Denton City Council hopefuls call for bike plans, nature preservation

by Chris Speight of North Texas Daily

Denton City Hall

Platforms for Denton City Council candidates this year range from fiscal efficiency and ending city corruption to saving trees and revitalizing Fry Street.

Lifelong Democrat and District 3 candidate Amy Manuel said her campaign platform is "arts, education and environment." Everything else falls into those categories, she said.

"I would like to us do a better job of protecting our mature trees, because currently there is a rule that if you want to cut down a landmark tree, there is a $500 fine," she said. "We have to make the penalty strong enough where it is more expensive to cut the tree down than to leave it where it is."

Manuel said that the $500 fine is severe enough to discourage homeowners, but not developers.

Manuel's other goals include the promotion of hike and bike trails around the city, specifically some that would connect UNT, Texas Woman's University and Discovery Park.

"This business of painting a line down an already narrow street is more dangerous than doing nothing at all," she said. "We need trails that are separate from the road."

Socialist candidate and UNT general studies senior Andrew Teeter said he would work to install bike lanes if elected.

"College students need representation; there has never been a college student on city council," he said. "I'd like to change the free speech policy at city council meets. I'd also like to stop racism within the city government, as well as preserve and revitalize Fry Street."

As for being a socialist, Teeter said that it's something that "helps everyone."

"I align myself as a socialist because it calls for equality for all," he said. "Really I just want to help people."

Teeter is one of two college students in the race, the other being UNT sports management sophomore Sam Casey. Both Casey and Teeter are striving for the District 3 seat.

Roger Strahan, a District 2 candidate, said he leans libertarian but he doesn't prescribe to all the political affiliation stands for either.