For your consideration: Hector Porras

Editor’s note: This is part three of a four-part series of articles written on four of the five candidates vying for a seat in Gonzales City Council. Councilman District 3 Lorenzo Hernandez declined to participate. The order of publication was picked at random. All stories will be linked together online.

Hector Porras, a Gonzales native, "born and raised in this great and historic community," seeks the support of District 4 voters and is out campaigning in the race to serve on Gonzales City Council.

Porras was raised in a family of hard-working, community-minded people and has continued the family's tradition of involvement in the community.

"I come from a family of local entrepreneurs, beginning with grocery and meat markets dating back many years ago, due to business trends these markets evolved into restaurants, which included: the Old Coin Restaurant, Casa Porras, Espinosa’s Fine Foods and to this day Toni’s Food Store," he said.

Porras said education was always important to him and he always reached for excellence.

"I graduated from Gonzales High School in 1985 and from Southwest Texas State University with a BBA in Finance in 1990," he said.

In his career, Porras has worked in corporate, non-profit, public and private entities. 

'With the experience and knowledge that I have gained through my diverse career, I feel that it would benefit the role and responsibilities needed for the councilman position," he said.

Porras, who frequently traveled for work, returned to Gonzales in 2005 and resumed his role in the community.

"I have been an active member of the Catholic communities of Gonzales and Waelder, serving as the Sacred Heart Jamaica Festival Chair from 2007 through 2010. I was also a member of the Pastoral Council from 2008 through 2011 and a member of the Parish land committee which was formed to secure property within the city for future growth," Porras said. "I have been a member of the Gonzales United Way. I have also been involved with several City of Gonzales boards to include the Zoning Board of Adjustment, as an alternate and active board member. I currently serve on the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation and the City of Gonzales Planning and Zoning Board."

Porras acknowledges the financial crisis the City of Gonzales faces.

"As a citizen I feel that our city's finance situation came about from a lack of planning over time," he said. "The current financial situation is a priority, but at the same time one that needs careful and clear planning to be successful."

According to Porras, this planning for success will have to be a "team effort."

"I am confident that myself, with the appropriate city leaders in place, along with local business owners, property owners and our vested citizens, we can be successful in executing an achievable financial plan," Porras said.

Porras believes he is the best-qualified candidate for District 4 and he is campaigning as a man who will work to find solutions and work to achieve a unified council consensus to carry them out.

"A plan has to be created and implemented over the next five to 10 years, it has to be followed so that we can get the city and community back on track for the future.," Porras said. "In the words of Benjamin Franklin – who said it best – 'If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.'"

Porras asserts he will be an asset to the council and integral in strengthening the city's financial situation.

"I have seen a number of changes in our district and the community. It is because of these changes, some good, some bad; I decided to get involved, participate and volunteer in church and civic organizations, always with the best interest of Gonzales and its citizens at heart," Porras said. "This is why I believe the citizens of our district should put their confidence in me and I sincerely ask for your support and vote."

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For Dan Blakemore's story, click here.

For Clarence Opiela's story, click here.

For Bobby O'Neal's story, click here.