League of Women Voters election survey: Sheffie Kadane, candidate for Dallas City Council, District 9

by Staff of 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 councilman Sheffie Kadane, who is running for re-election for the District 9 seat on the Dallas City Council, appear below. Kadane is being challenged by John Yourse.

LWV: What are your qualifications for this office?

Kadane: I currently serve as City Council member from District 9. Prior to my being elected, I served as a member of the Park Board and the Board of Adjustments. I am a life long resident of my district and understand the needs and wants of individual neighborhoods in the district.

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?

Kadane: This will be a tough budget cycle, but I believe that we will find the dollars necessary to maintain city services to residents. I will fight to keep us on the program of reducing our crime rate and not let police and firefighters be on the cutting table as well as streets and sanitation. We have to maintain our necessities and take a close look at our want list.

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?

Kadane: I do support the hotel project. I believe it is a necessity for Dallas to compete in the convention arena. Revenue bonds are the only way to finance the hotel. We do not want to burden taxpayers. It would be great if the private sector would step up and build the hotel, but they have not chosen to do so, even with incentives. The convention center will continue to be a liability without the hotel.

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

Kadane: We must do something about our air quality, as well as our mobility problems. There are great people working on this project and I believe with the help of our partners NCTCOG, TxDOT, RTC, NTTA we will find a solution to the road problem. My first concern is safety and flood control, and whatever we need to do to meet that objective is how I will vote.

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

Kadane: I agree with the very stringent set of rules in our Ethics Code, as well as those from the Texas Ethics Commission. It maybe a matter of enforcement of the rules in place that would raise the level of confidence in the public. Most of us work very hard to follow the rules and ask if we are not sure.