April 18, 2005 Colleyville Candidates Forum draws
good crowd Approximately 200 showed up for
the Colleyville Lions Candidate Forum on Sunday evening.
The candidates forum featured (l to
r) John Grace and David Kelly, Mayoral Candidates, George Boll,
Place 1, Moderator Dr. Alan Saxe, Mike Taylor and Tony Licata,
Place 2 candidates.
Each candidate was given an opportunity
to make an opening statement. Mayoral candidate John Grace
said he felt his knowledge and experience would contribute to his
qualities as Colleyville's next mayor. Grace pointed out that he has led
men in both war and peace, spending six years in the military
progressing from a Private to Captain. Grace served three years as
Mayor Pro Tem from 1995 - 1998. David Kelly said that he saw
this year's election as one of opportunity to guide the city in a
positive manner. He said that his experience as a financial advisor
would contribute to his ability to conduct the business as Mayor in a
fiscal conservative manner while directing economic growth in
Colleyville.
Click on photos to enlarge.
Tom Dolan and John Grace
David Kelly and Rob Timmons
Mike Taylor said that his previous
experience on city council from 1999-2001, the fact that he has lived in
the area since 1955 and his small business experience would help him on
council. Taylor said he was "one of the whiz kids of the
1980s" when he worked in the computer field. Tony Licata
said his educational background with an Electrical Engineering Degree
from LeHigh University and a Masters from SMU will contribute to his
effectiveness. Licata said that he spent 11 years as a small
businessman and 21 years with GTE. He said that his experience is
"right for this city council."
Mike Taylor on left.
Linda Newton and Tony Licata
Place 1 future councilman George
Boll and wife Kaye Lynne
The candidates were ask questions by
Dr. Alan Saxe and then he read some from the audience. Hwy
26 expansion, the failed bond issues, the proposed city charter
changes and petty politics were among the questions posed to the
candidates.
Some of the questions asked of the
mayoral candidates and responses are below:
John
Grace
David
Kelley
Question:
How do you intend to help businesses along Hwy 26 during the
construction period of the highway to six lanes?
The
City must work with TxDot to be sure that all businesses have
access during this period. During the expansion of Rufe
Snow a large number of businesses closed. We need to avoid
these problems by assuring there are adequate cross access to
businesses on the highway during expansion.
The
concept of a six lane divided highway in Colleyville contrasts
with Hurst and Grapevine's 4 lanes. We will spend $5
million in co-op funds and more than $4 million to relocate
lines and landscaping. The commitment to this project
should have a total reassessment before we go forward.
Question:
What would you do in the event of a shortfall of the City's
budget?
If
I am elected Mayor, it (a shortfall) will not happen because I
will manage a conservative budget.
The
way you prevent any shortfall is make sure you keep adequate
reserves in the City.
Question:
How do you balance the rural feel of the City with economic
growth?
Many
moved here for the rural feel. We must be careful about
our zoning and land use. We have a Master Plan and should
adhere to it. We don't have to destroy our economic base
to keep from encroaching on our neighborhoods.
We
need to preserve trees and green space. We need to offset
property taxes with sales taxes without sacrificing our rural
road feel.
Question:
How to you stop petty politics in the City?
As
mayor I will act as a facilitator and lead discussions in a
respectful manner.
That
is why I am running so the City will be unified, I have no past
associations.
Question:
How will your leadership different from the past Mayor?
I
got into this race because I thought I could make a
difference. When I filed, I thought the incumbent would
file.
Not
having any past connections, no past experience, I don't bring
anything to the table.
In the Taylor vs. Licata discussion two
areas of different views surfaced. A question from the audience
concerning the tracking of public funds and the need to obtain receipts
and more information was asked from the audience. Licata answered
that there were two areas a.) the law and b.) good procurement
practices. He said that the city should be able to get information
that it is getting what it contracted for.
Taylor said if you know the service you are getting you shouldn't have
to track the small amounts in the same way that the City requires a bid
for items over $25,000. Taylor brought up the recent Colleyville
Area Chamber of Commerce paying back the $5,000 to the City of
Colleyville (after
an article in LNO, Click Here). Taylor stated, "I don't
know why the Chamber gave the money back to the City."
The other area of difference was the endorsement of Taylor for all the
proposed Charter changes on the ballot in May. Taylor said he
agreed with taking veto power from the Mayor's office, adding another
council member, increasing member terms and giving the City Manager more
power. Licata said, while the ballot initiative on the Charter
addressed some issues, he remained concerned, especially with taking
power from the Council and transferring it to the City Manager.
Licata said that he thought the Mayor's veto provided a necessary check
and balance.
Above, former Mayor Ed Baker on
left and Colleyville's Mayor Pro Tem Jon Ayers on right.
On right, Colleyville Lions President Frank Carroll.
Some of the additional questions asked
Mike Taylor and Tony Licata, candidates for Place 2
Mike Taylor
Tony Licata
Question:
What do you intend to do now that the bond issues have failed.
The
voters said we need to fix roads with current taxes. The
voters spoke clearly.
Voters
emphatically voted down no high taxes. The answer is we
need a long term financial plan for our City.
Question:
What about expanding east-west corridors along Glade and Cheek-Sparger?
Citizens
will tell you want they want to do with the roads. I would
improve intersections.
See Notes below:
Citizens
do not like 50% of their 2 hour commute being the first two
miles in town. We need to have shoulders and sidewalks.
Two lane roads is fine, but ditches and culverts can be
killers. We need solid, planned 2-lane roads.
Note: For years a
controversy has raged over the North East Tarrant Parkway coming through
Colleyville. Mr. Taylor had previously been referred to as
"4-lane Mike" by detractors who pointed to his "regional
transportation" commitments. One reason for the title may be
votes such as the proposed Colleyville Ordinance O-99-1193. This Ordinance was
presented to City Council in 1999 when the Editor of LNO, Nelson
Thibodeaux, served as Mayor Pro-Tem. The Ordinance included a
section supported by Taylor that included a through road from a McDonwell
Road proposed subdivision from Precinct Line to John
McCain. Minutes from the Council Meeting may be reviewed by Clicking
Here and going to Item # 7 on the City of Colleyville web site.
The minutes read: "Mayor
Pro Tem Thibodeaux moved to amend the motion removing the
portion of the Ordinance that relates to a connecting roadway
between McDonwell School Road and John McCain Road.
Councilman Taylor did not accept the amendment offered by Mayor
Pro Tem Thibodeaux." The Ordinance was eventually
tabled on a 3 to 2 vote with Taylor voting not to table.
Thereafter, the Ordinance was not reintroduced.
Concerning roads, LNO included the
following in a March 18, 2003 column during the 2003 campaign of Mike
Taylor for Mayor against Joe Hocutt and Richard Newton.
Next comes Mike Taylor, a candidate for mayor. He VOTED
for Hall Johnson. Now thinks that the road was "basically a
political hand grenade." Taylor now says he supported the
road widening because it was part of the "city's master plan."
Can one then assume that he supported the same for Pleasant Run and John
McCain? BOTH of these roads were ALSO in the recommended citizens
master plan when Taylor was first elected to Colleyville's City Council.
Early voting begins Wednesday April 20,
2005
Candidates meet Dr. Alan Saxe
after the
forum on Sunday evening. The forum sponsored by the
Colleyville Lions Club was Chaired by Lion John Blassingame.
On right,
Mayoral candidates John Grace and David Kelly have conducted a
campaign void of the negative overtures of the past three
mayoral races.
Early voting beings Wednesday, April 20th and Election Day is
May 7th. All voting is at City Hall in the Village of
Colleyville on Main Street.
