FORNEY, Texas – Early voting for the Forney City Council and Forney Independent School District began Monday, April 28, 2014, and will run through Tuesday, May 6, 2014. Election Day is May 10, 2014.
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Only one candidate for the Forney City Council is facing opposition this year. Place 5 Council member Mary Penn is being challenged by Sara Gresham Parker. Place 1 Council member Darrell Hobbs and Place 3 Council member Robbie Powers are running unopposed.
Council member Mary Penn declined to participate in the inForney.com Voters Guide for the Forney City Council Place 5 race. Below are Sara Gresham Parker's responses to questions from our readers.
Sara Gresham Parker
Please tell us about yourself and your background.
•Member, First Baptist Church of Forney and of the Martha Sunday School Class
•Born in Mineola, Texas; lived in Alba, Texas (11 years); Mineola, Texas (7 years); Denton, Texas (3 1/2 years); Dallas, Texas (14 years); Plano, Texas (12 years); Forney, Texas (18 years).
•Graduate, Mineola High School, Mineola, Texas
•Graduate, North Texas State University [now the University of North Texas], BBA
•Post-graduate studies, University of Texas at Dallas
•Former teacher (Garland High School), Administrative Assistant, EMT
•Former president, Forney Garden Club, 2 years
•Former chairperson of Hospitality Committee, First Baptist Church, Forney
•Member, Forney Historic Preservation League {FHPL}
•Former co-chairperson, FHPL CHRISTmas Home Tour
•Member, Forney Downtown Business Association
•Cashier, Kroger Marketplace, Forney
What you do see as being the largest challenges facing Forney now and in the future and how do you plan on addressing those challenges?
I see one of the greatest challenges facing Forney is trying to ensure that our infrastructure (such as city streets and sewers) keeps up with the growth of the city. I also believe we need to attract employers that have good jobs so people don't have to leave Forney to work. We need to have ample jobs so that high school graduates in Forney can find job opportunities in Forney that pay good money.
What is your position on alcohol sales at Spellman Amphitheatre if it was restricted to special events only?
I am adamantly opposed to the sale of alcohol in the Community Park.
How would you support and encourage downtown revitalization?
I believe the City Council (CC) needs to communicate closely with the Forney Downtown Business Association (of which I am a member). In some cases, tax abatements or other incentives may be necessary or desirable in order to attract unique restaurants & shops.
What is your future vision for the Gateway development?
It is my understanding that the developer's proposal includes hotels, upscale condominiums, high-end shops, theaters and other entertainment venues. I will be supportive of an overall opportunity for our citizens to shop, dine and be entertained here in Forney - rather than leaving Forney. I cannot comment beyond that without seeing specific proposals by developers.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for the Booker T. Washington school?
It is my understanding that City Staff is coordinating discussion between outside consultants and a group composed of Booker T. Washington graduates, a CC member & other citizens who are considering the feasibility & cost of various alternative uses. Until it is clear what portions of the existing structure can be salvaged, I cannot offer any specific suggestions for future uses.
Would working closely with your ex-husband on the Forney city council present any challenges in fulfilling your job duties as a member of the Forney city council?
It is my intention to base my decisions as a CC member on what is best for the City of Forney & the majority of its citizens. In the process, I may or may not agree with my ex-husband --- in the same fashion that I may or may not agree with the other members of the CC.
Council member Mary Penn declined to participate in the inForney.com Voters Guide for the Forney City Council Place 5 race. Below are Sara Gresham Parker's responses to questions from our readers.
Sara Gresham Parker
Please tell us about yourself and your background.
•Member, First Baptist Church of Forney and of the Martha Sunday School Class
•Born in Mineola, Texas; lived in Alba, Texas (11 years); Mineola, Texas (7 years); Denton, Texas (3 1/2 years); Dallas, Texas (14 years); Plano, Texas (12 years); Forney, Texas (18 years).
•Graduate, Mineola High School, Mineola, Texas
•Graduate, North Texas State University [now the University of North Texas], BBA
•Post-graduate studies, University of Texas at Dallas
•Former teacher (Garland High School), Administrative Assistant, EMT
•Former president, Forney Garden Club, 2 years
•Former chairperson of Hospitality Committee, First Baptist Church, Forney
•Member, Forney Historic Preservation League {FHPL}
•Former co-chairperson, FHPL CHRISTmas Home Tour
•Member, Forney Downtown Business Association
•Cashier, Kroger Marketplace, Forney
What you do see as being the largest challenges facing Forney now and in the future and how do you plan on addressing those challenges?
I see one of the greatest challenges facing Forney is trying to ensure that our infrastructure (such as city streets and sewers) keeps up with the growth of the city. I also believe we need to attract employers that have good jobs so people don't have to leave Forney to work. We need to have ample jobs so that high school graduates in Forney can find job opportunities in Forney that pay good money.
What is your position on alcohol sales at Spellman Amphitheatre if it was restricted to special events only?
I am adamantly opposed to the sale of alcohol in the Community Park.
How would you support and encourage downtown revitalization?
I believe the City Council (CC) needs to communicate closely with the Forney Downtown Business Association (of which I am a member). In some cases, tax abatements or other incentives may be necessary or desirable in order to attract unique restaurants & shops.
What is your future vision for the Gateway development?
It is my understanding that the developer's proposal includes hotels, upscale condominiums, high-end shops, theaters and other entertainment venues. I will be supportive of an overall opportunity for our citizens to shop, dine and be entertained here in Forney - rather than leaving Forney. I cannot comment beyond that without seeing specific proposals by developers.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for the Booker T. Washington school?
It is my understanding that City Staff is coordinating discussion between outside consultants and a group composed of Booker T. Washington graduates, a CC member & other citizens who are considering the feasibility & cost of various alternative uses. Until it is clear what portions of the existing structure can be salvaged, I cannot offer any specific suggestions for future uses.
Would working closely with your ex-husband on the Forney city council present any challenges in fulfilling your job duties as a member of the Forney city council?
It is my intention to base my decisions as a CC member on what is best for the City of Forney & the majority of its citizens. In the process, I may or may not agree with my ex-husband --- in the same fashion that I may or may not agree with the other members of the CC.