Questionnaires were sent to all of the City Council and Garland ISD Board of Trustees candidates.
The replies from the City Council District 3 race are below. Answers from one candidate whose response was received after the deadline are now included under the heading Mathew Puthenpurackal.
Election Day is May 1. Early voting is April 19-27.
Ed Moore
Why do you want to serve on Garland City Council?
I love public service and being involved in my community. That’s an intangible, but it really does matter to bring energy and enthusiasm to the job along with ideas and experience. I’m not just saying I love service, either. I love the results that service brings. I have walked the walk.
I’ve been active as president of my neighborhood homeowner’s association. I went through the Garland Citizens Police Academy. My vocation as a pastor is all about listening and caring, and as a businessperson I understand “customer service” and how critical
service is to our “customers,” who are the citizens of Garland. Accessibility is important. When people call, they want a response.
I know the pulse of the community and my neighbors. The people in Garland are looking for practical leadership that makes our neighborhoods stronger, safer, and more enjoyable. That’s sidewalks, streets, lighting, code enforcement and public safety. That’s parks and recreation and good restaurants and shopping. These are all the nuts and bolts … the basics that must be maintained.
A Vision for long term planning is key to business opportunities, economic growth, and development. I was on the I-30 Corridor Catalyst Study Group, creating a vision for development along a highway that cuts right through the middle of my district. I understand how the infrastructure along that corridor must be developed to attract the kind of businesses that we so desire. I want to serve my community and be that councilperson that furthers the economic growth and development plans of the I-30 Catalyst Study.
How long have you lived in Garland?
I am Ed Moore. My wife, Dianne, and I have lived in South Garland for 17 years. We have three children, eight grands and four great-grands. Our grandchildren attended and graduated from public schools in Garland: Carver Elementary, Lyles Middle and Lakeview Centennial High.
What sets you apart from your opponents?
I applaud each of my three colaborers as it is quite exemplary when citizens are willing to sacrifice their time, talents and treasure to serve the needs of the community. We are not opponents but citizens vying for the same position that will allow us the opportunity to make our community a better place in which to live. Each of us brings a unique set of values, work skills and perspectives to how that might be achieved.
The primary factor that sets me aside from others is I did not just begin this journey. I have served, volunteered, and functioned in many positions of leadership in this community for the past 15 years. I stand on my record of commitment and dedication to this community. My tenure as a board member and president of my homeowner’s association prepared me to recognize the importance of the board fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities, its accountability to Bylaws, DC&Rs, and legal documentation while never forgetting the Rights of the Homeowners.
I know the pulse of the community and my neighbors. I served on the Garland Multicultural Commission. I went through the Garland Citizens Police Academy. I project managed the Garland Mosaic Festival, Labor Day Parade Kids BBQ Cookoff, and Noon Exchange of Garland Leadership Awards Dinner. My vocation as a pastor is all about listening and caring. As a businessperson I understand “customer service” and how critical service is to our “customers,” who are the citizens of Garland. Accessibility is important. When people call, they want a response.
Summarize past experiences that qualify you to serve on council?
I love public service and have been involved in a diversity of positions over the past 10 years. Enjoying public service is an intangible, but it really does matter to bringing energy and enthusiasm to the job along with ideas and experience. I’m not just saying I love service, either. I love the results that service brings. I have walked the walk.
- I presently serve as my Homeowner’s Association president
- I’ve served on the Garland Community Multicultural Commission.
- Hosted and Project Managed the Garland Mosaic Festival
- I went through the Garland Citizens Police Academy.
- Served on the Board of Directors, Noon Exchange Club of Garland
- Hosted and Project Managed the Garland Labor Day Parade, Kids BBQ Cookoff
- Hosted and Project Managed the Noon Exchange Club of Garland, Community Leadership Appreciation Dinner
- My vocation as a pastor is all about listening and caring.
- As a businessperson I understand “customer service” and how critical service is to our “customers,” who are the citizens of Garland.
- Accessibility is important. When people call, they want a response.
What are a few changes/improvements MOST needed in your district? What will you do to make those happen?
Communications is the change/improvement most needed in District 3. Constituents want to know what is going on to bring about the vision of a renewed community: consistent delivery of reliable city services, safe family-friendly neighborhoods, economic growth and development, sustainable city services, revitalized neighborhood infrastructure, responsible fiscal budgetary spending, and fully informed and engaged citizenry. More importantly, they want to know that they have been heard.
As a former Pastor, I am the definition of an actively listening leader. I passionately believe that a council member is a representative, a person who frequently talks to constituents, takes their calls, holds town halls, and champions what they are concerned about. Leadership can sometimes mean advocating a plan or position that needs buy-in or explanation to the public, but the public should always have input and understanding, and the ability to approve or disapprove. And if a plan is not popular with constituents, a representative should not vote for it. This is all about being together with your constituents and finding consensus on things.
Garland continues to have numerous declining neighborhoods around the city. Do you feel that the programs now in place are enough or would you add something? If so, what?
A recent article in the Garland City Express, Spotlight On Garland, stated Garland ranked third in Texas and 17th in the United States in a 2021 study of Where More Young Residents Are Buying Homes.
Conducted by personal finance website, Smart Asset, the study found where people younger than 35 are most likely to own their own home, comparing home ownership for demographic in 2009 to 2019. Unlike the 10 largest cities in the U.S. and most of the 200 cities in the study, Garland has an increase in the home ownership rate for those under 35 over the decade. More than 375 of Garland residents ages 18 to 34 own homes, compared to 26% for cities overall in the study.
In another study, Cities where Black Americans Fare Best Economically, SmartAsset finds Garland to be the No. 7 city in the nation and second in Texas only to Grand Prairie. Cities were compared across six metrics including median household income, homeownership rate, percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree and percentage of business owners.
More people are moving out to suburbs than moving into downtown cores during the pandemic, according to a study by personal financial services company Bankrate. Using the change of address request to the U.S. Postal Service, it was found that Texas’ urban cores saw the most shift to suburban living of any state. Among those leaving Dallas, Garland was the No. 3 destination.
Garland has established many great programs to help its citizens to beautify their neighborhood. With the approval of the 2019 Bond, Capital Improvement Plan, Garland has begun to improve streets, street lighting, and alley paving. Many neighborhoods will begin to see those improvements. Garland also provides a variety of home improvement and neighborhood programs, services, and resources for neighborhoods to improve the physical condition of their neighborhoods. Programs such as: Emergency Repair Grants, First Time Homebuyer Assistance, Low-cost home repair loan, Neighborhood Vitality Grant, Where the Heart Is Program, Home Improvement Incentive Rebate, Code Compliance, Code Cares, sidewalks/curbs repair, drainage problems, and volunteer community paint-up projects.
I would make sure that District 3 residents are aware of and are using these programs that are available to them. If these programs will not help improve the declining neighborhoods, then I would work with the neighborhood to determine what is needed to improve the vitality of the neighborhood.
The unhoused population in Garland continues to grow. How do you feel we can best help this underserved population?
Garland has taken an active role in addressing homelessness for the previous 14 years by working with non-profit, faith-based and regional partners to plan and implement programs addressing homelessness. Many of the existing organizations and services in Garland were started as an initiative by faith-based organizations who recognized that a separate non-profit was needed to carry out homeless assistance programs and obtain grants. Our system has always been a combination and/or partnership of government, faith organizations and non-profits working together to offer services for person experiencing homelessness. I will continue to work through the council with these stakeholders to address the homeless situation in Garland.
Puthenpurackal Mathew
- Why do you want to serve on Garland City Council?
Ever since I was elected Councilor to the University Union in college, I developed a passion to serve my community. 30 years of community service later, I would like to broaden my impact on the community. Garland is my home and I would like to make it a better place for everyone.
- How long have you lived in Garland?
I started the initial days of my life with family in Garland and bought a house in Irving in one of the greatest communities called Las Colinas. Began my business in Garland in 2014 and moved to Garland with my family last year from Irving, Texas.
- What sets you apart from your opponents?
My experiences are what set me apart from my fellow running mates. I am a civilian who worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers during the Gulf War in Bahrain. I was a former Senate Member of Mahatma Gandhi University, a well-known university in Kerala, India. I have served in the Indian School Bahrain as a Board Member and Sports Subcommittee Chair and conducted many charity events, cultural events, etc. I plan to make a change in the city benefiting the people of Garland. I also worked with the State of Texas for approximately 10 years in the field of Accounting and Finance. With my finance background and engineering background, and leadership proved in University and School, etc., I believe I will be different from others. Please visit www.pcmathew.com for more information.
- Summarize past experience that qualifies you to serve on the council?
Two terms served as Homeowners Association President. Global Vice President of “World Maglayalee Council Inc, a PVSA recognized organization. I am the former America’s region President and Chairman as well. Please visit http://www.wmcamerica.org/ I organized blood donation drives, medical camps, and other charity events for the community. Currently KAD (Kerala Association in Broadway Blvd, Garland) a nonprofit organization wherein I am an active member doing free Covid vaccination. Please visit: http://www.keralaassociation.org/
- What are a few changes/improvements MOST needed in your district? What will you do to make those happen?
Our water bill is quite high and I would like to see how we can reduce it by finding different income sources. During the winter people suffered a power outage and I would like to find a way to handle it next time so that uninterrupted power management is possible at any cost. Also, I will make sure to support the small business suffering now. I will also see how we can reduce the property taxes of the city by finding some other sources of income. I fully intend to support volunteer organizations, provide valuable education, help the underserved, and give excellent customer service from the city for the people and I will be the voice of people in the council. Making Garland a clean and beautiful city is also in my vision. The police and firefighters are to be taken care of because they are important to the community. Also, city staff is to be well paid and employment opportunities should be created by increasing the number of quality employers in Garland. Environmental protection, fighting substance abuse, safety, health, and wellness of the people, and having the vaccine available to everyone is on my agenda. I would like to continue current projects and bring new projects to make a better infrastructure including more sports and recreation opportunities. I want to oversee the local government activities for fairness, involve parents in the schools, and involve teachers and professionals in the development. I support all nonprofit organizations such as churches, etc. Lastly, I will make sure to maintain accountability and professionalism in serving the community.
- Garland continues to have numerous declining neighborhoods around the city. Do you feel that the programs now in place are enough or would you add something more? If so, what?
The current program may not be sufficient and it might take some time to take effect. However, to uplift the neighborhood I will get the experienced personnel needed to research and find the proper solution needed for our city.
- The unhoused population in Garland continues to grow. How do you feel we can best help this underserved population?
I plan to create a master plan for the homeless where we can use small communities for them by providing houses with a better job outlook. This way we can decrease homelessness and provide more jobs. This will done without affecting the current neighborhoods.
There are two additional District 3 City Council candidates from which no responses were received.