McKinney businessman Robert O’Donnell to run for city council

by Staff of of McKinneyNews.net

This just in from the O'Donnell Campaign:

Long-time McKinney businessman Robert O’Donnell has filed to run in the upcoming special election for the District III council seat.

"I am running on a platform of straight talk, honest answers, and visible action,” said the 47-year-old O'Donnell, who works as a court-appointed child advocate. “Government should be transparent, accountable, and action-oriented. I will give you a direct answer no matter what the question. I’ve been told I say what everyone else is thinking. I take that as a compliment.”

A fiscal conservative, O’Donnell also believes in efficient, cost-effective government. “For the past 23 years, I have worked for 18 different judges in two counties, and have ensured the payment of over $750 million dollars in child support to more than 45,000 children,” he said. “Dealing with people in this highly charged environment teaches you to listen and consider other people’s opinions and points of view respectfully while working toward solutions. I know how to work within a budget and establish accountability in bureaucratic systems – skills important to a councilperson.”

Government should be efficient. “I think we hire too many consultants,” O’Donnell said. “We need to have faith in our city staff that they can do their jobs and provide them the tools with which to work. We ought to be able to make a plan on any of a number of issues and effectively implement and administer them cost-efficiently.”

City government should also be accessible. If elected, O’Donnell promises to be available to hear citizen concerns and input on issues affecting the city. “I will ask my constituents for input and carry their views to council, he said. “In addition to email and phone, I plan to make myself available monthly in the evenings to talk to residents of District 3.”

O’Donnell and his family live in the Historic District and have watched the population grow exponentially. “I moved to McKinney in 1989 when it was a town of less than 20,000 people and have grown with the city,” he said. “District 3 is a unique district. We have brand new homes, homes built in the 1950’s,’ 60’s, and ‘70’s, and turn-of-the-century homes in the Historic District. Each area has its own set of challenges and opportunities – from transportation and development to quality of life.”

Because of its unique composition, District 3 has challenges that are more disparate than the rest of the city. “For that portion of the district that lies east of 75, the major issue is infrastructure,” O’Donnell said. “For the area west of 75, it is traffic, congestion, and a lack of open space and parks.

“I have lived in the greater Dallas Metroplex for 47 years and in McKinney’s Historic district since 1989,” he added. “I have watched how our neighbors to the south, from Dallas to Allen have developed. I have seen what I consider to be the mistakes made and the victories won. I believe my job is to ensure the needs of District 3 do not play second fiddle to the exuberant development of McKinney’s newer areas.”

O’Donnell feels strongly that to ensure McKinney remains a great place to live and work, there must be responsible development mindful of the needs of the established neighborhoods. “We should view our city as a string of pearls, each neighborhood and development unique, each adding to the enrichment of others and bound together by coherent, consistent policy that considers the at-large needs of the community,” he said. “We can only remain unique by nature if we govern with an eye to future, while respecting the past.”

O’Donnell is a graduate of University of Texas, Dallas. Born and raised in Dallas, he is passionate about children and education. He has served on the boards of both Holy Family School and The Boys & Girls Club, and is involved at the MISD school his two children attend. Additionally, O’Donnell helped found the McKinney Historic Neighborhood Association and the Downtown Property Owners Association, served on the Main Street board and is a past Chair to the city’s Board of Adjustments. He is a member of Rotary and attends St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with his family.