Thursday forum features council, school board election candidates

By Marc Robertson - Editor | April 23, 2025

Brush Country Chamber broadcasts live on YouTube channel

The Brush Country Chamber of Commerce has confirmed that it expects to broadcast a Thursday night forum featuring those vying for election in the Cotulla city council and school board races.
Set to begin at 6 p.m. on April 24, the forum will be held in the conference room at the AB Alexander Convention Center on the IH-35 access road in Cotulla. Public seating will be limited, but the live-stream broadcast will be available for viewing on the Brush Country Chamber of Commerce YouTube channel and will be available online for later viewing.
The moderated event gives time for each candidate in three city council races and two school board races to address a range of topics related to each government entity, including budget, policies, development, staff, and safety.
Questions for the candidates have been submitted by the public and by Chamber member businesses and will be adapted to the forum format. Those taking part in the event will be able to respond to questions or offer rebuttals to responses from other candidates vying for the same seat. Participants will not debate each other, nor will they make statements directed at or against other candidates.
“This differs from the debate style of event, as we want to give each candidate an opportunity to address voters directly, instead of attacking each others’ positions on an issue,” Chamber CEO Melinda Rheinfeldt said last week. “We have taken the suggestions from the public and drafted them as questions where they relate to topics relevant to current events in the city and school.”

Rheinfeldt said all candidates in the two elections have been invited to participate and most have indicated a willingness to attend. Final calls are being made this week to determine whether all those on the ballot will take a seat at the forum.
None of the participants in the forum will be given questions in advance of the event. Responses and rebuttals will be held to a strict time limit. Audience members will not be allowed to ask questions during the event.
Each candidate will be given a short introductory period at the start of the forum to list qualifications and experience, reasons for running for election or re-election, and a chance to outline any projects or proposals to bring to the table, if elected.
The city council election candidates include incumbent Henry Gilbert Ayala, Raquel Nunez Yanez and Noelee Niavez for Place 3; incumbent Alejandro Garcia Jr. and Eloy Zertuche for Place 4; and incumbent Manuel Rodriguez, Pilar Martinez and Billy Alvarado for Place 5. The school board election includes incumbent Rosario Morales, unopposed in Place 6; and incumbent Richard Maldonado, Jaime Martinez and Catrina Torres for Place 7.
Those attending as participants or as audience members will not be allowed to campaign or display signs during or after the forum on city-owned property.