Duncanville’s Paul Ford has officially mastered local politics

by Brian Allen of Best Southwest Citizen

Paul Ford

Duncanville City Councilman Paul Ford is either a political genius, a beneficiary of some excellent timing or a combination of the two. His hardline stance against red light cameras in Duncanville has already garnered the attention of local TV stations and the Dallas Morning News. It’s one of the few non Cherry Pit-related stories that’s going to get attention from media from outside the Best Southwest.

Depending on whether you go by the political genius or beneficiary of excellent timing theory, this sudden rush of publicity right before he’s up for re-election is either a brilliant strategic stroke or a very helpful coincidence. Seriously, look at the DMN story and the comments it has already garnered. Commenters are hailing Ford as a heroic politician standing up against a corrupt, money grubbing establishment. He couldn’t have written a check big enough for the pub he’s getting.

There’s nothing that can carry you into office (or keep you there) like an issue that gives you the appearance of a shining knight battling against city hall. See Deborah Hodge’s Costco-controversy aided upset of Grady Smithey for proof of that, or Johnette Jameson’s role in finally putting to rest the septic vs. sewer issue. Before the red light controversy, I’m not sure Ford had such an issue to trumpet this time. Eminent domain is an issue most people are fortunate not to have had intimate knowledge of. The same applies to the sewer debate, but they were issues that have decided recent political campaigns in the City of Champions.

But thousands more people can relate to getting a traffic ticket. About 45,000, according to the numbers bandied about at the Feb. 3 council meeting. Let’s assume that even 50 or 100 of those people are voters in District 3, or have family and friends who are. Getting even half of those people to the polls in May could mean victory for Ford and a long two years for his numerous political opponents.

I’ve said before, I believe Ford is thinking long-term at a potential mayoral bid. Even if he weren’t, he’s gained enough political capital in the past 24 hours to get the wheels churning inside any campaign manager’s head. As if there were any doubt before, campaign season has quite officially begun in Duncanville.

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mab3g, says:

Thank you Mr. Ford for taking a stand for your constituents.

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9 months, 4 weeks ago
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Mari Vega, says:

I wonder, Brian, how you would really think that Mr. Ford has mayoral aspirations. Wow, you think so?!

I like him, I think he stands up and out in front and has the right idea to demand the whole story wherever our taxpayer money is concerned. The consolidated majority of the Council does a lot of glossing over, and then try to make him seem to be 'other'.

Gladly, he is a conscientious person that stands up to their clique-ish ways.

However, I think it's presumptuous to suggest that his agenda is anything but a pursuit to continue to be the one to ask the unasked questions, stemming from his deep concern for fairness and democratic process. How many other volunteers (and unpaid, at that!) are out there willing to sustain personal attacks and constant struggle in service to our City?

If he ever were to aspire to be Mayor, the whole City Charter would have to be changed. Charter Sec. 2.05, states that the mayor "shall be recognized as head of City government for all ceremonial purposes...but shall have no regular administrative duties." As much as Mr. Ford is a stickler for the details, he would not allow himself to be any more powerful or influential than our Charter allows.

Nah, he's a great City Councilmember, and I know he'll stay that way.