Three seats on the Garland City Council are up for reelection. Garland City Council District 5 will soon elect a representative. The candidates are Jon Dehn, Cle Kimble and Margaret Lucht. District 2 will also elect a representative. Candidates for District 2 are Trayc Claybrook, incumbent Deborah Morris and Koni Kaiwi. Click here to see Q&A for District 2 candidates. In addition, Council Members Jeff Bass and B.J. Williams, Districts 1 and 4 respectively, are running unopposed.
Early voting begins April 25 and ends May 3. Election Day is May 7. Click here for early voting locations.
Jon Dehn – candidate – City Council District 5
https://facebook.com/DrJonDehn
Twitter @DrJonDehn
Why do you want to serve on the Garland City Council?
Research associate Jonathan Dehn stands before an array of screens which monitor the flow of ash and seismic activity associated with three erupting volcanos in the Aleutian Islands.
The Garland City Council has done a great job slowly but steadily revitalizing Garland and making it a great place to live. I have the experience and time to devote to Garland. I know I can help Garland stay the course and continue the work that needs to be done. My neighbors have strongly encouraged me to run, and because my wife and I have chosen Garland as our long-term home, I feel a responsibility to contribute.
What experience/background qualifies you to serve on council?
I moved to Garland over 5 years ago from Alaska, where I was a faculty member at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and served as Faculty Senate President. As such I have helped to create and manage large scale budgets (hundreds of millions) managed strongly opinionated faculty (over 40 on the Senate and over 600 total), developed new programs and seen them to completion including pitching them to the legislature and obtaining federal funding. I’ve learned that successful leadership means organizing and getting people to work together, nothing is done by one person alone. IN the last 5 years I have watched carefully how Garland has been managed, and for the most part have been pleased. I look forward to working with Council members and the Mayor and City’s wonderful staff to keep Garland going in the right direction.
What are the few top changes that you feel need to be made in your district?
District 5 has some unique challenges, some of which are listed later in these questions.
First, we need to continue the vitalization of our community. Primarily support for our public safety officials. We need to promote more development of affordable family housing. We also have to support this in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way.
The second is to increase opportunities for small businesses, providing not only support for new businesses but also to support existing businesses and draw customers to Garland.
The third is work towards revitalization of the 635 corridor as work is completed there, addressing the businesses that have been negatively impacted, the neighborhoods, and the homeless issue.
How will you approach getting those changes made?
As a scientist, I tend to do the research, run the numbers and then follow through with a plan. The first part would be not only my research but to reach out to the community for theirs. I am using my time campaigning to ask each person I talk to what is their favorite thing about Garland, and what is their greatest concern. After all it isn’t about me, but about the people in the District I hope to represent. With ideas of my own and those of the constituents, develop a plan while checking where these things have been implemented before so we can avoid the pitfalls. Finally, to follow through, I have noticed that many things in Garland seem to take far too long from approval and bonding to actually getting done, sometimes over a decade. There has to be a way to streamline these processes to allow Garland to act more quickly, which will also save money.
How will you involve your constituents in your decision-making?
Talking to them. Social media can be a useful tool, but tends to get a very skewed representation of the constituency. I would rely primarily on old-school methods, mostly getting out to talk to people. This includes holding events at community centers to encourage people to talk to me. Even knocking on doors. We are fortunate the Garland is of a size that this can still happen to not only reach the people who are engaged, but those that are rightly focused on other things, and want to participate on their terms with respect to their time. I’ve also found that talking in a group, face to face works better where body language and tone of voice help people to understand another’s point of view. In the end I’d be taking careful note of this and will perform the wishes of the constituency, whether I approve or not.
How will you approach the problem of Garland’s older declining neighborhoods?
There are a variety of approaches here, and no one solution fits all neighborhoods. The solution may also change with time based on nearby events, such as what’s happening at 635 and what’s going on downtown. Overall, incentives work better than punitive measures though there is a case for the latter in some extremes. New housing needs to be created, how and what type depends on the needs of the area and what is available. Increasing the housing stock is the only way to help manage housing prices, which will in turn keep property taxes down. This will also bring more families to Garland. To do this, incentives need to be available to builders, and landowners that refuse to keep up properties encouraged to either renovate, or sell. There are too many run-down street corners that were once thriving centers for neighborhoods that are now held by out of state investors who have no interest in the City of Garland or keeping up their properties. There are many remedies on the books for this if we choose to apply them.
What would you do to help with the homelessness issue?
This is a difficult and heartbreaking issue. Sadly, and understandably, many of the homeless choose to shelter under the overpasses. For example, when driving under 75 it’s best to go slower than 5 mph to avoid hitting someone, this a growing problem in Garland at 635. Many homeless stay along this area, half of it in the City of Dallas half in Garland, and this points to the problem of managing this issue. My first step would be to look to the County for what resources are available and how to manage jurisdiction, also to build ties with the City of Dallas regarding the homeless. It is going to need policing and enforcement of city codes, primarily for the safety of the homeless, but also for the nearby residences and businesses. Those in need of assistance should get it, those that are there for other reasons discouraged.
Cle Kimble – candidate – City Council District 5
www. clekimble.com
https://www.facebook.com/Cle-D-Kimble-for-Garland-City-Council-D5-102362469049790
- Why do you want to serve on the Garland City Council?
- What experience/background qualifies you to serve on council?
- What are the few top changes that you feel need to be made in your district?
- How will you approach getting those changes made?
- How will you involve your constituents in your decision-making?
- How will you approach the problem of Garland’s older declining neighborhoods?
- What would you do to help with the homelessness issue?
- I want to serve on Garland City Council to fill a need to be the person that listens to the constituents and is accessible at all times.
- I have over 20 years of healthcare experience. I’ve earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy from Texas Southern University and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Leadership from Wgu of Texas. My degree in healthcare leadership has given me the knowledge to be an effective leader who embodies the creative thinking and collaborative leadership skills needed to be a council member.
- I would like to see the vacant seats on a few of our board and commission seats filled. I believe it is essential for residents to get involved with various positions in the city. It allows citizens to understand how significant their insight is to making Garland what it is today. Also, I would like to see more residents getting involved in their neighborhood associations. It is an excellent opportunity for residents to familiarize themselves with their neighbors and how vital it is for the continued growth of their community.
- By working with each neighborhood association to support them to get more people involved. Either through meet and greet or hosting events to bring a community together. It was heartwarming when The Orchard Hills Neighborhood Association gifted me a “welcome to the neighborhood gift bag.” Gestures such as this made me pleased to have chosen Garland as my home.
- I will keep the constituents in district five informed through town hall meetings, social media platforms, phone calls, emails, and house visits.
- I would like to see the Home Improvement Incentive Rebate Program funded again. Unfortunately, the funds were exhausted. I would support efforts in bringing this program back; many citizens of Garland utilized this fantastic opportunity to fix up their homes. The Neighborhood Vitality Grant Program is a chance for neighbors to invest in each other houses and beautify their communities.
- The homeless situation is troublesome for cities across the country. I do not have the answer to address this problem; however, I will be committed to working with non-profit organizations, religious groups, and public health departments to help these individuals. Unfortunately, there has not been a sensible solution to the ongoing matter.
Margaret Lucht – candidate – City Council District 5
Website: https://margaretlucht.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077518114955
Why do you want to serve on the Garland City Council?
District 5 requires a leader who will fight for economic development, increased safety measures, and the completion of 2019 Bond Program initiatives. I want to be that voice for our community. I have a passion for service, and I am dedicated to making District 5 a safer, more enjoyable place to live.
What experience/background qualifies you to serve on council?
I attended Williams Elementary, Sam Houston Middle School, and graduated from South Garland High School. I am a homeowner and have lived in District 5 for 37 years. I currently work for a small business in District 5. I also operated a successful small business and understand the challenges business owners in this district face. I served on the Parks and Recreation Board for five years. I advocated for park improvements, connectivity through trails, and renovations of neglected facilities. I also worked with the Parks Department and Bond Committee to develop projects and assess the budget for the 2019 Bond Program. As a Plan Commissioner, I studied Garland Code, zoning ordinances, and the Envision Garland Plan. I know how crucial planning and zoning decisions are to economic development. Through my years of service, I am experienced with participation in city government operations and evaluating budgets.
What are the few top changes that you feel need to be made in your district?
Safety: City-wide violent crime is down, but District 5 has seen an increase in gun related incidents and property theft.
Access: District 5 needs quality restaurants, shopping, grocery stores, and employment opportunities. The District 5 industrial area requires local, regional, and international connectivity.
Bond Program: Garland residents funded a $423 million bond program, and I want to see the 2019 bond projects completed on time and on budget.
How will you approach getting those changes made?
I hope to increase safety by supporting the neighborhood police officer program and their outreach to residents; supporting neighborhood crime watch groups; expanding the license plate reader and gunshot detector programs; and increasing security at our parks and along trails with lighting and surveillance.
Increasing access requires economic development. I want residents to spend money on entertainment and retail in Garland. To attract quality offerings, we must improve the 635 corridor, Garland Road, and multiple deteriorating shopping centers. With the Hollywood Theater and cement plant lots, there is an opportunity to create innovative attractions. Road improvements are currently underway, but careful attention is necessary for improving logistics to and from our industrial sector.
I intend to be a very squeaky wheel when it comes to advocating for bond projects by being persistent and making sure the projects are on every council agenda.
How will you involve your constituents in your decision-making?
My constituents will have phone, email, and face-to-face access to me. I encourage communication and my policy making decisions will be guided by their opinions and needs. Our form of government places constituents in the top tier by giving them electorate control, and I will ensure their voices are heard.
How will you approach the problem of Garland’s older declining neighborhoods?
Garland has many programs dedicated to promoting neighborhood improvement and revitalization. The Office of Neighborhood Vitality provides community outreach and grant matching. The Where the Heart Is program partners neighborhoods with city staff and other organizations. Build Garland funds new development, redevelopment, and revitalization projects. The Home Improvement Incentive Rebate Program helps offset the costs of improvements to homeowners. The Code Department has lawn care programs for senior citizens and free tree cutting assistance. Community outreach is key to giving residents access to these programs. Revitalization takes time and money, and I think these programs are essential for improving our neighborhoods.
What would you do to help with the homelessness issue?
Aiding our invisible population requires targeted assistance programs. Garland has three full-time officers who serve as homeless liaisons and is in the process of hiring two licensed clinical social workers. Adopting the U.S. Targeted Homelessness Assistance plan set forth by The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness will help Garland reduce the homeless population and provide a template for future issues.