council. There are two open seats with five candidates. Incumbent responses are listed first. All responses are presented as written with minor edits for style and clarity. Two candidates — James Oxford and Thomas Hugo — did not provide responses by the league’s deadline. The municipal election is June 2.

Ayanna Shivers — incumbent

What are your qualifications for a position on the Mexico City Council?

I have served on the city council for three years and I currently serve as the mayor. In addition, my experience as a pastor, educator and founder of a nonprofit speaks to my passion for empowering others to ultimately create better communities. During my term on the council, there has been an increase in diverse people sharing their views with the city, and I believe that people are more aware of what our council does because we are more visible.

Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by the Mexico City Council during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?

[I would encourage] the building of affordable, efficient housing that will attract families more families to Mexico. It is a great place to live and I believe more people would relocate here if we had additional housing options.

[We also should seek more] economic development and recruiting of businesses and manufacturers to the area without having to commit to agreements that exempt them from taxes for extended periods of time. This would include exploring innovative ways to attract potential businesses to consider Mexico.

Joshua Price

What are your qualifications for a position on the Mexico City Council?

My strong faith in God and moral compass are two of my many traits that qualify me to serve on the city council. I'm also a problem solver. My family and I have been active in this community for over 25 years through multiple schools, sports, organizations, and churches since we moved here from Ohio in 1991-92. I graduated from Mexico High School in 2007 and Missouri Welding Institute in 2010.

I'm currently a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mexico and serve on their children's committee. I have a 6-year-old daughter that has begun her journey as a Mexico bulldog through Mexico Public Schools. This will put me into a position to help identify and work alongside our school board to solve problems and improve the lives of the children in our community. I'm also an officer of the Mexico Disc Golf Club.

Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by the Mexico City Council during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?

One issue I want to see addressed during the upcoming term on the city council would be the Panhandle Eastern Pipeline. Mexico has an opportunity to impact the world and a chance to make the world a better place. Energy Transfer Partners knew prior to the explosion that if corrective measures were not taken that their pipeline would pose a risk to public safety, the environment, and property. The company needs to be held accountable for their negligence and the crisis that they created in our community on March 3rd, 2019. The town rallying behind me to pursue ETP is the best way to accomplish this, and to improve our employment opportunities here.

Another major issue that needs to be addressed is the city, it's sewage, and their handling of [its] situation. For over 2 years the city has known about, and has allowed our sewage to overflow and contaminate the Salt River. This is unacceptable. When I spoke to Chad Shoemaker about it, I was told I was preaching to the choir. So to address this issue, maybe we need someone new conducting the choir.

Steve Haag

What are your qualifications for a position on the Mexico City Council?

I moved to Mexico 20 years ago to pursue a career in teaching. Since that time I married Ms. Deb Hill-Haag, am raising two great boys, and have worn many hats. For 13 years I taught social studies at the high school and headed the social studies department for four of those years. During that time I served as President of the Community Teachers Association, or CTA, where I worked with past superintendents and school board members to improve the work environment and teaching benefits for teachers.

A school district works in much the same way as a city government, and I learned about budgets and policies that help run a sound school district. Currently I help run the credit recovery program in Mexico High School, am the head football coach, assistant track coach, and drive a school bus for the district. I believe those endeavors have allowed me to hear concerns, make decisions, and lead people within the work I do for Mexico Public Schools. I believe those experiences have prepared me to do the same for the city of Mexico.

Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by the Mexico City Council during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?

I am running to serve our community. Hopefully in that time I will be able to make it better than when I started. It will be a team effort with the other board members, city employees, and citizens.

Every city wants new businesses, which in turn creates jobs and tax dollars for our city. Something we need for that is a solid and skilled work force to fill all the jobs. Efforts have been made and continue to be made to get this done. I hope that we can continue on this path to help Mexico citizens prepare, work, and thrive in jobs that come to Mexico. This only enhances the individual and our great city.

We have a great park system in Mexico with many things to do. I know the pool is a big item on the agenda, but I would also like to look at other things the city does for our youth. We have great schools, a great YMCA, and civic clubs that provide for our youth. I would like to see the city take a more active part with these groups, combining our efforts, and developing an even better experience for the youth.