Questionnaires were sent to all of the City Council and Garland ISD Board of Trustees candidates. The replies from the City Council District 1 race are below.
Election Day is May 1. Early voting is April 19-27.
Candidate Jeff Bass
Why do you want to serve on Garland City Council?
I am running for City Council because I want Garland to be a place where people want to work, play, and live. As a Garland resident, Garland small business owner, and volunteer I have become involved in many leadership roles making a difference in countless lives. I look forward to bringing my passion for leadership to our City Council.
Garland is a great city with a lot to offer and I have witnessed this through my involvement with the chamber, city, school district, first responders, and volunteering. I want everyone to be as proud of Garland as I am. I want a Garland that has amenities to offer its citizens, and attracts people to visit Garland and attracts people to move to Garland.
My platform is based around this premise. Keep Garland moving toward the future ($423 million bond progress), keep Garland safe (well-funded, well trained first responders), attract visitors and new residents (protect our northern gateway through prudent development of the 190 corridor).
How long have you lived in Garland?
I have lived in Garland for over 12 years and have been a small business owner in Garland for 7 years.
What sets you apart from your opponents?
My leadership experience in Garland sets me apart from my opponents including:
- 2017-2020: Board Member, Garland Chamber of Commerce
- 2018- present: Board Member, Garland Economic Development Steering Committee
- 2018- present: Board Member, Garland Citizen’s Fire Club
- 2015: Graduate Leadership Garland Class XXXIV
- 2016- present: Steering Committee Member/Chair, Alumni Committee Member/Chair
- 2016-2017: Board Member, Habitat For Humanity
- 2015-2016: Advisory Board GISD Global Business Initiative
Summarize past experience that qualifies you to serve on council?
I care very deeply for our citizens. This is evident through my volunteer work. I regularly volunteer and/or donate to Good Sam, Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, WatchDOGS, YMCA, IKandy Foundation, Toys For Tots. I am a past board member of Habitat For Humanity.
I have fed the Garland Fire Department and Garland Police Department, I have fed families suffering from Covid job loss, I have fed 100’s at GLOWS Garland Overnight Warming Station. My charitable efforts during Covid have been featured on ABC, CBS, and NBC news programs.
I am deeply involved in the Garland community. I sat on the board of the Garland Chamber of Commerce (2017-2020), I am a graduate of Leadership Garland (2015), since chairing multiple committees (2015-present), I am a current board member for Garland Citizens Fire Club (2018-present), I sat on the advisory board for GISD Global Business Initiative (2015-2016), I served on the board for Habitat for Humanity (2016-2017), and I am on the board for Garland Economic Development Steering Committee (2108-present)
What are a few changes/improvements MOST needed in your district? What will you do to make those happen?
District 1 is the northern gateway to Garland and has a large amount of available commercial frontage property in Garland. It is imperative that we are prudent in how we use this valuable asset in order to ensure future tax revenue and attract visitors and new residents. We also need revitalization of the older areas in the southern portion of District 1, including parks, landscaping beautification, and walking trails.
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?
I am a big fan of the Garland Neighborhood Vitality Program and I will also look to additional incentives for revitalizing older neighborhoods, such as remodel/rebuild incentives and updating infrastructure, parks and other services.
The unhoused population in Garland continues to grow. How do you feel we can best help this underserved population?
In every city around the world, there are people living without a home. Homelessness is caused by a wide variety of factors and every person’s situation is different which means ending homelessness needs to be different for each person. However, we do need to recognize and address some of the major reasons such as mental health and drug abuse. I will look to programs such as Housing First for ideas that have been successful in curbing homelessness elsewhere.
Candidate John Grimley
Why do you want to serve on Garland City Council?
I am wanting to better serve my city and my district.
How long have you lived in Garland?
About 15 years
What sets you apart from your opponents?
I don’t know anything about them outside they are wanting to serve the city as well; therefore I have no idea what sets myself apart from them?
Summarize past experience that qualifies you to serve on City Council?
I was president of my HOA and also I was Active duty Air Force so I know how to lead and how to serve.
What are a few changes/improvements MOST needed in your district? What will you do to make those happen?
The MOST important thing in district 1 is getting the people to care more about the district instead of just themselves. I would make more opportunities for people to give back and help others and also the school district.
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?
I don’t know if it is about adding more or just finding out what the community really needs, maybe we are introducing things they don’t want or need and we are getting nowhere.
The unhoused population in Garland continues to grow. How do you feel we can best help this underserved population?
I think creating a centralized place they can go and feel safe is a good start as we know where we can help and they know they are safe and free from outside issues.
There is an additional candidate from which no responses were received.