League of Women Voters election survey: Casey Thomas, candidate for Dallas City Council, District 3

by Staff of League of Women Voters

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 Casey Thomas, who is running for the District 3 seat on the Dallas City Council, appear below. Thomas is running against two opponents - Vickie Walton and incumbent Dave Neumann.

LWV: What are your qualifications for this office?

Thomas: As a lifelong resident of Dallas, past board member of the Mountain Vista II Neighborhood Association, and past President of the Dallas NAACP, I served four years on the Community Development Commission as an appointee for Councilman Leo Chaney. This gave me an opportunity see how the City budget process works.

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?

Thomas: I believe there that we need to evaluate how effective programs and other services are being implemented. Each year, many programs, projects and services are reallocated without doing due diligence to see their level of effectiveness or in response to need within the City. I believe if decisions did not focus on "pet projects" and look at the budget from the perspective of what is best for the city.

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?

Thomas: I am against a "taxpayer owned hotel". The city of Dallas is expected to have $100 million budget shortfall and maintaining a good bond rating is important. Talking to residents throughout District 3, there is genuine concern that owning a hotel is not in the best interest of the city, and I agree with them.

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

Thomas: It causes me some concern that there may have been some dishonesty on behalf of city personnel regarding the Corps of Engineers and the North Texas Tollway Authority. It is important that we consider the safety of the residents of the city of Dallas when it comes to the Trinity River Project, as opposed to just focusing on development.

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

Thomas: Yes, I do think that the ethics code needs to be stronger and enforced. Everyone should play by the same rules when it comes to ethics and the City should do more enforcement of the codes. If there is a conflict of interest, a council member should recuse him/herself from the discussion of the issue, not just the vote.