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Dateline: April 23, 2001
Colleyville Lions host Colleyville Candidates Forum.......
Dredd G. Eliss

In conjunction with the League of Women's Voters, the Colleyville Lion's Club hosted a candidates forum on Sunday night at the Colleyville Community Center.  Lion's spokesman Lee Skaalrud estimated the crowd at 250 citizens.  

The forum included a random selection of prepared questions and the candidates were, in turn, asked to answer by a random drawing.

Candidates from  Left to Right Mayor: Mike Taylor, Donna Arp, Place 1: Joe Hocutt, Jody Short, Place 2 Richard Hendler, Brad Rice

While the audience was asked to submit questions, only two were utilized from the audience due to the time constraints.

Local News Only.com has obtained the questions and will ask all candidates to respond.  The questions and results will be published on this site.  While there were numerous audience questions, the League reviewed the questions and prepared 20 that would best reflect the audience's input.

A large crowd for the first Lion's Candidates forum.

For the most part the forum was a mild exercise.  Candidate Joe Hocutt challenged his opponent, incumbent council member Jody Short, to reveal what "legislation" he had introduced during his tenure.

Mr. Hocutt stressed his involvement with the community and youth activities.  Mr. Short pointed out his 7 year service to the city on the Planning and Zoning Board and City Council.

The crowd was subdued and courteous to the candidates.

Place 2 candidate Richard Hendler discussed his nine years of service on park related boards and his leadership in completing city park and expanding the park system. His challenger Brad Rice stressed his ability as an attorney and ability to mediate to solution.

Many in the crowd expected a more spirited exchange between candidates.

The most hotly contested race is for Mayor between Councilman Michael Taylor and incumbent Mayor Donna Arp. The mayor stayed with a theme of people want 2 lane roads and preserve the rural atmosphere of the city.  Taylor shot back the city's financial condition could put significant pressure on the current tax rate within the next few years.

The election is Saturday May 5th at the Bransford School.  Early voting is a City Hall on Bransford.