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Wednesday, March 1, 2000

Six Democrats vie for constable seat

Two candidates for Precinct 1 position have criminal convictions

By Cynthia Hodnett
Caller-Times

Robert 'Bobby' Balderas Age: 43 Family: Wife, Mary; four children, ages 13, 15, 18 and 20 Occupation: Sergeant in court processing section of Nueces County Sheriff's Department Education: Graduated from Moody High School in 1974 and from Del Mar College in 1976 with a certificate as a peace officer

Six candidates for the Democratic nomination for Nueces County constable precinct 1 say they want to work better with other law enforcement agencies to better serve the community, but two candidates enter the race with criminal convictions.
   Mike Chavez, 36, was convicted of driving while intoxicated in 1997 and received one year probation and 60 hours of community service, court records show. Chavez wouldn't comment Tuesday about the conviction.
   Reynaldo Tamez, 58, was convicted of assault in 1986 and received probation, according to county court records. In 1994, he was convicted on a reckless driving charge and received a fine, for which he said he still is paying. Court records show that Tamez also received a driving while intoxicated conviction in July 1999, but his attorney has asked for a new trial saying that a juror fell asleep during the trial and that a key witness did not show up. A new trial is scheduled for May.

Rudy Caceres Age: 58 Family: Wife, Delores; four children, ages 27, 32, 35 and 38 Occupation: Crime prevention specialist with the Corpus Christi Police Department Education: Graduated from Miller High School in 1961 and graduated from Del Mar College in 1974 with a degree in police science

   "I feel that I am getting a bum rap," Tamez said about the convictions. "This case was a total setup, so they had to drop it and I will get a new trial. I think there are a few people who are running against me who want me to get out of the race and that is why they are bringing up all these allegations against me," he said.
   Chavez and Tamez join Robert "Bobby" Balderas, Rudy Caceres, Dario Diaz and Heriberto Reynolds in seeking the Democratic nomination. The winner will meet the Republican nominee, a race between Roger V. Flores and Jim Masur, in the general election.
   Constables enforce the law and serve warrants and other court papers. Precinct 1 covers northeastern Nueces County and includes a large portion of Corpus Christi. The term lasts for four years and pays $39,790 a year plus $3,400 in car expenses.
   Robert 'Bobby' Balderas

Dario Diaz Age: 46 Family: Wife,Ofelia; seven children, ages 23, 19, 18, 16, 15, 13 and 9 Occupation: Owner of Construction Site Services Education: Attended Miller High School from 1968-1969 and Carroll High School in 1969. Earned his high school equivalency in 1978. Attending Del Mar College, majoring in criminology

   Balderas, a 24-year veteran of the Nueces County Sheriff's Department, works as a sergeant in the warrants division. He also has worked as a correctional officer, a crime prevention officer and as court security for the department.
   "My main thing that qualifies me is I've been with the (sheriff's) office 24 years," he said. "I understand the process and I have been working closely with the court system."
   Balderas said one of his first priorities would be to create a computer network among all local law enforcement agencies that would show if a warrant had been issued for a person. He said he also would make sure the precinct has one-on-one contact with people around the community.

Heriberto Reynolds Age: 34 Family: Wife, Maggie; one child, age 4 Occupation: Works in the sheriff's department helping suspects and their families to make sure they understand the legal process Education: Graduated from Ray High School in 1984 and from Del Mar College's police regional academy in 1989

   "Developing a working relationship with other law enforcement agencies and with the public are some of the things that I will work on if I am elected," he said.
   He also would like to expand the office so that it responds to calls 24 hours a day.
   He said he has received a great deal of support from police and sheriff officials and has traveled door-to-door in the precinct's area to gain voter support.
   Balderas has received a total of $785 in political contributions and has spent $1,800.57 on his campaign, according to finance reports through Feb. 14. He said he is spending his campaign funds on television and radio ads and campaign signs, billboards and other literature.
   Rudy A. Caceres

Reynaldo Tamez Age: 58 Family: Seven children; ages 19, 21, 28, 32, 33, 35 and 36 Occupation: Owner of private security company Education: Graduated from Roy Miller High School in 1961. Served four years in Marine Corps. Graduated from Del Mar College in 1971 with an associate's degree in police science.

   Caceres said that he would focus on improving relationships with other law enforcement agencies. He doesn't want to expand the office to a 24-hour operation because he said there wouldn't be enough manpower or money to do it.
   "A constable's job is to serve the court's papers," Caceres said. "If I am elected as constable, that is what I will focus on."
   Caceres joined the Corpus Christi Police Department in 1967. He has served as a patrol officer, criminal investigator, and an officer with the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. He now is a crime prevention specialist with the department.
   After more than 30 years in law enforcement, running for constable is another challenge, Caceres said.
   "It was time for a change and people in the community that know me and my background encouraged me to run," he said. "As constable, I would be able to take what I have already done in my career and try something new that will help my community."
   Caceres has received a total of $3,938.16 in political contributions and has spent $1,142.35 on his campaign, according to finance reports through Feb. 14. He said he is spending his campaign funds on television and radio ads and campaign signs, billboards and other literature.
   Mike Chavez
   Chavez, who said he has trained police officers in the past, owns a private security and investigation company. He also hosts two radio talk shows that focus on youth-related topics.
   Chavez said he would work more closely with the sheriff's and police departments, create a 24-hour patrol system and create anti-gang and anti-drug programs.
   "A lot of politicians like to say the youth are our future, but I would like to think they are our present and our future," said Chavez, who said he has the support of former Precinct 1 Constable Fred Wilburn and County Commissioner David Noyola.
   Chavez said his years of community involvement with youth and the elderly will gain voter support.
   "Voters look at people who have been involved in the community who make a difference," he said. "They look at what you do, the sacrifices that you make outside of your job and your family to make a dent in some of the problems in the community."
   Chavez has received a total of $375 in political contributions and has spent $1,600 on his campaign, according to finance reports through Feb. 14. He said he is spending his campaign funds on television and radio ads and campaign signs, billboards and other literature.
   Dario Diaz
   Though he doesn't have a background in law enforcement, Diaz said it isn't necessary for the job and he has skills that would allow him to hit the ground running.
   "A lot of my opponents are misleading the voters by making them believe that you need a background in law enforcement to become a constable," Diaz said. "I don't have a law enforcement background. I am not a politician, but I am running for the people and I represent the people."
   Diaz said his goals include establishing neighborhood patrols, implementing a 24-hour patrol plan and adding drug dogs to the constable's office.
   "When I talk to the voter, one of their biggest concerns is that they want the constables to patrol their neighborhoods," he said. "I want to make the office less administrative and establish a relationship between the police department, the sheriff's department and constables to better serve the city and the county."
   Diaz has not filed a financial report that indicates how much he has received in political contributions or how he has spent money for his campaign.
   Heriberto Reynolds
   An 11-year-veteran with the sheriff's department, Reynolds works with suspects and their families to make sure they understand the legal process.
   Reynolds also oversees a $250,000 federal drug elimination grant that tracks drugs, gangs, parolees and criminal activity in the northern part of Corpus Christi in an attempt to reduce crime.
   Reynolds said he is convinced that a strong and consistent law enforcement presence will reduce crime.
   "I want to take community policing in the area and put the officers in that area before something happens," Reynolds said. "It is important for the constable's office to be proactive instead of reactive. I believe none of the other candidates want to be one-on-one with the community."
   Reynolds said his background in law enforcement makes him the best candidate. Reynolds said he would develop a precinct that would stay open 24 hours a day.
   Reynolds has received a total of $100 in political contributions and has spent $1,350.55 on his campaign, according to finance reports through Feb. 14. He said he is spending much of his own money on television and radio advertising, campaign signs, billboards and other literature.
   Reynaldo Tamez
   Tamez, who worked as a police officer and sergeant at the police department before retiring in 1981, owns a private security company.
   Tamez has said that he would use his previous experience in law enforcement to attract voters.
   "I have been in law enforcement for many years and after I retired, I wanted to find another way to be in the field and to help my community," he said.
   Tamez said he would like to create a 24-hour precinct and develop a training seminar for other constables.
   "I want to make the office accessible to the public," he said. "If they want to see me to discuss a problem, they will see me, not anyone else."
   Tamez has not filed a financial report that indicates how much he has received in political contributions or how he has spent money for his campaign. He has said that he is using his own money to purchase campaign literature and signs.
  

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Staff writer Cynthia Hodnett can be reached at 886-4334 or by e-mail at hodnettc@caller.com

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