Gary for Missouri City Mayor!

Final Results-

2010-05-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

http://mcelectioninformation.blogspot.com/2010/05/machine-candidates-sweep-in-missouri.html

FB Star Reports MC Candidates Positions--see below--

2010-04-22T17:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.fortbendstar.com/042110/n_missouricityincumbents.htm

http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/04/22/fort_bend_sun/news/sws_-_mc_mayor_s_race_412.txt

Cynthia Lenton-Gary – Mayoral Candidate and Current City Councilmember, District B

Running for the top city public office, Cynthia Lenton Gary challenges the 16-year incumbent mayor. “I believe that all citizens of Missouri City deserve transparency in government,” she states and wants to address revitalization needs, referring to the Texas Parkway and Cartwright Road corridors, and combating the issues that impede the city’s economic growth.

Gary pledges efforts to keep taxes low, increase public safety, and raise awareness of city issues. With light rail coming, she says the city must be more aggressive and become a more business friendly city.

Serving her second council term, Gary’s vision is to make the city stand out in “the quadruplex” -- among Pearland, Missouri City, Stafford and Sugar Land. A point of destination and city hall in its downtown area is what she envisions and says the police department must be better supported to maintain the safest city status- low crime rates increase property value but high crime rates have an adverse affect.

Supporting the vote to remove the homestead exemption from the ballot, she said the monies are for more police and the homestead exemption needs to be addressed in the very near future since every dollar saved at this time is a help to every residential household budget.

She said she voted against 2 of the last 3 tax increases and “unlike my opponent, property tax rates and appraisal caps should be considered as part of a full tax relief package for our citizens.”

Exclusive: Raymond Endorses Gary For Mayor of Missouri City!

2010-04-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

http://myfortbend.net/news/local/politics/1314-exclusive-raymond-endorses-gary-for-mayor-of-missouri-city

Richard Raymond Endorses Missouri City Council-member Cynthia Lenton-Gary For Mayor of Missouri City!

Former candidate for district attorney and long-time Missouri City resident, Richard Raymond, announced today that he is formerly endorsing Cynthia Lenton-Gary for Mayor of the city. He said he has met with Council-member Gary on several occasions and discussed her goals for the future of the community and he believes her plan will take us in a positive and balanced direction. That combined with her energy and proactive beliefs in people gives me a great deal of hope for her administration. She is courteous and always polite in her dealings with others and was a joy to be around.

I believe the work she has done regarding several projects over the last few years helping to bring jobs and growth to the city has set the standard that she will continue as mayor. With the current budget concerns and increasing foreclosure problems I believe she is the leader we need to move Missouri City forward during these tough times.

Professor Gary responded that she is very honored by this support and appreciates Mr. Raymond’s efforts at drawing attention to some of the ethical problems in our county and local taxing entities when he ran a very spirited race for the district attorneys seat last March. I know that with his help and guidance we can move our city in the direction of a more open and transparent government, one that is responsive to all her citizens and follows the laws of the state in the spirit of ethical praxis.

Raymond concurred that he felt Ms. Gary’s tax policies will help hold the line on city spending and an ever spiraling property tax burden on its citizens. “Cynthia has voted against 2 of the last 3 tax increases and very much supports a closer examination of the proposal for a first ever universal homeowners exemption for all our residents”, said Raymond. She also agrees, unlike her opponent, that property tax rates and appraisal caps should be considered as part of a full tax relief package for our citizens.

Gary Campaign Addresses Misinformation By Danny Nguyen Campaign In Missouri City!

2010-04-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: http://www.fortbendnow.com/2010/04/08/45052

FB Sun update: http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/04/08/fort_bend_sun/news/sws_-_endorsement_claim_48.txt

For Immediate Release:

EJ Gary, husband of Missouri City mayoral candidate and District B City Councilmember, Cynthia Lenton-Gary, has issued a public statement disavowing the use of his name on the campaign endorsement literature of at large council candidate Danny Nguyen. He states, "At no time have I given Mr. Nguyen permission or signed any releases to utilize my name for his campaign. Additionally, my wife and I have decided not to endorse any candidate during this election cycle and made it known to our campaign team. Furthermore, I am not in a position to endorse a candidate who has publicly endorsed my wife's opponent."

Cynthia Lenton-Gary, candidate in the mayoral race added, "We have been working hard to keep our campaign open and transparent. Unlike my opponent, we are not running a slate and have been very encouraged by the many responses we are receiving during our public meetings, forums and block-walking efforts."

EJ went on to say, "this is an unfortunate incident that all to often happens in our local elections and thought that drawing attention to it would help remedy possible future problems. We don't need anymore confusion and thought clarification was needed....We are looking forward to the month ahead and continued service to our community and all of Missouri City."

FBI: Incumbents face keen challenge in Missouri City!

2010-03-27T20:55:00.001-07:00

Incumbents face keen challenge in Missouri City
SESHADRI KUMAR

Sugar Land Mayor Jimmy Thompson and two at-large council members Tom Abraham and Jacquie Chaumette have been elected unopposed, but their counterparts in Missouri City are facing a contest in the May city council elections.

Sitting councilmember Cynthia Lenton-Gary has filed to run against incumbent Mayor Allen Owen.

Owen has been Missouri City mayor since 1994 and he was a council member for eight years prior to that.

Cynthia Gary is in the middle of her second two-year term and she won the District B council seat in 2007, defeating the then incumbent Don Smith (60% to 40%, in a landslide--Smith was endorsed by Allen Owen at the time).

Similarly, Wyatt has been a councilmember from 1981 to 1994 and again an at-large councilmember since 1998.

Wyatt is director of occupational health and safety at the Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Wyatt is opposed by Anthony G. Maroulis...

...The at-large position 2 is an open seat as incumbent Buddy Jimerson is not seeking re-election.

Four candidates Kevin Tunstall, healthcare admininstrator, Danny Nguyen, business owner, Yolanda Ford, planner, and Judith Neil Dupre, insurance executive, have filed for this position.

The election is on May 8. Profiles of other candidates will be published in future weeks.

http://www.fbindependent.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=2402&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2531&hn=fbindependent&he=.com

FBN: It’s All Or Nothing For MoCity Mayoral Candidate Cynthia Lenton-Gary

2010-03-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

It’s All Or Nothing For MoCity Mayoral Candidate Cynthia Lenton-Gary
By: Jamie Mock on Mon, Mar 22, 2010News

When Missouri City’s District B Councilwoman Cynthia Lenton-Gary decided to run for mayor against 16-year incumbent Allen Owen, she knew that due to city ordinance she would have to resign her seat by the election on May 8.
If she wins the election, she will be mayor. If she loses, she will be off council completely. Either way, council will appoint a replacement for her seat until the 2011 election.

Lenton-Gary said she is taking that chance because she feels her voice is ignored and her only chance to make a difference is to be in the top seat.

“I was willing to take that chance simply because as a member of council I realized that my voice is ignored, and that’s the truth,” said Lenton-Gary. “If I sit there in that district seat, they were not going to allow anything I wanted to be done in my district. I was doing a disservice to the people...”

http://www.fortbendnow.com/2010/03/22/44669

Gary Makes Run For Top Spot In Missouri City!

2010-03-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

MC campaign kick-off link: http://www.slide.com/r/dPwVVOz37T-T9bWP9thMFMhjigQAlSB9?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

MARCH 19, 2010

MISSOURI CITY, TX␣– During candidate filing on Monday, March 8, 2010, City Councilwoman Cynthia Lenton-Gary filed her candidacy for the Mayor of Missouri City. In this year’s May 8th election, she will challenge 16-year incumbent Mayor William Allen Owen to become the first female mayor of Missouri City, since 1956. Councilwoman Gary, no stranger to Missouri City politics, has served the citizens of District B for 2 terms; running unopposed during her second term. Cynthia and husband Everette (E.J.) Gary have called Missouri City home for more than 25 years and raised their three wonderful children in the city.

Born in Houston and a product of the Houston Independent School District, Cynthia excelled in academics. Cynthia has worked as an Environmentalist, Researcher, and Forensic Chemist. She is a Professor of Sociology. Cynthia is a member of the Greater Houston Partnership, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and several other community organizations. She is also a member of the Fountain of Praise Church, where she and her husband joyfully serve in multiple ministries.

Cynthia manifests a strong passion for public service and has brought proven leadership to city
government in Missouri City. She articulates:

“I am honored, humbled and extremely privileged to serve the members of District B. I have
pledged my life to resolving issues that are important to members of our Missouri City
community in Fort Bend County."

I am campaigning to become the citizens’ Mayor, the top job in the city, because I believe that all citizens of Missouri City deserve transparency in government. I want to revitalize the city and combat the issues that impede our economic growth. I hold true to the belief that our city is capable of being the greatest city in the quadruplex, which includes Pearland, Missouri City, Stafford and Sugarland. With many years of political experience and community advocacy, I am committed to working with citizens, public servants, fire and police as well as business owners to make Missouri City the most productive municipality in Fort Bend County. I am dedicated to being accessible and responsive to our city’s residents and business communities to protect and promote the economic and social viability of our city’s future.

Chronicle: Mo City mayor to face opposition in election

2010-03-21T10:42:00.000-07:00

Mo City mayor to face opposition in election
March 9, 2010 10:55 am Election News wrote:
By KAREN HASTINGS
FOR THE CHRONICLE

Missouri City District B Councilwoman Cynthia Lenton-Gary filed Monday to challenge incumbent Mayor Allen Owen in what promises to be a busy May 8 City Council race.

Lenton-Gary
By the 5 p.m. deadline, four candidates were signed up to vie for the open At Large Position 2 spot to be vacated by Councilman Buddy Jimerson.

Insurance executive Judith Dupre, 64; planner Yolanda P. Ford, 36; real estate developer Danny Nguyen, 43; and health care administrator Kevin Tunstall, 45, an unsuccessful candidate for the seat in 2008, will be on the Position 2 ballot.

Longtime At-Large Position 1 Councilman Jerry Wyatt, 62, also drew an opponent, Anthony Maroulis, 42, who listed his occupation as service manager. Wyatt is seeking his seventh term...

Get the full article at: http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/03/lenton-gary-files-against-longtime-mayor-owen-missouri-city

Gary Takes Oath of Office Monday!

2007-07-01T15:44:00.000-07:00

At the regular Missouri City Council session Monday, Professor Gary will take the oath of office for her district B seat which, in June, she won in a landslide victory over long-time Owen backed incumbent Don Smith. Everyone is invited to the pre-oath reception at Missouri City Hall in the lobby Monday July 2nd starting at 5pm, followed by her swearing in during the council session at 7pm.

Please come if you can!

Houston Chronicle Reports On Reform/Gary Victory In Mo-City!!!

2007-06-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

Missouri City incumbent loses Saturday runoff

By ZEN T. C. ZHENG
Houston Chronicle

A runoff Saturday for the Missouri City District B City Council seat ended with Cynthia Lenton-Gary as the winner, beating incumbent Don Smith.

Lenton-Gary took home 518 votes, or 63 percent of the total, while Smith garnered 309, or 37 percent, in the second round of the race. The runoff occurred because none of the three candidates running in the May 12 election received more than half the votes.

In the May election, Smith received 333 votes, 15 more than Lenton-Gary. Lou Hunter, another candidate, netted 132 votes and subsequently endorsed Lenton-Gary.

Smith has been on the council since May 2001. He was running for another two-year term.

"I am not surprised at the results tonight, but I am just overwhelmed," said Lenton-Gary, 48, a professor of sociology. "The community stated clearly that they are ready for changes."

Lenton-Gary described it as a "very tough race."

"I do see more obstacles ahead because Councilman Jerry Wyatt has said no one wants me on the council," she said. . .

Follow: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/fortbend/news/4896458.html for the full story!

FBN Reports On Gary Victory Over Smith!

2007-06-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

Lenton-Gary Wins Missouri City Run-off; Wyatt's Statements Cloud Victory
by Bob Dunn, Jun 16, 2007, 10 46 PM

Cynthia Lenton-Gary easily won Saturday’s run-off election for the District B Missouri City Council seat, beating incumbent Councilman Don Smith 518 votes to 309, according to unofficial results posted by the city.

Lenton-Gary’s vote total represents 62.6% of the vote to Smith’s 37.4%. Just 15 votes separated the two after the May 12 election, with Smith winning 333 votes at the time to Lenton-Gary’s 318.

The victory should mean Lenton-Gary becomes the first African-American woman to serve on Missouri City Council.

However, Councilman Jerry Wyatt cast a pall on Saturday’s election when he said earlier this month that he would act to prevent the run-off election results from being certified by council if Lenton-Gary won. . .

(Get the full story at: http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/3018/lenton-gary-wins-in-missouri-city-run-off-wyatts-statements-cloud-victory?commented=0#txpCommentInputForm)

From MCC: Gary Wins In Landslide!

2007-06-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

Professor Gary Wins In A Landslide (Click the title link for official county counts)

Click the title link for the hotly contested Missouri City district B run-off race between Gary and longtime incumbent Smith. Wyatt and other council members, via media reports, have threatened to not certify Professor Gary if she wins the council seat tonight. Many current and past council candidates, including several Fort Bend County Party chairpersons and other local, regional politicians have promised to lead a potential recall election (fully endorsed by MCC) if Wyatt, Smith and the mayor make good on this report.

Election Update: It's official Gary wins in a landslide!

Gary 518 (63%)

Smith 309 (37%)

Congratulations reformers and volunteers!

Stay tuned to see if council certifies this clear victory!

FBN & Chronicle Cover MC District B Race Heats Up!

2007-06-11T17:39:00.000-07:00

Regional and local media pick up on hot district B race here in Missouri City. Long-time incumbents Jerry Wyatt, Allen Owen and Don Smith target Professor Gary and the reform movement in an attempt to remain in power. This type of politics is what Cynthia is trying to end. Stay tuned as we update this and get out election day (Saturday the 16th) and make your voice heard!

Get the full story at:

http://www.fortbendnow.com/opinion/2994/playing-catch-22-in-a-political-game-of-missouri-city-hardball

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/fortbend/news/4870255.html

Early Voting For District B Run-off Starts Monday!

2007-06-02T15:31:00.002-07:00

Cynthia Gary, reform candidate for the Missouri City district B run-off, spent the last weekend before early voting pounding the pavement in several Mo-City neighborhoods with her teams of supporters. Ms. Gary is committed to opening up local municipal government and improving the disparity in development along the Texas Pkwy and Cartwright corridors. She has been outspoken on improving police and fire protection while attempting to rain in the high crime and taxes in her district.

Cynthia encourages everyone in district B to get to the polls for early voting and make history this election cycle! When asked what will be her greatest contribution to the city council, Gary said, "I will stop the current rubber stamping approach to special interest in our local government".

Early Voting Information:

Early voting for the runoff will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from June 4-9; from noon-5 p.m. on June 10, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 11 and 12. All early voting will take place at the Missouri City Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway in Missouri City.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on election day, June 16, at the following Missouri City locations:

→ Precincts 2077 and 2141 – Glover Elementary School, 1510 Columbia Blue;

→ Precinctc 2050 and 2089 – Hunter’s Glen Elementary, 8295 Independence Blvd.;

→ Precinctc 2033 and 2091 – Lantern Lane Elementary, 3323 Mission Valley Drive;

→ Precinct 2092 – Meadowcreek Clubhouse, 2410 LaQuinta Drive;

→ Precincts 2115 and 2136 – Quail Valley East Clubhouse, 2206 Turtle Creek Drive.

Kevin Tunstall Endorses Cynthia Lenton-Gary In Her Bid for the District B Council Seat!

2007-05-25T13:24:00.003-07:00

This just in to the Lenton-Gary campaign headquarters:

Kevin Tunstall, who was narrowly defeated in the Missouri City council district C battles, has openly endorsed Professor Gary in her run-off for the district B seat. Tunstall, a reform candidate who ran a strong race in traditional Owen territory, announced today. He stated that Ms. Gary represents all Missouri City and the principles that we worked for and supported in our run against the special interest forces now controlling the city. "We seek open governance and fiscal responsibility, which Professor Gary strongly supports. We see our efforts as mutually aligned."

Mr. Tunstall wishes Cynthia the best in her final month of the campaign and will call and block-walk for her during this critical time in our city.

--We will update this thread as the information permits.

Follow the link below for run-off update!

2007-05-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

Read this FBN update on Gary-Smith Run-off. Cynthia is carrying the banner for the reform candidates now for June 16th!

http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2942/reiter-wins-another-mo-city-council-term-as-recount-shows-3-vote-margin

FortBendNow Reports On Gary Run-off!

2007-05-22T03:19:00.000-07:00

"...Incumbent District B Missouri City Councilman Don Smith faces a fight in the form of sociology professor Cynthia Lenton-Gary, who took 318 votes to Smith’s 333 in the May 12 elections. As challenger Lou Hunter won another 132 votes, no candidate got a majority, which forces Smith and Lenton-Gary into a runoff election now set for June 16.

Lenton-Gary got a boost Friday morning, when Hunter called to tell her he was throwing his support behind her.

“Lenton-Gary’s campaign more closely identifies the issues I ran on,” he said, adding that “I’ll probably campaign harder for her than I did for myself.”

Hunter admitted there have been past “issues” between him and the City Council, which obviously had a bearing on why he chose to run for Smith’s seat in the first place. Despite those issues, he said, he was trying to be open minded and hear all sides before deciding which candidate to stand behind.

“I’ve spoken to both parties in depth,” Hunter said of his former election opponents. “Hell, I’ve probably eaten at that Denny’s on Highway 6 five times this week.”

----------------------

***If you want more information or wish to donate then please contact professor Gary at: cegaka@aol.com

Chronicle: Anyone surprised by a runoff in Missouri City?

2007-05-20T05:55:00.000-07:00

Discuss this topic at:

http://blogs.chron.com/fortbend/archives/2007/05/anyone_surprise.html

or see this FortBendNow piece currently running at:

http://www.fortbendnow.com/opinion/2930/jockeying-begins-in-ernest-as-lure-of-cd-22-race-looms-larger

Stay tuned right here as we follow reform candidate Cynthia Lenton-Gary on her quest to change local history here in Missouri City!

Gary Receives Key Endorsement In Her Historic Run For Missouri City Council!

2007-05-20T05:50:00.000-07:00

Just in from MCC: It's Official! Lou Hunter Endorses Gary In District B Run-off!!!

Lou Hunter, former district B reform challenger, after extensive meetings with both Cynthia Lenton-Gary and Don Smith, run-off candidates in the Missouri City council race, has decided to endorse Gary in her bid for the hotly contested city council seat against the longtime incumbent (Smith). Hunter was quoted as saying "he will now actively spend the next few weeks blockwalking and calling his supporters to get out the vote for Cynthia." He added, "after spending much time interviewing the two candidates, I'm convinced that Ms. Lenton-Gary has the best plan for addressing many of the issues neglected by Smith during his tenure in office."

Mr. Smith has been endorsed by Allen Owen, the Missouri City mayor, who some have noted is heavily backed by Houston area developers. What finally lead to Hunter's decision was the fact that "Ms. Gary lines up well with many of the larger issues impacting our community such as the expanding Blue Ridge Landfill, that the current council supported, loss of our only hospital at the end of 2006, disparity in growth along the hwy 6 and Texas Pkwy corridor, repealing ordinance 46-4, lower ISO fire ratings, lack of independence from the special interests of the current council, increasing crime in district B, and of course, the rising taxes facing all home and property owners", said Lou.

We will update this release as information becomes available!