• Originally published February 21, 2008 at 12:32 a.m., updated February 21, 2008 at 12:32 a.m.

Editor's Note: The Advocate is printing candidate profiles for contested races in the March 4 primary elections. Today’s profile features candidates for the Democratic Party nomination for Victoria County constable, Precinct 1. The winner will face Republican Stacey Martin in the Nov. 4 election.

Name: Richard G. Castillo

Age: 51

Office Seeking: Constable Precinct 1

Party Affiliation: Democratic Party

City and County of Residence: Victoria County

Current Occupation:

Retired from the City of Victoria, Victoria Fire Department after 23 years of service as an arson investigator, fire inspector, safety officer. Duties included investigation of criminal cases involving arsons and fire related deaths, enforcement of city county state and federal law, the inspection of buildings for fire code violations, public education on safety.

Why do you want to serve in this office?

It is time for a change. I believe that this office deserves someone who can devote their time to serving the citizens of Victoria County. I believe that the citizens of Victoria County are hard working people and expect their tax dollars to be used wisely and as constable I plan to increase neighborhood patrol. I will also patrol school zones and bus routes to ensure the safety of our children and the community. I will work closely with the justice of the peace and other law enforcement agencies. I want to serve this office as my primary job, not a part time job.

What qualifies you to serve in this position?

I have 20 years of law enforcement experience, working criminal cases, which were related to arson fires and fire caused deaths. In those 20 years my work has taken me into many different facets of dealing with the public. This has offered me the ability to self-manage and produce results. I am a certified peace officer, certified firefighter, certified arson investigator, certified fire inspector and fire instructor, along with an emergency medical technician certification all with the state of Texas.

With my recent retirement, I will have the ability to serve this office with its responsibilities in a full time manner.

What issues facing this office do you feel are the most important and how will you approach them?

Neighborhood patrolling, school zone patrolling, bus route safety, and increase visibility. Working with the justice of the peace, Precinct 1 and other law enforcement agencies.

I plan to approach these issues by, first increasing the hours of patrol in our precinct; this will be accomplished by patrolling during the day when most are at work and combining this with night patrol. This will increase visibility of law enforcement in the area.

School zones and bus routes will be patrolled before and after school in order to ensure the children’s safety. Patrolling the bus routes will ensure that the traffic stops for the school bus.

Serve the JP court as needed; create a task force with the other constables to reduce criminal activity in the county.

Address, phone number, e-mail address and Web site where the public can learn more about you:

My mailing address is 1220 FM 1432, Victoria Texas 77905. I can be contacted by telephone at 361-550-3648, by e-mail at rcastillo918@yahoo.com.

Name: Jay O. Duran

Age: 37

Office seeking: Constable, Precinct1

Party affiliation: Democratic Party

City and county of residence: Victoria, Victoria County

Current occupation: Incumbent, Constable Precinct 1

Why do you want to serve in this office?

I would like to continue to serve Victoria County based on my experience as constable of Precinct 1. As an experienced constable, these duties will be maintained appropriately and responsibly, whether it is with civil process, or in law enforcement. My genuine concern is with the well-being of our community and to serve the public.

What qualifies you to serve in this position?

Service is a huge part of the constable’s position. I have served as constable of Precinct since May 2001, and prior to this, have served as constable reserve deputy of Precinct 1. As a resident of this area, I share a personal and common interest in Precinct 1. I graduated from Victoria College Police Academy in 1996. My experience is in law enforcement, as a patrol officer, security officer, and county jailer. I am full-time Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education certified and have the mandated licensing requirements for constables that includes civil process courses.

What issues facing this office do you feel are the most important and how will you approach them?

Victoria County faces many issues of concern, all of which are important. One concern is for the safety of our community, our neighborhoods, and our schools. The key factor that I plan to continue is to ensure safety through patrol and accessibility to the public. Also I plan to continue to address concerns with other agencies, whether if it is by mediation or as an enforcement official. As a familiar and approachable entity, the public can continue to address problems or concerns with safety, civil disputes, or other conflicts so that issues may be resolved.

Address, phone number, e-mail address and Web site where the public can learn more about you:

Constable Jay O. Duran, Precinct 1; 3409 Linda Drive Victoria, Texas 77901; 361- 575-8186.

Name: Scott Townsend

Age: 46

Office seeking: Constable Precinct1

Party affiliation: Democrat

City and county of residence: Victoria

Current occupation: Security for Invista

Why do you want to serve in this office?

When I returned home after working in Afghanistan for a year as a police advisor, I was asked by numerous residents in Precinct 1 to run for constable. I have known these people for many years and they felt that I would be a good candidate for the position. Having been a resident of Precinct1 my entire life, I am very familiar with the area and the residents. I also feel that with my law enforcement experience that I would be able to do a very good job as constable for the residents of Precinct 1 .

What qualifies you to serve in this position?

I retired from the Victoria County Sheriff’s Office with 22 years of experience. I started my career under Dalton “Dutch”Meyer. During my career, I have been involved in many different aspects of law enforcement including traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, civil and criminal process service and environmental crimes. When I retired, I was a patrol deputy responsible for investigating environmental crimes in addition to my other duties. After I retired, I was accepted to work as a police advisor in Afghanistan where I worked with other police officers training the Afghan National Police force in the methods used in a democratic society. During this time, I continued with my training hours, which are required to keep my commission current.

What issues facing this office do you feel are the most important and how will you approach them?

Visibility – By being out and doing my job, the public will be aware that there is a constable who can assist them.

Process service – Aggressively approach civil process service, which would help free up sheriff deputies to do other assignments.

Address, phone number, e-mail address and Web site where the public can learn more about you:

Address: 3705 Bayer Road Victoria, Texas 77905; phone number: 361-578-1230; e-mail address: sgt_townsend@yahoo.com.

Name: Richard A Williams

Age: 36

Office seeking: Victoria County Constable Precinct 1

Party affiliation: Democratic

Victoria, Victoria County

Current occupation: Patrol officer and school resource officer

Why do you want to serve in this office?

I would like to establish public trust with the community of Precinct 1 and Victoria County. I intend to build a positive reputation for our Precinct 1 constable’s office. Being able to serve as constable for Precinct1has been a life long dream. I intend to make our neighborhoods and community safe so the parents of our community feel confident about the safety of our children as they run and play in the neighborhood as I did as a child. It is our responsibility as a community to provide security and safety. We can do this together. This position requires the understanding, dedication of hard work, time and effort and I possess these qualities.

What qualifies you to serve in this position?

I served in the United States Army from August 2000 until September 2004. I served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2003 until April 2004 with the 4th Infantry Division. I graduated from the Victoria College Police Academy in May 2005. I am currently employed with city of Gonzales Police Department as a patrol officer and as the school resource officer. I have the desire, understanding and the dedication required to perform the duties of the Precinct 1 constable.

What issues facing this office do you feel are the most important and how will you approach them?

I feel the justice of the peace and the members of the community have lost confidence in the abilities of the Precinct 1 constable. I plan to resolve this issue by establishing a trusting relationship with the courts and people of Precinct 1. I plan on establishing confidence from the justice of the peace in serving civil process. I will be visible and available to the members of this community.

Address, phone number, e-mail address and Web site where the public can learn more about you:

1202 Tipton Road West Victoria, Texas 77905; 361-894-2280; richardawilliams1@yahoo.com.

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