TRUSTEE ELECTION DRAWS COMPETITORS 

By Mark Loyd

Editor, The Katy Times

 

The Katy ISD Trustee with the most challengers in this May's election is not sure why so many candidates want his seat.  

 

The candidate filing process ended Monday and eight citizens are making themselves available for three seats on the board. 

 

Incumbent Position 4 Trustee Eric Duhon, who is current board president, said seeking a fourth term was never part of his long-term plans--personal or political.  He decided to seek a fourth term as trustee to further assist Superintendent Alton Frailey, whom the board hired in 2007. 

 

"I still actually believe there should be term limits," he said.  "But it takes a full term to understand how things work.  The second term is where you really start to contribute.  And the third term, if take on an active role [sic], such as board president, that is where you can really make a difference," he said. 

 

Duhon said he and his wife agreed he would not seek another two years as trustee, and would instead focus on building a new home outside the school district's boundaries.  After Frailey was hired, however, Duhon said she relented and he filed for the race. 

 

Duhon, who is vice president of a financial software firm, is being challenged by Cynthia Ann Blackman, of Blackman Engineering; Fred Krenek, a teacher in Alief ISD; and Ross Raymond II, a financial planner. 

 

In the Position 3 race, attorney Christina Crockett, who is serving the unexpired term of Jackie Birkel, is being challenged by Kameron Dent Searle, an attorney. 

 

Position 5 incumbent Judy Snyder, also a multi-term trustee, is being challenged by Christopher Sanders, who works in advertising. 

 

Katy ISD elections are open and registered voters may cast ballots for each board position. 

 

Election day is May 10.