ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, THE FIRST DAYS: Garland citizens are clearly eager for a change in our city government

I am enjoying talking with members of the public about their concerns and hopes for our city.
(Photo by Deborah Downes of Take to Heart Images)

The huge positive response I've received to my announcement that I am running for Mayor of Garland on a progressive-reform platform tells me the citizens of Garland are eager for a change at the top that stops the unproductive divisiveness on city council, lifts our citizens up as the true owners of the 87th-largest city in America, and moves our community forward on so many issues important in the lives of our people.

These issues include:
1. the horrendous loss of our city's only hospital,
2. our miserable residential streets in older parts of town,
3. the absurd stalemate over the future of the former Eastern Hills County Club,
4. the ridiculously long-delayed new animal shelter,
5. the embarrassing lack of political transparency here,
6. the unacceptable "benign neglect" practiced toward our burgeoning Hispanic population and other minority groups,
7. the exhausting slow-grind in finding a permanent solution to the underfunded firefighters and police retirement accounts,
8. the unfair slow economic development emphasis in some parts of the city particularly the central and southern sectors,
9. the failure of our city leaders to develop a workable solution for our growing population of people including children and students without homes (a.k.a. "the homeless"),
10. the crime rate as personified by the scary number of murders in our city this year,
11. the hesitancy to look at Central Park improvements globally instead of piecemeal, and
12. a myriad of other issues.

Is there any wonder that I chose to style my campaign with the theme, "Moore, Hope for Garland"? Citizens I run into often feel they have no hope for our city.

My first few days on the campaign trail have put me in contact with so many wonderful Garland residents. I am deeply touched and moved by their words of affirmation, actions, and show of support.

Our citizens know this is a defining moment for Garland. Either we go forward to a future that is bright because we have resolved the matters dragging us down—or we go backward to the 1960s, when Garland chose to isolate itself and turned inward, allowing placebos to rock it to sleep and fall behind our neighboring cities.

I'm all about moving forward. I'm encouraged that such a tremendous number of our citizens want to go in that direction, too!

Friends and supporters who began arriving in front of The Pace House for my campaign announcement inspired me with their enthusiasm and desire to see a better Garland soon. (Photo by Deborah Downes of Take to Heart Images)

I am especially encouraged by the people who have talked to me about their interest in running for public office here. Many reflect the racial, gender, and economic diversity within our community. They want the opportunity to serve their community but either are reluctant because of the image of our city government as a closed society or simply don't know how. I'm encouraging them and promising to open the pathways for ALL our citizens, if they so choose, to share in the governance and leadership of our city.

I am amazed at how many people have told me they are tired of the paralysis in our city government, exemplified by city employees who privately—and sometimes publicly—are telling people nothing is going to get done of any substance in the city until after the May election. Why? Because our council is so divided on personality and political issues. Nobody wants to put forth anything truly creative and forward-looking until we can get past the current impasse.

The heart-touching, amazing response to our campaign also reminds me that my support comes from average Garland citizens who are paying the high taxes and wondering where their city is heading. I welcome any and all endorsements or signs of support from ALL Garland citizens who want to get on board this fast-moving train.

Our citizens want the serious issues fully and openly discussed in a fair and professional manner—and resolved. If we are to move forward to a brighter future, then we've got to clear the pathway of the litter left from these lingering matters and diversionary political fights.

A friend of mine in Houston, who is a noted marriage-and-family therapist, loves to use the expression, "Let's make the covert overt." By that he means, issues bubbling just below the surface can destroy unless they are brought to the top and dealt with appropriately. That's my hope for Garland—that we will face our real issues head on, deal with them appropriately, enact the best possible solutions, and move on to a brighter day for all of us.

Finding Solutions is my passion and has been for years, because of my determination to find answers to whatever issues our city confronts. During my 10 years on the city's Plan Commission, I have consistently advocated citizens working together with the city and developers to find "win-win" solutions for all involved. That's what I am promising to do in this election. The solutions are all around us, if we will only OPEN our eyes, THINK creatively, and FIND them!

I will lead Garland forward—with eyes wide open—to a brighter, more hopeful, better future!

I welcome any and all who want to get on board this fast-moving train.
(Photo by Deborah Downes of Take to Heart Images)