City Council Candidate Questionnaire 2019

District 7
(Instructions: Please answer all questions. All responses are due March 29, 2019. Please return
with a campaign photo if you have one. We reserve the right to edit responses for brevity,
clarity, or libel, but will endeavor to avoid any heavy-handed edits. Return responses to
Bethany@candysdirt.com).

1.Tell us about your own district. What are the best things about it? What are the
struggles?

District 7 is comprised of vast diversity in not only racial demographic, but in socio-economics as
well. We spread from Joppa up to South Dallas/Fair Park, and from South Cedars to the
Mesquite City Line, also north of I-30 between Ferguson, Buckner and south of Oates.
I believe the best thing about our district is the diversity and sense of community throughout the
district. The biggest struggles in our district are the many quality of life issues that directly affect
the constituents. These struggles are community engagement, affordable housing,
homelessness, crime and adequate city services.

2. Pick one of those struggles you just mentioned. How would you address it? Please be
specific.

Community engagement. There are many beautification projects that can be initiated by our
leadership to promote community engagement and help the overall morale and aesthetics of our
communities. I plan to implement various street art projects, an “adopt the street” program to
pilot in District 7 before implementing city-wide, more tree planting and landscaping programs to
collaborate with the DISD schools in the district.
3. Should the city council be more invested in building a Dallas for residents, or one for
visitors? Why?

100% percent of our focus needs to be on making a better Dallas for Dallas residents. Right
now, business as usual in our city has promoted pork spending and a waste of taxpayer dollars
in this area. The goal of attracting visitors has been used as an excuse to misallocate public
funds so they’re used to benefit corporations and consultants instead of the residents of the city.
We need our city to work for the residents.

4. Why do you think residents are distrustful of their city officials?

In District 7, we’ve consistently had representation that’s been loyal to special interests instead
of being the voice of the people, which has been highlighted by all the scandals that have
plagued our district over the years. If elected I will be focused on returning integrity to this seat
and will take the time to reestablish trust with the community.

5. What do you see as being the biggest strengths of your opponents?

I believe we are fortunate to have as many people as we have ready and willing to do the work
needed to be done to bring our district to the best place possible in regards to our
representation and future progress. I think the biggest and most aligned strength we all share is
the passion and dedication to our communities and willingness to make personal sacrifice to
see real change. Although we all share this strength, I am confident that no matter what
neighborhood one has grown up in or what board or commission one has sat on, I am by far the
most prepared to lead our district.

6. And if elected, would you reach out to your opponents to avail yourself of those
strengths if the occasion arose?

I think it is important for leadership to view these strengths as qualification to help be a part of
the team to help lead our district in whatever capacity. A strong leader is not only concerned
with what they can bring to the table, but to help inspire and encourage the next generation of
leadership around them.

7. If not elected, what will you do to help both your district (if you are running for
council), and/or the city as a whole? Please be specific.

I plan to make myself available in any capacity to serve the people of District 7. This may look
like holding a board or commission position, or simply showing up to CH to advocate for our
community for any issues facing the district.

8. How would you define a “progressive” candidate? What are the policy hallmarks of
such a candidate?
A progressive candidate thinks innovatively and is bold. They are focused on the youth and the
future, not just the NOW, A progressive candidate will consider human rights first and foremost
in any policy decision, to better the quality of life of their constituents. They are able to say no to
money and special interests so they can say yes to what the constituents want and need.

9. How would you describe a “conservative” candidate? What are the policy hallmarks of
such a candidate?

A conservative candidate would be one who aligns themselves with more conservative values,
whether that be fiscally or socially or both. Conservative leadership seems to be more apt to
policy that regulates less and spends less.

10. What do you think are the three biggest controversies the current city council has
faced, and how would you have addressed those controversies if you were on the
council.

1 - For our District specifically, our current council person has conducted himself in a manner
not becoming of an elected official. Accidents happen but how we handle ourselves in those
situations shows our character. I’m running on a platform of transparency. How Mr. Felder has
handled #ScooterGate, is inconsistent with my expectations of those I vote for to be in public
office. It’s unfortunate for our community to have to consider pending felony changes at the
ballot box. Had I been on the council when this happened, or had it happened to me, I would
have shown the personal accountability and respect for my constituents to be transparent about
the situation and do the right thing from the first moment.

2 - The original Fair Park deal is a perfect example of the old way of doing business in Dallas.
The lack of public input, the lack of transparency, in this issue that affected all the people of
Dallas, especially District 7, should never have been done as a backroom deal. Had I been on
the council I would have lead the charge with the council members who pushed for competitive
bidding. So one of our biggest assets wouldn’t have been given away without due diligence.

3 - People spoke out and had their voices heard on both sides of the issue. If there was room
for improvement on the issue, I think perhaps a referendum would be appropriate on such an
emotional issue.

11. Does Dallas need a youth curfew? Why or why not?

This is another issue that I think would be appropriate for a referendum. There was such an
outpouring of input on both sides. Personally I’m not a fan of policies and ordinances that
criminalize youth, but I do understand how constituents, especially our senior citizens, see it as
a tool for protecting youth - as such I would have supported Councilman Narvez’s amendment
to the ordinance that was passed.
12. Homelessness in Dallas has tripled under the current administration — what can be
done to curb and end homelessness in Dallas?
I believe funding needs to be increased, less than 1% of our budget is allocated for
homelessness initiatives. I’m passionate about this issue, specifically addressing the mental
health component for our chronically homeless and low/ affordable housing options for our
working homeless. Additionally Microshelters throughout the city, instead of concentrating all of
them in one place, would help triage the impact felt our our urban core residents, including
those in District 7. A successful program I would like to emulate in Dallas is called Street
CHANGE, currently happening in Philadelphia. The program focuses on sustained long term
solutions for individual homeless persons; it has has tremendous success in reducing chronic
homelessness.

13. How would you address the police shortage and pay issues?

If we want the best police force in Texas, which we do, their salary should reflect that. Once we
are at an equal playing field with other major Texas cities we should have no problem recruiting
and retaining the best police force possible.

14. If you agree we need to raise the starting salary of DPD to remain competitive with
neighboring communities, where would that funding come from?

The city’s budget already allocates 60% of funds to public safety. We need to audit and
repurpose to reflect our priorities.

15. How would you suggest we discourage young trained officers from leaving our force
once Dallas taxpayers have paid to train them?

Officer retention is not the only challenge facing DPD. Officer recruitment is also big. What I
propose is a training program that begins in DISD. Speaking as a teacher, I know we have the
resources in DISD to provide the college hours students need, the certifications, and even soft
tactical training to set interested students on a career path to DPD. In addition to recruitment
and retention, this would create bridges between youth and police and help build a community
policing mindset because Dallasites would be policing Dallasites.

16. What will you do to reduce gun violence in Dallas?

Gun violence is an issue nationwide and unfortunately is not something that can be really
impacted on the municipal level. It is important for local elected officials to get involved and
lobby our state and federal legislators to enact any real change with gun violence.
17. In the last 12 months, two former city officials (one who was a council member at the
time) have pleaded guilty to various corruption charges. How does Dallas move forward
from this, and how do you reassure wary constituents?

Elections have consequences. We need new fresh, unaffiliated people in office, people who are
ethical and are willing to call out corruption.

18. Much of the recent corruption centered on real estate developments and alleged
pay-offs to developers. Developers met directly with Council members alone. Do you find
this alarming? And why or why not?

Negotiations and deals made that affect taxpayers, should be part of open records act.
Representatives need to use their positions to help advocate for the community, and there is no
need for that to happen behind closed doors

19. Do we need a code of ethics at Dallas City Hall? If so, what would the components
be?

Our code of ethics is mostly strong, but its enforcement is inconsistent. That needs to change.
We need a department at City Hall specifically devoted to investigation and enforcement.
Campaign finance reform is an area where our code of ethics could be strengthened. The
Dallas Ethics Advisory Commission appointees need to be appointed in a way that’s free of
bias.

20. Do you feel that Dallas City Code 51A-4.501(i), which allows the city to demolish
structures 3,000 square feet or smaller even if they are in a historic district, is applied
fairly and evenly across the city? Why or why not?

In District 7, we have residences that are over one hundred years old, including some of the
oldest African-American communities in Dallas. At that period, residences weren’t as large as
they are now. The the cultural significance of the structure and the neighborhood as a whole
needs to be more important than the square feet.

21. Should Dallas open the duties of promoting the city to an RFP, instead of renewing
the VisitDallas contract in 2020? Why or why not?

Any time tax dollars are misused or unaccounted for, we need to immediately reevaluate. In this
instance, especially given the lack of return on our investment, I am fully in favor of terminating
the contract with VisitDallas and putting it out for a competitive, fair bidding process.

22. Should Dallas expedite process of securing of permits by homebuilders? Why or why
not, and if yes, how?
Currently we have an efficient protocol for developers securing permits that allows for a fair
amount of community input, which is vital for transparency and accountability purposes. We do
need more affordable housing in Dallas, so what I think the answer is - is to change how
developers are able to access to the land bank. It shouldn’t just be for developers with
relationships at City Hall. We need a more equitable and streamlined process that allows
affordable housing to be built immediately.

23. What, if any, conflicts of interest do you foresee in your sphere that would prevent
you from taking part in discussion or voting on an agenda item brought before the
council?

I have no conflicts of interest or ulterior motives. I’m aware of the job I’m applying for and I’m
ready to give it my full time attention.

24. How do you intend to incentivize smart growth and economic inclusion for all
residents?

Never underestimate the power of public input. Decisions need to made with the input of the
communities that are affected. Negotiating good neighbor agreements with prospective
developers is a key component of insuring smart growth that benefits the community.

25. How do you prove that your district can trust its representation, in light of the federal
charges levied against one of the people that has represented it?

My most prized role is husband and father. Ultimately, with any of my actions, I want to behave
in a way that shows integrity, one that sets the right example for my kids.