Talmadge Austin hopes to bring a new outlook to Nederland City Council.

Austin, 48, is vying for the Ward 1 seat on council.

He feels he can help Nederland by looking through a new set of eyes on city business.

Austin is employed with DuPont Sabine River Works, Orange, and is a newcomer to the political arena.

“I am a third generation Nederland resident, with deep roots in this community. Myself, my wife and three children have lived in Nederland all our lives,” Austin said. “I served four years in the U.S. Navy, and returned to Nederland to raise my family. I am not running on any particular political platform and will not make any promises I cannot keep. But I will do my best in making Nederland a better place to live.”

Austin believes the city’s most pressing issue deals with property recently acquired by the city.

“I think the most pressing issue in Nederland is to make sure that the newly annexed property adjacent to the airport gets a business that is capable of filling the void that Walmart had on our tax role,” he said. Walmart left its Nederland location on FM 356 when the Port Arthur Super Walmarts opened.

Last year, the city annexed 156 acres of land near the Jack Brooks Regional Airport, previously known as the Southeast Texas Regional Airport.

The acreage was made available after Jefferson County and the cities of Port Arthur and Beaumont approved an inter-local agreement allowing Nederland to annex the property for economic development purposes.

Austin has coached girls softball in Nederland for 10 years and served on the board for Nederland Girls Softball League.

He and his wife, Theresa, have three children, daughters Caitlin and Cara, and son, Colton. He is a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Nederland.

1. What do you think about the tax rate in your community and what should be done about it?

I am happy with our city tax rate of $0.578 per $100 valuation. The city’s taxes are among the lowest in Jefferson County and I will do my best to maintain that rate. Nederland also has a $15,000 Homestead Tax Exemption for the elderly and the disabled which is something I feel should be continued.

2) What do you think should be done with the Nederland Economic Development Corporation?

City council has appointed a very capable board of directors for the Economic Development Corporation. We should continue to make every effort to entice new businesses to our city & increase our tax base. The council also annexed 156 acres adjacent to the SE Texas Regional airport for future growth. 

3) What are the major issues that face the Nederland City Council?

We must continue the improvement of our streets & roads, also continue our water & sewer line improvements. We should continue to assist our police, firefighting & city maintenance forces in obtaining the best equipment & training to help them continue to be successful in their job tasks.

4) What is your platform?

I am 3rd generation Nederland resident, with deep roots in this community. Myself, my wife and 3 children have lived in Nederland all our lives. I served 4 years in the US Navy, and returned to Nederland to raise my family. I am not running on any particular political platform and will not make any promises I cannot keep. But I will do my best in making Nederland a better place to live.