Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Coppell City Council Place 5

Why are you running for office?

I am running to influence the future-readiness of Coppell to ensure we are prepared to address the challenges and opportunities of the future. Because our future rests on the safety, sustainability, and resilience of our neighborhoods, businesses and infrastructure. And I believe have the right skills, leadership and experience.

What are the biggest challenges facing the city?

Challenges include increasing populations aging, budgets shrinking, citizen expectations rising, demographics changing, declining school enrollment, and stresses (affordable housing) and shocks (extreme weather) along competition from other municipalities in North Texas. And rethinking new ways to generate revenue streams or streamline processes to offset potential/further losses in sales taxes.

If elected, what would be your top priorities?

Focus on vacant storefronts and low-occupancy buildings to bring new revenue; promote responsible stewardship of properties and strategic code enforcement for vibrant neighborhoods; leverage existing infrastructure for efficient water use to ensure high levels of service; establish 20-minute neighborhoods; and honor our past and plan for a future-ready Coppell.

What are some new ideas or programs you would like the city to explore?

Registration of vacant storefronts to hold owners accountable for managing their property. Adopt an e-bike ordinance for helmets, minimum age, etc. Enhance our portal to go beyond paying bills to bring everything we have to offer directly to our residents where and whenever they need it. Reduce trash service.

Why are you running for office?

I am running for office because I want to continue to maintain a strong and safe community. I also appreciate the attention and scrutiny to all expenditures of our citizen’s tax dollars. As a small-business owner with 11 years of entrepreneurial experience, I know what it takes to create…

What are the biggest challenges facing the city?

I believe there are two concerns. Most importantly, we must protect our teens from the influx of illegal drugs into the country. Fentanyl has proven to be easily accessible and extremely deadly, especially to the teen and young adult generations. The other concern for some residents is the incoming DART…

If elected, what would be your top priorities?

I will listen to every citizen’s concern and actively work to resolve those that benefit the entire community. I will partner with city council and our fantastic city staff to: 1. Preserve the small-town close-knit community we have and preserve the things that make Coppell special (i.e. our parks, the …

What are some new ideas or programs you would like the city to explore?

1.Promote drug awareness programs to our middle and high schoolers and their parents. 2. Create small-business incubator that assists existing and new local businesses in success while increasing sales tax to the city. 3. Bring together our seniors and young families to generate ideas for addressing housing affordability. 4. Identify the bottom …