Meet the Candidate Night, sponsored by the Forney Chamber of Commerce, was held on Thursday, April 25 in the Forney High School cafeteria. City Council candidates had the opportunity to introduce themselves to voters and to state their positions on local issues.
Ray Stephens- Running Unopposed for Place 2 City Council
Ray Stephens served on the EDC Board and then applied for and was appointed in 2012 to take the seat of Brian Haughey who stepped down from the City Council. He is a a decorated, retired United States Marine who currently works in the “fire protection industry.” Mr. Stephens is also an Adjutant Professor of Emergency Disaster Management and Homeland Security with Central Texas College and Trinity Valley Community College.
Stephens said, “When I make a decision, I do it from the bottom of my heart. I don't let any group pressure me, I do what I think is right for this community...I do want your vote, but I won't sell my soul for your vote.” He spoke of his desire to help grow and develop downtown Forney, saying “I support revitalizing downtown.” He said he wants to help guide the city and will represent the whole community. He voiced his strong support for the apartments being built near FM 548 on the north side of Highway 80.
Scott Regan vs Incumbent James Hatley- Place 4 City Council
Scott Regan was raised in Terrell and graduated from Texas Tech University in 1997. He works for a contract management company. He serves on the Forney EDC Board and feels that his experience in managing millions of dollars for his job can be beneficial to the City.
He vowed to represent the masses and not individual agendas if he is elected. In response to a question about the formerly proposed $2 million EDC Bond to revitalize downtown, Regan said, “When we talk about debt we have to be very strategic in our approach. The burden of debt, as anyone knows, can be very impactful to an individual or...to a city.” As a member of the EDC Board, Regan made a motion to approve an amended spending list for the bond and voted to approve the bond measure.
When asked how he feels the proposed apartment complex will affect the City of Forney, Regan said that he spoke with many Diamond Creek residents who are worried about the apartments close to their sub-division. He said that he spoke with leaders in other cities and was told they wished they had held off on approving apartments and reassessed what the long term impact would be. He did not say if he is for or against the apartments.
James Hatley is a fourth generation citizen of Forney and has lived here nearly his entire life. He has served on the Forney EDC Board, the Forney Parks Board, the Forney Planning and Zoning Board, and the Forney Historic Preservation League Board. He was appointed to the City Council in 2001 and was elected to the Council from 2003 to present.
Hatley spoke about the City Council's need to “prepare and plan” and he mentioned the retreats the Council goes on in order to exchange ideas and share visions for the future of Forney. In response to the EDC Bond question, Hatley said, “That money would have allowed us to do a portion of the school property (old First Baptist Church)...I don't think that's going to come in to fruition for us, so we asked the EDC to go back and look it over, a Plan B.” He said it is important to address the needs of downtown and that it will take money to revitalize downtown Forney.
Speaking about the proposed apartment complex in Forney, Hatley said, “The apartment complex is going to be a value to lots of people. It's going to be a value to some of our quality teachers...who don't want to or can't afford to rent or buy a house.” He said it benefits those who want less maintenance than they would have with a house and will be great for the young people who graduate high school and need an apartment to attend local colleges.
Joc Lomax vs Incumbent Andy Parker- Place 6 City Council
Joc Lomax grew up in East Texas and began working in Dallas for the Department of Justice in the IT Department since 1998. He made Forney his home in 2004 and has been active in the Claybon PTO. He is a former member of the EDC Board and is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Forney as well as a 2012 graduate of Leadership Kaufman County.
Lomax says communication is important between the City, FISD, and the Chamber. When asked about the Bond that was passed while he was on the EDC Board, Lomax said “It's a bad idea.” He said he proposed a solution to go through the Main Street program which is through the Governors office. He described it as “free money for downtown redevelopment” and said that is the solution he feels is best for “truly revitalizing downtown.” While on the EDC Board, Lomax missed both meetings in which a vote was held on the bond issue.
To the apartment question Lomax stated that he didn't “know too much about it” but he feels that if the right steps are in place and the right people review the plans and make sure it's beneficial to the City of Forney, then it is “a win situation.” He thinks if it is done in “the right, controlled environment” it is a plus.
Andy Parker was raised on a dairy farm in Marshall, Texas and spent many years in Oklahoma. He graduated from Rice University in 1963 and the University of Texas Law School in 1966. He has lived in Forney since 1996 and has been on the City Council for 10 years. He is a Certified Public Accountant
Parker said this about Forney, “We are a vibrant community, we are a forward looking community. We aren't some sleepy little town on the outskirts of a big city, with no aspirations and no visions. We are looking ahead.” When asked about the relationship between the City of Forney, FISD, and the Chamber of Commerce, Parker said, “I think the relationship has been improving over the last several years. I think Council and in particular, Mayor Rozell, have worked very diligently to try to open lines of communication.”
On the EDC Bond question Parker said he thinks the bond is a good idea. “We need to revitalize our historic downtown.That area represents the roots and anchor of our community, it's our heritage and what sets us apart.” He added, “This is a way to bring life back to our downtown.” As to the apartment complex, he didn't like the visual look of it originally but said that Forney is beginning to run out of land for single family residences. He feels that “upscale apartments are necessary and desirable for the vitality of our community.”
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