League of Women Voters election survey: LeVar “LD” Thomas, candidate for Dallas City Council, District 8

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 LeVar "LD" Thomas, who is running for the District 8 seat on the Dallas City Council, appear below. Thomas is running against the incumbent, councilman Tennell Atkins.

LWV: What are your qualifications for this office?

Thomas: Served on: City of Dallas Youth Commission, Human Services Commission, Martin Luther King Community Center Board, City of Dallas Housing Finance Corporation, Chaired Texas Coalition of Black Democrats and Dallas County Young Democrats Board of Directors. I know how City Hall works and have lived in District 8 all my life.

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: The city needs to go though its own administrative budget with a fine tooth comb and attack unnecessary and wasteful spending before any taxes are raised or services are cut. There are avenues that need to be explored, such as the millions of tax payer dollars being stored in some TIF's that aren't currently being used. We need to fully examine the ability of the city to access those funds in a time of budget shortfall.

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 tax payer owned hotel. With this current economic climate, inactivity in the central downtown area, looming budget shortfall, hemorrhaging hotel market, and declining convention industry it does not seem fiscally responsible. I would support a private developer undertaking such a project and would support aiding that project with various tax abatements.

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: The reports are very troubling. There were many individuals who warned about placing a toll way in a floodplain, and unfortunately their fears have been backed up by the recent report. It is symptomatic of the "build it at all cost" mentality that exists within the city. We must have progress, development, and job creation but not at the cost of human life.

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

Thomas: I think the Ethics Code as it stands is fairly strong. I am open to listening to ways that the code could be strengthened.