League of Women Voters election survey: John Yourse, candidate for Dallas City Council, District 9

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 John Yourse, who is running for the District 9 seat on the Dallas City Council, appear below. Yourse is running against the incumbent, councilman Sheffie Kadane.

LWV: What are your qualifications for this office?

Yourse: My life has been dedicated to serving our nation and community. During my 23 years of military service and 10 years as a DISD teacher, I have been a courageous, focused and ethical leader. I stood up against administrative malfeasance here and have been dedicated to reform in every role.

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?

Yourse: In order to keep Dallas moving, we must find creative ways to maintain city services and explore alternative ways to generate revenue. For example, training volunteers on Code Compliance issues would help relieve the burden on City Staff, especially if we were able to provide some authority to recommend citations and fines. I would consider sanitation reduction due to recycling programs; looking at city operational efficiencies and making certain we are optimizing park recreation centers.

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?

Yourse: A hotel might be a positive addition downtown, but not with the current funding model. Taxpayers should not bear the burden of insuring the revenue to pay off the bonds on a project bound to cost more than the estimated price tag. Businesses should share both the risks and rewards. It is my understanding that the referendum leaves open the possibility of a public-private partnership, which would be a better method to fund this project.

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

Yourse: The recent revelation that the geotechnical analysis required hasn't been completed or has resulted in mixed reviews is disturbing. The Army Corps of Engineers tells us that until more is known about the soil beneath the levees, construction is ill advised due to structural issues. In the Mayor's zeal to get this project started, he has decided to spend countless dollars trying to figure out how to force this project to work.

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

Yourse: Integrity; service before self and excellence must be the standard when one holds a position of responsibility. We deserve leaders who have a vision beyond their next election cycle, but we see daily headlines about poor governance and lack of judgment in the use of public dollars. If the current codes are ignored, it's time to find people with a proven track record of selfless service and a personal code beyond any written public doctrine.