Casie Rivas hopes to bring a background in law, problem solving and negotiation to the Sherman City Council this fall.
Rivas is one of three candidate who are vying for the district no. 1 seat most recently held by Shawn Teamann, who resigned his position in order to run for mayor during the November general election.
The Herald Democrat recently spoke with the candidates in the city council race and asked a series of questions to each regarding their qualifications, background and priorities going into the election. It is our hope that these questions and answers will help inform voters as they go to the polls this fall.
The special election to fill Teamann’s vacancy will be held on Sept. 14, with early voting running from Aug. 28 through Sept. 10.
Q: For individuals who may not be familiar with you, who are you? Where might they know you in the community?
A: “I am a lifelong resident of Sherman, a Bearcat from the graduating class of 2000, and a proud Austin College Kangaroo! In 2019, I also became a local business owner when I opened my law firm in Sherman, Rivas Law. Currently, my children attend school at three different SISD campuses. I Also make it a priority to give back to this community that has supported me my entire life. I currently sit on the board of the Grayson County Crisis Center, HOAMM, The Owen Foundation, The Sherman Chamber of Commerce and the SEDCO WOMO Advisory Board. I’m an active member in our SISD PTAs and the Health Advisory Committee and am a dedicated member of and Sunday School Teacher at Faith Church. I also still get my groceries the old fashioned way – in person – so chances are if you live in Sherman, you have seen me somewhere!”
Q: What led you to seek office on the Sherman City Council?
A: “When I heard the Councilman Teamann was stepping down to run for mayor, I knew that his seat needed to be filled with a strong leader in our community who truly understands the citizens, families, non-profit organizations, and businesses in Sherman. When I began contemplating who should run, I quickly realized that I checked all of the boxes for the person that I wanted to see sit on our Sherman City Council. I knew and understood it was my time to stand up and serve this community that I love so dear, this community where I have lived my entire life, where I am raising my children, and where I own my business. I am a 3rd-generation Sherman resident; My roots here run deep and I am so honored at the opportunity to serve my city.”
Q: What skillsets and unique traits do you think you bring to the table for the Sherman City Council?
A: “I have a practicing law for 16 years and I focus on helping businesses succeed. I am an expert in contracts, transactions, negotiations, crisis management, conflict resolution, problem solving, and researching legal solutions. I spend a good portion of my day strategizing with my clients on how to grow their business, resolve their challenges, and maintain stability within their organization. Not only do I help my clients achieve these things I have also achieved it myself when I started my business from the ground up. In addition, about 75% of what I do for work somehow involves real estate, construction, or investment opportunities. These skills combined are exactly what our city needs right now in this time of accelerated growth. I want to offer my knowledge and experience to help ensure that Sherman enters into each of these new projects with as little risk and greatest protection risk as possible.”
Q: If elected, what priorities do you plan to bring to the city council?
A: “I am always cautious to make assumptions about things for which I do not have full knowledge. I also understand that a true grasp of the city’s challenges cannot be attained until after one is elected and can see the process from the inside and have candid in-depth conversations with city leaders.
“That being said I plan to bring the following issues to the forefront if I’m elected to the City Council: 1. A review of the current contracts and obligations related to the Texas Instruments expansion project to identify areas of opportunity and the potential to recapture some of the city funds that have been spent; 2. Identify opportunities to better support our streets, utilities, and maintenance departments as the residents of Sherman encounter daily challenges on our roads; 3. Find ways to better support our local nonprofits, including the creation of a public transportation system.”
Q: What challenges do you see facing the city in 2024 and beyond? How do you plan to address them?
A: “The biggest challenge facing the city of Sherman for the next several years is managing new debt. The city has taken on a considerable financial burden to make improvements that are necessary for the Texas Instruments and Global Wafers facilities to successfully operate. This debt is a tool being used so that we can improve and better ourselves, really no different than a mortgage to purchase a new home or a loan to finance one’s education. The amount of money being spent by the city is considerable but not unmanageable. The focus now needs to be managing our money closely enough that we were able to make those debt payments without sacrificing other city programs. After spending time with city leaders, I feel confident that Sherman has a strong plan in place that will hold until the revenue streams from these large industries begin to be realized.”
Q: With the growth facing Sherman, what do you think is the best strategy for balancing the needs of new growth and existing residents?
A: “The city has to ensure that it’s approved projects are fairly balanced. Large industry expansion and the related infrastructure needs can easily take mainstage but that cannot be Sherman’s only focus; there is so much more to city governance than just infrastructure. When considering new projects and bringing in additional growth opportunities, the city council must also consider every impact that project will have on the average citizen of Sherman, including traffic and congestion, inflation, use of city resources, and budget constraints that pull funds away from the quality-of-life departments such as Parks and Recreation, Tourism and our Public Library. The people of Sherman are excited for new growth but, honestly, we are most concerned with the things that impact our day-to-day lives. If the city council doesn’t put focus on those things that make and keep Sherman great, we will begin to lose our great citizens as well.”
