YOUR VOTE WILL SHAPE GARLAND'S FUTURE: If Garland truly matters to you, you'll go to the ballot box.

During his announcement on Feb. 16, Louis Moore said he would be a mayor for all citizens. (Photo by Deborah Downes of Take to Heart Images)

This special election for the new Mayor of Garland is not about me nor about my two opponents.

This election is about YOU, the citizens of Garland—empowering you to help make the city all it can be.

Your vote will shape Garland's future.

If you don't like the direction Garland is going now (and many of you have told me you don't), this is your chance to start making a difference.

I want to make Garland a better city for ALL of its citizens. I intend to be a Mayor actively involved and engaged with the citizens of the community. I won't be a mayor who hangs out only with members of the city council and other Garland political elite. 

I'm happy when you say you support me. I thank you for installing one of our signs—and for attending some of of meetings where I have spoken. I'm pleased when you hit "Like" on one of my Facebook posts. All those gestures mean much; I appreciate each one, but if you stay home and don't go to the polls and cast your vote for Louis Moore, these gestures go nowhere. The power is in your hands. 

If you truly want to make Garland a better city for ALL, this is the time to change your habits. If you have been apathetic in the past and thought, why bother?, I urge you to now step out and make your way to the ballot box.

I need your help. I can't win this election without YOU.

For too long Garland has been run by a small handful of politicos and gatekeepers who work steadily to make sure that YOU are denied your constitutional right to voice your opinion at the polls. They work steadily behind the scenes to discourage people from running in elections, thus perpetuating scenarios whereby incumbents or their chosen successors face no opponents—and thus are automatically elected or reelected, often without ever receiving one single citizens' vote.

   

Without actual elections, is it any wonder our political leaders move further and further away from believing they are responsible to—and need to listen to—the citizens of Garland? 

I have stepped forward, and I am ready to serve the citizens of the great city of Garland! I want to mobilize our citizens into a force that will help build a better Garland. I can do that only if I am elected.

Voter turnout in Garland elections is abominable and has been for many years. It is what has led to this deplorable situation now where politicos and gatekeepers run our city. Less than 4% (or 4,400 living in 3,150 households) of our city's registered voters turned out a year ago to vote in that mayoral election. Our current mayor was elected with about two-thirds of that tiny vote. He then resigned less than a year later after an embarrassing public conflict involving several city council members. That situation shook the city and tarnished its reputation.

Voting for City Council seats produces far worse turnout than voting for mayor. Depending on the district and whether there is even an election, the turnout can be as low as 2% to 3% of registered voters in a district, with the victor in a contested race usually elected only by a handful of voters. 

The problem is systemic, not an isolated situation. Low voter turnout grants those who want to manipulate our political system and our city the cover they need to continue their un-American ways.

This needs to change.

The U.S. constitution and the Texas constitution guarantees YOU—every one of YOU over the age of 18—the right to vote.

The success of this election depends on YOU, the good citizens of Garland, exercising that right.

Early election begins today, Monday, April 23, and continues through Tuesday, May 1. The special election for a new mayor to finish the final year in resigned Mayor Douglas Athas' two-year term is officially Saturday, May 5.

The success of this election depends on YOU, the good citizens of Garland, exercising your voting rights.(Photo by Deborah Downes of Take to Heart Images)

We are expecting a tight race, because change is difficult for many people. As I've said many times, I want to take the city in a new and different direction—one in which ALL citizens count—and with a new style of leadership to make Garland a better city for ALL.

I've pledged that as soon as elected, I will appoint at least eight mayoral citizen task forces to work with me to find workable solutions and strategies for such issues as:

1. The loss of our city's only hospital,

2. Speeding up the repair and replacement of our city's miserable streets, sidewalks, and alleys,

3. Improving the deteriorating city parks, especially in central and southern Garland.

4. Our long-delayed new animal shelter and a faster route to a "no-kill" policy.

5. The slow economic redevelopment particularly in central and southern portions of the city,

6. Political reform in our city,

7. How to bring ALL of our citizens, particularly our Hispanic, black, and Asian populations, into the mainstream of life in Garland.

8. Lack of a comprehensive plan for our growing homeless population.

Please join me in this effort to MAKE GARLAND A BETTER CITY FOR ALL. Exercise your right and VOTE!