By Nicole Scott, NDG Contributing Writer
The North Dallas Gazette sent a survey to candidates for the 2015 local political elections. Please visit here to read their responses.
On May 12, 2015 local elections will take place in the City of Irving. One of the three city council seats up for election is District 6, currently held by incumbent Brad LaMorgese who has served on the council the last three years. Although LaMorgese is no new to the scene he still considers himself to be a political outsider and says he is “against special interests and for stronger ethics”.
“As the city council works to fix the problems of Irving, we need to be assured they are working for the residents and not for special interest groups. We need to eradicate any appearance of impropriety to protect the citizens of Irving. Unless Irving stops electing the same insiders who get us into these situations, we will never see any change in the way our government operates”, said LaMorgese.
LaMorgese, a family attorney of 19 years prides himself on being a man of and for the people of Irving. He is a staunch advocate of development and redevelopment projects including single family housing and the Fire Station 12 project, a project initiated during his first term which he would like to se completed if re-elected.
William Mahoney LaMorgese’s challenger, also an attorney, portrays himself also as an independent political voice and says what Irving needs is strong leadership and he’s just the man to provide it.
A twenty-two year army veteran, Mahoney says he is committed to public service and his community and believes petty and partisan politics are what is negatively impacting the city.
“City council is designed to be a non-partisan governing body where representatives should put the best interest of their district and the city above all else”, Mahoney says.
LaMorgese questions Mahoney’s objectivity and specifically his close ties with City Manager Tommy Gonazlez whom Mahoney served in Desert Storm with. Mahoney does not deny their relationship, however, he says it will not have any bearing on his ability to act independently and do the job voters will elect him to do.
Whomever voters elect one issue that will have a major impact on the residents of Irving is the bond sale, a $170 million project involving the Las Colinas entertainment center. Both LaMorgese and Mahoney alike are opposed to the project because of the huge financial implications it poses including the termination of city services as well as an increase in the property tax rate.
Early voting will start on Monday April 27 and will continue through May 8. Only residents of District 6, which includes Valley Ranch, stretching from Cowboys Parkway in Los Colinas to W. Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway can cast their vote for this race, but there are other elections throughout the city and county.
