Real Frisco

Editor’s Note: Realfrisco.com sent out a questionnaire to all of the candidates that filed for a place on the Frisco City Council. The questionnaire is intended to help give residents a more intimate look at the gentleman running for council. A different questionnaire will be placed on the site every few days. The first candidate is Matthew Herrera who is running for Place 2.

1.       What is your current occupation? I am currently a National Account Manager for Careington International located in Frisco, TX. I am also the president and founder of High School Heroes, LLC and author of the book “Walking Toward the Dream.”2.       What made you want to run for a place on council? I have seen Frisco grow from a small Main Street centered community to one of the most exciting cities in the USA. I believe for the city to continue to grow and meet the needs of a changing community, we will need a council that is made up of varied backgrounds and age groups to represent all of our citizenship. I think my background and age will complement the council makeup and represent the visions of many of our citizens. Frisco has established a reputation of being one of the most sought after cities for its quality of life and atmosphere for raising children. I want to make sure we continue to provide the leadership needed to maintain these qualities. I am very passionate about Frisco and have been since I moved here in 1995. 3.       What experience do you feel that you have that makes you a good fit for the position? One of the greatest experiences of my life was when I was selected to be an intern for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Working in her Dallas office inspired me to learn the political system and give back to the community. My father was a City Councilman for the city of San Antonio and encouraged me to take an active role in helping shape our community’s future. As a college student while going to Dallas Baptist University I learned about service to others and the importance of giving. I have lived and grown up in the city of Frisco and have developed many friendships with the people here. These friendships have included people from all cultural and economic backgrounds. They have given me insight into the varying views held by different groups. I have always been one to set goals and establish priorities. Starting a business at the age of twenty three has helped me realize anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and work hard to make it happen. I have always had the mindset that a life lived for others, is the only way to live. I have the leadership and communication skills necessary to be an effective councilman.  4.       What key issues are you campaigning on? My campaign will focus on planned economic development and city growth. I want to help prepare youth for their future roles as workers, parents, leaders, business owners, and college. I want to inspire the youth to get out and vote and be active in the community. I also want to campaign for the ARTS of Collin County project to restore the vision from 2002. I want to hear what the residents have to say about their issues in this election and work with them to develop solutions. It’s not about my issues, it’s about the issues and concerns of the people of Frisco.  5.       What issues would you like to see the council address? I would like to see a more aggressive approach to handling the Arts of Collin County project to get this off the ground. I would like to see an active effort to help our small business’s excel and create more jobs. 6.       What would you like to change about the council? I would like to increase the council meetings to three times a month in order to give the community more opportunities to communicate with the council.  7.       What would you like to stay the same about the council? I believe our City Council has done incredible things for the City of Frisco. I think the council should stay with the existing term limits for council members to allow an orderly introduction of new ideas and thoughts as new members are elected.   8.       What will you do to ensure that the council makes fiscally responsible decisions?  I will listen to the community’s ideas and concerns. I will put all options on the table and analyze each situation before making a final decision. If elected to City Council, it will be my duty to be sure we spend the public tax dollars in a responsible fashion. We must be sure we don’t spend or commit more funds than we have. I will vote with common sense and use the wisdom I have acquired over time to properly plan for our future. 9.       What do you feel is the most important issue facing Frisco? I feel the major issue is coping with the growth of our city. We need to manage growth and make sure Frisco is planning well in advance of our needs. With growth comes the opening of new schools and zoning issues. This growth also takes a toll on traffic control in the city. We have several roads that need to be re-built or widened.  10.   Are you for or against raising taxes and why? With the current economy it is hard enough for businesses and residents of Frisco to make ends meet. It is important to explore all areas where spending can be reduced. With proper planning we should be able to support additional city projects for building, parks, recreation, and maintaining our infrastructure without raising taxes.  11.   What would you like to accomplish while in office or what would you like to be remembered for? I would like to see all the current building projects successfully completed. I want to accomplish the goals set forth by the residents of Frisco. I want to see large turnouts at all city council meetings. I want to be an inspirational voice in the community to help lead and guide our citizens in the right direction. I want to see the doors open to the Arts of Collin County facility so the citizens of North Texas can appreciate what the ARTS have to offer. It’s important to keep adding jobs and creating opportunity for all our people through planned economic and business development. 12.   What are your accomplishments and other organizations that you are involved in?-Author of “Walking Toward the Dream.” -President and founder of High School Heroes, LLC-National Account Manger for Careington International-Graduate from Frisco High School 2005-Graduate from Dallas Baptist University with a BBA 2009-Currently working toward my MBA from Dallas Baptist University-Coached and Mentored young teenagers in a baseball league while in college-Member of Academy of Market Intelligence.- Member of Mission Arlington – Christian Community Service Organization