PARK 2018 CITIES
N O N AIPSTA R N VOTERS GUIDE EARLY VOTING APRIL 23, 2018 – MAY 1, 2018 ELECTION DAY MAY 5, 2018 POLLS OPEN 7 AM TO 7 PM BE A TEXAS VOTER
About This Voters Guide Early Voting Times & Locations This printed Voters Guide lists items that will be on the ballot for the Monday April 23 – Saturday April 28 8AM to 5PM May 5, 2018 Highland Park town council, Highland Park ISD school Sunday April 29 1PM to 6PM board and University Park city council elections. Candidate responses Monday April 30 – Tuesday May 1 7AM to 7PM
are presented as submitted without editing. This Voters Guide is funded Vote at any of these locations during early voting: and published by the League of Women Voters of Dallas which does not Addison Fire Station #1 4798 Airport Pkwy Addison support or oppose any political party or candidate. Call 214-688-4125 Balch Springs Civic Center 12400 Elam Road Balch Springs or [email protected] for questions. Betty Warmack Library 760 Bardin Rd Grand Prairie Carrollton FB ISD Admin Bldg 1445 N Perry Rd Carrollton Carrollton Library 4220 N Josey Ln Carrollton Vote411.org Cedar Hill Government Center 285 Uptown Blvd Cedar Hill Cockrell Hill City Hall 4125 W Clarendon Cockrell Hill You may also see all items on your ballot on-line at Vote411.org. Coppell Town Center 255 E Parkway Blvd Coppell Crosswinds High School 1100 N Carrier Pkwy Grand Prairie Dallas ISD Administration Bldg 9400 N Central Expwy Dallas Voter Identification: What to Disciple Central Com Church 901 N Polk St DeSoto Duncanville Library 201 James Collins Duncanville Farmers Branch City Hall 13000 William Dodson Pkwy Farmers Bnch Take to the Polls Florence Recreation Center 2501 Whitson Way Mesquite George Allen Courts Building 600 Commerce St Dallas The 7 forms of approved photo ID (must not be expired more than 4 Hutchins City Hall 321 N Main St Hutchins years) are: Irving Arts Center 3333 N Macarthur Blvd Irving Irving City Hall 825 W Irving Blvd Irving • Texas Driver License J Erik Jonsson Central Library 1515 Young St Dallas • Texas Election Identification Certificate Josey Ranch Library 1700 Keller Springs Rd Carrollton • Texas Personal Identification Card Lakeside Activity Center 101 Holley Park Dr Mesquite Lancaster Vet Memorial Lib 1600 Vet Memorial Pkwy Lancaster • Texas Handgun License Martin Luther King Jr Core Bld 2922 Martin Luther King Blvd Dallas • U.S. Military ID Card containing the person’s photograph Paul L Dunbar Lan-Kiest Lib 2008 East Kiest Blvd Dallas • U.S. Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph Pleasant Grove Branch Library 7310 Lake June Rd Dallas Richland College-Garland Camp 675 W Walnut St Garland • United States passport Rowlett City Hall Annex 4004 Main St Rowlett Sachse City Hall 3815 Sachse Road Bldg B Sachse OPTIONS: voters who are on the official list of registered voters and Samuell Grand Rec Center 6200 East Grand Ave Dallas who do not have any form of approved photo ID may complete and South Garland Branch Library 4845 Broadway Blvd Garland Sunnyvale Town Hall 127 North Collins Road Sunnyvale sign a “reasonable impediment declaration” and vote a regular ballot if Valley Ranch Library 401 Cimarron Trail Irving they present one of the following: Wilmer Community Center 101 Davidson Plaza Wilmer • Valid Voter Registration Certificate Mobile Voting Dates, Times and Location • Certified Birth Certificate (must be an original) • Copy of or original current utility bill Monday April 23 – Friday April 27 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday April 30-Tuesday May 1 7 AM to 7 PM • Copy of or original bank statement Highland Park ISD Admin Office 7015 Westchester Dr Dallas • Copy of or original government check • Copy of or original paycheck Election Day Times & Locations • Copy of or original government document with your name and an Polls open 7 AM to 7 PM on May 5, election day. For election day address (original required if it contains a photograph) locations see www.DallasCountyVotes.org or call 214.819.6300.
ID address does not have to match voter registration address.
TOWN OF HIGHLAND PARK GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
In 1975, the Town adopted a Home Rule Charter that calls for a Council/Manager form of government consisting of a Mayor and five Town Council Members.
The Mayor Pro-Tem is appointed by the Mayor with the concurrence of the Town Council. In addition, the Mayor and Town Council appoint the Town Administrator, the Town Attorney, the Municipal Court Judge, the Town's Local Health Authority, the Town Secretary and all Boards and Commissions.
All members are elected at-large for a 2 year term and serve without compensation. Each member is limited to three successive 2 year terms in office. If no candidate receives at least 50% of the votes, there will be a runoff election.
Questions To Candidates
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: What specific actions would you support to advance economic development?
INFRASTRUCTURE: What priority would you give to upgrading the city’s infrastructure and how would you propose paying for needed upgrades?
HOUSING: As home prices escalate, pressure increases for affordable housing options for families. Do you support additional apartment construction in the city? What solutions would you support?
CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY: What is the city’s greatest challenge and opportunity in the next several years?
Mayor, Highland Park
Sam Tamborello
Biographical Info: Age: 2/18/1967 Education: Harvard University-Strategy (Division of Continuing Education); The University of Houston- Economics Campaign Phone: (214) 727-8805 Website: http://www.linkedin/in/samtamborello Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HighlandPark2018 Twitter: twitter.com/SamTamborello ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: I would favor an economic model that is equitable, just, and fair, to all society no matter what gender, race, income level, or beliefs one may possess. This could be achieved by, but not limited to, higher education, equal opportunities in the work force, grants, financial aid, tax incentives, mentorship, and reliable transportation access to quality jobs. And I would support local government programs that better the quality of resident life through hard work, personal effort, risk taking, and entrepreneurial start-ups. INFRASTRUCTURE: Infrastructure is critical and highly important. Infrastructure will always be a top priority for my administration and I would support the continued use and budgeting from our recurring property tax revenues. I would never impose a “pay as you go” tax as our current council has implemented to pay, for example, sewer and gas line replacement. It is unfair and takes more from property owners that already pay substantial property taxes. HOUSING: Highland Park, Texas is land locked. I believe we have adequate units that meet the supply and demand for interested prospects, and a quality balance for our city. CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY: Wasteful spending on projects that create huge annual expenses for our property owners to support, like spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a fountain that uses millions of gallons of water, and spending $6 million dollars on Hackberry Creek for lighting, flowers, benches, trails, etc. when it’s natural beauty has been around for over 100 years. To recognize that we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a city second to none. To use our resources efficiently to better the lives of residents, future generations, and to preserve and protect our natural habitats from unnecessary man made alterations.
2 Margo Goodwin
Biographical Info: Age: 5/13/1945
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: - no response - INFRASTRUCTURE: - no response - HOUSING: - no response - CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY: - no response -
Councilmember, Highland Park
Craig Penfold, Jimmy Grisham, David Dowler, Eric Gambrell, John McKnight - uncontested
CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
The City of University Park operates under the Council-Manager form of government. Council consists of an elected Mayor and 4 Councilmembers who appoint the City Manager. All Council members are elected at large. The Council sets policy for the City, adopts the annual budget, appoints committee members, and sets the property tax rate. The City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the city, all personnel matters and preparation of an annual budget.
Voter for none, one, two, three or four of the candidates for Councilmember.
Questions To Candidates
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: What specific actions would you support to advance economic development?
INFRASTRUCTURE: What priority would you give to upgrading the city’s infrastructure and how would you propose paying for needed upgrades?
HOUSING: As home prices escalate, pressure increases for affordable housing options for families. Do you support additional apartment construction in the city? What solutions would you support?
CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY: What is the city’s greatest challenge and opportunity in the next several years?
Mayor, University Park
Olin Lane, Jr – uncontested
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Councilmember, University Park
Nick Farris – no response
Randy Biddle
Biographical Info: Age: 3/21/1953 Education: BBA University of Texas, JD South Texas School of Law Campaign Phone: (214) 445-6030 Email: [email protected]
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: As a Council we try within reason to be supportive of all property owners and business owners, so they may be successful, which in turn increases the sales tax revenues for the City. Along this line we are currently examining options to mitigate parking problems in Snider Plaza and are in the initial stages of examining traffic and parking issues on Lovers Lane. INFRASTRUCTURE: Upgrading the City’s infrastructure is of the utmost importance. We try to keep on track with the mile per year program to replace a mile of utility/alley replacement projects and specific water or sewer line projects each year. As a council we have also obtained consultants to examine and present options to alleviate or minimize our storm water drainage issues. HOUSING: The escalation of home prices is both a boon and a concern. On the one hand the escalation of prices indicates that people want to move here thus increasing demand which in turn means the value of the property continues to rise. On the other hand, the rising prices may prevent younger individuals and families from purchasing homes in this community. Regarding the question concerning the construction of additional apartment construction, I do not support this since I believe we already have sufficient Multifamily units in the Duplex 1 and 2 Districts and the Multifamily 1, 2 and 3 Districts. CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY: To maintain the integrity and character of this small community, even though it is surrounded on three sides by a large city and at the same time move forward with needed changes, whether it is updating infrastructure, moving forward with reasonable development or rebuilding the community pool facilities so that the City of University Park will continue to be a place where people want to live and work.
Jeff Barker Biographical Info: Age: 1/30/1978 Education: BS Computer Engineering North Carolina State University Website: http://votejeffbarker.com Email: [email protected]
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: One of the things I love about University Park is the sense of community. Whether you go to a restaurant or dry cleaner, the owners know your name. When it comes to economic development, I support helping small businesses continue to thrive in our community. Who doesn't like Kuby's or going to Yummy Donuts where they make birthday donuts for my kids on their birthday. I do believe there is opportunity to improve on more community related economic development. While we do have great neighborhood establishments, we can add more local businesses to continue to character of the community. INFRASTRUCTURE: The focus on infrastructure can't be a project, it needs to be a continual part of University Park's DNA. I think everyone notices the difference in driving on University Park's roads versus East Dallas for example. Everyone is concerned about the Atmos incident just north of our district. If we want to continue to be premier community, our infrastrucure must reflect that vision. In the event the operating budget cannot satisfy the demands of infrastructure upgrades, I support community bond proposals where the community can vote and has a voice in the process in where the district invests. HOUSING: As the DFW area continues to grow, the pressure on housing prices has intensified in all cities. For University Park, it is unique in the fact that it is a smaller community in the middle of larger city. We want to continue to be able to attract families that continue the great culture in University Park. We are not a neighborhood of large apartment complexes, but we do have opportunity to improve affordable housing in the district. There are opportunities to improve affordability in areas of the community already zoned for apartments. CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY: The biggest joy of my life was meeting Jessica and being a parent to her 4 and 8 year while we have another on the way. As more companies move into the DFW metroplex, my goal is to continue to grow UP into the premier place to live and grow a family. We must build upon the greatness that University Park is today. As a technology executive, my personal goal is to bring a different perspective to the council and build a plan on how we can uniquely differentiate from other communities and attract the families we want to live in our district. 4
Liz Farley Biographical Info: Age: 8/13/1969 Education: University of Texas: BA in government (Austin); BS in nursing; current MSN student (Arlington) Campaign Phone: (214) 734-8833 Website: http://upcommunityleague.org Email: [email protected]
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: University Park citizens are faithful supporters of our local economy, with its great neighborhood shops and restaurants. As a part of this, I will support the parking redevelopment in Snider Plaza. Already, this effort has been a great example of the citizens, the shop owners--including the new Park Plaza development owners--and the city working together to find a solution that will encourage economic development in the heart of University Park. Snider Plaza is a unique asset for our community, and we want to see it thrive. INFRASTRUCTURE: The City of University Park can be proud that it has, year after year, made consistent investments in infrastructure. This is a commitment that has been passed from council to council, mayor to mayor, city staff to city staff over generations. I plan to continue, if not expand, on that legacy. I am a supporter of conservative fiscal management, and since the city has no debt, we should be able to continue to include needed upgrades in our annual budget, with the ability to use other fund balances for additional capital projects. HOUSING: With outstanding city services, beautiful parks and top public schools, the City of University Park is faced with the reality that the value of the land beneath our homes sometimes out-values the home itself. This is one reason why we have seen a decrease in small starter homes on our neighborhood streets. While I do not support building additional apartments, I do support young families being able to afford desirable homes in University Park. Whether it is through single-family attached options or redevelopment of existing multifamily offerings, I will look for ways to encourage families to move to University Park. CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY: I think our greatest challenge is our greatest opportunity. Because of the faithful service of those who have gone before us, we have been given the opportunity to live in a city that is one of the most desirable in the nation. Our greatest challenge is to continue this tradition of excellence. I believe that I am uniquely situated to meet this challenge. I have served on Planning & Zoning, the Park Board, and worked side by side with our mayor, council and city staff for sixteen years. I spearheaded a fundraising effort that continues to raise money for our parks today. I'm looking for continued opportunity to serve.
Taylor Armstrong
Biographical Info: Age: 3/14/1949 Education: University of Virginia BA, Gov't & Foreign Affairs Harvard, Advanced Mgmt Development Real Estate
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: University Park is one of the most beautiful and well-planned residential communities in America. After almost 100 years, it remains a very desirable place to live. Our housing stock is continually being improved through renovation and new construction as is our commercial property. Amenities such as churches, parks and the new YMCA add much to the quality of life we enjoy, and our school system is second to none. Given the type of community we are, I believe our citizens are more interested in preserving and enhancing the excellence we already enjoy than overtly seeking economic development. INFRASTRUCTURE: Upgrading the City’s infrastructure has been a priority for our leadership for many years. Since 1989 the “mile a year” plan has replaced over 25 miles of alleys, water and sewer lines and will continue until the task is complete. Streets and our park system have been maintained and enhanced, and sound walls and gateways have been built along Central Expressway and Northwest Hwy. The Germany Park track has been replaced, and a new pool building is currently under construction in Curtis Park. All of this has been paid for by revenue received from state and local taxes and fees. HOUSING: University Park is blessed with a broad range of housing types from single-family to duplexes and multi-family. This range facilitates a broad socio-economic as well as age demographic. Our single-family stock represents 78% of our housing on lots from 50 ft widths to multiple lots of 150 ft and estates of several acres. Given that our school system is limited in its capacity even with the new construction under way, I cannot support more apartment development in our City at this time. CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY: In order to maintain the excellence of our City, our greatest challenge arises from our abundance. Our attractiveness as a community brings young families and automobiles. The traffic generated along with required parking is a challenge borne of prosperity. To meet this challenge, the City has required a parking space for each bedroom in new multi-family , a third garage space in houses
5 over 8,000 square feet, and new garages at SMU. We recently commissioned a study for additional parking at Snider Plaza. In addition, future planning should encourage pedestrian, bicycle and innovative DART solutions.
Gage A Prichard Sr
Biographical Info: Age: 9/13/1936 Education: BA Southern Methodist University Email: [email protected]
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: University Park is primarily a developed community with limited economic redevelopment opportunities. I could support improved parking opportunities at Snider Plaza and The Miracle Mile areas. INFRASTRUCTURE: I continue to support University Parks pay as you go mile per year infrastructure replacement program. HOUSING: I do not support additional Multi-Family Housing zoning in University Park due to the burden it can place on our school system. CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY: The biggest challenges I see that we face as a community is the communities safety, traffic congestion, parking issues and storm water management.
Highland Park ISD General Election
School trustees make all final decisions regarding school district priorities, policies, personnel, textbooks, expenditures, and growth management. Trustees adopt a budget which is necessary to maintain and operate the schools, levy taxes to support the budget, and submit bond issues to the citizens of the District to finance construction projects.
Whichever candidate receives the most votes wins. There are no runoff elections.
Questions to Candidates
EXPERIENCE: What are your qualifications and experience that will make you an effective member of the School Board?
VOCATIONAL TRAINING: What initiatives will you support to meet the needs of many students for vocational training?
SCHOOL BUSES: With the closing down of Dallas County Schools, what approach should your ISD pursue to provide bus service and crossing guards for its students? Discuss the financial impact of your recommendations.
GUNS IN SCHOOLS: In Texas, a school board can approve a school marshall program which allows certain teachers and administrators to have guns on campus after receiving training. Would you support this program for your District? Please explain your thinking.
PRIORITIES: What do you see as the top two pressing issues for your ISD and what are your solutions or recommendations
School Board Trustee Place 1
Jim Hitzelberger - uncontested
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School Board Trustee Place 2
Lee Elizabeth Michaels
Biographical Info: Age: 6/1/1962 Education: Vassar College,1984; SMU Dedman College of Law, J.D. 1991 Campaign Phone: (469) 235-7776 Website: http://leemichaelshpisd.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://facebook.com/leemichaelsforschoolboard
EXPERIENCE: As a resident of the Park Cities for more than 20 years, I have been deeply involved in HPISD and the community. Both of my daughters attended HPISD schools from first grade through graduation. As a past PTA volunteer in numerous roles, I worked closely with parents, teachers and administrators. Additionally, my experience as a corporate attorney and banker has helped me to understand the various legal and financial issues facing public schools. Now having served on the Board for the past three years and having gained invaluable experience and knowledge, I am all the more qualified to serve our community. VOCATIONAL TRAINING: n/a SCHOOL BUSES: HPISD utilizes buses only for our special needs students. When Dallas County Schools closed, the district underwent a competitive bidding process and hired another transportation company to serve the single route. HPISD did not hire its crossing guards through Dallas County Schools. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: As a trustee, I do not support a school marshall program. In HPISD, the district’s police chief works closely with the police departments of University Park, Highland Park, Dallas, and SMU, to provide a comprehensive safety plan. The district, in partnership with the City of UP and the town of Highland Park, provides a resource officer at the middle school and the high school. These individuals are trained police officers. Additionally, police officers perform random checks at every one of our elementary schools throughout the week. Finally, we have security cameras and secured entrances at each of our campuses. PRIORITIES: Funding: Since 1991, HPISD taxpayers have sent over $1.4 billion in recapture dollars to Austin under state finance laws. The District is advocating for school finance reform and supporting private funding. Facilities: HPISD experienced steady growth over the last 25 years, causing overcrowding in every school. In 2015, voters approved a $361 million bond proposal. In 2016 a fifth elementary school opened and HPISD is rebuilding UP, Bradfield and Hyer Elementary schools, and Armstrong Elementary, McCulloch Intermediate, Highland Park High School are undergoing major renovations.
Renee Arumugam
Biographical Info: Age: 11/20/1970 Education: Masters of Arts Campaign Phone: (214) 906-5981 Email: [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/renee.arumugam.3 Twitter: twitter.com/Renee_Arumugam
EXPERIENCE: I have been an educator for 25 years. I bring to the School Board my deep passion and years of experience in public education. I strive to provide academic excellence in my own line of career and understand the challenges of public education. I am also experienced in data-driven decision making in the field of education. I have led conversations on projecting educational outcomes using analytics. I understand and have practiced the use of high impact practices in education. When making decisions on how budgeting and how allocations should be done, the school board will benefit from my perspective and experience. VOCATIONAL TRAINING: I would certainly like to see more high school students provided the opportunity to do concurrent vocational training. As we are seeing substantial cuts in educational funding, we are also experiencing a growing student body and rise in tuition for higher education. I support house bill SB1843 and SB22. It is important that our students are given aptitude vocational tests and introduced to career pathways that would help them make better decisions as to what is best for them.Texas’s Career Pathways initiative such as the P-Tech initiative will help our students have more meaningful options through community colleges. SCHOOL BUSES: The Dallas County Schools decision will somewhat affect HPISD. However, it will only affect 40 out of the districts 6,600 students. It was reported that HPISD will be contracting Durham School Services to provide transportation to these students and it will cost HPISD about $434,000. At some point, it would be a better option to have our own in-house transportation. It would make a lot more sense to 7 do so. I do believe despite the cost of running our own transportation program, with time, we may be better off, in terms of managing the cost and quality of the transportation. GUNS IN SCHOOLS: I do not support the use of any kind of weapons on public school campuses. I do not believe it is the administrators and teachers job to handle crime on campus. We have the police force for that reason. I think it is best that HPISD works with HP’s Police and Fire Department Authorities to help support and keep our school campuses safe. With the rise of campus shootings, I do believe that all public ISD’s should work towards having better security for the safety of our children. I do believe safety is best when we allow the right persons to do the job. PRIORITIES: One of the challenges the district is facing today is providing our students a balanced educational experience. We are faced with the dilemma of trying to raise well-rounded children. It would be great if HPISD could benefit from programs like the early college programs that DISD has. The other thing that would need some addressing is to improve communication between the board of trustees and the community. It feels like a lot of the issues that HPISD is facing today with regard to the bond program could have been addressed with better communication and more community outreach.
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What Does the League Do Now? The League of Women Voters is a peoples' organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our government and engage all Americans in the decisions that impact their lives. We operate at national, state and local levels through more than 800 state and local Leagues, in all 50 states as well in DC, the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. We never endorse or oppose political parties or candidates, but we are political. Formed from the movement that secured the right to vote for women, the centerpiece of the League’s efforts remain to expand participation and give a voice to all Americans. We do this at all three levels of government, engaging in both broad educational efforts as well as advocacy. Our issues are grounded in our respected history of making democracy work for all Americans.
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Your participation in League will expose you to a breadth of experiences and issues that will not only inform you but create greater possibilities for civic engagement than you might imagine. You can spend as much or as little time as you wish. Whether you aspire to leadership or are keen to follow the lead of experienced members, the League will excite, use, and nurture your civic curiosity, ideals, or desire for action. We offer our members webinars, conference calls, workshops, other events and mentorship opportunities throughout the year, at the local, regional, state and national levels. • Attend an event on our calendar • Contact us to get involved
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League of Women Voters of Dallas - 6060 N Central Expwy Ste 500 Dallas Texas - (214)688-4125 - [email protected] - www.my.lwv.org/texas/dallas