Otley, 66, is a former television and print journalist who now teaches English and journalism at James Madison High School in the North East Independent School District.
Hear from the candidate
The following questions were asked of all City Council candidates.
Please tell voters about yourself.
I’m a military brat. I’ve been fortunate to have lived and moved to many places. My wife and I are military brats and we both attended high schools in San Antonio, earned degrees from San Antonio colleges and universities, married and raised four children that attended and graduated from NEISD schools in District 10, where we have lived for almost 40 years. I currently teach at Madison High School, very nearby.
Before teaching I enjoyed working alongside many media greats at KENS-TV from 1983-1998. From 1998 to 2001 I worked as a producer for CBS News. My teaching career began in 2002 at Memorial High School on the west Side of San Antonio. I have also taught at Kennedy and South San Antonio high schools, where I was blessed to have remarkable students.
Because of my love for San Antonio, its rich culture and wonderful people, I want to give back as a public servant in a way that I can help not just those citizens in my district, but of my city as well. After 20 years as a journalist, followed by 20 years as a public school teacher, I have a good idea what San Antonio is all about, about our citizens and their hopes for now and the future. I know that what we need to stay on a positive and vibrant course are elected representatives who are motivated by nothing else other than serving our community.
Because of my interest in Texas history, I co-authored a play titled Shout Freedom. The play, written with Tray Brown, explores the history of Juneteenth, a holiday I have been a long-time advocate for.
I am not a professional politician and I do not seek this office to further my political career and the agendas of others. I’m a regular guy who understands the importance of listening to others and engaging them to find and share our common desires with the interests of all San Antonians in mind.
Do you have any previous experience in government or participation on local boards, commissions or neighborhood associations? Have you run for elected office before?
I have no experience as a politician. I wouldn’t even be running if I wasn’t so concerned about the future of my district and city.
What three issues do you consider to be most pressing for your district and how would you address them?
Crime is the No. 1 concern in District 10. Crime is a citywide issue. No one likes it. Criminals need to be locked up and our police need to be supported.
Rapid growth: San Antonio is expanding too fast and lacks the necessary infrastructure and qualified people to fill high-paying jobs in the business, technology and medical sectors. We need to work on attracting top talent to our city.
Taxes: Our taxes are too high! We cannot tax ourselves into prosperity. We need to keep them under control and spend the citizens’ money more wisely. Property taxes are especially hurting the elderly and those on fixed incomes. There needs to be a cap on what individuals are forced to pay.
Do you support the proposed city charter amendment, known as Proposition A or the Justice Charter, that would bar certain policing tactics, decriminalize abortion and low-level marijuana possession and create a city justice director to oversee criminal justice policy? Why or why not?
I am against Prop A and consider it a Trojan horse.
How do you feel the city has done at balancing the needs of downtown and the neighborhoods, from bond projects to budget priorities?
Currently I do now have an opinion about the city has done at balancing the needs of downtown and the neighborhoods, from bond projects to budget priorities. That is one reason that I am running for office.
If elected, how do you plan to solicit input and feedback from residents in your district?
I cannot do the job effectively without feedback from the community and their needs and opinions. I will utilize email, social media and local events to get involvement.
