DFW

Colleyville City Council Place 5

*Incumbent

Chuck Kelley*

Occupation: City Council member
Experience: 22-year resident of Colleyville; GCISD volunteer; served on the Colleyville Planning and Zoning Commission for two years; served as Colleyville City Council Place 5 council member for the last three years
Why are you running for re-election?
CK: I am seeking re-election because I care about Colleyville and want to see the work that was started by this council continue forward. We are moving past the SH 26 construction problems to see the next phase of Colleyville. We will see that the city's investment in Colleyville showcases multiple economic development programs that benefit both our residents and [our] businesses. [We] have been blessed to receive several economic development awards for these programs.
If elected, what will be your top three priorities?
CK: [It's] hard to choose just three, as we have many activities ongoing, but here are a few: maintaining Colleyville's unique character, low taxes, and completing infrastructure projects.
What do you see as the city's role in addressing the coronavirus pandemic?
CK: The city's role is to follow all the guidelines from state and federal authorities and to continue to support social distancing; masks, when not able to social distance; hand-washing; and receiving the coronavirus vaccine. We have supplied computers and fire department staff to support the Hurst Vaccine distribution site.

Amyn Gilani

Occupation: tech start-up executive
Experience: over 15 years supporting the federal government on national security-related issues; strong background building small and large businesses; served in United States Air Force as an intelligence analyst; served in National Security Agency; deployment to Iraq in 2007 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom; advised various federal agencies and the intelligence community on cybersecurity, surveillance and national security matters; worked at Goldman Sachs leading cybersecurity
Why are you running for office?
AG: Public service is in my blood. I was only 14 years old when I witnessed the horrific attacks of 9/11. Since then, I made it my mission in life to serve our country, which led me to enlist in the Air Force at the ripe age of 17. Now, I want to continue to serve my community and residents by serving as councilman. There are many things that attracted me to Colleyville: the phenomenal schools, vibrant community and the small businesses. I want to run for office because there are things we could be doing even better, such as improving our infrastructure, spending taxpayer money more conservatively and responsibly, and working closely with our school board to give the very best to our children.
If elected, what will be your top three priorities?
AG: Fiscal responsibility: Promote financial transparency, end wasteful spending, and invest in sustainable and usable infrastructure. Though we’ve seen property taxes level off the past two years after having recently [skyrocketed], but because of questionable budgeting practices and priorities implemented by the current council, the tax reprieve is ultimately unsustainable and only temporary, leaving the citizens to grapple with the consequences in the next few years. We’ve also seen the tax increment financing funds mismanaged, as the city has invested millions in water fountains and other vanity projects rather than investing in useful assets, such as fiber-optic internet for our schools.

Community safety: Support law enforcement with investment towards technology, training and community outreach programs.

Support local businesses: Ensure that Colleyville is enabling local businesses to succeed and attracting innovative companies to the city.
What do you see as the city's role in addressing the coronavirus pandemic?
AG: As of early February, Colleyville tragically lost seven residents to the pandemic, a statistic that is very upsetting. Current members of City Council have politicized COVID-19, which is the wrong approach. City Council’s main role in the pandemic should be to inform the public on best health practices, provide fact-based research on vaccines and [provide] access to obtaining these vaccines. As misinformation on vaccines plagues social media, local government should do its best to give the residents tools and access to truthful information.