A number of groups send questionnaires for candidates to fill out. Each questionnaire features unique questions that provide an opportunity for voters to be informed. I try my best to take time to answer as many of these questionnaires as I can. Below are some long-form answers to the Vote411.org questionnaire. The submission form limits response to 500 characters but I thought some voters might enjoy reading a 500 word response that could be more informative. These answers are from the 2019 questionnaire:
Question 1: Why are you running for city council?
It has been an honor and a joy to represent all the citizens of Hurst since being elected to the Hurst City Council. I believe that a good council member builds relationships in the city and the community. I have listened to concerns and issues from fellow citizens and have been active in researching the issues we face as a city. It has been a privilege to represent the city at events with the HEB ISD, HEB Chamber of Commerce, local charities, and in other cities in the region. If elected again, I will continue my active participation in city and community events. There is so much more to being a council member than showing up to a meeting.
I have lived in Hurst most of my life, but as you can imagine there was a significant learning curve when I joined the city council. The first few months were like drinking from a firehose! Over those months my respect and appreciation for first responders, city staff, volunteers, and my fellow council members has grown immensely. In my time on the council I have attended all council meetings and work sessions, participated in training events for elected officials, and actively responded to citizen concerns.
I am running for re-election because I want to continue the work I started with the Hurst City Council. Over the last year I have proven my ability, willingness, and sincerity in serving the citizens of Hurst. I would enjoy the opportunity to use the skills and knowledge to better serve the City of Hurst.
Question 2: How does your background prepare you for this office?
I believe my time in office, professional experience, and education has prepared me to continue to serve as a member of the Hurst City Council. My current work as a minister has taught me the importance of communication, compassion, leadership, and careful fiscal stewardship. I have exercised all those skills since being elected.
My degree in Mass Communication from Texas Wesleyan University and Master degree in Strategic Leadership from the University of Dallas have also been of great value. The business and financial knowledge from my graduate studies have especially been beneficial in working with the complexities of the city budget and in our strategic planning process.
Knowledge from my previous career as an RF Technician with Atlantic Western in Massachusetts has also been helpful as all cities address the changes that are coming with new communication technology, like the 5G network that has been discussed at several of our regional and national training events.
I am about to conclude my second year as PTA President at Shady Oaks Elementary and that opportunity, along with the HEB ISD and BISD events I attend, has helped improve my knowledge about our schools and the great service they provide to our community.
In addition to my professional and education background, I have been to several training events with the city council that have better prepared me to serve the citizens of Hurst:
• Attended 2-day Texas Municipal League newly elected official training with fellow council members elected in 2018. We learned the laws that govern our actions and meetings and how these laws help us to serve the community better.
• Attended 3-day Texas Municipal League Conference to learn about issues and opportunities unique to Texas and our communities. Made some great connections and learned a lot about planning and redevelopment.
• Attended 3-day National League of Cities Conference to learn about opportunities for community development, solutions for housing, and opportunities for economic growth.
• Attended community engagement events hosted by 6 Stones, United Way, HEB Chamber of Commerce, Mayors Council of Tarrant County, YMCA, HEB ISD, Mid-Cities Care Corp, Boy Scouts, Mission Central, Growing Place Community Garden, Hurst Amateur Radio Club, Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, and many more. At all of these events I learned more about what is happening in our community and how these organizations help improve life in the City of Hurst.
I was born and raised in Hurst, a product of our fine HEB schools – Shady Oaks Elementary, Bedford Junior High, and L.D. Bell High School. I chose to raise my family in Hurst because I love this community and the great opportunities it provides. I have truly enjoyed giving back to my community and being a part of the planning and decision making that will keep Hurst a great place to live and raise a family.
Question 3: How will you increase transparency in city government?
I believe it is very important for citizens to be active and involved in city government. Here are some of the things that the City of Hurst currently does to provide transparency and clear communication to all citizens:
– All City Council meetings are available to watch online. Recent improvements to the council chambers have provided improved audio and video communication as well as improved ADA compliance, so that all citizens may have access in person or via the internet to the proceedings of the City Council. Additionally, meeting notices, agendas, and packets are available on the city website in advance of all meetings with notes from meetings being posted in a timely manner after the event.
– The City of Hurst carefully adheres to the Texas Open Meeting Law that governs our actions and communication. All new council members attend a session with the Texas Municipal League that provides education and application of this important law.
– City staff provides award winning communication to the citizens of Hurst. The fiscal services team has received the recognition for excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for 44 consecutive years! Hurst is 1 of 88 cities in the country and 1 of 15 cities in Texas to receive this award for 40+ years in a row. Staff also produces the award winning Where We Live publication that is available online and is delivered to every residence in Hurst. An annual city report is included in the Spring edition of this publication along with helpful information, upcoming events, and all the recreation opportunities available to residents. Staff from all departments provide updates via social media including press releases, updates on urgent matters, as well as pictures and video of all the great things happening in Hurst. Residents can also sign up for email and text updates through the city website. Finally, events like the Town Hall Forum are specifically designed to provide clear communication and transparency to all the citizens of Hurst about current events and what the future holds.
As a council member, I have worked to encourage my fellow citizens to attend council meetings and take advantage of all the great communication tools offered by the city. Additionally, I have encouraged those who want to get involved with the city to take the Hurst 101 class, participate in the citizen’s academies offered by both our police and fire, or to fill out the application to serve as a member of one of our boards or commissions. In an effort to increase transparency, I will continue to encourage my fellow citizens to engage with all of these great communication tools and I will continue to carefully adhere to the Texas Open Meeting Laws that govern our work as a council.
Question 4: How will you balance city revenue with service needs?
The City of Hurst budget continues to reflect the City Council’s conservative fiscal policy direction. The major objectives of the budget process are to identify cost saving measures and to provide funding to implement the City Council’s strategic plans. The city utilizes a budget approach in which all budget requests are tied to city strategies and programs must be justified every year. The resulting outcome of this process is the implementation of a very conservative budget.
I refuse to skimp on public safety. The largest portion of the budget is spent on public safety (fire, EMS and police). This is a must have service and it must be the best we can provide. Community services (library, parks, recreation center, aquatic pools, etc.) is second largest and while it may not be as important as public safety, it provides Hurst residents a high quality-of-life. Public works (roads, water and sewer) is next on the budget. Roads need to be safe and water and sewer must always work. We enjoy some of the best services in the region and I will continue to invest responsibly in them.
In every agenda for council meetings items that require an expenditure of budget funds must include one or more of our strategic priorities – redevelopment, public safety, leadership, innovation, economic vitality, and infrastructure. These priorities were developed from the input of citizens, city staff, and councilmembers. Carefully monitoring budgeting and economic trends in the city is something I have taken very seriously as a member of the Hurst City Council and will continue to do if elected again by the Hurst voters.
I will continue to work with our fiscal services team – reading monthly reports, asking questions, and assessing opportunities and risks as they arise. Citizen feedback also plays a major role as council and staff review feedback from the Town Hall and annual citizen survey.
Question 5: What are the most critical issues facing the city council and what solutions can you offer?
The City Council has been using data from the Sustainable Neighborhoods Plan 2017, the annual citizen survey, boards and commissions, and other sources to address issues with purpose and planning. The city council works together to provide guidance and direction to city staff who accomplish great things for all the citizens of Hurst.
A key issue our city faces is redevelopment. The Sustainable Neighborhoods Plan highlighted seven “catalyst areas” that present great opportunity for growth and redevelopment. Catalyst area 7 is the Bellaire Shopping Center where the Artisan Theater does a great job of bringing thousands of people into our community for performances, Pop-Up Events have built enthusiasm in the partnerships in the area, and several new businesses have been established. As a council member I will continue to be active with the businesses and organizations in this area as we explore additional opportunities for growth and redevelopment.
In addition to the successes at the Bellaire Shopping Center there has been interest or action in four other catalyst areas in the last year. I have worked with fellow council members and city staff to explore these options. Hurst has the reputation of being open for business and as a council member I have been active and engaged with business owners in the community.
Commercial quality in our business corridors was also listed as an emerging challenge in the Sustainable Neighborhood Plan. It is an issue that I have worked with staff and council to address. A council member cannot fix this issue on their own but they can be a part of the solution. We have an amazing economic development staff that works with business owners, commercial property owners, and prospective businesses. I will continue to make myself available to city staff and business owners as we all work together to provide a sustainable source of success for our city.
Aging infrastructure is a constant challenge for cities, states, and our nation. This challenge was part of our Sustainable Neighborhoods Plan as well. Council approved a study of all our streets that has provided a street quality index. City staff works hard to find cost effective solutions, often using matching funds from the county and state, to maintain and improve infrastructure. I will continue to work with city staff to make sure that the best choices are made that provide quality infrastructure and efficient use of budgeted funds.
I believe the best thing I can do as a council member is listen, learn, and evaluate before making decisions that will make an impact on our citizens and our city. I have demonstrated those qualities since being elected and will continue to actively seek opportunities to help with solutions to the issues we face.