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Early voting to begin Monday

BY DAN EAKIN

Published: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 7:39 PM CST

Staff Writer

The Carrollton City Council candidates in the special election set for Dec. 5 to replace Ron Branson on Place 6 all agree that public safety is the number one issue facing the city.

The candidates spoke at a forum sponsored by the Metrocrest Republicans Club last Wednesday night at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.

Five of the six candidates were on hand to express their views and list their qualifications to replace Branson, who resigned in September for health reasons.

Early voting starts Monday at the Josey Ranch Lake Library at 1700 Keller Springs or the Sandy Jacobs Government center at Rosemeade and Old Denton.

The candidates present for the forum included Terry Simons, Jack Stotz, Paul Kramer, Cathy Henesey and Najma Ghouse. Kathleen York was absent but sent a printed announcement which was read.

Simons, a former council member who resigned last year to run for another office, called on the people to remember Branson and “continue to lift him up in our prayers.” Branson is awaiting a possible heart transplant.

Simons told the people, “Experience is what I have to offer.” He said he has been a Carrollton resident most of his life. He said some current council members and others had asked him to run for council again.

Stotz said, “I have a head for government and a head for leadership.” He serves on the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and on the Metrocrest Social Services Center Board of Directors.

He resigned as a member of the Carrollton Planning and Zoning Commission in order to run for city council.

Kramer noted that “There is a buffet of candidates,” and said, “This position is all about service.”

“In my role as a professional engineer, I bring years of experience in that trade,” Kramer said, noting that engineering experience can especially be beneficial with the new rail system now being developed for Carrollton.

Kramer said he would like to see more partnering between the “faith community” and city government to meet the needs of the city.

Henesey, who noted that she lost a city council race by only 86 votes last May, admitted she does not have any previous experience as a council member.

She asked, “Do you need all of this past experience, or do you need a fresh face?”

She suggested she would bring both a fresh face and new ideas to the council.

Ghouse said she would bring diversity to the council.

“You can count on me to devote my efforts toward reaching out and involving every segment of our community,” she said. “I will serve you with an unwavering commitment to bring valuable solutions to community concerns. I am committed to the safety, clean air, quality of life and sustainability of Carrollton’s growth.”

Ghouse worked at Trinity Medical for 11 years and has been a Realtor for the past 10 years.

In a statement provided by York, York said the city “needs to hold the line on taxes and monitor the budget for cost effectiveness; stay on track with DART; ensure the safety and quality of life for all citizens; and promote and actively seek involvement in working together to solve our challenges.”

In a question and answer period that followed the candidates statements, the candidates were asked what is the number one issue facing the city. All agreed that public safety is the most important, with taxes, budget and education also important.

Early voting in the Dec. 5 election will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 20-22 and Nov. 24-25; from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27-29 and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

Registered voters who are residents of Carrollton may vote early at the Josey Ranch Lake Library at 1700 Keller Springs Road or at the Sandy Jacobs Government Center (formerly Denton County Government Center) at 1029 W. Rosemeade.

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