January 16 is an exciting day for the City of Garland. Today marks the first day that candidates for the five open spots on the City Council (Mayor and Districts 3, 6, 7, 8) can file for a spot on the May 4 ballot.

It also is an exiting day for me personally as I begin my campaign as candidate for the District 7 position. Outgoing Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Scott LeMay is term limited and has served our city and district admirably over the past six years. Scott has already declared his intentions to run for mayor (https://www.facebook.com/scott.lemay.9/posts/2048612428549141).

It was Scott who gave me my first opening into local politics as I came up to him at a Oakridge Neighborhood Association meeting at which he was speaking. I was debating even whether to speak with him as my daughter Kara was doing what a two-year old does when she is hungry and tired.

I had applied to become a Boards & Commissions member with the Plan Commission being my first choice. It just so happened that Scott was looking for someone to fill the spot being vacated by Maxwell Fisher, who was moving out of the city and could no longer serve.

I had been on the applicant side many times through my work as a civil engineer, but this was my chance to give back to the community and help shape the future of Garland through the work of the commission. After a meeting with Scott, my name was submitted to council for approval, and I began my two years plus work on the commission.

I submitted my letter of resignation from the commission just minutes ago, as required by the City Charter, and I am officially beginning my campaign.

I intend to run my campaign on three principals – Integrity, Experience and Progress – three terms which I believe represent me as a candidate. I also want to show the more personal side as I update you throughout this process on this blog page. Right now, as I begin my campaign, the Black Eyed Peas “Let’s Get It Started” is stuck in my head. It’s that energy and excitement I hope to bring to this campaign.

I hope that you support me and come along with me on this journey as we continue work together to make Garland a great place to live, work and play.