Candidate Profile: Tina Steiner For Round Rock Council Place 5

Tina Steiner shares with Patch why she should be elected to Round Rock City Council.

Meagan Falcon, Patch Staff

Posted Tue, Apr 27, 2021 at 2:29 pm CT

Tina Steiner, who is running for Round Rock City Council Place 5, shared with Patch why she should be elected to city council and represent residents in her community. (Patch graphics)

Editor's note: Some responses have been edited for clarity.

On May 1, Williamson County voters will make their choice on who they want elected to fill local positions in their city.

Tina Steiner, who is running for Round Rock City Council Place 5, shared with Patch why she should be elected to city council and represent residents in her community.

Find out what's happening in Round Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Profile: Tina Steiner

Position Sought: Round Rock Council Place 5

Family: I have a son who has blessed me with 3 granddaughters and a grandson ages 3-17

Find out what's happening in Round Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Campaign website: www.tinaforroundrock.com

Q&A with Steiner

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

What is your educational background?

Doctoral student- Organizational Leadership, Governance, and Transparency
2 Masters in Arts- Education Grand Canyon University
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certified- Tx A&M
Bachelors of Science- Interdisciplinary Studies Tx State University
Associate of Arts- ACC

What is your occupation?

Round Rock ISD Educator 20+ years

Have you ever been elected or appointed to a public office?

Mayoral Appointment to Round Rock Housing Authority

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking office because as a 50+ year resident who was born and raised in Round Rock I am invested in our city. As a volunteer of numerous organizations I have always had the desire to ensure that Round Rock is a noteworthy city.

I plan to use the experience I have obtained as a community leader along with my doctoral education and participation in Leadership Round Rock, Round Rock University, and Citizens Police Academy to ensure that Round Rock remains the great city that it already is.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There are several pressing issues facing Round Rock. The greatest challenge facing Round Rock is a strain on our infrastructure coupled with rising housing costs and the effects of zoning on small and family business development and now we can add property taxes to that.

These challenges create an issue that necessitates financial planning and community input to create the best solution possible for Round Rock citizens. By listening more to our constituents and the opinions of industry professionals, the City Council can be equipped to face this important challenge together.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have no vested interest in business or property so a vote by council would not impact me personally as I will be able to honestly and ethically serve without question. I will not only represent businesses but also be a voice for the community.

I have also been working for years to bring historical awareness to families and structures in Round Rock so that our residents are aware of what made our city great. This year I was involved in Round Rock having a Martin Luther King, Jr. Way for the first time in our history. I also helped save a historical structure, The Stagecoach Inn. I am very much involved in working with the residents and not only businesses in our city.

Although we both have served on Commissions, I received a mayoral appointment to the Housing Authority. I have also attended city council meetings for the past ten years. When speaking of Infrastructure and business I am a member of the Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure and Business Climate Council so I have already been involved and not just when I decided to run as a candidate.

Editor's check: On Jan. 14, 2021, the Round Rock City Council voted unanimously to designate Sheppard Street in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Round Rock Black History Organization (BHO) held a small ceremony on Jan. 16 to recognize the addition of the historic figure’s name to signs along Sheppard Street in Downtown Round Rock (Martin Luther King Jr., Way). Read more about it HERE.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I think elected officials did what they thought was best in responding to the coronavirus. In mandating the mask ordinance, nothing was firmly set regarding enforcement which upset some residents yet nothing was done to calm those fears.

My understanding is that doing so would have caused more issues yet there was no bigger issue for all (whether a mask wearer or not) than the pandemic itself.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As a lifelong resident I have witnessed Round Rock grow from a sleepy little town of 1,900 to over 140,000 residents today. Growth is inevitable, but it should be managed through a commitment to planning for better infrastructure for our roads and buildings, to find solutions for our worsening traffic, and to ensure that our law enforcement is adequately and rightly staffed if we are to continue growing.

If one works here they should be able to live here. Affordable housing for public servants, veterans, and our students attending our institutes of higher learning is a must, as well. There are law enforcement, fire personnel, and educators who can barely afford to live in Round Rock.

We must do better for those who serve us and ensure our safety. There are also high school graduates who attempt to live on their own while attending college only to end up with bad credit and have to return home to live with parents again before even beginning their adult lives.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My participation in Leadership Round Rock, Round Rock UniverCity, and Citizens Police Academy. My experience as a commissioner with the Round Rock Housing Authority, Round Rock Historic Preservation Commission, Williamson County Historical Preservation Commission, Round Rock Preservation Director, Community Liaison for the Heart of Round Rock and my doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership, Governance, and Transparency.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Keep your head up through all adversity and don't take anything personal. This has helped from childhood to adulthood and has allowed for my passion, determination, perseverance, and drive as I continue to affect positive change in the community.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a member of the Professional Women of Williamson County
I am also a recipient of the Sertoma Service to Mankind Award
El Amistad Club Member o the Year Presidents Award
RRISD Teacher of the Year
Association of Texas Professional Educators Educator of the Year Nominee