The Frisco Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum Feb. 12 for local candidates running in the March primary election.

Candidates answered questions related to how their solutions to various issues would affect the Frisco business community.

Candidates for Denton County commissioner, Texas House District 33 and Texas House District 106 participated in the forum. Susan Fletcher, who is unopposed for Collin County Commissioner Precinct 1, also made a few remarks. Trent Trubenbach, a candidate for House District 106, answered only a few questions because his opponent, State Rep. Pat Fallon, was unable to attend the forum.

Denton County commissioner, Precinct 1


Q: "What are your priorities in serving the constituents of Denton County, and what is your plan to accomplish specifically those priorities?"

Hugh Coleman (incumbent): "I really want to see [US] 380 improved. We right now have a plan to go up to six lanes, three lanes each way with a center median ... I also want to make sure I watch [the Texas Department of Transportation] and make sure that we hold their feet to the fire and make sure we get their projects going."

Brett Larson: "The No. 1 priority as far as I'm concerned as an elected official is to create a vision and then enable and bring together the cooperative parties to make sure that that vision actually comes into fruition ... The real role is taking a look at exactly where we are and where we need to be in order to be the most attractive place for those businesses and families moving forward."

Q: "What do you think that you can do as a commissioner to have a positive impact on the Frisco business community?"

Coleman: "I've really worked hard with the Frisco [Economic Development Corp.] to bring projects to Frisco [and] Denton County. I've met with them several times. Frisco is just an economic juggernaut. ... I think we need to bring jobs to our area. We need to bring lasting jobs. We don't need to bring fleeting jobs in the form of residential construction."

Larson: "I'm a member of the Frisco business community. I've been a member of the Frisco business community for the past four years and a [resident] of Frisco for the past 12. ... Specifically, just going out and doing the exact kind of things that we would do to create the environment that will make it the most attractive place for larger businesses."

Texas House District 33


Q: "What experience do you have in serving constituents that would specifically qualify you to represent in House District 33? What is your professional and business experience, and how will that impact your legislative priorities?"

John Keating: "[I've spent] 13 years in the military, [the] best leadership training in the world you can get. ... I had a series 6, 63 and 26 broker's license. I had a life and health and property, casualty insurance license as well. I moved my business from the kitchen table to the boardroom table. ... I served on the HOA, PTA and am currently serving on the City Council."

Justin Holland: "For the better part of the last decade, I have spent my life dedicating service to the community, service to the city of Heath, service to my profession. I have been a Realtor for 10 years this year. ... I believe that I have what it takes to build a consensus and work with people. I've taken 20 agents and doubled it to 40 agents in my company."

Lorne Liechty: "I have lived in Heath for 30 years. Over 20 of those years have been involved in public service. I was on the original comprehensive planning commission. I was on our parks board for eight years. ... I was on our City Council for eight years, I was mayor pro tem for two year, and I've served as mayor now for the last four years."

Karen Jacobs: "I'm not sure what could be more important civic experience than making America safer. When I worked at Raytheon, we worked in an intelligence community, and I managed large projects all across the world. Guess what: I didn't have a lot of time for community because Raytheon required and my government required that I be on call when they needed somebody."

Cristen Padgett: "I am a court-appointed special advocate in Collin County. What that means is I advocate for children who have been so severely abused that they have to be removed from their home. ... That's some of the civic duty that I've been involved in since I graduated from college in December of 2014. For the five to six years prior to that, I was working full-time and going to school full-time."