Madame mayor

GONZALES — Gonzales residents might be delighted to know that they will be spared an election after just coming out of one. And that is because only one candidate filed to be on the ballot for the soon-to-be-cancelled May 7 municipal election.

Meet Connie Kacir, who will become Gonzales’ first female mayor this June.

“First, I want to take this opportunity to express how honored I am to be the next mayor of Gonzales,” Kacir said. “I am very proud to live in such a great city which has provided me with the opportunity for a wonderful family and professional life. My faith and love for the City of Gonzales creates a great desire to serve a city and citizenry that have done so much for me.”

As part of a new city charter that was ratified last year, the mayor will now serve a three-year term to be voted on apart from any city council contest. Current Mayor Bobby Logan chose not to seek re-election and the filing period for the office was advertised last month. But upon the conclusion of the filing period, Kacir was the only candidate to sign up for the spot.

Thus being the only candidate, she will assume the position at the June city council meeting. Per city rules, council members will be presented a “certification of unopposed candidate” at tonight’s city council meeting. They will then be asked to pass an ordinance declaring an unopposed candidate in the May 7 city election. This will place Kacir in line to become mayor and will cancel the election according to City Secretary Kristina Vega.

As they say, the only way to run a campaign is either afraid or unopposed. 

“My bid for mayor was made in the first days of open filing for the office,” Kacir said. “I feel this sent a firm message to the community at large regarding my passion for pursuing the position. My interpretation of being uncontested in the race is the community was satisfied with my ability and integrity to serve them. I am humbled by the scenario presented and will commit to serve my upcoming three year term to the best of my ability.”

This should now free her up to focus on how to lead the city for the next few years.

“I am a goal oriented individual with a focus of continuing the positive motion held by our current city council and administration,” she said. “My management style is one which places relationship building and collaboration as a priority.  

“Building relationships is the key to our city’s future. When we work to include all of our available resources, we are working smarter. In the three years I served as the executive director of the hospital foundation, $1.5 million dollars were raised to benefit our local healthcare system. Similar principals can be applied to a council-manager government to achieve the next level of success for our city.”

Kacir points to her financial background that has given her the needed capabilities of holding the office of mayor. She has had a 30-year career in the banking industry with 20 of those years being a loan officer with responsibilities in commercial real estate lending and facilitating as a regional mortgage lending officer for commercial and residential mortgages. Having the ability to crunch high-end numbers should serve her well in analyzing city revenues necessary for municipal budgets.  

Key initiatives in her term will focus on city infrastructure, economic development of new and expanded business for city sustainability, expanding tourism opportunities, downtown revitalization, beautification of parks and projects for “at risk” youth.

“The scope of work to be accomplished is one that requires a team approach,” she said. “I believe I can work with the current council and administrators to improve our city.  

“I am prepared to make the difficult decisions required ahead. It is my honor to have the opportunity to lead the city with a servant-style leadership. I will listen to our citizens and empower them to identify their concerns and present their views.

“Gonzales is a great city, and it possesses an enormous potential to be even greater.”