Candidate for Stephenville City Council talks residency, reason behind decision to run for office.
Justin Slawson says he considers himself to be “one of the most conservative voices in Stephenville,” which is why he decided to run for Place 7 on the city council.
“I am always vocal on my stance against rising property taxes,” Slawson told Beneath the Surface News. “I love the blue and gold, but I voted against the new (football/soccer) stadium because I think they could have played at Lem Brock field.”
But a much bigger issue has plagued Slawson’s candidacy since he filed to run for office: His eligibility.
The city charter states that council members must reside in Stephenville, but according to the Erath County Tax Appraiser’s office, Slawson’s primary residence is located outside of the city limits.
Slawson is the owner of AAA Roofing & Siding in Stephenville. The company’s location is listed as 908 E. Washington Street and is the same address Slawson listed as his primary residence on his application for a place on the ballot he submitted to City Hall.
When asked to explain the discrepancy, Slawson blamed his change of address on Internet speed.
“I am in college full time. I’m taking online courses at Eastern Kentucky University and I graduate in May,” he said. “The Internet in Heritage Hills isn’t very good so I work from my office – and if people want to make a thing about this – I will say that I’m not the first one to (change my address) for political purposes.”
Slawson said he lives at his office 70 percent of the time and spends the remainder of his days at the home he shares with his wife and daughters.
“The important thing is that my driver’s license and voter registration card shows my address as 908 Washington,” he said.
Slawson now faces a challenge by Brandon Greenhaw who filed Tuesday to run for Place 7.
The last day to file for a place on the May 6 ballot is Friday, Feb. 17.
Stay tuned.
