" "Working with the elderly, I know the differences they have and the problems they face," he added, "As a businessman, I want to combine demographics and create better job opportunities for all of our citizens from all age groups to take advantage of everything happening around us." He feels the need to bridge age gaps and economic levels as we have a very broad community and that there is much he can do to be more proactive in this respect. "I feel we're stagnant in how we're growing through my experience with the MCDC," he concluded, "My business, for example, grew from a very small beginning where I invested everything I have to where it is right now and knowing what growing a business means and being able to make the connection with our growth, to be able to have that base and grow together as a community." When asked to comment on the recent permission granted by the Texas Railroad Commission to Dos Republicas, Fernandez said, "Now that they've been approved we must make sure that the Railroad Commission, Texas Natural Resources and EPA regulations are being followed and are true. We must now act as the watchdogs for these agencies and make sure that they are abiding by them. Let's make sure that these jobs stay in our community for our tax base both County and the school district."