Flores’ Top Priorities As Councilman
Our Pool
The topic of Valiant pool is a touchy one among our community. We've heard dire words from the city manager, talks of a water park, or a splash pad, who's going to own it. And time keeps passing on. We need a solid option for our local swim teams to meet and practice, as well as for our community to enjoy.
Our Streets
This encompasses more than just streets, though. It's really about infrastructure and attractiveness. Beginning with the quality of our roads, potholes, etc., to speed limits, drainage, and lighting. Are our neighborhoods walkable? How about some curb appeal?
Eyes on the Future
In order to have better-paying jobs, we need a better-prepared community. Opportunities with drones, such as precision agriculture, or industrial cyber security, since we have a strong base of both. We need to develop opportunities for our youth's future as well as attract and retain employers and residents.
About Benjamin Flores
I came to the United States in 1996, chasing dreams and searching for opportunities. I know what starting from zero in a new environment is like. I’ve worked hard to get where I am today, and the same trailblazing spirit brought my family to Bay City.
While our initial plan changed, we’ve embraced our community’s charm and made many friendships in our short time here. At the same time, we’ve noticed that many streets are neglected as we drive around the city—the same story with Valiant pool. We don’t need perfect. But our infrastructure needs a clear and transparent plan of upkeep.
Our region is susceptible to flooding and hurricanes, and we must be prepared as a community. An experience that made a significant impact on my life was the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. It made me develop a mindset of preparedness. While living in San Diego, I joined CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and was a Battalion Team Leader for my area. While we’re not prone to quakes here, the approach to disasters is the same. We received our training from the Fire Department, and other specialized organizations.
Professionally, I’ve been in Information Technology since the late 90s for industries such as hospitality, banking, pharmaceutical, retail, and the public sector. Nowadays, I consult in Cybersecurity, helping organizations with risk management and conducting audits to find gaps in their processes and security
posture.Here in Bay City, I’ve volunteered at the Rice Festival as a member of the Lions Club. As the president of the HSA (the equivalent of PTA in other schools) at Bay City Holy Cross Catholic school, where our daughter attends, I’ve helped with numerous events,
and I currently help at First Presbyterian church. Elsewhere, at ElderHelp assisting seniors, with the NRA Women on Target teaching how to shoot firearms safely, and as an usher and volunteer with young adult programs at Skyline Church in Rancho
San Diego. When we lived in Austin, I joined the Citizen's Police Academy, and while Covid derailed it towards the end, I learned a great deal about the police department and officer's daily lives while on duty. In the same vein, I belong to InfraGard, a partnership between the FBI and the private sector for the protection of our critical infrastructure.
