NDG’s View
Election season is upon us for our local county and city offices. While many believe elections, such as these are not as important as the presidential election, they actually have a stronger impact on the daily lives of residents.
The North Dallas Gazette (NDG) has always worked to ensure we bring your quality information on candidates we feel will become an asset to a particular seat or warn if they will become a deterrent. NDG believes it is in the best interest of our readers to research and report the facts regarding a candidate’s capabilities to bring fair practices to all they will serve upon their election to office.
That is our mission and our goal – fair reporting regarding candidates.
For the upcoming May 4 election, the North Dallas Gazette is endorsing Irving City Council, Place 2 candidate Rodwaan M. Saleh. We appreciate his determination to keep all citizens informed with ongoing city matters, which include the ever-looming gentrification of lower-income communities, speaks to the growing concern of Irving citizens.
Also, NDG likes Saleh’s recommendation to explore increasing the number of community centers available to provide a safe recreational environment for the youth. This is vital in getting the youth of Irving off of the street corners while allowing them to have fun, as well as learn and grow. At the same time, Saleh seeks to protect the core values of Irving and the youth, as well as, protect local businesses and homeowners disrupted by unfocused youth.
Saleh, a 10-year resident of Irving, understands the growing pains from the consistent growth the city has experienced in recent years. His objective is to work with staff, colleagues and the business community to develop more international opportunities. This will provide an additional avenue for tax base growth, as well as jobs, thereby assisting those in South Irving seeking better employment.
Married with three children, Saleh is a devout Muslim. In Irving, Muslims represent a growing segment of the community, as their numbers have grown considerably, reportedly between 30,000 – 40,000. The city is the home of The Islamic Center of Irving, one of the largest mosques in Texas. Therefore, they deserve representation at the city council level, to voice their unique concerns. Recognizing that as with any ethnic minority or faith-based group, they are not a monolithic group, but NDG believes Saleh can work with the community and serve as a conduit for their differences and concerns, thereby providing a cohesive voice. NDG thinks he has the skill set to help the city develop a plan which most of the elements of their community can support.
Saleh understands the need for better employment and economic opportunities as his career involves being a regional director for a major corporation. NDG endorses him because he is willing to include all of Irving, not just those areas currently enjoying the benefits of a better Irving.
Saleh stands out from his opponents in this race, with a willingness to meet the people he wants to help. Incumbent Allan Meagher, who NDG has supported in the past, has held several seats in Irving’s political system. We are concerned he is resting on his laurels to retain his position. Some members of the community have suggested he does not consistently participate in the pre-council briefings. There were suggestions his effort to stay connected to the community is dwindling. The residents of Irving want to provide input and to hear new ideas, inclusive to all, from their elected officials.
Meagher was encouraged to provide a response to the survey because while a reply is a critical factor in gaining an endorsement from NDG, it is not the only criteria. The 2019 Candidate Surveys provide everyone running for office a chance to share in their own words, responses to the same set of questions. This provides voters an opportunity to reach their own conclusions. As of April 24, Meagher has not responded.
Meagher has not addressed the concerns of South Irving to the satisfaction of some residents, particularly on the topic of gentrification threatening hard-working families of all race, faith, and creed. They merely want assurances they can maintain their piece of the American Dream in a safe, thriving community.
Saleh is NDG’s choice, and we encourage voters to support him on May 4, Election Day for Irving City Council, Place 2.
This is a totally biased article. I have never missed a pre-council briefing or work session. I am one of the most active council members in the community as far as attending cultural events throughout our city. I appreciate that in NDG supporting me in the past, but we all know the candidate that you support each year has brought to you by a local activist it’s whoever he supports. So before you write an article you need to check your facts. I hope in the future your articles are checked and state facts not political statements from opponents.
This is total BS. Other than Mr. Seleh being a devout Muslim.
Meagher has severed all of Irving. He is knowledgeable with all departments and committed to keep Irving moving in the right direction. He’s a proven responsible candidate and deserves this vote of confidence. Vote to keep Irving with a responsible and most experienced candidate. Vote Allan Meagher.
The bias in this article is evident. I don’t know the man you are endorsing. He certainly has not reached out to my area of Irving. My husband and I have mailed our ballots already — for Allan Meagher. The North Dallas Gazette doesn’t speak for me.
I recommend readers go opposite the way the NDG recommends on these candidates. The NDG is nothing more than a left leaning tool. The bias shown is evident. I say RUN the opposite direction FROM the NDG recommendations.
Carolyn King should be ashamed of herself promoting only what is a very biased article. Irving is becoming more Muslim and several years ago the city almost succumbed to allowing Sharia Tribunals. Even C.A.I.R. from Dallas showed up at the city hall meeting to protest when the city denied them that right. The margins back then were 5-4 against it. That was in 2015…can you imagine what Irving will look like in the next few years as more Muslims and the like are running city hall? Good bye Irving.
[…] Read more in our full endorsement here. […]