Area City Council Candidate Questionaire

Published Thursday, May 1, 2008

By Staff

We asked each candidate in contested races for city council or mayor the following questions in addition to brief biographical information:

1. Please rank the following issues in terms of importance and emphasis for your city: taxes, streets, water and sewer, parks and recreation, fees (water, sewer, garbage), economic development, law enforcement, attract new residents and housing developments.

2. Which statement best describes your primary reason for seeking a place on the city council?

a. correct administrative or financial problems that exist within the city
b. change current direction and policies of city
c. continue current direction and policies of city
d. increase local funding for city programs, including streets, law enforcement, parks
e. maintain or lower local funding for city programs, including streets, law enforcement, parks
f. support bond election to improve city issues as needed, including streets, law enforcement, parks
g. oppose tax increases required to improve city facilities, including streets, parks, etc.

Candidates were asked to keep their answers to 50 words or less to explain their rankings and position on the issue.

NEWARK

Troy Arnold

Position sought: City Council Place 1
Occupation: Self-employed
Education: High school

1. Taxes, economic development, attract new residents, streets, fees, water, parks, law enforcement

2. Oppose taxes required to improve city facilities, including streets, parks, etc.

Bonnie Neal
(Incumbent)

Position sought: City Council Place 1
Occupation: Construction truck driver - tanker
Education: High school graduate
Family: Two grown children, a son and daughter, and two granddaughters

1. Economic development - Per our close distance to Alliance and proposed outward development from Fort Worth, I expect to see the need for service businesses. We can provide an economically feasible access for them. Water and sewer - Our determined and ongoing efforts to continue upgrading and monitoring of water and sewer needs is the foundation to any future growth. Parks and recreation, streets, attracting new residents, housing, taxes and other fees, law enforcement. (exceeded word limit)

Jerry Davidson

Position sought: City Council Place 2 (Incumbent)
Occupation: Facility maintenance mechanic for American Airlines at Alliance M&E Base, a Texas Master Plumber and owner of 2-D Plumbing and Mechanical
Education: Western Hills High - Fort Worth 1974-78; Mountain View College - Dallas 1978-79; North Texas State University (UNT) - Denton 1979-82
Family: I've been married 23 years to Brenda Annett, who works for Northwest ISD. We have three children: Ashley, 20, a junior at TCU in Fort Worth; Bradley, 19, a freshman at UNT in Denton; and Amber, 11, a fifth-grader at Seven Hills Elementary in Newark

1. Water and sewer, law enforcement and taxes (all equal importance); economic development, attracting new residents, streets, parks and recreation and the Newark Library and city fees

2. To continue the current direction the city of Newark is heading - As councilman I have seen the population almost double. With future developments we can expect more growth. During my terms we have added almost $2 million in water and sewer upgrades, formed the new police department and are in the process of improving our streets, all this without increasing taxes. (exceeded word limit)

RHOME

Brandon Davis

Position sought: Mayor
Occupation: Branch Manager, Stanley Steemer International
Education: Bachelor's of applied arts and science UNT, business administration graduate student, UNT
Family: I am married with children.

1. All are equally important, but are only handled differently. Taxes, streets, water and sewer, parks and recreation, fees (water, sewer, garbage), economic development, law enforcement, attract new residents and housing developments.

2. I am seeking the mayoral seat in order to open our city government and inform our citizens. Our citizens must be aware of decisions the council is making and not be in the dark about anything. I fully intend to correct the corruption from the current mayor and his secret supporters.

Shannon Jones

Position sought: City Council
Occupation: Airline Employee and Labor Union Contract Information Rep.
Education: Railroad Conductor training - Johnson Co. Community College, Overland Park, Kan.; Oilfield well service training - High Plains Technology Center, Woodward, Okla.; Aircraft maintenance (powerplant) training- Intl. Aviation & Travel Academy, Arlington; Attended University of North Texas and Tarrant County College
Family: Wife - Stacy, and son - Reilly

1. Parks and recreation, economic development, law enforcement, fees, taxes, streets, attract new residents and housing, water and sewer - I think our kids need playground equipment on city land designated for parks. They deserve better than what they have now. I believe we should be doing all we can to get businesses here that provide careers to our young people entering the job market. I am for adding a repeater to our new water tower. (exceeded word limit)

2. d. best describes my primary reason.

Mark Lorance, P.E.

Position sought: Mayor
Occupation: Civil Engineer, President, Dannenbaum Engineering
Education: bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University
Family: Wife Kristi and three sons; Manuel, Cody and Colton

1. Economic Development, parks and recreation, Taxes - Now that our major infrastructure is in place, economic development is the key. Attracting the right type of economic development will bring more jobs, increase the quality of life and expand the tax base. The expanded tax base will allow the city to lower the tax rate while still increasing services and providing more amenities such as parks.

2. c. continue current direction and policies of city - The city has shown obvious improvements with the water tower and new roads and is seeing increased activity on the economic development front due to our retail trade analysis. Executing the plans we have in place will show even more growth and even better financial stability.

Gerry R. McBride

Position sought: Rhome City Council
Occupation: Retired
Education: Degree - Business Administration
Family: Married 48 years. Two sons, two daughters and eight grandchildren.

1. Economic development, taxes, parks and recreation, water and sewer, fees (water, sewer, garbage), law enforcement, attract new residents and housing developments, streets

2. b. Change current direction and policies of city - My goals are: 1. A city council that works together for the best interests of the city and its citizens; 2. Work together to attract new businesses to the city; 3. Regular, scheduled open neighborhood forums to allow citizens' input and hold elected city officials accountable; 4. Parks and recreation, sewer and water concerns.

Patty Robison

Position Sought: City Council
Candidate did not answer questions.

Jesus H. Valdez

Position sought: Re-election for city council seat
Occupation: Aviation Mechanic Technician
Education: High School graduate
Family: Wife, Fabiola Valdez, two sons, Brandon (11) and Greyson (7)

1. Economic development, attract new residents and housing development, law enforcement and community safety, taxes, parks and recreation, fees (water, sewer, garbage), water and sewer, streets - My ranking reasoning is simple; it is important to actively seek new businesses that would bring our city much needed retailers. Rhome is at the crossroads to the metroplex and is projected to experience continued growth for years to come. Rhome can be a city that we can all be proud of.

2. I firmly believe that a three-way partnership between the mayor, council members and the community is crucial. Rather than opposing one another, we should work together towards a positive vision and agenda. Our focus should be that of growth, trust and commitment for our future and the future of our children.

David E. Wilson

Position sought: Mayor
Occupation: Retired
Education: AA Degree 1979, numerous continuing education classes including: a Texas Municipal Court Association 1984, TCEQ C License and certificates in Ground Water and Surface water production and waste water treatment plant operation; Licenced Real Estate agent through Texas Real Estate Commission, currently inactive.
Family: Married 46 years, three children, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild

1. Economic development, water and sewer, law enforcement, parks and recreation, attract new residents and housing developments, fees, taxes

2. Correct administrative or financial problems that exist within the city - I would make myself available to the citizens by maintaining an office at city hall with hours of availability on a daily basis. We have out grown a part-time or absentee mayor. I feel communication between the mayor and council is vital. There are things on the horizon that will need constant attention. (exceeded word limit)

Jo Ann Rucker Wilson

Position Sought: Rhome City Council
Occupation: Retired with plus years of management and oversight of a federal entity. Previous owner of marketing and advertising company for 12 years.
Education: Northwest High School graduate, college business courses, certifications and intensive management training
Family: Born in Rhome and married to Billy Wayne Wilson with two daughters, Denise and Lisa. A homeowner in "Old Town Rhome" for more than 46 years

1. Economic cevelopment, parks and recreation, taxes, fees (water, sewer, garbage), law enforcement, streets, water and sewer, attract new residents and housing developments

Economic Development will provide a means for addressing the other six areas. All are equally important. Ordinance enforcement should be on the list - without that we cannot present a desirable place to locate businesses or move a family. A strong police and fire department is a must!

2. b. change current direction and policies of city - Bring a positive image to the city! Develop a long range plan for economic growth and utilize grants and volunteers build a large city park for all ages (ball fields, skateboard area, playground and pavilion) on city owned property away from current development. Consider a city tax break for seniors.