DeSoto candidates address the issues in local forums

by Daphne Brown of DeSoto TODAY

The handful of residents who attended the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce's second city council Candidates on the Move forum appreciated the process.

The handful of residents who attended the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce's second city council Candidates on the Move forum appreciated the process.

The chamber's Government Team, responsible for organizing what has become an annual event, estimated between 40 and 50 people participated.

The city's six candidates up for election attended and moved around the room as residents encircled them, listening and asking questions. Candidates include Place 1 challengers Bobby Waddle and Harold C. Willis, Place 3 challengers Paul Benson and Denise Valentine and Place 5 challengers Randy Eppes and Sandy Respess.

“It was a very enlightening and enriching experience that unfortunately not enough voices were out here representing DeSoto,” Kelly Cooper, a seven-year resident of DeSoto, said. “I'm very glad I got the opportunity to hear the candidates. I hope it continues.”

A resident of the city for more than 33 years, Don Dewberry sat taking notes during the forum, held in the Bluebonnet rooms at DeSoto Town Center April 19.

“I thought the evening was very interesting,” Dewberry said. “I gained more insight on the way the candidates look at the issues.”

Candidates on the Move, he said, is more intimate than other forums he has attended.

“There was more one-on-one time,” he said. “I'm getting close to making up my mind.”

There is one more candidate forum to attend, he said.

“I'll ponder a little while and then head for the (voting) booth,” Dewberry said.

Candidates, who have about two weeks left on their campaign rails, fielded questions about leadership, management styles and the issues foremost in their minds.

Willis, for instance, concentrated on the number of home foreclosures in the city.

“When you have an oversupply of new houses, people don't look at the older homes,” Willis said. “I'm not trying to regulate home building, but when you have a foreclosure, it drives down everybody's values.”

“What does the city have to do with foreclosures?” Tom Simerly asked. “How can the city affect foreclosures? Because the city wasn't able to do anything about the foreclosures on either side of me. In fact, it helped me get rid of some mediocre neighbors and brought me some wonderful ones.”

He went on to ask what Willis would do to stimulate economic development and attract businesses to the city.

Pointing out that the city lost K-mart and Albertsons, Willis said there is no reason DeSoto shouldn't have an IHOP, Denny's and Costco, for instance.

DeSoto Chamber of Commerce Chairman Bob Simmons said DeSoto didn't cause those businesses, each of whom shut down locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, to close. Those decisions, Simmons said, were beyond the city's control.

Willis said the only thing he could discuss was the DeSoto School System since it is among the most influential reasons people chose to move to the city. He said he would encourage good partnerships.

One person asked Willis what he thought he could bring to the council despite having not been involved in a volunteer capacity. Willis said when he has tried to get involved, he has been met with apprehension on the part of city hall, which seems to have certain people in mind for vacancies on boards and commissions.

“That's made it very difficult when I have wanted to get involved,” Willis said.

When asked the number of city council meetings he had attended in the past year, Willis said between one and three. He said the city's cable access channel has enabled him to view city council meetings in the comfort of his home.

One forum-goer asked Willis, a small businessman, what had changed in his business that would allow him the time to run for council and another wanted to know why a bid for mayor now after 27 years of living in the city.

“I am a citizen of DeSoto, like anyone else,” Willis said. “The council doesn't listen to its citizens. What I am saying is that I will listen to the citizens of DeSoto.”

DeSoto High School senior Bianca Rodriguez asked Willis about the political experience he does not have.

“I wouldn't be running the city myself,” Willis said. “Incidentally, actually who runs the city is the city manager.”

One person said when someone wants to be a doctor, he or she goes to medical school, but others in the group said prior political experience “is not necessarily totally bad.”

DeSoto resident Roosevelt Williams asked Willis what he thought about the five DeSoto City Charter amendments to be decided at the same time as candidates for council.

“They're all bad,” Willis said. “I think we should keep the DeSoto City Charter as is. You're taking the government away from the people.”

Someone asked Willis whether he personally profits from foreclosures since he purchases homes in the city.

“I only have nine homes, so it's not like I go around trying to buy up all of the houses in DeSoto,” Willis said.

Williams said, “It's a good idea if you did. I don't see that as a contradiction.”

Willis was asked to explain his style, particularly where his management skill is involved.

“Are you confrontational, passive, inspirational?”

“I don't know how I would describe it,” Willis answered.

DeSoto resident James Zander asked Willis, “Why not run for a board or commission position? We don't know you, so why not let us get to know you for two or three years?”

“I've been involved the last 10 years,” Willis said. “The opportunity is now.”

Eppes said there was no pressing issue that prompted him to run; he merely felt it was time to take his turn at service. He said one of the pledges he has made to himself, as well as to those whose votes he seeks, is that he would try to extract emotion from the decision-making process in an effort to render the most sound outcome possible.

“Will I always make a decision you like, probably not, but I hope you appreciate someone who is thinking.”

Someone pointed out that emotion is looked at in a negative way, but it can be a vital part of most any process.

When asked about his leadership, Eppes shared he had held board positions at church, as well as supervisory positions at work.

“Those experiences will allow me to work on the city council,” Eppes said. “I like to work toward building a consensus.

“Things are going well in DeSoto,” he said. “There's no hot-button issue that I'm dealing with, I just think I can serve. Service doesn't require a unique ability, it just requires the time.”

Eppes said he looked up and realized that all he and his family were doing was focusing on themselves. He said he didn't even know which district he lived in when he decided to run.

Why not run for the school board, someone asked Eppes.

“I'm so emotionally involved that I know I wouldn't be able to function. I know that everything would be so personal, and I know my daughter (a DeSoto High School student) wouldn't appreciate it.”

Benson said one thing he really liked about DeSoto is there are no liquor stores and the beautiful sceneries.

When asked whether he supported the Hampton Road Redevelopment Project, and more specifically the Town Center Catalyst Project, Benson said he was neutral on the issue for a lot of reasons.

“I”m looking at it from both sides,” he said. “It's beautiful and gorgeous, but it's a lot of money. I need to do a little more investigation.”

Asked if he thought it would be as successful as the Uptown project near downtown Dallas, Benson merely answered it would depend on traffic flow.

“It also depends on what types of businesses,” he said.

The most important issue facing DeSoto, Benson said, is safety.

“Definitely, safety because I substitute teach,” he said. “You got children with special needs and other needs, and you know that if there's a problem with the school district that's all of our issue.”

He used other examples that included dogs running loose and vehicles parked on the street.

“If not elected, would you consider being involved?” a DHS student asked.

“Of course, but I've been involved with my children, but not so much now that they're growing up.”

A candidates forum is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday May 1, at the DeSoto Senior Center.