Community Impact Newspaper sent Wallace a set of questions about his candidacy. His answers have been edited for publication style.
1. Why did you decide to run for this office?
I am running for Flower Mound Town Council Place 3 to make a positive impact on my community by protecting what is unique about Flower Mound and preserving the quality of life for our residents and their future.
2. What do you think is one of the biggest issues facing Flower Mound today, and how do you plan to address it on council?
The area of least satisfaction according to our 2017 resident survey is traffic flow on major streets. I will work with our town staff and [the Texas Department of Transportation] to identify available options for improving traffic flow on major thoroughfares in Flower Mound. With assistance from TxDOT and our state representatives, we should seek funding for additional turn lanes and deceleration lanes at major intersections along FM 2499. I will ask town staff to coordinate with the cities of Highland Village, Grapevine and Lewisville to see what we can do to synchronize traffic signals to improve the flow of traffic throughout the area.
3. If elected, what would be your top priorities?
First, I will work with town staff to create and implement an Environmental Sustainability Plan. The plan should define a strategy for how our town government will become more sustainable and identify opportunities for improvement in various categories, such as water and energy conservation, air quality, green purchasing, composting, recycling, community gardens, education and outreach. The town should then set targets for each category and begin reporting regularly on progress. The plan would not add any new regulations on our homeowners or businesses, but instead would help our town become a better steward of natural resources and lead by example.
Second, I will work with council and town staff to pass budgets that are fiscally responsible so we can keep property taxes low. We should also work to attract high-quality retail and commercial development to reduce the residential tax burden.
Lastly, I will work with council and town staff to fully support our fire and police professionals by providing the buildings, equipment and training they need to keep our homes, streets and families safe. I believe one of the most basic responsibilities of government at all levels is to provide for the health, safety and welfare of their citizens.
4. What experience professionally or politically do you have that would prepare you for this position?
I was elected to Flower Mound Town Council in 2009 and served in Place 3 until 2011. Prior to that, I served on the planning and zoning commission from 2005-09 including two years as vice chair. While on P&Z, I was a member of the SMARTGrowth Commission, the 2006 Master Plan Update Steering Committee, and the 2007 Economic Development Advisory Committee. Professionally, I have been a technology manager for a global accounting firm in the Dallas area for 20 years. I am a native Texan, born in Dallas and graduated from the University of North Texas with a BBA in financial services.
