WEBVTT
00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:16.559
Good morning, Charles McConnell, CMC Communications Broadcasting.
00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:19.760
Robert is that CMC conversation this morning.
00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:30.960
My special guest is Robert Bruce, who's modeling his campaign for League City City Council position three after the Scottish historic figure, Robert the Bruce.
00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:34.960
It's gonna be an interesting conversation and it happens right here, right now.
00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:47.280
CMC ready on service, CMC communications broadcasting it CMC conversation with Robert Bruce and it's a big city city capital.
00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:02.240
Good morning, Charles McCullough.
00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:07.680
CMC Conversation welcomes Robert Bruce this morning, a candidate for League City City Council.
00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:12.159
Robert's got a lengthy backstory in League City as a public servant.
00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:14.719
And let's talk a little bit about that for starters.
00:01:14.959 --> 00:01:21.040
And also what is motivating you, sir, to run for League City City Council at this time.
00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:30.159
Well, thank you, Charles, for having me and allowing me to have this platform to uh speak with you and uh get my voice out there with the uh citizens of League City.
00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:36.000
Uh I spent uh 22 years uh so far in my EMS career.
00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:39.200
Uh I got into EMS straight out of high school.
00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:50.239
Uh did my um did some time at uh Sanjak Central, got my certifications there, transitioned, uh started at League City in 2004.
00:01:50.959 --> 00:02:08.400
Um I was a volunteer for about five to six years before I transitioned to a part-time role, and then a few years later um was was grateful for a full-time role that I was able to take hold of and uh and grow with that department.
00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:14.879
Um it was one of the best adventures I'd had, and it was great serving the the citizens of League City.
00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:15.520
Oh, Mr.
00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:20.879
Bruce, the MS makes you uh public servant, uh, but also a first responder.
00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:29.919
I know that that's a big part of your campaign and wanting to give back to police and uh finding ways to support first responders.
00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:34.879
Let's discuss how your experiences translate into that mission statement.
00:02:35.199 --> 00:02:36.319
Uh yes, sir.
00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:41.199
Um it is de it definitely takes a certain someone to be able to do this job.
00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:42.879
It's not for everybody.
00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:53.520
Um I I don't take my job lightly, I take it very seriously because any decision that I make could affect, you know, any per anybody's family member.
00:02:53.680 --> 00:03:00.479
And I want to make sure that at the end of the day, I'm giving the best care possible to make their day that much better.
00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:04.080
Um, because they called called me on one of their worst days.
00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:09.599
So I want to make sure that uh I'm able to take care of them and uh give back.
00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:22.639
Uh and I've like I said, I've been doing that for over 22 years now, and it's been a great rewarding um experience for me to be able to do that, uh, giving back to this community.
00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:28.240
Public safety to me is is very important because without it, people can suffer.
00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:37.840
Um you know, crime goes up, you know, the uh people lose their prized possessions, their homes, um, you know, when they catch on fire.
00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:58.719
And we ultimately want to make sure that all of those um all of those facets of public safety are taken care of every single and as quickly as possible to make sure all of that stuff is uh you know beneficial to the citizens because ultimately that's what their taxpayers are paying, their tax dollars are paying for.
00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:02.719
Hurricane preparedness in Lake City is an ongoing issue.
00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:14.159
Are we any closer to getting the kind of infrastructure in place to prevent further damage to League City in the event of another cataclysm?
00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:20.160
Ultimately, flooding and infrastructure goes a long, a long way and those go hand in hand.
00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:36.399
Um as you see in other communities that are built outside of League City and around the great state of Texas, that uh when they build new communities, those newer communities are usually built up a little bit higher than the last one, and then a little bit higher than that one.
00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:38.319
And they just keep growing.
00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:40.560
So the water has to eventually go somewhere.
00:04:41.120 --> 00:05:00.240
And we want to make sure that um we have the right people in the play in places to make those decisions that when that uh development comes into play, that all of that drainage is is being routed to the correct location, back out to the bayous, back out to the creeks, um, away from Peach Pool's personal property.
00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:11.839
Uh, because if if those people are being affected uh by floodwaters and uh you know, just just the poor drainage, it it it takes a toll on somebody's family.
00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:14.240
And it doesn't just get fixed overnight.
00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:17.360
It takes years for them to recoup and rebuild.
00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:28.319
Um I was fortunate or I was fortunate to help people during that Harvey uh storm that we had here in Lake City where we had that 50 plus inches of rain.
00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:38.079
Uh I was out in waiters, you know, wading through neighborhoods, um, pick pulling people out of their houses and you know, helping them get to safe higher ground.
00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:47.360
And uh, you know, seeing seeing people cry and and tear up because they're they were losing things that they they had worked all of their life for.
00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:54.160
That that kind of made me more humble about what I do every single day and made me grow a new perspective.
00:05:54.319 --> 00:06:01.040
Um that you know it's not just about me, it's not just about um anything like that.
00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:08.480
It's I I'm always doing something for everybody else, and and I try to incorporate that in everything I do every single day.
00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:26.560
The much discussed uh 99 tollway, which now uh promises to have groundbreaking this next coming year in League City to find a way to form fit that portion of the freeway as it comes through the community.
00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:30.160
Has pluses and minuses.
00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:35.920
Uh many see the pluses as the only benefit worthy of considering.
00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:47.199
Others see the minuses as a curse of continued ongoing megalithic construction already seen in many portions of I-45 South.
00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:51.439
Um, your views on the 99 tollway.
00:06:51.839 --> 00:07:08.959
So I you know, obviously we have a big uh problem with traffic in our to in this town, and uh we have a lot of people moving to Leak City because of the great values and the great um the great gifts that it gives their citizen the citizens here in town.
00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:12.160
Um, you know, there's there's stuff to do with your family.
00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:14.720
Um it's a safe community.
00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:18.240
You know, public safety is is top notch in this area.
00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:24.160
Um again, I I prided myself working with those guys hand in foot every single day.
00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:30.399
And they are doing an even more amazing job now, um, continuing doing the work that they do.
00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:45.439
Um I believe 99 is gonna take a little bit of that stressor off of the traffic situation because it's gonna give an uh you know a quick uh a quick exit and entrance to for people to get on somewhere and get out of town.
00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:54.480
Um it's also going to drive in commercial businesses here that you know we truly need to help offset our tax base.
00:07:54.959 --> 00:08:06.000
Right now, League City is currently sitting at about 80% residential, 20% commercial, and uh the residents are footing that bill and having to pay those taxes.
00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:33.360
Um so I want to try to figure out ways to revamp the system just a little bit um and grow that community to where maybe we're more of a 60% residential, 40% commercial because if people are willing to spend their money that they hard that they work hard for here in Lake City, then those tax dollars are gonna help offset the home the home price uh for their taxes that they pay here in town.
00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:37.120
So I I truly want to see that stuff grow.
00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:41.440
Um economic development is a big, big thing.
00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:48.080
Uh we have some of the greatest people that work for the city that are on part of that that that uh project.
00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:56.720
And uh I want to see us grow using our own citizens, using business leaders, um development leaders.
00:08:56.960 --> 00:09:09.440
I want to put together a committee to help bring in uh quality business, commercial business here to League City, and those guys can work hand in foot with the planning and zoning committee.
00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:21.440
And those two can figure out how we can offer maybe some incentives somewhere because these businesses are coming in, they're hearing what it's costing to try to build here, and they're turning around and leaving.
00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:23.360
We need to figure out how to change that.
00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:39.519
Well, since taxpayers do indeed uh handle most of the load on those kinds of developments, how would you propose to inaugurate some of those changes and make them uh amenable and accessible to the taxpayer?
00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:52.559
Well, uh again, I I would create this economic development committee with with regular citizens that know this city in and out, business leaders that have been here for with businesses that have been here for years.
00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:57.039
Ultimately, they know what it takes to survive here as a business.
00:09:57.279 --> 00:10:17.200
Um and we want to see those things, we want to see them succeed as well as we want to bring in more businesses and and stuff for the citizens to be able to um just enjoy entertainment venues, uh you know, higher quality restaurants, um, and those and maybe some more uh mom and pop shops, uh small businesses.
00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:23.919
Um if we take care of those guys, uh those people are gonna re in return take care of the city.
00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:50.240
So in return, I think if we can figure out a way to maybe uh find out a five-year uh tax plan to you know uh work with uh those businesses and over a five-year period where we, you know, they maybe year one they have uh they pay a little bit of tax, and then after year one, it it just grows until it gets to 100% over those five years.
00:10:50.399 --> 00:11:07.360
That way they can take that money that they're saving, not paying the citizens uh paying taxes back to the city, and they can reinvest that money back into their business and continue to grow their business because if we keep them here, the longevity here is going to benefit the city long term.
00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:32.879
It's an interesting way to look at what you're describing, uh Robert, uh, and compare along those same lines the development of League City to Pairland, which in the last 20 years uh has gone from an 80-20 uh residential versus business uh proportion now to a 60 to 40, while at the same time growing in population almost on exactly the same track as League City during that same time.
00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:38.240
Uh 50,000, say roughly now close to 150,000 people.
00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:40.960
Very similar to what we see in Lake City now.
00:11:41.360 --> 00:12:00.080
And plenty of development uh for both uh residences, but also new businesses, too, especially that can perhaps uh bring that proportion from 80-20 to say 60 to 40, home development versus business construction.
00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:05.120
You can see that on uh 96 from 146 all the way to the Gulf Freeway.
00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:13.519
But let's talk now about uh the hot topic of the moment, Robert, and that is flock cameras.
00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:15.360
What are your views?
00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:32.960
So uh I I guess you know, at when all these cameras were put together, you know, four to five years ago when the city of League City decided to take on this role, um, it was brought to the city as a safety device for the police department um to be able to help fight crime better.
00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:48.799
Um through through all of these years, it's helped the police department solve many crimes, catch theft rings, um, and do many great things to help the citizens of League City stay can continue to stay safe.
00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:54.480
Um my true feelings on Flock is I believe in that manner they work extremely well.
00:12:55.279 --> 00:13:03.679
Um they're they're protecting the community, they're catching the people that may be trying to steal kids and and in the traffic rings and all that.
00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:09.200
Um, you know, and they're able to return those those family members back home to where they belong.
00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:22.399
Um I believe those things work well, but they work well with oversight, meaning that you can't just uh you know throw it out there and expect, you know, it just to work flawlessly all the time.
00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:32.799
Uh as we see in other communities, things, you know, you do have bad apples, and those bad apples do do things that are stretched the way that the system's supposed to work.
00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:47.679
And if we continue to make um progress, and and you know, I know the mayor currently has a plan to put together a committee to um if this vote passes in November, um that was one of my things too.
00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:51.440
I want I would I would I would want to create an oversight committee as well.
00:13:51.679 --> 00:14:07.039
Um that way it it's creating full transparency with the system between the citizens and the police department, and that way there's everybody, there's an understanding of truly how the department is running itself with Flock.
00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:30.639
Ultimately, Robert, as uh League City City Councilman, uh it's all about uh networking and uh uh persuading different uh factions and organizations inside the city to work together, and I know that uh that's something that uh you would be striving to do as a League City City Councilman.
00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:36.159
It's all about uh getting people involved and on the same page.
00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:41.360
All of that uh for anybody would be uh an ongoing learning curve.
00:14:42.159 --> 00:15:04.080
I'm still learning a lot every single day about how the city works together with other agencies around, and I want to continue to build upon those relationships that we currently have and to make sure that those relationships continue to work well because it all if if we w continue to work well together, all it does is benefit the citizens in the long run.
00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:15.519
Um if if the drainage district works together with with the Text Dot to make sure 99 comes through and the drainage works like it's supposed to, and it it goes out to the creeks and bayous.
00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:23.279
I mean, then we we have done our job making sure the citizens are staying safe when we get those heavy rains.
00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:30.240
Um hopefully we never see another Harvey type event again, but you know, we just we we just never know.
00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:32.480
Any day it could happen.
00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:37.440
Block walking, uh getting out there and meeting people, gumshoeing it door to door.
00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:41.200
I know that's a big part of anybody's campaign.
00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:45.279
And uh but that's also pretty taxing, too.
00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:51.120
Um like to ask you, sir, uh, how are you actually enjoying the campaign?
00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:59.120
So, Charles, uh I I I appreciate that question because I I probably get asked that question more than any other question out there.
00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:04.240
Um, this is the first time I've ever ran for a public office.
00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:14.960
Um there has definitely been a major learning curve on my part trying to figure out how to navigate um you know the do's and don'ts, uh the ins and outs.
00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:24.720
I mean, you you don't have to be a perfect individual, you don't have to be the worst individual, you know, you have to be somewhere in the middle, and you just have to be yourself.
00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:38.799
And that is exactly what I try to be every day because again, what what I do every single day, I do for others, and I try to always keep others in mind um and do exactly that.
00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:47.279
Um I I I probably do more for other people than I do for myself, and my wife laughs at me all the time because of it.
00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:51.200
Um you know, and uh, you know, she's the same way.
00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:57.039
She serves on several uh committees, you know, Houston Livestock Show Committee and all that stuff.
00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:58.879
My son's part of FFA.
00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:04.079
So we're always trying to, you know, we're all so busy and we're all trying to give back in different ways.
00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:11.839
And it's it's been a humbling experience for me just to see how the political arena is is played.
00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:15.839
But at the same time, I've enjoyed every single minute of it so far.
00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:23.119
As we uh approach the end of a nice conversation with Robert Bruce, candidate for League City City Council.
00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:37.599
Uh, I'd like to ask you, sir, um, how from this point forward can uh folks uh inform their vote about your campaign with early voting starting October 20th and election day November 3rd?
00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.960
Yeah, absolutely.
00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:44.000
Um you can find me online at Robert Bruce for League City.com.
00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:52.000
And uh ultimately I am uh gonna be at several different forums that are coming up over the next few weeks.
00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:59.519
Um tomorrow we have the Clear Creek Republican Women's Uh Club luncheon at Labrisa's at noon.
00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:07.119
Um so that that is gonna be the one of the first forums we're doing moving uh moving into this campaign season.
00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:17.519
Uh on Saturday, October 3rd, um I am hosting a meet and greet event at McKenzie Lane Boutique here in Leak City on uh West Main.
00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:24.079
Uh I'll be hope I'll be bringing in some of my one of my buddies' uh barbecue special.
00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:28.400
Um he's he he uh 1625, the outpost barbecue.
00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:39.200
Uh he's cooking up some uh pulled pork, and we're gonna be doing some sliders that day to hand out to people that want to come out, have conversations with me, get to know me, and learn a little bit more about me.
00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:49.680
Um on October 14th, we're hope we're uh there's another candidate forum that's being hosted by the League City uh Chamber of Commerce.
00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:54.799
Um that will be at the uh council chambers at Leagues in League City.
00:18:55.359 --> 00:19:05.279
And then uh we're doing cocktails and candidates with uh the the uh at the Butler's Courtyard on um October 20th.
00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:08.480
So there's quite a few more things that are coming up.
00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:12.240
Um I will continue to try to put myself out there as much as possible.
00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:18.000
You can go to my website, request uh there's a spot on there for um meet the candidate.
00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:21.759
You can sign up there, send information to me, fill out the form.
00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.200
I'll get a hold of you.
00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:27.039
Uh if you want to meet in person, you just want to have a conversation over the phone.
00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:32.000
You know, I I'm I'm making myself available to everybody as much as possible.
00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:46.880
And I'm gonna continue to guarantee that if I'm elected in November, because I think that's what's super important about learning what League City truly needs and the ones uh moving forward to making this and continuing this city to be a great place to live.
00:19:47.200 --> 00:20:01.119
Uh finally, uh Robert Bruce, candidates for League City City Council, as folks prepare to vote October the 20th, early voting, and then uh vote uh on election day proper if they choose to on November the third.
00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:06.559
Uh League City's got several positions for League City City Councilmen.
00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:25.119
Although I understand that uh whether it's position one, two, three, four, five, or six or seven, uh all League City Councilmen in every position uh can affect every portion of League City with their advocacy and uh their representation.
00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:38.480
Um so for the sake of uh informing folks about the ballot, they would be looking at what exactly is the position you uh, sir, are running for on the League City ballot.
00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:41.200
So I am on position three.
00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.880
I am at the top of the ballot.
00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:46.240
Again, like like you said, Charles, my name's Robert Bruce.
00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:51.039
Uh my my tagline is I'm gonna lead with courage to secure our future.
00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:53.839
I think that is a big standpoint.
00:20:54.000 --> 00:21:09.119
My goal is to truly give back the voice to you, the citizens of League City, because I feel sometimes that that stuff falls on deaf ears, and we need to continue to listen to where um to the people that are putting us and electing us to office.
00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.000
Uh Mr.
00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:18.079
Robert Bruce, it um has been a pleasure speaking with you this morning uh about your campaign for League City City Council.
00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:22.160
Uh Robert, uh anything else uh that you would like to add, sir.
00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:22.960
Absolutely.
00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:24.960
Again, Charles, thank you for having me.
00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:26.319
Uh just one last thing.
00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:29.920
The last day to register to vote is October 5th.
00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:47.279
So if you've never voted, you've never taken that chance to uh spread your wings and enjoy your freedom and and give your give that speech um by who you vote for, you know, we don't always get what we want, which is you know why we live in the greatest uh country in the world.
00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:51.039
But at least we have that platform to be able to do this on.
00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:58.880
And uh, Charles, again, I appreciate your time and uh allowing me to talk to you the constituents here in Leak City.
00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:04.160
And uh again, Robert Bruce, position three, lead with courage to secure our future.
00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:15.039
Robert Bruce, this morning's getting the empty, communicated, ready on the empty, ready, empty, communicated, communicated.
00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:16.559
Good morning, Charles McConnell, CMC Communications Broadcasting.
00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:19.760
Robert is that CMC conversation this morning.
00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:30.960
My special guest is Robert Bruce, who's modeling his campaign for League City City Council position three after the Scottish historic figure, Robert the Bruce.
00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:34.960
It's gonna be an interesting conversation and it happens right here, right now.
00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:47.280
CMC ready on service, CMC communications broadcasting it CMC conversation with Robert Bruce and it's a big city city capital.
00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:02.240
Good morning, Charles McCullough.
00:01:02.479 --> 00:01:07.680
CMC Conversation welcomes Robert Bruce this morning, a candidate for League City City Council.
00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:12.159
Robert's got a lengthy backstory in League City as a public servant.
00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:14.719
And let's talk a little bit about that for starters.
00:01:14.959 --> 00:01:21.040
And also what is motivating you, sir, to run for League City City Council at this time.
00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:30.159
Well, thank you, Charles, for having me and allowing me to have this platform to uh speak with you and uh get my voice out there with the uh citizens of League City.
00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:36.000
Uh I spent uh 22 years uh so far in my EMS career.
00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:39.200
Uh I got into EMS straight out of high school.
00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:50.239
Uh did my um did some time at uh Sanjak Central, got my certifications there, transitioned, uh started at League City in 2004.
00:01:50.959 --> 00:02:08.400
Um I was a volunteer for about five to six years before I transitioned to a part-time role, and then a few years later um was was grateful for a full-time role that I was able to take hold of and uh and grow with that department.
00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:14.879
Um it was one of the best adventures I'd had, and it was great serving the the citizens of League City.
00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:15.520
Oh, Mr.
00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:20.879
Bruce, the MS makes you uh public servant, uh, but also a first responder.
00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:29.919
I know that that's a big part of your campaign and wanting to give back to police and uh finding ways to support first responders.
00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:34.879
Let's discuss how your experiences translate into that mission statement.
00:02:35.199 --> 00:02:36.319
Uh yes, sir.
00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:41.199
Um it is de it definitely takes a certain someone to be able to do this job.
00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:42.879
It's not for everybody.
00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:53.520
Um I I don't take my job lightly, I take it very seriously because any decision that I make could affect, you know, any per anybody's family member.
00:02:53.680 --> 00:03:00.479
And I want to make sure that at the end of the day, I'm giving the best care possible to make their day that much better.
00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:04.080
Um, because they called called me on one of their worst days.
00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:09.599
So I want to make sure that uh I'm able to take care of them and uh give back.
00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:22.639
Uh and I've like I said, I've been doing that for over 22 years now, and it's been a great rewarding um experience for me to be able to do that, uh, giving back to this community.
00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:28.240
Public safety to me is is very important because without it, people can suffer.
00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:37.840
Um you know, crime goes up, you know, the uh people lose their prized possessions, their homes, um, you know, when they catch on fire.
00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:58.719
And we ultimately want to make sure that all of those um all of those facets of public safety are taken care of every single and as quickly as possible to make sure all of that stuff is uh you know beneficial to the citizens because ultimately that's what their taxpayers are paying, their tax dollars are paying for.
00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:02.719
Hurricane preparedness in Lake City is an ongoing issue.
00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:14.159
Are we any closer to getting the kind of infrastructure in place to prevent further damage to League City in the event of another cataclysm?
00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:20.160
Ultimately, flooding and infrastructure goes a long, a long way and those go hand in hand.
00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:36.399
Um as you see in other communities that are built outside of League City and around the great state of Texas, that uh when they build new communities, those newer communities are usually built up a little bit higher than the last one, and then a little bit higher than that one.
00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:38.319
And they just keep growing.
00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:40.560
So the water has to eventually go somewhere.
00:04:41.120 --> 00:05:00.240
And we want to make sure that um we have the right people in the play in places to make those decisions that when that uh development comes into play, that all of that drainage is is being routed to the correct location, back out to the bayous, back out to the creeks, um, away from Peach Pool's personal property.
00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:11.839
Uh, because if if those people are being affected uh by floodwaters and uh you know, just just the poor drainage, it it it takes a toll on somebody's family.
00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:14.240
And it doesn't just get fixed overnight.
00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:17.360
It takes years for them to recoup and rebuild.
00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:28.319
Um I was fortunate or I was fortunate to help people during that Harvey uh storm that we had here in Lake City where we had that 50 plus inches of rain.
00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:38.079
Uh I was out in waiters, you know, wading through neighborhoods, um, pick pulling people out of their houses and you know, helping them get to safe higher ground.
00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:47.360
And uh, you know, seeing seeing people cry and and tear up because they're they were losing things that they they had worked all of their life for.
00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:54.160
That that kind of made me more humble about what I do every single day and made me grow a new perspective.
00:05:54.319 --> 00:06:01.040
Um that you know it's not just about me, it's not just about um anything like that.
00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:08.480
It's I I'm always doing something for everybody else, and and I try to incorporate that in everything I do every single day.
00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:26.560
The much discussed uh 99 tollway, which now uh promises to have groundbreaking this next coming year in League City to find a way to form fit that portion of the freeway as it comes through the community.
00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:30.160
Has pluses and minuses.
00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:35.920
Uh many see the pluses as the only benefit worthy of considering.
00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:47.199
Others see the minuses as a curse of continued ongoing megalithic construction already seen in many portions of I-45 South.
00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:51.439
Um, your views on the 99 tollway.
00:06:51.839 --> 00:07:08.959
So I you know, obviously we have a big uh problem with traffic in our to in this town, and uh we have a lot of people moving to Leak City because of the great values and the great um the great gifts that it gives their citizen the citizens here in town.
00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:12.160
Um, you know, there's there's stuff to do with your family.
00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:14.720
Um it's a safe community.
00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:18.240
You know, public safety is is top notch in this area.
00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:24.160
Um again, I I prided myself working with those guys hand in foot every single day.
00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:30.399
And they are doing an even more amazing job now, um, continuing doing the work that they do.
00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:45.439
Um I believe 99 is gonna take a little bit of that stressor off of the traffic situation because it's gonna give an uh you know a quick uh a quick exit and entrance to for people to get on somewhere and get out of town.
00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:54.480
Um it's also going to drive in commercial businesses here that you know we truly need to help offset our tax base.
00:07:54.959 --> 00:08:06.000
Right now, League City is currently sitting at about 80% residential, 20% commercial, and uh the residents are footing that bill and having to pay those taxes.
00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:33.360
Um so I want to try to figure out ways to revamp the system just a little bit um and grow that community to where maybe we're more of a 60% residential, 40% commercial because if people are willing to spend their money that they hard that they work hard for here in Lake City, then those tax dollars are gonna help offset the home the home price uh for their taxes that they pay here in town.
00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:37.120
So I I truly want to see that stuff grow.
00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:41.440
Um economic development is a big, big thing.
00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:48.080
Uh we have some of the greatest people that work for the city that are on part of that that that uh project.
00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:56.720
And uh I want to see us grow using our own citizens, using business leaders, um development leaders.
00:08:56.960 --> 00:09:09.440
I want to put together a committee to help bring in uh quality business, commercial business here to League City, and those guys can work hand in foot with the planning and zoning committee.
00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:21.440
And those two can figure out how we can offer maybe some incentives somewhere because these businesses are coming in, they're hearing what it's costing to try to build here, and they're turning around and leaving.
00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:23.360
We need to figure out how to change that.
00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:39.519
Well, since taxpayers do indeed uh handle most of the load on those kinds of developments, how would you propose to inaugurate some of those changes and make them uh amenable and accessible to the taxpayer?
00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:52.559
Well, uh again, I I would create this economic development committee with with regular citizens that know this city in and out, business leaders that have been here for with businesses that have been here for years.
00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:57.039
Ultimately, they know what it takes to survive here as a business.
00:09:57.279 --> 00:10:17.200
Um and we want to see those things, we want to see them succeed as well as we want to bring in more businesses and and stuff for the citizens to be able to um just enjoy entertainment venues, uh you know, higher quality restaurants, um, and those and maybe some more uh mom and pop shops, uh small businesses.
00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:23.919
Um if we take care of those guys, uh those people are gonna re in return take care of the city.
00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:50.240
So in return, I think if we can figure out a way to maybe uh find out a five-year uh tax plan to you know uh work with uh those businesses and over a five-year period where we, you know, they maybe year one they have uh they pay a little bit of tax, and then after year one, it it just grows until it gets to 100% over those five years.
00:10:50.399 --> 00:11:07.360
That way they can take that money that they're saving, not paying the citizens uh paying taxes back to the city, and they can reinvest that money back into their business and continue to grow their business because if we keep them here, the longevity here is going to benefit the city long term.
00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:32.879
It's an interesting way to look at what you're describing, uh Robert, uh, and compare along those same lines the development of League City to Pairland, which in the last 20 years uh has gone from an 80-20 uh residential versus business uh proportion now to a 60 to 40, while at the same time growing in population almost on exactly the same track as League City during that same time.
00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:38.240
Uh 50,000, say roughly now close to 150,000 people.
00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:40.960
Very similar to what we see in Lake City now.
00:11:41.360 --> 00:12:00.080
And plenty of development uh for both uh residences, but also new businesses, too, especially that can perhaps uh bring that proportion from 80-20 to say 60 to 40, home development versus business construction.
00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:05.120
You can see that on uh 96 from 146 all the way to the Gulf Freeway.
00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:13.519
But let's talk now about uh the hot topic of the moment, Robert, and that is flock cameras.
00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:15.360
What are your views?
00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:32.960
So uh I I guess you know, at when all these cameras were put together, you know, four to five years ago when the city of League City decided to take on this role, um, it was brought to the city as a safety device for the police department um to be able to help fight crime better.
00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:48.799
Um through through all of these years, it's helped the police department solve many crimes, catch theft rings, um, and do many great things to help the citizens of League City stay can continue to stay safe.
00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:54.480
Um my true feelings on Flock is I believe in that manner they work extremely well.
00:12:55.279 --> 00:13:03.679
Um they're they're protecting the community, they're catching the people that may be trying to steal kids and and in the traffic rings and all that.
00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:09.200
Um, you know, and they're able to return those those family members back home to where they belong.
00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:22.399
Um I believe those things work well, but they work well with oversight, meaning that you can't just uh you know throw it out there and expect, you know, it just to work flawlessly all the time.
00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:32.799
Uh as we see in other communities, things, you know, you do have bad apples, and those bad apples do do things that are stretched the way that the system's supposed to work.
00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:47.679
And if we continue to make um progress, and and you know, I know the mayor currently has a plan to put together a committee to um if this vote passes in November, um that was one of my things too.
00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:51.440
I want I would I would I would want to create an oversight committee as well.
00:13:51.679 --> 00:14:07.039
Um that way it it's creating full transparency with the system between the citizens and the police department, and that way there's everybody, there's an understanding of truly how the department is running itself with Flock.
00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:30.639
Ultimately, Robert, as uh League City City Councilman, uh it's all about uh networking and uh uh persuading different uh factions and organizations inside the city to work together, and I know that uh that's something that uh you would be striving to do as a League City City Councilman.
00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:36.159
It's all about uh getting people involved and on the same page.
00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:41.360
All of that uh for anybody would be uh an ongoing learning curve.
00:14:42.159 --> 00:15:04.080
I'm still learning a lot every single day about how the city works together with other agencies around, and I want to continue to build upon those relationships that we currently have and to make sure that those relationships continue to work well because it all if if we w continue to work well together, all it does is benefit the citizens in the long run.
00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:15.519
Um if if the drainage district works together with with the Text Dot to make sure 99 comes through and the drainage works like it's supposed to, and it it goes out to the creeks and bayous.
00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:23.279
I mean, then we we have done our job making sure the citizens are staying safe when we get those heavy rains.
00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:30.240
Um hopefully we never see another Harvey type event again, but you know, we just we we just never know.
00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:32.480
Any day it could happen.
00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:37.440
Block walking, uh getting out there and meeting people, gumshoeing it door to door.
00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:41.200
I know that's a big part of anybody's campaign.
00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:45.279
And uh but that's also pretty taxing, too.
00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:51.120
Um like to ask you, sir, uh, how are you actually enjoying the campaign?
00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:59.120
So, Charles, uh I I I appreciate that question because I I probably get asked that question more than any other question out there.
00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:04.240
Um, this is the first time I've ever ran for a public office.
00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:14.960
Um there has definitely been a major learning curve on my part trying to figure out how to navigate um you know the do's and don'ts, uh the ins and outs.
00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:24.720
I mean, you you don't have to be a perfect individual, you don't have to be the worst individual, you know, you have to be somewhere in the middle, and you just have to be yourself.
00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:38.799
And that is exactly what I try to be every day because again, what what I do every single day, I do for others, and I try to always keep others in mind um and do exactly that.
00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:47.279
Um I I I probably do more for other people than I do for myself, and my wife laughs at me all the time because of it.
00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:51.200
Um you know, and uh, you know, she's the same way.
00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:57.039
She serves on several uh committees, you know, Houston Livestock Show Committee and all that stuff.
00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:58.879
My son's part of FFA.
00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:04.079
So we're always trying to, you know, we're all so busy and we're all trying to give back in different ways.
00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:11.839
And it's it's been a humbling experience for me just to see how the political arena is is played.
00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:15.839
But at the same time, I've enjoyed every single minute of it so far.
00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:23.119
As we uh approach the end of a nice conversation with Robert Bruce, candidate for League City City Council.
00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:37.599
Uh, I'd like to ask you, sir, um, how from this point forward can uh folks uh inform their vote about your campaign with early voting starting October 20th and election day November 3rd?
00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.960
Yeah, absolutely.
00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:44.000
Um you can find me online at Robert Bruce for League City.com.
00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:52.000
And uh ultimately I am uh gonna be at several different forums that are coming up over the next few weeks.
00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:59.519
Um tomorrow we have the Clear Creek Republican Women's Uh Club luncheon at Labrisa's at noon.
00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:07.119
Um so that that is gonna be the one of the first forums we're doing moving uh moving into this campaign season.
00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:17.519
Uh on Saturday, October 3rd, um I am hosting a meet and greet event at McKenzie Lane Boutique here in Leak City on uh West Main.
00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:24.079
Uh I'll be hope I'll be bringing in some of my one of my buddies' uh barbecue special.
00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:28.400
Um he's he he uh 1625, the outpost barbecue.
00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:39.200
Uh he's cooking up some uh pulled pork, and we're gonna be doing some sliders that day to hand out to people that want to come out, have conversations with me, get to know me, and learn a little bit more about me.
00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:49.680
Um on October 14th, we're hope we're uh there's another candidate forum that's being hosted by the League City uh Chamber of Commerce.
00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:54.799
Um that will be at the uh council chambers at Leagues in League City.
00:18:55.359 --> 00:19:05.279
And then uh we're doing cocktails and candidates with uh the the uh at the Butler's Courtyard on um October 20th.
00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:08.480
So there's quite a few more things that are coming up.
00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:12.240
Um I will continue to try to put myself out there as much as possible.
00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:18.000
You can go to my website, request uh there's a spot on there for um meet the candidate.
00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:21.759
You can sign up there, send information to me, fill out the form.
00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.200
I'll get a hold of you.
00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:27.039
Uh if you want to meet in person, you just want to have a conversation over the phone.
00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:32.000
You know, I I'm I'm making myself available to everybody as much as possible.
00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:46.880
And I'm gonna continue to guarantee that if I'm elected in November, because I think that's what's super important about learning what League City truly needs and the ones uh moving forward to making this and continuing this city to be a great place to live.
00:19:47.200 --> 00:20:01.119
Uh finally, uh Robert Bruce, candidates for League City City Council, as folks prepare to vote October the 20th, early voting, and then uh vote uh on election day proper if they choose to on November the third.
00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:06.559
Uh League City's got several positions for League City City Councilmen.
00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:25.119
Although I understand that uh whether it's position one, two, three, four, five, or six or seven, uh all League City Councilmen in every position uh can affect every portion of League City with their advocacy and uh their representation.
00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:38.480
Um so for the sake of uh informing folks about the ballot, they would be looking at what exactly is the position you uh, sir, are running for on the League City ballot.
00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:41.200
So I am on position three.
00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.880
I am at the top of the ballot.
00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:46.240
Again, like like you said, Charles, my name's Robert Bruce.
00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:51.039
Uh my my tagline is I'm gonna lead with courage to secure our future.
00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:53.839
I think that is a big standpoint.
00:20:54.000 --> 00:21:09.119
My goal is to truly give back the voice to you, the citizens of League City, because I feel sometimes that that stuff falls on deaf ears, and we need to continue to listen to where um to the people that are putting us and electing us to office.
00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.000
Uh Mr.
00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:18.079
Robert Bruce, it um has been a pleasure speaking with you this morning uh about your campaign for League City City Council.
00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:22.160
Uh Robert, uh anything else uh that you would like to add, sir.
00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:22.960
Absolutely.
00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:24.960
Again, Charles, thank you for having me.
00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:26.319
Uh just one last thing.
00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:29.920
The last day to register to vote is October 5th.
00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:47.279
So if you've never voted, you've never taken that chance to uh spread your wings and enjoy your freedom and and give your give that speech um by who you vote for, you know, we don't always get what we want, which is you know why we live in the greatest uh country in the world.
00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:51.039
But at least we have that platform to be able to do this on.
00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:58.880
And uh, Charles, again, I appreciate your time and uh allowing me to talk to you the constituents here in Leak City.
00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:04.160
And uh again, Robert Bruce, position three, lead with courage to secure our future.
00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:15.039
Robert Bruce, this morning's getting the empty, communicated, ready on the empty, ready, empty, communicated, communicated.
