League of Women Voters election survey: Billy MacLeod, candidate for Dallas City Council, District 2

by Staff of League of Women Voters

MacLeod is running against two other people - incumbent Pauline Medrano and Gwain Wooten.

The League of Women Voters of Dallas sent a questionnaire to every candidate running for public office in Dallas County. The election on May 9 features a number of city council races.

The responses of Billy MacLeod, who is running for the District 2 seat on the Dallas City Council, appear below. MacLeod is running against two other people - incumbent Pauline Medrano and Gwain Wooten.

LWV: What are your qualifications for this office?

MacLeod: I am a leader. In 2003, I ran for City Council. In 2007 ran for Dallas Mayor, and worked on Mayor Leppert's campaign. In 2008, I was a delegate for President Obama. I was a neighborhood organizer for Texas Campaign for the Environment and Community Ambassador for Freedom Release.Org.

LWV: The City of Dallas has a potential $100M shortfall in the next city budget. How would you close the gap? If you would cut services, which ones would you cut?

MacLeod: I would advocate for a 3% cut for all managers and executives across the board. I would seek out public private partnerships to share some of the burden. I would cut, delay, or downsize all unfunded mandates. It is time to get a piece of the NTTA toll road pie, so I suggest we ask for 2 cents from every dollar that comes through toll booths located within Dallas city limits. That is progressive.

LWV: Are you in favor of a convention center hotel? If yes, do you support the current plan to finance its construction with revenue bonds and have the city own the hotel?

MacLeod: This hotel is an "economic stimulus" package in itself and will bring jobs and millions in revenue to the City. However, I disagree with the City's course of action going forward with the project by breaking ground after receiving 60,000 signatures and disregarding the opinion of registered Dallas voters, thereby nullifying the people's vote. Ultimately, I will be listening to the opinions of the voters in District 2 and voting their conscience on the Council.

LWV: What is your response to recent reports (e.g., Corps of Engineers, North Texas Tollway Authority) regarding the Trinity River tollroad/levee issues?

MacLeod: Seven miles of the Trinity River is in District 2, and the recent reports are extremely troubling. I have seen this debacle getting more and more polluted (like the Trinity itself) with each passing month. The Dallas City Council needs VOCAL leadership on this issue and I have not seen it. They are on the wrong course. Dallas needs bold leadership and creative solutions and that's what Billy MacLeod brings to the table. Elect Billy.

LWV: Do you think the City of Dallas Ethics Code needs to be strengthened? If yes, in what way(s)?

MacLeod: The City of Dallas Ethics Code MUST be strengthened. Bucking a trend of rival political candidates, I, Billy MacLeod, signed onto and will adhere to the voluntary Code of Fair Campaign Practices established by the Texas Ethics Commission. I am the only candidate of the 38 Dallas City Council candidates that has signed the pledge. I signed the code of ethics pledge because the issues facing District 2 voters are what this election is about.