How would you characterize the leadership style or ability that you would offer county government?

Martinez: I see myself as a leader in a "participatory" form of government. I place my confidence and good faith in the citizenry to become participants in the political and administrative process of Webb County. I would like to see the public involved in all stages of policy process, not just in ex post complaints and feedback about the way a policy was executed.

Bruni: I characterize my highly effective leadership style as a healthy blend of firmness and caring. I believe in communicating with people on a one-to-one basis; however, I avoid any pompous action from myself or any elected official. Webb County or the City of Laredo will not be second to any place, person, or power. Decisiveness based on logic and reason including input from caring citizens from all over the county will be my primary advisors. My new leadership for Webb County will take control immediately upon the arrival of any given emergency situation. Rapid result-driven action will be my credo. I will provide a fresh outlook to lead the people of this great county.

Why are you the best choice for the elected position of county judge?

Martinez: I am the best choice for the simple reason that I have been at the forefront of the many state-mandated changes that have impacted Webb County and its citizenry. I personally have been in the driver's seat interpreting and implementing their legal and financial impact on the County. In the last few years, Webb County has been told by the State to change its role from a rural government to an urban government dealing with social issues and distributive justice. As a result, we have been mandated many additional responsibilities which had no legal precedence in County government. It has been a laborious task to perform our obligations within the limited jurisdictions of County powers. As an example, indigent health care has become a major feature of Webb County government. The state has made these individuals our responsibility. However, there is no infrastructure in place by which we may generate funds for these programs; instead they must be funded by property-tax revenue which places an additional burden on our County taxpayers. There are so many critical issues to be addressed at this time that to subject them to a learning curve at the hands of a newcomer would be to jeopardize their successful outcome, which in most cases could impact the County financially.

Bruni: I have leadership ability with these proven results: search for secondary water, honest budgetary process, practice at governmental protocol. In my many successful years as a public servant, I have made many powerful contacts from Washington, Austin, and Mexico who will play an important part in my administration. My accomplishments at city government must now take shape countywide. I pledge to continue to place our people first before special interests. My vision of improvement at the district level became a reality and now you and I are ready to make it a reality at the county level.

How much of a part does consensus play in the role of county judge as a setter of public policy?

Martinez: Everything is consensus. County government is structured so that all decisions are based on the majority vote of the Commissioner's Court. County Government cannot be run as a "one man show."

Bruni: Daniel Webster defines consensus as derived from the Latin word consentire, which means to be in agreement, or harmony. When a problem arises it seems everyone has an opinion; however, when a solution is given, all understand the true answer. This I will bring to the table. Harmony can only be achieved when results are clear. Every successful community practices unity.

Are politics and political differences at the root of the issues between the Webb County Judge and the Webb County Sheriff? How will this be resolved?

Martinez: Politics and political differences have no place in this issue. I have heard some say that the problem with the sheriff is a result of personal conflicts of opinion so they can downplay its seriousness. There is no room for "personal" feelings in this issue. Resolution will come when the oath of office taken by each one of us elected officials is taken seriously. Any threat made that can jeopardize the financial stability of the County must be taken seriously. I am the chief budget officer, a judge, and the only legislator elected countywide. I take any threat to its financial integrity very seriously. As an example, if we, the court, had not voted to take legal action against the sheriff's actions, we would have been subjected to a slow financial hemorrhaging that would impact our budget tremendously. We would have to downsize every County department at a time when our obligations are already in excess of the available manpower.

Bruni: As I see it, the conflict stems out of a personal vendetta that the judge is waging against the sheriff due to the fact that the sheriff endorsed my candidacy during the 1998 City Council race. My opponent was the judge's son. I regard such behavior as petty and shameful, and as having no place in government. Such behavior serves only to harm, unnecessarily, the relationship between county and city government.

The residents, ratepayers, and taxpayers of Webb County deserve better than an embittered display by a vengeful judge. This will be resolved by my winning the race, and by my restoring dignity and decorum to County government. I will then repair the already strained and thin relationship the city has with the county.

Regarding the consolidation of city and county services, how do you feel about this possibility and which departments (services) seem likely candidates for consolidation?

Martinez: As you know, this issue has been around for some time. As recently as 1995 (Green County and Travis County) and 1997 (Bexar County) bills were proposed that would consolidate city and county, and in both instances these failed. This movement has already started with the consolidation of some departments. As you know, a countywide appraisal authority for property taxes has already been established. All local governments must accept its property appraisals. Consolidation of other functions will probably be inherent to the individual county's needs. Code-driven changes can only come from the State legislature. There are two schools of thought present here. Some (Virginia Gray and Peter Eisinger) feel that consolidation is necessary to preserve funds and avoid duplicity of services; others feel that the merge would give too much power to one government system. Fragmentation is preferred to a monopoly; it is obvious that smaller governments can be more responsive than larger ones ("public choice" theorists).

Bruni: I am open to whatever will optimally benefit all taxpayers and residents of Webb County. Possible candidates for consolidation are the water utilities departments. For example, Webb County handles water distribution to the areas of RÌo Bravo and El Cenizo. By pooling the rural and municipal suppliers of water, financial, distribution, and quality advantages may be gained. As economic development and welfare benefits serve many of the same recipients there is a possibility that these two services could be consolidated. A proven consolidation is seen in our elections when the county aids the city, school board, and LCC elections. I repeat that if a consolidation is proven viable and if it will benefit residents, then action must be taken.

At a time in which county government is considered in other parts of the state and country an anachronism,

how do you see the County of Webb as a viable provider of services for the residents of Webb County?

Martinez: You are right, this anachronism has created a dichotomy that mobilizes us into action through state regulations but paralyzes us when we have to operationalize their mandates. I spoke of this earlier when I discussed the indigent health care responsibilities. We work within the legal framework of an outdated legal straitjacket that is applied equally to each of the 254 Texas counties, regardless of its size and geographical location. As a border county you know we have unique needs that the counties in the Panhandle will never experience. There are no discretionary powers inherent to our uniqueness and, as a result, all obligations within our jurisdiction have to be met by County taxpayers.

Bruni: In Texas, county governments are creatures of the state. They exist to provide services and leadership to 254 different regions throughout the state. They reach and touch those outlying rural areas that are not incorporated into municipalities. In our corner of the world, county government is more essential because many of these outlying areas are harsh and impoverished areas known as colonias. County government must play a primary role to these areas. They need water, road service, law enforcement, and emergency protection. These are not luxuries, but are basic necessities that should be provided to everyone, regardless of where they live. Recently, Texans voted to provide funding for this very cause and my administration with proven experience will stand prepared to enhance the quality of life for all county citizens.

What is your definition of the role of Webb County Judge? Who is or would be your second and what is his or her role in your overview of the work of the county?

Martinez: My definition of being County Judge is very simple. I must use my specialized knowledge and experience to shape our county into a viable structure that can meet the demands for which it was originally intended to exist while simultaneously forming its vision and inner functions in accordance with its new roles as they are concurrently being defined by the state. Before I was County Judge, I was the SBA Regional Administrator for several states, and during my tenure I turned it into a second-to-none region. I accomplished this by being unrelenting in my endeavors. I have applied these same principles to my tenure as Judge. In today's context, this means traveling to put Webb County on the national map of trade players, this means being integrated into the decision-making process of policy that impacts us as a border, this means establishing networks that will understand our needs and expedite our funding requests when we meet qualification criteria, this means understanding the upcoming demands on us and being prepared for them so our day-to-day obligations are never compromised due to non-preparedness.

You ask about a second. There are no seconds allowed in the authority structure of County government. Authority cannot be delegated. I do have an assistant. His role is to implement policy in relation to the day-to-day management of the many varied departments. His role requires a thorough understanding of County functions and their legal implications and limitations in order that he may direct any issues that need attention and resolution to the appropriate supervisors or department heads.

Bruni: As the Webb County Judge, I will serve as the chief executive and financial officer. I will take the responsibility for presiding over the County Commissioners Court. I will work in concert with other elected officials as I always have. The issue of a second is somewhat anomalous because unlike city government, the county has no judge pro-tempore, nor is there any county manager. The closest advisor is the county attorney, as that official is well-versed in state statute and should possess a keen knowledge of county government. I would have a chief of staff for the County Judge's office in order to assist me in administrative matters relative to the office.

What has been the reward of serving in public office?

Martinez: I have always felt that rewards are in relation to the expectations. If you had asked me 10 years ago if I would be able to take Webb County from the red into the black, if I was up to fighting for the legislative reforms that were necessary to stop the abuse of colonia residents, and the continued development of colonias by unscrupulous developers, if I could protect the health care of the most vulnerable amongst us, if I could upgrade our facilities to meet state of the art working environments in order to give constituents the best service possible and replace our communication systems to be up to par with global communication demands, if I could learn enough about the demands on our local transportation infrastructure due to NAFTA and create the political infrastructure to ensure our needs are addressed, if I could raise the county's credit rating, I would have said I will try. Today I can truthfully say I have done so. These are rewards that can't be measured by any other standards than those demanded of myself, and I am proud to say I have measured up to the provision of the needs of my county. Webb County, as a rural community, was an important neighbor to other Texans and Mexico, and today it not only continues being a neighbor, but a global partner in a world market.

Bruni: My reward has been and continues to be the all-American pride I get from assisting my constituents and participating with successful projects. When they manifest themselves into useful services, they enhance the quality of lives of all our citizens. Our hard-earned tax dollar is put to its rightful use by returning twice-fold its face value. Projects that citizens can see and use or that have reached fruition are those for noise abatement for the airport area, the construction of the Laredo Public Library, the Laredo Police station, and the firefighter training facility. These gems not only reflect the rewards of public service, they also reflect how the public can be rewarded for electing the proper person or persons to take the political reins. We know these facilities will continue to benefit Laredoans today and in the long-term will serve generations to come.

Where is the issue of water for the colonias? At what stage of development is the delivery of water to those areas?

Martinez: The water issue for colonias varies by the location of the geographical location of the colonia. Each one is in a working state of progress; however, the actual point of accomplishment is varied. This is due largely to the lengthy and cumbersome process by which funding is received and then the complex task of receiving right-of-ways for the actual implementation of the utility infrastructure, and finally the management process of the infrastructure once it is in place.

Bruni: Of the services that county government provides to colonias, water stands as the most essential and the most basic. Inasmuch as the state has been generous with Webb County in awarding grants for supplying water to these areas, there are some procedures that must be followed. Currently, our design phase is 80 percent complete. Webb County has the responsibility to submit the right of way to the city in order for us to complete the design and see it put to work. The Texas Water Development Board must then approve verification followed by requests for proposals. This process takes four to six months from evaluation and securing proposals. Construction should start by May 2002. Yes, progress has been made, but more work is required. Only then will we be on our way to becoming the most coveted place to live in Texas!

What is your perception for how county government is supposed to interface with city government?

Martinez: The boundaries of obligations for each government are already well defined by state code. However, I feel that whenever an opportunity presents itself by which the two governments can merge their needs and goals, it should be taken. When precedence is in place that shows a successful collaboration between governments, it should be recreated. The collaboration to build a fifth bridge would have been a good example; unfortunately, it must become a competition because the city does not see this project as one by which both governments can serve their citizenry. As a county we have a limited access to resources; this would be a great way to meet the demands of a growing business community. I believe that County and City should work together as one whenever possible.

Bruni: County and city governments are not to compete with one another, but instead work to compliment each other. There are boundaries that need to be respected and recognized. By statute, some activities are clearly reserved for the city and others for the county. The city has vast expertise in water issues and international bridge concerns. The county has experience in roads and rural areas. Each entity should respect the jurisdiction of the other and should be careful not to encroach. Only by doing this can we have effective leadership and service for both areas. There are areas in south Texas which we can look to for example of successful co-existence between city and county offices.

What would be the work of your next term in office as county judge? What issues are at the forefront of your agenda for the next term? What is the single largest issue?

Martinez: My work for the next term is already on my desk today. It is generated by a continuum that demands constant change. All issues are on the forefront. One is not more important than the other, and will not happen at the expense of each other. Water for colonias, education, indigent health care, housing, are all quality-of-life issues on the forefront. A very important issue will be to keep fomenting a participatory government so those citizens interested in becoming Webb County Judge when I leave office will be knowledgeable of all issues. In this manner the transition of leadership will have a minimal impact on Webb County citizens.

Bruni: The main thrust of my work as county judge will be felt in many areas; however, water will have high priority. Water is our most precious resource and we have to do all that we can to increase its use, its availability, and its sources. I also will give the environment high priority. We must have clean air and clean water along with careful planning to assure our people are not only working, but healthy as well. We do not want to survive -- we want to succeed. Fiscal management is high on my agenda. I am concerned about unnecessary expenditures, which burden taxpayers and county coffers. Each and every dollar must be accounted for and put to its proper use. In some cases, we can gain interest on our funds by depositing them wisely. Ultimately we must find people that want to advance the quality of life for everyone and not just a chosen few. I pledge to be on the side of those who wish to see our communities prosper. Give me four minutes and I will give you four years.