Three open city council seats have Irving voters headed to the polls

By Jackie Hardy

Nine candidates will be vying for the open Irving City Council seats of Place 1, 2 and 7 on Saturday, May 11.  This election will include two single-member districts (Place 1 and Place 7) and one at large seat (Place 2).

In the Place 1 race there are two minority candidates competing, business owner Luis Reyes, 49 and data processor Juan M. Ronco, Jr., 25 along with business veteran, Loren Byers, 67 and former Irving City Council member John Danish, 62 who also served as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem during his tenure.

After stepping down in 2011 from the Place 3 seat, former councilman Allan Meagher, 50 has decided to put his hat in the ring for Place 2.  Also Place 2 candidate Kensley Stewart, 52 is taking another attempt at running for city council as he unsuccessfully ran for the Place 3 seat currently held by Councilman Dennis Webb.

In addition to Meagher and Stewart, Rene’ Castilla, 72 is setting his hopes for Place 2 and he is no stranger to Irving politics.  Castilla currently serves as the Chairman of the Mayor’s Human Relations Advisory Committee and has served on several local government committees and boards.

Student and 18 year-old Place 2 candidate, Francis Schommer is running on the platform of the “person who can bring a fresh perspective to Irving City Council,” and incumbent Gerald Farris, 54 is seeking re-election for Place 7.

Below are responses the North Dallas Gazette submitted to each candidate:

What are the two top budgetary concerns/issues facing Irving residents

Place 1 Candidates:

Byers:  Bond Service and infrastructure. Restructure debt at current rates. Doing as much infrastructure maintenance in house as possible. Competitive bid process that accounts for quality as well as cost.

Danish:  Irving should have a comprehensive policy to ensure a reliable water supply for the future that addresses what sources we currently have, what we expect our needs to be, and what actions we should take to address these needs. Irving should take a proactive approach concerning our transportation   needs. We need to update our Master Thoroughfare Plan to reflect our present and future needs.

Ronco:  As our community is growing we need to continue to ensure that our residents are provided with an adequate water supply and that economic development continues to thrive thus we must continue to seek the cooperation of the proper entities as well as being fiscally efficient and taking initiatives to be more resource efficient at home.

Reyes:  No Response

Place 2 Candidates:

Castilla:      Financing of the various bond projects that are being considered.

Meagher:    No Response

Schommer:  No Response

Stewart:  Crumbling infrastructure in our older neighborhoods. Deteriorating fire support vehicles.

Place 7 Candidate:

Farris:  The primary focus of local government should be quality of life. It is still of great importance to find more avenues to infuse life into our aging neighborhoods. This is achieved by evaluating past successes and failures and taking an aggressive multi-faceted/departmental approach with actions and  dollars. The value of these actions cannot be discounted in terms of maintaining and improving property     values/revenues   that comes back to the City.

What economic development and/or redevelopment projects you feel must be of priority within your respective district and the overall city?

Place 1 Candidates:

Byers:  A significant first step needs to be taken for the Heritage District. Something like putting the utility lines underground. Let’s get some shovels moving! We need to be more proactive about DART and TRE  service. We need to work with our appointed member on the DART board to push for the extension of the Orange Line to the South Irving Station and to expedite the TRE service to the north (to include a stop at    the orange line). We need to put forth a big push to bringing the infrastructure to South Irving that will be  a catalyst for positive growth in the area. Plus the proposal at http://lorenbyers.com/proposals/.

Danish:  In managing stalled, redevelopment efforts past problems must be left behind.  We must collaborate while we move into the future.  Heritage Crossing has languished long enough while we pay  the debt.  Las Colinas projects can happen if we put our minds to solutions we can support.  Upgrading  our infrastructure and retail services in South Irving must be priorities.  We also need to increase single- family residential housing in Heritage Crossing to stimulate retail services.

Ronco:  I believe that many of the new development projects should place emphasis particularly in areas  that have the potential to become major attractions. These areas include Downtown Irving, the Heritage  area and many other areas of the city particularly because they are the heart and tradition of Irving and  we can combine the old and new as this area provides the potential for that.

Reyes:  No Response

Place 2 Candidates:

Castilla:  The city would greatly benefit from a Department of Economic Development that guides city planning and economic strategy

Meagher:    No Response

Schommer:  No Response

Stewart:   The Entertainment Center with developers and contractors who are experienced in doing these  projects and an operations partner who has experience as well.  Heritage Crossing needs a vision that  makes sense, is business friendly, is agreeable to the residents, and will not drain the city of millions of  dollars.

Place 7 Candidate:

Farris:  The city needs a citywide comprehensive plan that will help all districts. This will allow for some re-zoning for properties that have outlived their purpose and find new life. In addition, the Irving Boulevard/Heritage Crossing; Beltline Road and Urban Center should continue as economic and development priorities as well as infrastructure improvements.

What are some specific solutions to bridge the gap between North and South Irving?

Place 1 Candidates:

Byers:  Working with citizen organizations to improve neighborhoods throughout the city to create  cohesive bonds forged from a common interest for a better city. I am proud that citizens stand up to volunteer to help out through their church or civic organizations to improve the entire city. I am grateful  we are blessed with so many businessmen and women that give countless volunteer hours and donated  dollars to great causes in the community they call home. Those are the things that need to be encouraged  and rewarded to unify our great city.

Danish:  With the improving economy, land banked real estate around Heritage Crossing, and the rail connection to DFW Airport next year, the South Irving Train Station stands ready to accommodate new   development that will offer our residents new shopping, dining, living, and working opportunities. The  time has come for Irving to capitalize on the improving economy and leverage its assets for the         revitalization of the Heritage District at Heritage Crossing, with the connection of the Orange Light Rail Line to DFW Airport.  I believe Irving’s best days are still ahead, and there is no better place to begin making good things happen than in South Irving’s District 1.

Ronco I feel that in order to bridge the gap, we must work to redevelop areas in need in order to bring all of Irving up to par. Upon that task, we must work to attract all people to all parts of Irving and create an that incorporates unity despite socioeconomic status.

Reyes:  No Response

Place 2 Candidates:

Castilla:  Create a Community Development Program that guides the redevelopment of neighborhoods,  resulting in a master plan for one Irving that bridges the gap between north and south Irving, thus eliminating the image of Irving is two cities in one.

Meagher:    No Response

Schommer:  No Response

Stewart:   #1 Let’s stop with the North versus South terminology. It’s not productive and presents an “US  versus THEM” mentality…We are ONE Irving, we have two distinct areas with different needs.

#2 Let’s stop talking about placing lines underground and start doing it. We have a lot of work to do… let’s get started.

Place 7 Candidate:

Farris:  I don’t know that “gaps” necessarily need to be bridged. All aspects of the city have different  amenities, attractions, needs and weaknesses. All areas of the city need Council’s attention for various   reasons. These needs will shift over time.

The Irving League of Women Voters will be hosting a Candidate Public Forum at Irving City Hall on April 22 at 6 p.m.

Campaign websites