Julián Castro For Mayor

San Antonio mayoral candidates Diane Cibrian, Julian Castro and Trish DeBerry-Mejia offered their political objectives and prospects for the city to more than 50 residents during a public forum Feb. 9 at Barshop Jewish Community Center.

Organized by Northside Neighborhoods for Organized Development, the forum led some attendees to believe this year's mayoral election will be one of the most competitive in years.

“I think we have some very qualified candidates,” said Bonnie Conner, former City Council member for District 8, where Cibrian is serving her first term on council. “I think the race will turn out in a run-off in May. That wouldn't surprise me.”

The candidates provided ideas for lowering property taxes, producing better traffic flow citywide, investing in basic services such as drainage, street repairs and garbage collection, and the beautification of North Side neighborhoods and those citywide.

“I love our city. I grew up here and attended our schools,” said Castro, who represented District 7 for four years after being elected in 2001. He lost the 2005 mayoral run-off election to Phil Hardberger in 2005. “I feel I've been able to live the American dream here in San Antonio. I have a strong vision for our city's future, to grow and prosper as a city of 1.4 million residents.”

As mayor, Castro said he would enhance the local bioscience and medical industries, which he said would make the city more competitive in the global economy. He wants to preserve the auto manufacturing industry by focusing on the Toyota Tundra manufacturing plant, which has experienced the effects of a national recession.

He also said he sees growth in the technology industry through the new Microsoft data center being built in the far West Side and Rackspace growing into its new Windcrest campus.