The Issues
“A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything real on real issues.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Ahead with Economic Development
Garland has a large industrial base which is the economic engine of the city. At the same time, Garland is largely built out with few remaining open parcels. Further economic development in Garland will happen through smart, planned redevelopment by which the needs of developers, industry, residents and the community are all thoughtfully considered and met.
As a civil engineer working in land development, I understand the whole development process from planning to financing to construction. As mayor, I will utilize that knowledge and work closely with developers to bring the best new projects in Garland. Also as a member of city council, I simplified the zoning entitlement process so that developers can get their projects completed more quickly as compared to our neighboring city competitors thus making Garland more attractive to locate and build.
Ahead with Diversifying City Revenue Sources
I am the only candidate who has advocated for diversifying the City's tax revenue sources to take the burden off of property tax payers. In 2023, I lead a local option petition campaign to allow for the sales of packaged liquor at retail stores in Garland.
Why are we sending our sales tax dollars to surrounding cities such as Dallas and Plano when we should be keeping those sales taxes in Garland and closing the sales tax revenue gap?
Ahead with Equitable Spending
The 2019 Bond program brought great new projects and programs to our City. However with all future spending, we must make sure that no part of Garland gets ignored with any government spending.
On City Council, I advocated for the expansion of TIF #1 to include more properties around the Forest/Jupiter intersection and directed more spending towards that area. Also, I requested the TIF be referred to as TIF #1 rather than as “the Downtown TIF” in city documents.
These changes helped correct the gross imbalance with over 95% of all funds in the TIF going towards Downtown areas, while the Forest/Jupiter area was largely ignored in both name and spending.
View my Substack posts from the time:
Work Session Notes – November 13, 2023
and
Forest-Jupiter Redevelopment Starts Now
As your next mayor, I will make sure that every area of the city gets the attention it deserves during our Capital Improvement process, from our TIF spending and with any future bond program.
You can see the TIF #1 additions in to the Forest – Jupiter area extending up Jupiter Road north of Walnut Street in red in the right image below.
(Image from December 4, 2023 Council Work Session)
Ahead with Public Safety
Nothing else matters if you don't feel safe in your bed at night. I am the only candidate who is a graduate of both the Garland Citizen's Police Academy and Citizen's Fire Academy. I have great relationships with our first responders and pledges to work to better our community through effective and proven policing strategies, fire fighting response, and emergency services.
On City Council, I worked to increase the use of the Flock Camera System which has lead to numerous solved cases and criminal apprehensions that otherwise would not have occurred. As your Mayor, I will make sure that our brave police officers and firefighters have all the equipment and latest technology needed to maintain safe streets and communities.
Ahead with Improved Streets and Infrastructure
Who better to help improve the local streets than a Professional Civil Engineer (TX license #102108) who has actually designed, bid and managed major street and infrastructure construction projects throughout his career? Garland has recently completed a city-wide streets conditions survey, and I pledge to implement the recently Council-approved plan to raise the Overall Condition Index of our streets by seven points to 77 within five years.
Holford Road construction north of PGBT
Ahead with Better Quality of Life
We have made great progress on implementing the 2019 Bond Projects, and I pledge to finish the remaining projects as soon as possible. The 2025 Bond Proposals will be the next step to improve the quality of life in Garland with more opportunities to shop, dine, and play, and the Economic Development Master Plan and new Comprehensive Plan provide the roadmap for their implementation. As Garland's next mayor, I will work everyday to improve quality of life for all citizens in Garland.
Ahead with Access to Government
I am a big advocate of making government data available for public use in an easily accessible format. Already we have made roadway conditions, apartment ratings, and restaurant health scores available via a GIS platform. I hope to make even more data available as mayor.
Ahead with Consensus
The role of the mayor differs from council members in that one must work to achieve consensus on decisions to move policy forward rather than be divisive. I have great relationships with all members of the city council and pledge to utilize those relationships to keep Garland moving ahead.
I serve to improve lives and communities by building trust and relationships in the City of Garland and beyond.
– Campaign Mission Statement
