Meet the candidates for McKinney City Council At-Large 2 seat

Why are you running?

I am running for City Council to help maintain the great achievements already made in this city and work with council to improve in areas where needed. I’ve served in this community for many years. I chaired the MEDC board and I’m a Leadership Graduate. I’m a servant leader who is running for City Council for the right reasons which is to continue to improve the quality of life for all citizens in McKinney.

What are you hoping to accomplish if you are elected?

Continued purpose driven decision making in the city. I will work to ensure meaningful tax relief for our citizens, and work to maintain our status as one of safest cities in America by supporting our first responders. I will focus on infrastructure improvements which will help bring meaningful development projects to McKinney. I want to enhance the live, work, and play experience for our residents.

What are the top issues McKinney is facing in the coming years?

Maintaining low tax rates during the high inflationary period we are facing will be a top issue to address for years to come. Population growth will continue to change the landscape of the city. Ensuring the city is properly staffed to handle this growth will be a priority if I’m on council. Growing and improving our infrastructure is another priority. While on the MEDC I took the initiative to start addressing infrastructure rather than wait.

What are your thoughts on the future development of the airport?

Expansion of the McKinney Airport (TKI) to include commercial service will be a great asset to the city. Passing the bond is needed to ensure this happens, and I’m in full support. The airport will increase the desirability of McKinney for business growth and enhance the city’s ability to attract leisure and hospitality industries, benefitting even those who don’t travel by air. This will be accomplished without raising taxes.

Why are you running?

I am an experienced oil and gas entrepreneur who understands what it takes to run a successful organization. I am a small business owner, purchasing The Pantry Restaurant and the historic Hope Hardware Building in 2001. With this experience in mind, I am uniquely qualified to serve McKinney on the City Council. My family and I have made McKinney our home and it is my time to give back to the community that we love.

What are you hoping to accomplish if you are elected?

We must be forward-thinking about the parking accessibility problem in downtown McKinney. I have been a leader on this issue, having written and presented a comprehensive to our City Council. My work led to the creation of a parking committee that spearheaded the establishment of two new surface parking lots. I will continue to build on our work here while providing enough parking for those who live and work there.

What are the top issues McKinney is facing in the coming years?

As we continue to grow, we must make sure that we maintain our infrastructure. Our residents enjoy a certain quality of life, which must be maintained. I will support policies that keep us known as a business-friendly partner, continuing to attract and retain existing businesses. Maintaining a strong commercial base helps us keep taxes low for our homeowners while continuing to provide the level of services that make us the best place to live.

What are your thoughts on the future development of the airport?

All economic development projects we consider have to undergo thorough financial analysis which is transparent to the community. This is especially important with the current proposal for the airport. In addition, for projects of this magnitude we have to listen to the residents of McKinney and make sure they buy into the project. We need leaders who listen to the community and strive for maximum transparency.