‘Finish what I started’: Swanner seeks re-election

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- At-large Councilwoman Denise Swanner has filed to seek her second term serving the residents of Odessa. You’ll find her on the ballot this coming November alongside Craig Stoker, who is also hoping to win the seat.

Swanner said she’s proud of the things she’s accomplished during her first four years in office, and she wants to continue working for the people in her hometown.

“So, when I ran for election in 2020, I really just wanted to know what goes on behind the city scenes. I wanted to get more involved,” she said. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and I just wanted to get involved.”

Now that’s she’s had the opportunity to serve, she said she wants to continue making progress.

“The biggest item that I want to address, that we’re already addressing is, obviously, our infrastructure, our water problems. We’re bringing in new businesses. We want to continue to streamline and make it easier for the businesses to come into town. You know, we’re bringing in the new sports complex, that’s going to help the revenue for the city…increase public safety. There’s so many things…I want to finish what I started,” she said.

Swanner said she was instrumental in several big projects during her first term in office, including some major, and much needed, infrastructure improvements.

“We have allocated $25 million to fix the water valves…something that most people don’t realize that we did is the water treatment plant. We rehauled the entire plant…it was a $93 million project, we’re almost 80% finished with that, that started in 2022. Everyone says, ‘we need to do this’ or ‘we need to do that’, we’ve already implemented a lot of the things that have not been done in the past and we’re carrying those projects out,” she said.

And to the benefit of taxpayers, Swanner said she has been able to help fund these projects without raising taxes.

“Nobody wants their taxes increased. We found a way not to increase your taxes. That is something that I did run on in 2020…and I will continue to run on that. I don’t believe we should increase your taxes…I will not issue debt unless we are in a dire emergency,” she said.

To help continue funding much needed projects, Swanner said she wants to do her part to attract new businesses to invest in Odessa and said that idea is a win-win for everyone and as a former business owner herself, Swanner said she is well positioned to continue making Odessa an attractive place for potential business developers.

“I’ve actually had two different businesses. The main thing is making it easy to do business. Make it easy for them to contact you and get them to the right department. We just need to make it easy for the businesses to want to come here and to expand our tax base, the income that we bring in. The income is what helps us do the infrastructure and all the projects that we need to move the city forward.”

Swanner said the future sports complex coming to Odessa will also help increase revenue and help fund future projects.

“The sports complex is going to do a lot of things. I think it’s going to put Odessa on the map…it’s going to be a destination venue. I think people from all over, families are tired of traveling to other parts of Texas. I mean, some go out of Texas, but it’s at least a two- to five-hour drive, and it’s going to be right here, and so the sports will come here instead of having to go elsewhere, and I think that’s exciting. It will bring revenue. It’ll bring hotels. It’ll bring businesses, restaurants. It’s going to bring so much more income to our city as well. The tax base in itself that it’s going to increase that will allow to do other projects and allow to do roads and infrastructure will be great. It’ll be a great benefit to the city.”

With all the growth Odessa has seen in recent years, Swanner said she knows there have been some growing pains, but said she is working hard to make growth and change as smooth a process as possible.

“You know, you hear people say that we’re not doing anything, and then when we’re actively doing something, then people complain. So, you know, we’re experiencing growing pains as we move forward in the city. I mean, we have a new housing subdivision, a new sports complex, the Bass Pro that’s coming in, so there’s a lot of new business and a lot of growth coming in, and with growth comes growing pains. In the north part, you know, we’re figuring out where to put the… We are putting in water stations that will be coming in soon, and so that’s going to help with the builders and will help with the water situation as well.”

Swanner said these water stations will also help residents living in those areas get quicker to access if the water ever needs to be shut off citywide to make repairs and she’s excited to see Odessa continue to grow and prosper.

“It’s exciting to see, and I’ve been here my whole life, so to watch this city to grow, and Odessa’s a great place to raise your family. It’s a great place to open for business, to meet new people. I think it’s just a great place to be.”

When asked what she is most proud of from the work she’s done in her first term, Swanner said that was an easy answer.

“I’m most proud of the public safety raises. We worked really, really hard. It’s been decades, and the retention for public safety has been really tough in our city because we weren’t competitive, and now I believe we’re number two in the state. So instead of having six people apply for positions, we’re having over 120 apply for the positions, which is huge.”

Her message for voters ahead of election day?

“One thing I will tell you is that we’re human beings like everybody. I’m a taxpayer. When your water’s cut off, my water’s cut off. It affects me just as much as it affects everybody and so I just want people to realize I’m just a regular, everyday person that works and wants to make my community better.”

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