Rick Koster for County Commissioner 2010

League of Women Voters
Introduction
February 13, 2010

I want to thank the League of Women Voters for the opportunity to participate in this candidate forum.

My name is Rick Koster and I am running for County Commissioner in precinct 2 on the Democratic ticket.

If elected, I will bring to the Commissioner's Court over 25 years of experience in the practical profession of engineering. 

Except for 2 years working for the US Army, I have spent my professional career in the private sector, working for and with companies of all sizes.  I get things done.

I’m convinced that the citizens of Collin County will be better served by a Commissioner's Court that includes diverse perspectives.  I have a lifetime of experience as a native speaker of both English and Spanish, as a person at home in both U.S. and Latin cultures, as someone with an Ivy League education who understands and gets along with ordinary Texans.

As to the issues, many in Collin County think this election is about cutting taxes. 

As a parent of college age children, I applaud and will seek responsible efforts to lower taxes. 

That said, I don’t like and won’t play the con game of tax cuts that hide cost transfers to tolls and fees.  Nor will I take part in a tax race to the bottom.  County government is necessary, and it won’t run for free. 

Most Texans learned when they were little, just like I did, that you can’t get something for nothing.  What the citizens of Collin County want is value for their tax dollars, government that takes care of true county needs, as prescribed by law, in a prompt and responsible manner.  As commissioner, I will make your tax dollar stretch, and do my best to return some of it to you.

Another reason why I’m running is to promote the discussion of community goals.  Here are some questions that I think need airing:

Should Collin County invest in transportation infrastructure beyond roads?

Should our roads be free or tolled, public or private? 

What is the proper role of county government in meeting the health care needs of our citizens?

What should Collin County be doing do to help clean up regional air pollution?

Should the county help foster a county vocational school system to improve the opportunities of our children?

My name is Rick Koster and I want your vote.  You can vote for me twice, in the primary and in November.