By Angela Loston, NDG Contributing Writer
Working on behalf of working-class people is a goal of Candice Quarles, councilmember of DeSoto City Council’s Place 6. During her tenure, she successfully advocated for city employees to receive three weeks of paid maternity and paternity leave, ensuring that new parents can stay out longer with their infants without rushing back to work. As a three-year member of the council, she has kept working class people at the center of the policies she has created.
“We have a state legislature that’s working against local government every day and not supporting working class people,” Quarles said. “So we need strong people at the local level that are going to represent working-class values.”
Along with being a voice of the people, Quarles encourages young people to vote through her YouTube channel, Candid with Candice. Her channel features videos on voting and is shared via her Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles.
Although she is not running for city council this year, Quarles wants local voters—young and old—to participate in the elections.
Below are snapshots of some of the candidates running in the DeSoto and Cedar Hill elections for 2019. For more info, please visit their respective websites linked below, if available.
DeSoto City Council, Place 3
Al Moten Jr. – As part of his campaign, Moten would like to spur economic development in DeSoto by bringing healthy food stores, better restaurants and family-friendly entertainment to local residents. He also wants to tackle homelessness in DeSoto, address homelessness amongst veterans and try to lower the city’s tax rate.
Nicole Raphiel – Raphiel is seeking reelection with plans to enhance the city’s cultural arts program and tying it with DeSoto’s economic growth. She would like to attract and maintain quality businesses that will lower the tax burden on area homeowners. Raphiel will continue to engage with her constituents in Place 3 through her tele-townhall conference calls. If reelected, Raphiel would like to expand the local library’s outreach and do a needs assessment to address the concerns of local seniors.
DeSoto City Council, Place 4
André Byrd Sr. – As a candidate, Byrd proposes to strengthen the local economy and support policies that will stimulate a diverse population. He also plans on building a strong alliance between the city and the local school district.
DeSoto City Council, Place 5
Dinah Marks – For her campaign, Marks is aiming to spur economic development in the city and allocate funds to enhance the local school district. Public safety is a priority for Marks, and she would like to encourage more community involvement.
DeSoto, Mayoral Race
Mayor Curtistene S. McCowan is running for reelection this year, but she has two contenders for the race, Mayor Pro Tem Rachel L. Proctor and Byron D. Sanders.
Read more about all three candidates in the April 17 issue of the North Dallas Gazette.
Cedar Hill City Council, Place 1
Shirley Daniels – For her campaign, Daniels is focusing on protecting residential areas from large commercial developments, increasing diversity in city government and employment, promoting Minority and Women Business Enterprises and supporting city tax exemptions for senior citizens.
Michael H. Lewis – A former commissioner for the Cedar Hill Planning and Zoning Commission, Lewis will promote economic development and heavily invest in infrastructure and public safety. Lewis wants to balance both residential and commercial growth and work to optimize the city’s tax rate. His other interests include attracting other businesses and jobs to Cedar Hill, looking at alternatives to better enforce single-family dwelling landlord code compliance and preserving green and open spaces within the city.
Cedar Hill City Council, Place 3
Valerie L. Banks – Banks has dedicated more than 20 years of public service to Cedar Hill. She wants to continue working on behalf of local residents by boosting economic development, working with fellow leaders to improve local schools and enhancing public safety. Banks also will be transparent with residents, look at ways to bring industries to Cedar Hill and reduce the tax burden on area residents.
Alan E. Sims – As part of his campaign, Sims is focusing his energy on public safety, building strong neighborhoods by interacting with residents directly, economic development, striving for educational excellence and preserving the green space in Cedar Hill. Formerly the city manager of Cedar Hill, Sims will encourage the city council to have the city manager to meet with the police and fire departments to create a long-term plan on public safety.
Cedar Hill City Council, Place 5
Gregory Glover – Glover said he will gather residents’ feedback on improving the city and encourage the council and the local school district to work together to respond to citizens’ concerns about the school district. He would seek partnerships with companies to come and work with the local community. He also would look at ways to ease the congestion on city streets.
Cedar Hill, Mayoral Candidates
Stephen Mason –Mayor Pro Tem Mason is ready to become the next mayor of Cedar Hill. If elected, Mason would like to strengthen neighborhoods, continue to improve the city’s infrastructure and work with constituents and businesses alike. He wants to enhance public safety and support small businesses and economic growth. First elected to Cedar Hill’s city council in 2010, Mason is running against Councilmember Jami McCain in this year’s mayoral race.
Elections for both cities are set for May 4 with early voting underway and continues until April 30.
