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Mayoral candidates pitch their ideas for Terrell
By Justin Jones: justin_jones@terrelltribune.com
Early voting for the May 12 election begins Monday and runs through May 8 at Terrell City Hall City Council chambers.
All polling times are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for May 3, May 7 and May 8, when times will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., respectively.
On the ballot in Terrell for mayor are Ethel Livingston, Hal Richards and Sammy Turner.
The winner will replace Mayor Frances Anderson, who in January said she wasn't running for a third term because she wanted to spend more time with her family.
To help voters make their decision on who they want to replace Anderson, The Terrell Tribune hosted a public forum Tuesday when the mayoral candidates answered 20 questions submitted from the public.
Condensed responses to some of those questions are below.
€ The current state of roads in Terrell, what is your take on this and how would you plan on making certain the street department has the resources needed and the initiative to finish repairs quickly as opposed to having them linger?
Richards - We've been spending around $300,000 a year now for some time. That's not a lot of money but it's been enough to do more significant maintenance that's ever been done here before. What the citizens are going to have to face at some point or another is, if we are going to get work done quickly it is going to require more money.
Livingston - I really think that the city needs to look at the roads that are most needed for repair. Street maintenance and repairing our streets should be an ongoing process. Yes, tax dollars should be spent in various ways but at least we can see tax dollars being used appropriately. When you look at spending tax dollars on streets versus repairs of cars, it gets to be expensive.
Turner - We need to increase our maintenance fees and I believe the City Council, in a special meeting, took a step in doing that when they increased it by $150,000 this year. We need to stress the time limits on certain projects. If we don't get them improved, we are not going to be a good picture for new residents and businesses to come to Terrell.
€ With Terrell trying to improve it's image I ask you to look at the city itself? Any direction that you come into the city limits “our” city looks like it is owned by slum lords. How would you make changes to clean up our city for good?
Richards - The city instituted some actions already that I think we need to continue. We hired a new code enforcement officer. We recently passed an ordinance about parking cars in the yards. It's not popular with everyone but it is with most people. The mayor should promote and encourage people to promote their property.
Livingston - It is basically the (responsibility of the) owner of that property to keep it up. Yes, we have policies and procedures in place but by the same token, it should be communicated to every person who causes our city to look bad and give them an opportunity to fix it. After they don't fix it, then we need to move on to enforcing penalties.
Turner - I like to do business with people who have good clean places of businesses. In order for us to encourage people and businesses to come to Terrell we must improve on the way we look. Every direction you come in from Terrell, it doesn't look good. Our special projects people spend a lot of time cleaning up. One way to get better at that is hiring more people in the special projects department.
€ Will you introduce and support a freeze on the city taxes for senior citizens as has been done for most of the other taxing entities?
Turner - I agree with that. When people reach 65 or older, they are on a fixed income. Our county taxes are all frozen at 65. I think this one is a no-brainer. When people reach a certain age their taxes should be frozen.
Richards - The easy answer to the question is yes, we should freeze taxes for people 65 and older but it takes a little more thought than that. If you freeze someone's taxes who are 65 and older that means someone, (like a) young couple would have to make up the difference.
Livingston - I think it's a great idea simply because we are talking about a population of people who have done so much for our community. We need to look at ways to support that population. If a freeze is what we need to do, we need to do that.
€ What is your view on the gang situation in Terrell?
Livingston - Gangs, I think is something we need to work at from a large perspective. Gangs are real and there are active gangs in Terrell. There needs to be programs put in place that will address our situation. We need to become educated and work with the police and resources that specialize in gang activity.
Turner - I feel this is a problem that exists now and as we get larger in population, it will become a bigger problem. We need to work with the police department to form a gang unit that will know what's going on and we need to work with school officers.
Richards - I talked to the police in Terrell and they tell me that we have more of a hoodlum problem than a gang problem. That doesn't mean it's not a problem but I think it means we haven't gotten there yet. We can have a hoodlum problem that becomes a gang problem if we don't do anything about it.
€ The traffic and wreck potential on U.S. Highway 80 is already really terrible. When new developments are added, how do you propose to deal with the increase in traffic when it is already extremely bad?
Turner - I think the first step toward that has already been taken. It's my understanding that TxDOT already has a major intersection in Terrell and suggestions on how to control traffic. If we have these new developments on the way, I can't imagine what it's going to be like with 10,000 more people.
Richards - When we created the development agreement, that developers, (due to the increase in traffic) has to pay for improvements for the portion they are responsible for. We also have a thoroughfare plan where we will wrap traffic down to Interstate 20. It's going to take some time but we do have a plan in place.
Livingston - As a former zoning and planing commissioner I've spent hours, hours looking at that thoroughfare plan and I ensure you there are some things in place that will help with traffic that will affect the growth and development.
€ Will you support investigation and possible revision of the usage of economic development funds for long term needs of the city which are strained by the growth of Terrell such as police and/or fire facilities instead of bonds for those new facilities?
Richards - There is conversation going on whether or not we can use (TEDC funds) for building a public safety facility like a police department. If the city attorney were to tell us we can do that, we need to consider that as an option but that's a legal decision. Even if it's not, I don't have any doubt the residents know the situation we have at the police department. It's dangerous, totally insufficient and I know the residents will support a public safety facility.
Livingston - I truly believe that the man in blue get out everyday and put their lives on the line for the residents of Terrell. Whatever funding, we need to look at ways that they have the appropriate facility, equipment and manpower to take care of our city.
Turner - I fully support approval of the TEDC tax fund to fund a new facility. The facility we are sitting in right now was built in 1978 and we have so far outgrown it and it's unrealistic to keep the police department in this facility. I feel like we can use some of our motel/hotel tax money to go toward that but we are going to have to come up with some creative funding.
All polling times are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for May 3, May 7 and May 8, when times will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., respectively.
On the ballot in Terrell for mayor are Ethel Livingston, Hal Richards and Sammy Turner.
The winner will replace Mayor Frances Anderson, who in January said she wasn't running for a third term because she wanted to spend more time with her family.
To help voters make their decision on who they want to replace Anderson, The Terrell Tribune hosted a public forum Tuesday when the mayoral candidates answered 20 questions submitted from the public.
Condensed responses to some of those questions are below.
€ The current state of roads in Terrell, what is your take on this and how would you plan on making certain the street department has the resources needed and the initiative to finish repairs quickly as opposed to having them linger?
Richards - We've been spending around $300,000 a year now for some time. That's not a lot of money but it's been enough to do more significant maintenance that's ever been done here before. What the citizens are going to have to face at some point or another is, if we are going to get work done quickly it is going to require more money.
Livingston - I really think that the city needs to look at the roads that are most needed for repair. Street maintenance and repairing our streets should be an ongoing process. Yes, tax dollars should be spent in various ways but at least we can see tax dollars being used appropriately. When you look at spending tax dollars on streets versus repairs of cars, it gets to be expensive.
Turner - We need to increase our maintenance fees and I believe the City Council, in a special meeting, took a step in doing that when they increased it by $150,000 this year. We need to stress the time limits on certain projects. If we don't get them improved, we are not going to be a good picture for new residents and businesses to come to Terrell.
€ With Terrell trying to improve it's image I ask you to look at the city itself? Any direction that you come into the city limits “our” city looks like it is owned by slum lords. How would you make changes to clean up our city for good?
Richards - The city instituted some actions already that I think we need to continue. We hired a new code enforcement officer. We recently passed an ordinance about parking cars in the yards. It's not popular with everyone but it is with most people. The mayor should promote and encourage people to promote their property.
Livingston - It is basically the (responsibility of the) owner of that property to keep it up. Yes, we have policies and procedures in place but by the same token, it should be communicated to every person who causes our city to look bad and give them an opportunity to fix it. After they don't fix it, then we need to move on to enforcing penalties.
Turner - I like to do business with people who have good clean places of businesses. In order for us to encourage people and businesses to come to Terrell we must improve on the way we look. Every direction you come in from Terrell, it doesn't look good. Our special projects people spend a lot of time cleaning up. One way to get better at that is hiring more people in the special projects department.
€ Will you introduce and support a freeze on the city taxes for senior citizens as has been done for most of the other taxing entities?
Turner - I agree with that. When people reach 65 or older, they are on a fixed income. Our county taxes are all frozen at 65. I think this one is a no-brainer. When people reach a certain age their taxes should be frozen.
Richards - The easy answer to the question is yes, we should freeze taxes for people 65 and older but it takes a little more thought than that. If you freeze someone's taxes who are 65 and older that means someone, (like a) young couple would have to make up the difference.
Livingston - I think it's a great idea simply because we are talking about a population of people who have done so much for our community. We need to look at ways to support that population. If a freeze is what we need to do, we need to do that.
€ What is your view on the gang situation in Terrell?
Livingston - Gangs, I think is something we need to work at from a large perspective. Gangs are real and there are active gangs in Terrell. There needs to be programs put in place that will address our situation. We need to become educated and work with the police and resources that specialize in gang activity.
Turner - I feel this is a problem that exists now and as we get larger in population, it will become a bigger problem. We need to work with the police department to form a gang unit that will know what's going on and we need to work with school officers.
Richards - I talked to the police in Terrell and they tell me that we have more of a hoodlum problem than a gang problem. That doesn't mean it's not a problem but I think it means we haven't gotten there yet. We can have a hoodlum problem that becomes a gang problem if we don't do anything about it.
€ The traffic and wreck potential on U.S. Highway 80 is already really terrible. When new developments are added, how do you propose to deal with the increase in traffic when it is already extremely bad?
Turner - I think the first step toward that has already been taken. It's my understanding that TxDOT already has a major intersection in Terrell and suggestions on how to control traffic. If we have these new developments on the way, I can't imagine what it's going to be like with 10,000 more people.
Richards - When we created the development agreement, that developers, (due to the increase in traffic) has to pay for improvements for the portion they are responsible for. We also have a thoroughfare plan where we will wrap traffic down to Interstate 20. It's going to take some time but we do have a plan in place.
Livingston - As a former zoning and planing commissioner I've spent hours, hours looking at that thoroughfare plan and I ensure you there are some things in place that will help with traffic that will affect the growth and development.
€ Will you support investigation and possible revision of the usage of economic development funds for long term needs of the city which are strained by the growth of Terrell such as police and/or fire facilities instead of bonds for those new facilities?
Richards - There is conversation going on whether or not we can use (TEDC funds) for building a public safety facility like a police department. If the city attorney were to tell us we can do that, we need to consider that as an option but that's a legal decision. Even if it's not, I don't have any doubt the residents know the situation we have at the police department. It's dangerous, totally insufficient and I know the residents will support a public safety facility.
Livingston - I truly believe that the man in blue get out everyday and put their lives on the line for the residents of Terrell. Whatever funding, we need to look at ways that they have the appropriate facility, equipment and manpower to take care of our city.
Turner - I fully support approval of the TEDC tax fund to fund a new facility. The facility we are sitting in right now was built in 1978 and we have so far outgrown it and it's unrealistic to keep the police department in this facility. I feel like we can use some of our motel/hotel tax money to go toward that but we are going to have to come up with some creative funding.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of terrelltribune.com.
You Know Me wrote on Apr 29, 2007 12:15 PM:
" Sounds like all 3 have a vision of what they want Terrell to be and I I agree with what all of them say. This is a hard choice to make. I hope the people of Terrell use their right to vote and then work with the winner to move Terrell ahead. "
Disgusted wrote on Apr 29, 2007 5:27 PM:
" Richards is living in a fantasy world if he thinks there isn't a gang problem in here. Of course the police are going to say it's not as bad as it is because they already look like idiots anyway. This year at the Jubilee proves that. "
You Know Me wrote on Apr 29, 2007 6:01 PM:
" I agree with Richards comment about gangs. I think Terrell is FULL of wannabes and trouble makers and crime is going up, but not what would be called an organized gang, and an organized gang is what I think of when someone says Terrell has a gang problem. I think most of the vandalism, graffiti and property damage is happening because of juvenile delinquent punks that are not supervised by their parents. Does the Castle Doctrine cover our vehicles? "
really wrote on Apr 29, 2007 7:00 PM:
" I agree with disgusted, Terrell did not have enough officers working at the Jubilee! The question is why and what will be done in the future? "
castle doctrine wrote on Apr 29, 2007 7:57 PM:
" it designates ones home or car or place of work as a place in which one enjoys protections from both prying and violent attacks "
WHA ?!? wrote on Apr 29, 2007 7:59 PM:
" you know me don't know the streets very well do he(or she)? "
You Know Me wrote on Apr 29, 2007 8:43 PM:
" Yes, I do know the 'streets'. As a matter of fact a few years ago, there were blue bandandas tied to stop signs, and street signs all over my neighborhood. Me and another person walked up an down our street and removed every single one, wasnt hiding from anyone. Gang activity or just wannabes? I didnt see anyone coming around trying to find out who removed them. Believe me we were looking out for them. You see graffitti on buildings, from gangs or punks who see it on TV and want to imitate it? I know crime in Terrell is bad, but to say its gang related is a cop out to me. (no pun intended). I had my window shattered last summer by a ball bearing. Called the cops, they asked what we wanted them to do. Figures. Tell me where are the gangs? What gangs are in Terrell? Drug gangs? Organized crime gangs? I think just a bunch of wannabe thugs, that get thier jollies off of destroying other peoples property. "
ATTENTION ALL GANG MEMBERS... wrote on Apr 29, 2007 8:51 PM:
" WILL ALL GANG MEMBERS PLEASE LINE UP IN AN ORDERLY FASHION AND IDENTIFY YOURSELVES SO WE CAN PUT AN END TO THIS TOPIC...YOUR ADDRESS WOULD BE NICE, TOO. "
You Know Me wrote on Apr 29, 2007 9:17 PM:
" All right, all right, I hear what your saying. Crime is to high no matter who is doing it. I just think if someone is going to base their vote on that issue its being short sighted. "
I do not envy the new mayor wrote on Apr 29, 2007 9:26 PM:
" I think we should go ahead and vote in all 3 folks for mayor. our town needs so much, so NOW, it's going to be their little nightmare. we have issues and "areas of opportunities" from border to border, north south east and west. i think it will take a long time to see the desired results we all strive for. I love living in Terrell and i am going to help however i can, and i hope ya'll will to. "
Disgusted wrote on Apr 29, 2007 9:44 PM:
" It is truly unfortunate that we cannot vote in all three candidates. I believe that each has their own strengths and ideas that would benefit our city. At this point however, there is not a shining star among them that is drawing my vote in their favor. "
I commend all 3... wrote on Apr 29, 2007 9:58 PM:
" I do commend all 3 running for mayor. They stepped up to the plate to try and make a difference. They face insults from the peanut gallery (via blogs) all for a job that rewards no pay. Either very committed or very CRAZY. Good Luck to all three! "
Griffith Avenue wrote on Apr 30, 2007 7:58 AM:
" While all candidates are to be commended for taking the time to actually show they wish to make a difference, there is no doubt that Mr. Richards is the clear cut choice to lead Terrell into the future. A vote for Richards is a vote for Terrell's future. "
cmon now be nice wrote on Apr 30, 2007 7:59 AM:
" let's be positive - i hope she enjoys her retirement if that's what's she is going for and may she live to be a hundred and still be able to dance the hokey-pokey - let's focus (positively) on the task ahead and "get r done"...sorry i couldn't resist. "
Disgusted wrote on Apr 30, 2007 8:12 AM:
" I don't believe Richards is the "clear cut choice", the only thing that I hear from him is raise taxes to fix all of the problems. Why can't we re-evaluate where the existing money is being allocated and see if there is a better way it could be used. Maybe a fresh pair of eyes would be better than just raising taxes. "
One possible concern... wrote on Apr 30, 2007 8:18 AM:
" You may be right but i think some people feel that Mr. Richards will listen to certain people or groups such as perhaps the Griffith Avenue Gang and many others' concerns may fall upon a deaf ear. That may be the the cause of their uncertainty. "
Phil wrote on Apr 30, 2007 9:26 AM:
"
Turner is one of us (the people that live on a budget and don't have to please anyone, except who he is serving he dont have to please the higer ups just to feel that he is doing his job) He is truely a good person that cares about this City and most of all the people of this city no matter what race, job class or how much money they have he will represent all people equally "
Terrellite wrote on Apr 30, 2007 10:58 AM:
" I agree with HJ and Phil - for those of you that DON'T know Sammy - he has always had a vision for Terrell - Ethel and Hal talk the talk - BUT can they actuall walk the walk - I don't think so!!!!
Get out and Vote - Vote Turner for Mayor!!!!!! "
Job wrote on Apr 30, 2007 3:30 PM:
" We need a mayor the will make everyone in city hall do their job. The police dept. does have some problems, they need a leader that will make them do their jobs and let them do it. It upsets me that none of the canidates talked about the fire dept. and how they need another station or two and how they are out of space at the station at city hall. They have a staff shortage also and behind in tecnology. "
Johnny wrote on Apr 30, 2007 3:46 PM:
" and "JOB" they have a lot of misbehavior going on that the City doesn't know about, like beating up an old person, like fighting in our local restaurants, notice they did not have a BBQ at the jubilee this year??? The police are the ones that need more help and a better location. If anyone doesn't believe this then they need to take a tour of the PD and then go to the FD see who has it better. "
Bar-b-q wrote on Apr 30, 2007 3:59 PM:
" They need City officials and businessman "policed" at the Jubilee. Anyone see the drinking going on at the park around the campers, RV's ? "
To Johnny wrote on Apr 30, 2007 4:00 PM:
" I pay pretty close attention the the city of Terrell and I know of no policemen who have beat up an old person or gotten into trouble at a local restaurant. That is the problem with this site, anyone can say anything without any proof and be taken seriously. How can you be taken seriously if you have not facts???? "
DOH wrote on Apr 30, 2007 4:08 PM:
" I think the questions asked at the forum were submitted by readers of the Tribune. Perhaps no one submitted a question specifically about the fire department. IMHO the TFD is the only department in town that has a clue. "
Terrellian, it is Terrellian people! wrote on Apr 30, 2007 4:25 PM:
" I think the city mayoral candidates are in it for the right reasons. They all have lived here for many years, all are successes in their own right and they are good people. I look forward to a good race and I appreciate the Tribune bringing many of these issues to the forefront so we can get a feel for the candidates. The problem with the likes of Johnny is that from the safety of his or her computer he throws around half truths and expects to be taken seriously. Typical. "
Johnny no good! wrote on Apr 30, 2007 4:31 PM:
" Things are great at the city. I know I used to work down ther for a couple of years and the attude was really good. How can someone like johnny say the candidates don't nkow nothing. They do. "
griffith avenue wrote on Apr 30, 2007 5:00 PM:
" Amazing how a rebuttal to a post glaringly incenuate that a vote for Richards is a vote for the elite. Very small minded individual. We have to be poised for growth in the city, hold officials accountable, re-deploy the mission of the School board, and provider our Police and firefighters with the proper funding to properly do their jobs. Richards is a true business minded candidate that knows how to multi-task the many complex issues facing Terrell today. The other candidates are good people, but until you have experience in running multi-levels of business or government, the learning curve is much too large. A vote for Richards is a vote for Progress, Accountability, and the Future. Plain and simple. "
City worker wrote on Apr 30, 2007 5:20 PM:
" Johnny you have no clue. That is what is wrong with the city of Terrell, is people like you making comments on issues that they have no idea of what is going on. The fire dept. does not cook at the cook-off anymore because they have to work there because they are so short staffed, and the other two incidents you are talking about, one was all rumors and the other went to court and found out the old man made the story up to try to get the firemam fired. So why don't you get the rest of the story before you make a fool out of yourself and put down the hard working fireman that work for our city. "
JT wrote on Apr 29, 2007 11:11 AM: