Sonia R. Brown, Candidate For City Council District 5
NAME: Sonia Brown OFFICE YOU SEEK: City Council Representative District 5 AGE: 47 OCCUPATION: Associate Pastor EDUCATION: Austin High School, and 48 credits hrs at Northwestern State University, former Realtor FAMILY: Husband: Tom Brown, Children: Justin, Faith, and Caleb Brown
1. NUMBER-ONE CAMPAIGN FOCUS: I am running for District 5 Representative because I want to change the direction of city council. It’s no secret they have disrespected the values of El Pasoans and attempted to disregard their votes when the voters passed the Traditional Family Values Ordinance. It?s time for a change and I want to bring that change.
2. WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM YOUR OPPONENTS? I have made history by helping sponsor and led the passage of the Traditional Family Values Ordinance and I have proven that I will fight for El Pasoans to be heard.
3. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFIES YOU FOR THE POSITION YOU SEEK: I am co-founder and associate pastor of a growing Eastside church. We have gone through 3 building programs, developed our own property, put in our own street and utilities. I know about permits, building codes, and inspections. I’ve also served as a Realtor for a few years which gave me even more experience. I live AND work in District 5. I have led and organized many community events in my district including: Mother/Daughter Tea Parties, Car Shows, Health Fairs, Pink Ribbon Days, etc.
4. IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO REVOKE ONE ORDINANCE IN EL PASO IMMEDIATELY UPON TAKING OFFICE, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE? I know of two, The Animal Regulation Ordinance and The Storm Water Ordinance. Some parts of both ordinances are good, but to restrict selling of pets is wrong. The Storm Water is a tax, and thus non-profits, religious organizations and churches should have been exempt.
5. DESCRIBE A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE: The day I gave my life to the Lord. I decided to put Him first in everything I do. Which means to live a life of selflessness, integrity, love for mankind and service to Christ.
6. IN WHAT WAYS IS EL PASO ON THE RIGHT TRACK, AND IN WHAT WAYS DOES IT NEED TO CHANGE COURSE? I do think the renovation of downtown as well as looking at smart code are good progressive ideas. However, to attack traditional values and to force unpopular policies on the public is the wrong course to take.
7. IF ELECTED, HOW WILL YOU BALANCE THE NEEDS OF FAMILY, YOUR CAREER AND YOUR OFFICE? I am an empty nester. So all my children are grown and gone. My husband is committed to my vision of a better El Paso. I am an associate pastor and my church has already hired 2 new people to help. If elected, I am committed to serve full-time.
8. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? My father was in the Army. I grew up in Georgia, Texas, Missouri, and Germany.
9. WHEN AND WHY DID YOU COME TO EL PASO? I came to El Paso in 1981 when my dad was stationed at Ft. Bliss. He was going to the Sgt. Major’s Academy. We left in 1982 to go to Ft. Polk, LA and then I came back in Aug of 1983 when I married my husband. I have been here ever since.
10. DO YOU HAVE A WEBSITE, TWITTER OR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT? Yes, Facebook.com/SoniaBBrown
twitter is: SoniaRBrown
11. OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION FOR VOTERS: Home number is 915-857-0962
