Editor’s note: Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name. Candidates Johnny Moore and Cris Trevino have not responded to requests for Q&A information.
DALLAS-FORT WORTH
McKinney City Council, District 1
Justin Beller
Occupation: commercial loan officer with Independent Financial
Relevant experience: I’ve served on numerous nonprofit boards such as the McKinney Chamber of Commerce, Holy Family School Board and the McKinney Housing Authority. I work as a commercial banker where I have to understand management, financial performance and project management. I have a bachelors and masters in business administration from Harding University and a degree from the graduate school of banking at [Southern Methodist University].
Website: www.votebeller.com
Why are you running for office?
JB: I’ve worked hard in my community since I’ve lived and worked in McKinney. I care dearly about this community and my neighbors. We need good representation on council, representation that understands the diverse issues that we face and will work hard to address them. I am not a typical political type, but I have the experience, the relationships, and the skills to serve District 1 and get the outcomes we need, for everyone. I’m proud of the work I’ve done trying to build and improve my community, and I can continue that work serving on council.
What are the biggest challenges facing the residents of McKinney? How do you plan to address these issues?
JB: Managing growth is probably the biggest. Growth is a good problem to have, but we must ensure that it is efficient and cost effective so our current citizens don’t carry an unnecessary burden. We also have to make sure that we’re building a sustainable city, one with good jobs, balanced housing, and infrastructure that provides us success today and in the future. This requires that we preserve the characteristics that are important to us. McKinney has a rich history and unique culture that need to be retained as we pass 200,000 residents on our way to many more.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
JB: District 1 has some unique challenges that need to be addressed. The aging infrastructure in our historic and Pride communities needs to continue to be a priority, and we’ve got some improvements to make in some basic things like public transportation, housing, and jobs. But I think the first thing we have to work on is engagement. District 1 is so diverse and has many unique needs, and we need to work on a better way to be connected, to express our priorities and to work towards outcomes that benefit all of us.
What are some new ideas or programs you would like the city to explore?
JB: I don’t want to look past the fact that in parts of District 1, we still need some basic things like a better sidewalk network and road improvements. And we need to utilize some new strategies to get such things accomplished, and that requires engagement and tracking of feedback. We’ve seen through COVID[-19] that there are other things our community could benefit from, like municipal broadband in city owned areas to help equip people, including students, to get the resources they need to continue working and supporting themselves.
Stan Penn
Occupation: Owner of The Celt and Dempsey’s Place
Relevant experience: 30-year career in banking, retired bank president, numerous civic and charitable organizations including board chair for United Way and campaign chairman, past Rotary Club president, former Lions Club and Kiwanis, past Chamber board member and Finance Committee chairman, various downtown business and neighborhood groups, past board member of Chestnut Square.
Website: www.pennformckinney.org
Why are you running for office?
SP: I am running to make McKinney a better place to live. We are facing numerous challenges while experiencing tremendous population growth and urban sprawl. Our police, fire and first responder budgets must keep up with city population growth. We need to maintain the right infrastructure to attract business employers that will grow our commercial tax base and provide new jobs and new taxpayers. We must protect our parks and open spaces while we continue to see our city’s population grow.
What are the biggest challenges facing the residents of McKinney? How do you plan to address these issues?
SP: McKinney is at a crossroads. We are experiencing explosive population growth, and with that comes urban sprawl and the issues associated with that. We need a balanced approach to future development that places more emphasis on attracting medium- and large-size employers that will provide good-paying jobs and new taxpayers. Our first responder budgets must keep up with this growth. Finally, we must be ever more vigilant in the protection of our parks and open spaces.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
SP: Many District 1 residents have lost faith in their elected leaders. The last four years has been a time of division and contentiousness. It is time to begin the healing process by listening to all citizen concerns with an open-door policy and community outreach by our elected leaders. All citizens deserve to have their voice heard without fear of hostile retaliation from council members. Transparency and open government are to be expected and should be the minimum standard expected from elected leaders.
What are some new ideas or programs you would like the city to explore?
SP: It is very important that the city work to create a more business-friendly environment that will attract small-, medium- and large-sized employers. Compared to neighboring communities our commercial tax base is much lower as a percent of the overall city budget. Without a thriving and growing commercial tax base we will see more jobs and more of our dollars spent outside of McKinney.
