Christopher Reyes: bigcitysmalltown Mayoral Questionnaire

I possess a diverse set of skills and experiences such as: leadership, management, crisis management, problem solving, commitment to public service, technical skills, expertise, communication, relationship building, public safety, transportation, civic engagement and public service, that align with key qualities needed and position me as a strong candidate for mayor. My extensive military leadership experience (2003-2017) is invaluable for leading a city. As a Platoon Sergeant, Company Safety Officer, and Headquarters Platoon Sergeant, I have developed strong leadership capabilities, including supervising large teams, making critical decisions under pressure, and ensuring effective communication across diverse groups. My experience overseeing mission operations, managing intelligence operations, and creating standard operating procedures shows that I have the ability to manage complex tasks and projects at a high level, a key skill for running a city like San Antonio.

Throughout my military career, particularly as a Supervisor/Imagery Analyst, I handled high-stakes situations, coordinating intelligence and aerial operations in combat environments. This experience would be beneficial for managing crises in a city, such as natural disasters, public safety emergencies, or economic challenges. My ability to think critically, make sound decisions quickly, and manage multiple priorities under pressure would help in navigating the various issues a mayor faces, such as public safety, transportation, and economic development.

My dedication to serving in the U.S. Military for over a decade demonstrates a strong commitment to service, which aligns with the values of public office. This experience likely imbues me with a sense of duty to serve the people of San Antonio and work toward improving the community.

My involvement in community-oriented work as a Survey CADD Technician, interacting with clients, landowners, and municipalities, demonstrates that I understand the importance of engaging with local communities and being responsive to the needs of residents. My expertise in GIS, AutoCAD, and Surveying (with over 300 plat reviews) highlights my technical skills, which are crucial for addressing urban planning, infrastructure development, and environmental concerns within the city. Knowledge of technology and data collection systems could also help innovate and improve city services, such as public transportation, land management, and environmental monitoring.

I have extensive experience in arranging meetings, communicating with others, and coordinating teams, all of which are essential for building strong relationships with city stakeholders, including local businesses, nonprofits, and government entities.

My background in briefing and presenting intelligence products to senior officers and decision-makers, as well as creating training programs, demonstrates strong public speaking, presentation, and communication skills, which are important for engaging with the public and city council.

My Transportation Specialist role and experience as a bus operator gives me direct insight into the needs of public transportation in San Antonio. This experience would be invaluable for developing and enhancing the city's transportation infrastructure. My military training, particularly in safety management and emergency operations, provides a solid foundation for improving public safety policies, from law enforcement coordination to emergency preparedness.

As a Survey CADD Technician, my involvement in interacting with landowners and public stakeholders reflects an ability to engage with a diverse community and handle municipal-level concerns.

My active role in the military and my continued service in civilian roles shows that I am dedicated to improving the community, which is a key quality in any mayoral candidate.

Key Attributes for Mayor that I possess are Integrity and Accountability: I have a history of creating programs that ensured zero communications security violations and overseeing critical operations, demonstrating that you can be trusted to handle city matters with transparency and accountability, Strategic Vision: My experience in mission planning and oversight, along with technical skills, equips me with a unique ability to think long-term and make strategic decisions for the city’s growth and development, and Team Building and Collaboration: I’ve successfully led large teams, developed training programs, and coordinated efforts among different departments, all of which would be crucial for working with city staff and various community groups.

My diverse experiences in leadership, crisis management, technical expertise, and community engagement makes me a well-rounded and prepared to address the complex challenges of being mayor. San Antonio would benefit from my multifaceted background and commitment to service.

As far as reaching registered voters with a history of participating in local elections I have historic voter registration data and have conducted block walks, but rather than just focus on them I have been reaching out to everyone possible. I have had numerous people register to vote for the first time. I am taking a different approach to campaign financing, if people chose to donate that’s great but I am not asking because people are struggling in this economy. I have focused on face-to-face interactions, social media, podcasts, attending forums and events with city council candidates.

My priorities are safety, so I would push for more police officers, ensuring they have the equipment they need, any substations that needed to be relocated or built. I would also ensure that any resources needed were allocated to the departments identified by the third-party audit for efficiency. I would ensure that the necessary infrastructure was handled accordingly.

5. Do you support the city’s proposed public-private investments in Project Marvel, or do you oppose them? If you support Project Marvel, what do you think is a fair private/public split on building a new Spurs arena in Hemisfair?

6. What are your economic development and job growth strategies? Since the pandemic, more than 150 corporations have moved their headquarters to Texas, yet San Antonio has not shared significantly in convincing those companies to come here. How can we change that?

7. San Antonians worry that as the city grows, it could lose its unique cultural identity, much as Austin has changed due to rising housing and living costs. What will you do to grow the city’s job base while making sure what makes San Antonio special is not lost?

8. San Antonio has faced record heat, extreme drought conditions, and episodes like Winter Storm Uri, yet city leaders have largely failed to implement the 2019 Climate Action & Adaptation Plan. Federal and state political leaders largely ignore climate change and are rapidly defunding renewable energy projects while subsidizing the oil and gas industry. What is your position on this critical issue?

9. San Antonio is experiencing worsening traffic congestion and air quality, with rising cases of asthma and other respiratory ailments. How do you plan to improve mobility in the city while balancing affordability and sustainability? What role should alternative transportation options play?

10. Describe one new idea you have for accelerating the city’s trajectory as a destination for visitors, conventions, and people moving here for opportunities.