Plano voters will also consider candidates for places 4, 6 and 8 when they head to the polls on May 6.
Before the election, Community Impact Newspaper sent Ricciardelli a series of questions on his candidacy. His written responses, edited for publication style, are below.
W
hy are you running for City Council Place 2?
I love Plano. Plano is my hometown. I grew up in this beautiful suburb and received a wonderful education in its schools. When my wife and I learned that we had a child on the way, we chose to move back to Plano to raise our son in this family-friendly suburban community. It is important to me that my son and all other children being raised here have the opportunity to grow up in a Plano every bit as great as the one in which I grew up.
It is vital that Plano remain a suburban community focused on families—family-friendly neighborhoods and family values. I stand for protecting the Plano in which I grew up, while continuing to pursue opportunities for smart growth—growth that makes sense, such as bringing job-creating businesses to Plano.
I will focus on providing accountability, responsiveness, and transparency in Plano municipal government.
Why are you qualified for this position?
I am committed to servant leadership, common sense, listening to my fellow Plano residents and fighting for what is best for Plano. Serving on the City Council would be a natural outgrowth of my passion for serving the community. I have served on nonprofit boards and committees, including the regional advisory board of Joni and Friends, an international ministry to those affected by disability and their families that has its regional headquarters at the Hope Center here in Plano. Until deciding to enter this race, I served as vice chair of the Plano Heritage Commission, which is the city commission charged with historic preservation in Plano. During that time, I was part of the effort to preserve the Collinwood House. My wife and I are active members of The Ridge Church.
My professional background as an attorney also prepares me to make an impact on the Plano City Council. I have argued cases at the highest levels, including in the Texas Supreme Court and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and have been quoted on TV, on the radio and in newspapers regarding some of my high-profile cases. I have also founded my own law firm. Prior to beginning my law career, I attended the University of Texas School of Law on a full merit scholarship and also earned my undergraduate degree at UT, which I attended as a National Merit Scholar. If elected, I would be the only attorney on the Plano City Council and adding that skill set to the council would provide a valuable perspective.
Finally, being a Plano native and having experienced Plano’s growth firsthand has given me a unique perspective on the choices facing Plano and has provided valuable connections to the many diverse communities that make up Plano. I know the importance of maintaining Plano’s suburban character. I know the importance of keeping Plano’s schools as great as they were when I grew up. My education in Plano schools prepared me to succeed. We must take the schools into account when making land use decisions. We owe that duty to every child growing up in Plano today. I know Plano well and this would enhance my ability to serve effectively on our City Council.
What is your platform?
- Preserve Plano’s character through smarter land use—With our remaining land, Plano must focus on land uses that are consistent with the character of the community that we all know and love, not on high-density development projects. I will advocate for a suburban Plano, while continuing to recruit desirable employers to our city.
- Decrease tax burden on Plano families—As home values rise, so do property taxes—that is, unless we decrease the tax rate enough to offset the increase in property valuations. If elected, I will fight tax increases by advocating for the largest possible tax rate decreases.
- Transparency, responsiveness and accountability—Plano’s residents deserve a responsive government that is held accountable to the citizens. Complete transparency is the only way to make government accountable to the citizens. I will always maintain an open-door policy during my time on the council.
- Improve roads and traffic conditions—Families need to be able to get to work and school on our roads. Improving roads and reducing traffic will be one of my top priorities during my time on the council.
- Strong business climate—As a councilman, I will work with stakeholders to promote a strong business climate that supports small business owners, cultivates cutting-edge innovators and attracts blue-chip employers from around the globe.
- Limited government—I support improving government efficiency by focusing government on its core functions. This will decrease government spending—and, as a result, taxes—without compromising essential services like public safety and road maintenance.
- Religious liberty—It is dangerous and unconstitutional for government to control religious beliefs. I will stand strong in support of our religious liberty.
- Referendums—I support conducting referendums when citizen petitions are submitted.
