Election Day is May 1, early voting begins April 19 and Garland voters must decide which candidates they want to represent them. Several districts will choose council members and a new mayor will be elected. There are also seats on the GISD Board of Trustees to be filled.
Questions were sent to the candidates for mayor and city council, as well as those for the GISD board. The responses from Roel Garcia and Scott LeMay, both in the race for mayor, are below. The candidates’ answers were posted as received. Please watch The Garland Texan in the upcoming days as answers from candidates in all the races will be posted.
Roel Garcia – Candidate for mayor
Why do you want to serve as Garland’s mayor?
- I’ve been in Garland for 57years. Garland, TX is my life, and Garland, TX is my home. I’ve been here through many different changes and developments, and still I stand as a true resident of Garland! I believe Garland needs to evolve in many different areas from taxpayers’ dollars to how well the streets get cleaned. I have several different plans to help better this community and the communities surrounding us with hope that I can create a trend that will be passed from generation to generation. This means more than just running and serving as the mayor of Garland, and potentially being the first Hispanic male that will serve the city but simply a testament that the younger generation can do anything that the heart desires with tons of hard work and dedication. The youth are the future leaders of this city, this state, and even this nation. The lord has blessed me with an opportunity to help serve my people of Garland, TX.
How long have you lived in Garland?
- 59 (Born & Raised)
Summarize past experience that qualifies you for this position.
- My years being in the city of Garland. The things that I’ve noticed within the city could be and should be worked on. I’m privileged to be a part of several small residential committees to help better my current neighborhood along with ambitions to start a crime watch committee. I’m currently an educator/ instructor in Richardson Independent School District specializing in special education. Mentorship also plays an important role in my life. I’ve been mentoring for about 10 years for boys and girls of all ages. Year after year I’ve watched the city spend money on things that weren’t really needed versus being resourceful and being connected with the residents of the city. My love and compassion for this city will always reign, and I plan to get the job done.
What sets you apart from your opponent?
- As a man, there’s only a few things you have in life. Your “word” and your “last” name. I was raised with respect and high character. Morals means everything to me. Being a man of my word. “Mean what you say, and say what you mean”. A word that I value a lot is integrity. Meaning do what needs to be done at all the time and not just some of the time. Does someone have to watch you do it or should it just be something that you would want to get done? Garcia! There’s pride behind my name. Everything attached to my name will be done 100% and then some. But not only is it my name, this is my family name. Everything that I’ve done in life and will continue to do will impact my family lives
What are a couple of changes/improvements that are MOST needed in the city? What will you do to help make those happen?
- Once I am elected, I would get each council member to help with serving the community in regards to cleaning. Get all communities evolved with events such as community service, host town hall meetings to ensure everyone’s voice is being heard and lastly implying more business or room for employment. With all this being done then the plan would be to minimize the crime while rebuilding the community in the right direction.
How do you feel we can best help Garland’s homeless population?
- Start with the police force to go out and speak with those that are less fortunate. Lead them into the right direction to receive Council. With the police department being part of our first responders, they’re part of our leadership in the community. Help rebuild the name and image of the police department not only on a local level but on a national level as well. God says in order to be a rich man you must give to the poor, and that’s something I will always believe in.
Garland continues to have numerous declining neighborhoods. Do you feel that the programs now in place are enough or would add something more? If so, what?
Although the city of Garland has some great programs that may assist the community with development in declining neighborhoods, I do believe that more or even better programs should be put in place. The city of Garland has a program that helps with seniors’ lawns and landscaping during the summer, but should be broadcasted more frequently before and at the peak of summer. This help also helps the youth who’re looking for employment, but not only can the youth benefit from this enhancement but it gives more opportunities for the homeless as well. Registration for all new and/or old programs should be reduced. Simplifying the paperwork or the online process could be a small fix to some of the declining areas especially for the senior citizens. Long and tedious processes tend to run people away, so keeping those as simple as possible may impact the community more than we think. Lastly I would amend the graduation process for the police department. In order to graduate from the academy you would have to live in a certain community. This helps with a few things, the relationship between the residents and the local police department is reestablished. The police department knows the many or few struggles this community may be facing , and lastly the connection between everyone in the community grows tremendously, with all that being said we are all 1, We are the city of Garland!
Scott LeMay – Incumbent
Why do you want to continue as Garland’s mayor?
In 2007 when I first ran for city council, I made a commitment to serve this city and everyone who lives, works or owns a business here. I didn’t win that year but was appointed to the Plan Commission where I served until 2013 when I was elected to serve in District 7. During my three terms in both of those positions over 12 years I learned everything I could about the city and the people. That time reinforced my commitment and drove me to want to do more or as much as I possibly could. My first term as mayor has been equal parts challenging and rewarding. We have worked through unimaginable issues while still striving to move the city forward. I am seeking a second term to continue to facilitate our recovery from the pandemic and work with the council to keep the 2019 bond package moving forward.
How long have you lived in Garland?
20 years. This is our first and last home.
Summarize past experience that qualifies you for this position.
Plan Commission 2007-2013 (appointed position)
District 7 council member 2013-2019
Mayor 2019-present
What sets you apart from your opponent?
Experience and engagement. Since moving here in the early 2000’s I have been active in this city. It started right here at home by becoming a member of the Camelot Neighborhood Association. Over time I and my wife have served as board members and we are still active members. My involvement with our neighborhood association and with the city’s Office of Neighborhood Vitality sparked my interest in city government. As I said I first ran for council in 2007 for an open seat in District 7. My run was not successful, but it wasn’t the end of the road. I was fortunate to be appointed to the Plan Commission and served there for six years. In that time I learned a great deal about city operations as well as gaining a wider view of the city itself. In 2013 I again ran for an open seat and was elected to serve. During that time I gained even more perspective and experience. In 2019 after serving our maximum of three terms I ran unopposed for mayor. Throughout my service I have always made myself available to anyone in the city. I publish my personal number for all to use at any time for anything. You can reach me directly at (214) 794-8904.
What are a couple of changes/improvements that are MOST needed in the city? What will you do to help make those happen?
Increasing and improving our communications is very important to me. We as a city have over 240,000 customers that deserve to know what we are doing or planning. This applies to all levels and aspects of what we do. Whether that’s an event on the square or how we are using their tax dollars for improvements. We have and use just about every available medium for communication, but we still miss some people. This year we have updated our Proposed Zoning Change notifications. We are now providing more detailed information about proposed changes as well offering better or easier ways for citizens to respond. We’ve even updated our posted signage on the property in question.
Citizen engagement is important to me as well. As your elected representatives we need to hear from you. Our discussions and decisions will be more complete in scope by hearing what the people think. We will achieve this by better communications certainly but it takes people being interested to make it work. I will continue to make myself available to any and all Garland residents to help foster that. You can reach me directly at (214) 794-8904.
Garland continues to have numerous declining neighborhoods. Do you feel that the programs now in place are enough or would you add something more? If so, what?
I’m very proud of the work our Office of Neighborhood Vitality has done over the years. They have helped neighborhood groups come together and also assisted neighborhoods in programs for beautification and establishing their identity. This helps build pride in neighborhoods and connections between neighbors. The use of our neighborhood vitality grants has been a huge part of that and that program will continue for the foreseeable future. There are some requirements that can be found on the city’s website under Neighborhood Vitality or contacting our staff at neighborhoods@garlandtx.gov or (972) 205-2445.
The new Home Improvement Incentive Rebate Program is another great tool for homeowners and in a way neighborhoods. Through this program home owners can receive a 50% cash rebate (up to $10,000) on approved exterior remodeling projects. There are some requirements that can be found on the city’s website under Neighborhood Vitality or contacting our staff at neighborhoods@garlandtx.gov or (972) 205-2445.
How do you feel we can best help Garland’s homeless population?
I think we can best help them by supporting the groups that work directly with them. There are many civic and faith-based groups who have the training and resources to help those in need. If I were to single out one group, it would be Good Samaritans of Garland. They not only provide food assistance but also resource contacts for other needs they may have. They and the other organizations need your support to help make a difference.
Our Garland Police Department also has officers dedicated to homeless outreach. They have assisted many people to get identification documents as well as other services. They also help monitor the homeless population and work with our city task force to clean up encampments.