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Rick Rivera Bio:

As a 25-year resident of Bastrop, Texas, Rick Rivera is seeking re-election to the Bastrop ISD School Board Place 1. Rick has been happily married to Christy Rivera, a 1994 Bastrop High School graduate for 25 years. Rick has three wonderful children – Christian (30), Luke (20), and Nicole (17). His daughter, Nicole was the inspiration behind BISD’s HopeStrong campaign, which supported St. Jude’s Research Hospital during childhood cancer awareness month. In 2016, he established Victory Tickets, a nationwide event ticket company specializing in sporting events, concerts & theatre located in Downtown Bastrop.
Having grown up in East Dallas with a single mother struggling to provide for him and his brother, it was youth sports that provided a way of escape from reality. Because of his upbringing, Rick is an avid supporter of youth sports in our community. He believes all youth should have an opportunity to participate in youth sports regardless of economic hardships. One of his missions is to assist students in need with an opportunity to participate in youth sports through financial sponsorships. Rick spent many years coaching local youth sports teams such as BYSO, BYFO, Hoopstars and Bastrop Little League teams. He also received his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Commercial Art & Advertising from Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas.
Rick has served on the BISD School Board for the past 3 years and is grateful for the opportunity for his involvement in such a key time of growth for the District. Rick also served on the CATF (Citizens Advisory Task Force) that was instrumental in pushing for the first successful school bond in 13 years. He also currently serves on the City of Bastrop Parks and Recreation Board and is excited about all of the growth to come to our City and even more so for the youth of our community. The best is yet to come!
As a man of faith, Rick would appreciate your vote to continue to serve in his role as your Place 1 school board member with the same principles in which he manages his business, family and life. Rick is thankful for his healing from his recent battle with Lymphoma. It is with great honor to have the opportunity to continue to oversee the management of Bastrop ISD continue to work together with the current administration to provide the best education, facilities and opportunities possible for the students of Bastrop ISD.

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Carol A. Armstrong Bio:

Hello, my name is Carol Armstrong. I have lived in Bastrop County since 1995 and now reside in suburban Red Rock. I am a candidate for the Bastrop ISD Board of Trustees place 1. I would greatly appreciate your consideration.
I grew up a military brat. After my father retired from the Air Force, he obtained his teaching certificates. My family has education in their blood and 4 of my direct family members are/were practicing educators. I graduated from Southwest Texas State University (renamed Texas State) in San Marcos. I taught high school for a while before going back to school to get my accounting degree, later becoming a CPA. Prior to moving to Bastrop, I worked as an Internal Auditor for the University of Texas – Austin and I was a state auditor of other agencies. Although not currently teaching, I maintain a lifetime teaching certificate for high school math and biology. I started my CPA practice in Bastrop County shortly after moving to Bastrop. While partly retired, I continue to serve my legacy clients. I am an unapologetic conservative who will bring my conservative values and beliefs to the school board. It is my opinion the education system may have taken a few left turns and as a trustee I will try to steer that ship into more right turns. We ARE a diverse community and don’t need exogenous programs like DEI to shape our future.

During my time in Bastrop County, I’ve been an active volunteer for many causes. I am currently a member of the BISD School Health Advisory Council and volunteer at the Family Crisis Center. Most years, I enjoy serving as a science fair judge at Red Rock Elementary.

If elected, I will strive to
1) ensure fiscal transparency and accountability;
2) make certain parents remain the ultimate authority concerning their children;
3) support an educational environment and curriculum to allow each student to achieve their respective potential to become productive citizens; and
4) help BISD adapt to significant changes that may be on the near horizon (parent choice/vouchers).

Thank you for your consideration. I would greatly appreciate your support.

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Kellye Seekatz Bio:

Kellye Seekatz started her career as a kindergarten teacher with Bastrop ISD. Her love for teaching has carried over into her current position where she works as a trainer and customer service manager for an international company. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Southwest Texas State University in Political Science with a Paralegal Certificate and later earned a Master of Education from Texas State University. For the past twenty plus years, Kellye has been an active part of the Bastrop ISD community as a parent, an educator, a taxpayer, and a school board trustee.
Kellye and her husband Allan made Bastrop their home in 2000. Since that time, they have raised two beautiful daughters both of whom graduated from Bastrop ISD and built a successful landscaping company. She believes this has not only given her a unique perspective of the needs of the community but also benefits her service on the school board and guides each decision she makes.
Kellye was raised to believe that one should be a part of the solution. This belief keeps her focused on finding solutions for our students. She believes that no matter which pathway our students choose, academic or trade, they must be prepared with the necessary skills to achieve their goals.

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Candidate Bio:

I am Cynthia Sanders Meyer, candidate for re-election to the Bastrop City Council, Place 2. I am a 7th generation Bastropian, and lifelong resident. I am married, and have one son and two grandsons. My campaign continues a 71 year family dedication of public service to the community, and is committed to address the concerns and issues of ALL citizens in Bastrop.

I attended the University of Texas at Austin, and then quickly realized that my deep interest in health and fitness could fulfill a need in the community by establishing a fitness center. I earned certifications in sports nutrition, personal training, group and mental health fitness, and many other health-related specialties. I have owned and operated Body Toners Fitness Center for 38 years, and have educated inmates at the Federal Correctional Institute in a health and fitness program.

Last year I was elected to fill the remaining term of Place 2 on the City Council, and before that, I served 6 years on the Bastrop Planning and Zoning Commission, and was an advocate for both the Bastrop Food Pantry, and the Bastrop Animal Shelter.

My campaign in 2023 focused on the urgent and immediate need for changes in our building code, infrastructure, and recreation programs. I am proud to say that in one year, major improvements have begun. Now, with a 3 year term, I will be able to focus on the new programs needed to keep pace with potentially 10,000 future citizens coming to our community. The recreation complex, new & better streets, law enforcement……..all are high on my list of priorities.

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Candidate Bio:

My name is Jimmy Crouch and I am a candidate for the Bastrop City Council, Place 4. Growing up in small town Texas, I learned quickly that hard work, strong family values, the importance of education and a sense of community contributes more to the growth and advancement of a community than anything else. My work and life experience coupled with my involvement in the community will contribute to the economic and social growth of Bastrop. Bastrop is growing and we need strong leaders to steer the community in a smart and efficient manner that will meld our rural and soon to be urban environment into a vibrant community that complements Bastrop’s history and natural resources.

A family man with traditional southern values:
I was born and raised in nearby Lockhart, Texas
Resident of Bastrop since 2013.
Strong belief in family values and a sense of community, working hard and working together to achieve the American Dream

Education:
Attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos
Attended Odessa College and Houston Community College taking Appraisal, Real Estate and Home Inspection Courses to further my career.
Continuing Education Courses at both Utah Valley University and Red Rocks College in Denver
LEED and SWPPP training can help me provide Bastrop with a framework for healthy, highly efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-saving green buildings.

Work Experience:
30-year career in commercial construction
Worked for 6 top 50 Engineer-News Record (ENR) companies.
Managed budgets up to $325 million dollars
Built commercial projects in 12 states worth over $900 million dollars.
Experience in managing large commercial construction projects within multiple City and Government jurisdictions.
Currently Self-employed General Contractor and Construction Consultant
Work experience and training will be beneficial in modifying the current Building Code and the expansion of the Building and Planning Department

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Kerry Fossler Bio:

Kerry is a master enthusiast of Bastrop with an uncanny ability to be everywhere at once. She delights in unifying unlikely parties and encourages citizens to participate in local government to create the world they want to live in. She is frequently sought by others for her grounded, ethical perspective, and she brings warmth and joy to every situation. She is an award-winning real estate agent with a knack for collaborative outcomes. She draws from her experiences in the industries of film, hospitality, health & wellness, and oil & gas to be the bridge-builder that she is today.

Kerry lives in the North End of Bastrop with her husband Steve Fossler of Mina Forge Knives and their dog Russ T. Fossler. She can be found digging in the garden, flipping through a thesaurus, bicycling all around, taking a class at the Rec Center, studying CAD maps, exploring Bastrop’s big nature, or strolling around Downtown. She can most assuredly never be found in the kitchen.

Kerry graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University with a B.A. Degree in Speech Communications with an emphasis in Interpersonal & Intercultural Relations, and a Minor in Spanish. She most recently completed the University of Texas LBJ’s Women Campaign School in December of 2023, preparing for this very race.