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Local candidates discuss top issues at forum in Plano Centre
By Lynn Proctor Windle and Zachary Markovic, Staff Writers
If you ask the dozen or so candidates attending Tuesday’s Chamber of Commerce’s candidate forum to list the top issues facing Plano, you’ll get a dozen or so different answers.
Money and moving things were the most pervasive themes that emerged at the “Coffee with the Candidates” question and answer session hosted by the chamber’s Public Policy Committee. Some candidates want to lower taxes; others want to collect those already levied. Some want to move dockets; others want to move traffic around town.
For newcomer Jon Cole, garnering more state money for Plano followed by tapping into the Nickles Aquifer top his to-do list.
Cole is seeking the Republican nomination for the Texas House of Representatives for District 67. He is facing long-time incumbent Jerry Madden in the March 4 showdown. Because there is no Democratic challenger in the November general election, the winner of this race will take the seat during the next legislative session.
Madden has other issues on his agenda.
“Clearly, immigration is the No. 1 issue. Two out of three people that I talk with bring that issue up first. Economy and taxes are number two. Transportation and water fall a little farther down the list because they are more complicated. Education, both public and private, [is a priority] in Plano,” he said.
Madden said one way to address the immigration issue is to require the state’s probation department to gather information about immigration status. He also suggested that local law enforcement make better use of tools already in place such as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiatives.
Cole likewise called for a review of enforcement laws and for a more secure border.
“It’s clear we have a problem. We have to look at how we enforce the laws and secure the border.”
While immigration has proven to be a hot topic in the county race, taxes and transportation certainly have as well.
Even though Phyllis Cole and Matt Shaheen are both seeking the same seat, Precinct 1 County Commissioner, their agendas are clearly different.
Cole, the Republican incumbent who is not related to House of Representatives candidate, is focusing her attention on mobility issues.
“Transportation is the No. 1 issue. We have a shortage of funding, but traffic continues to grow throughout Plano. We’re spending more and more of our time focused on that. We do have to think longer term.”
She pointed to the recent county bond election as one means to relieve some of the problems.
“We need to use the county bond funds efficiently because people have to get to work. People have to get to school,” she said.
But the bond issue is a sticking point for Shaheen. He objected to the latest countywide bond election where Plano will receive about half of the money it pays into the pot.
Phyllis Cole pointed out that Plano citizens were the ones who decided what projects to include the bond election.
Shaheen’s top issues include property tax relief.
He said the county’s budget has grown faster than its population. He called for making the government more efficient, starting with a spending freeze.
Victor Manuel, the lone Democrat attending the forum, said that traffic is his number one issue facing the city.
“Plano has a log jam of traffic. Plano must look to support not only U.S. 75, but Preston Road, the Dallas North Tollway and so many other thoroughfares. Traffic is a tremendous factor in the growth of Plano. Planning needs to be not just for two to five years, but for 20 to 25 years. Plano has come a long way in Collin County. Plano can serve as a mentor to the other communities and their growth.”
Manuel is seeking Place 3 on the Commissioner’s Court, which represents a large chunk of the county’s northern and eastern quadrants. He is unopposed on the Democrat ticket. In November, he faces the winner of the hotly-contested Republican primary between incumbent Joe Jaynes and challenger Corbett Howard.
The two candidates for tax assessor and collector want to improve the way Collin County collects its taxes, either through more efficient technology or friendly customer service.
Incumbent Ken Maun said, “Plano pays consistently on 90 percent of its taxes. Plano needs to develop long-term services to maintain that standard.”
Maun spotlighted the office’s improved customer service efforts and reminded people that his office only collects taxes as prescribed by the state legislature.
“We try to care about people. We train people to be courteous and diplomatic. We’re here to help. We’re not trying to gouge anybody,” he said.
Challenger Karl Voigtsberger echoed the need for improved customer service, but pointed to the Internet as a more long-term solution to collecting taxes.
Voigtsberger said he’d like to see the tax office eliminate the online payment fee so that convenience wouldn’t cost taxpayers more money.
Still, collections weren’t Voigtsberger’s top issue. Voightberger said he would like to see the tax assessor’s seat on the Collin County’s Appraisal Board become a voting member.
“Appraisals are a problem,” he said. “The legislature has the keys to fix that issue, and I am willing to support them. The tax assessor should have a vote on the appraisal board. None are elected. They’re all appointed. I’d like to see more accountability there.”
Charles Sandoval has sat on the bench of the 380th District Court since it was created in 1996. Experience is the critical factor in selecting a district judge, he said. Sandoval focused on his years of experience as a public prosecutor for the federal government and his private practice in criminal law.
Challenger Suzanne Wooten believes that civil law, particularly family matters, will become more prevalent as the county grows.
“We have to keep in mind what’s best for the children,” she said. “It’s time for change. Nobody has opposed a sitting judge before.”
Since there is no Democratic challenger, the winner of this race will take the bench in January.
Chuck Presley Sr., retired sheriff’s deputy and candidate for Precinct 3 constable, focused on where constables should be patrolling.
“The constable role is in a transition phase right now,” he said. “There are various discussions over the George Bush Tollway and who should take over patrolling it. The current constable is understaffed by 50 percent and to increase that means to increase training.”
Challenger James Decoux did not attend the forum. Incumbent Bob Bell is not seeking re-election. The outcome of the March 4 election will determine which candidate takes the office. Decoux and Presley are both Republicans. There is no Democratic challenger for the November general election.
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