Frisco City Council Candidate

  Hunt Reifschneider

  Candidate for:

  City Council, Place 3

  Occupation:

  Business Management Consulting

  Contact information:

  www.Hunt4Frisco.org  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

Why are you running for office?

I have been involved in helping the community in Frisco since my first week after moving to Frisco in 1999 when I volunteered to manage the concession stand for the Frisco Soccer Association out at Warren Sports Complex.  Since my first year in Frisco, I have been involved in the community as the President of the Frisco Soccer Association , President of Griffin Parc Homeowners Assoc., President of Frisco Community Development Corporation and volunteering in many other areas of the city.  The city will be going through some unprecedented changes and opportunities and my experience, passion and commitment make this an ideal opportunity.  Additionally, through my city involvement, I have worked to work with current and past councils and I believe that my experience and passion will allow me to continue to build on the foundation they’ve created.

What is the key issue you are campaigning on?

What’s going to be crucial for the city moving forward is continuity of leadership and direction during this economic downturn. My knowledge of the city’s budgeting processes and experience in working with the City Council and staff over the last 10 years uniquely positions me to face these challenges. Leadership continuity is essential as the Council continues to plan and focus on growth for the future by building on the vision of the previous Mayors, councils and staff.

What experience do you offer for this position? 

 My passion has been in helping people and the community.  Since my move to Frisco 10 years ago, I have been involved in many areas of the city.  A few examples of my community contributions include: leadership in running the largest sports organization in Frisco (Frisco Soccer Association), Miracle League of Frisco volunteer, 2006 Bond Election Committee, President of Frisco Community Development Corporation, Frisco Athletic Center Art Committee member, St Francis Monte Carlo night volunteer and many other areas.  My years of involvement with the Mayor, Council, Staff, CDC board and budgeting as well as personal involvement with the residents of Frisco have given me a unique perspective and appreciation for the leadership and vision of previous City.  This combination of city experience, passion, commitment and understanding of the vision for Frisco makes me an ideal candidate to represent the citizens of Frisco on the City Council.

What is in your platform that makes you different from your opponents?

My long history of involvement in the community, City boards (CDC) and previous City Mayors and Councils!  I have a passion to help people and be involved in helping to make Frisco a destination city that all the residents will be proud of while drawing new growth to the city.  The relationships I have built within the community will allow me to quickly address critical issues affecting the city without the usual learning curve others will naturally have.  I have been at the beginning stages of Grand Park and was lucky enough to be a part of the original round table discussions with FC Dallas and Pizza Hut Park owners in order to bring them to Frisco.  I have the experience needed to allow me to focus more on the citizens and the issues at hand instead of the extensive training part of the position.

With the current economic situation - budgets are tight.  Are you more inclined to raise taxes or cut costs?  And, where would you cut the costs as part of the solution?

Frisco has benefited from unprecedented growth through the vision of the City Council and City Staff.  I have been lucky enough to see first hand the budget process of our city.  Being on the CDC, we have worked with staff on our budget and been able to understand what creating the budget entails.  Our city leaders have been very conservative with citizen’s money—historically holding property tax rates steady and looking for ways to grow our tax base instead. I agree with that approach and believe that as long as we continue to be conservative in our growth estimates and maintain the current cost containment efforts already in place, our budget for next year won’t require major recalibration. 

What do you feel needs to be changed in City Council?

Balance.  We have quite of few new Council members who have only lived in our city for a short time. I balance that new infusion with experience and a historical perspective that has helped to make Frisco the very place where so many people want to live and build their businesses. I believe the council needs to work as a team with each other and with staff. And, I believe council members should represent the needs of the city as a whole and should be making decisions that are aligned with our Comprehensive Plan.

What do you feel needs to be maintained?

Continued balance throughout the city.  I know that with the economy the way it is, it may be a challenge.  But we still have citizens moving here and developers building here, so we need to continue to look at the roads, zoning issues, and constant quality of life for our city. Admittedly, things have slowed down significantly, but they haven’t stopped—not in Frisco. We can be confident that our foundation is strong and we will emerge just as strong as ever once the economy picks back up.

What do you think City Council could do to increase attendance at meetings?

Well, first, let’s consider why citizens attend meetings in the first place. Typically, they go to a meeting because they have a particular issue or concern about a posted agenda item. Our citizens are busy people and they’re not going to come to council meetings if they don’t have some specific reason to attend. So, I’m not sure we should spend precious budget dollars to entice people to cram the council chambers just to get more bodies in the room. In fact, I think with the introduction of the SIRE system, we’ll see a reduction in attendance at the actual meetings as more people follow the proceedings from home.

As long as people have the opportunity to voice their concerns through a variety of convenient mediums, whether it’s live at the meetings, or virtually through technology such as e-mails, voicemails, the message board, etc. then I believe we’re using our communication dollars wisely. I’d like to explore using something like real-time chat during meetings but we have to balance how we use technology with the laws regarding open meetings and accessibility.

And of course, I know there are citizens who attend council meetings, town halls and coffees, just to keep up on what’s happening in the city without any specific issue to address. For them, I’m not sure there’s anything that needs to be added to incent them to attend meetings…they’re just doing it because they too love the city. We all benefit from those “regulars” who help to keep the council and staff accountable. That’s another reason I’m excited about the SIRE system because I think it adds to the number of citizens who are keeping tabs on the council’s decisions over time.

What would you like your legacy to be and what do you want to be remembered for doing after you leave office?

I would like to be recognized as a team player who was a strong leader.  Hopefully people will see that I am passionate about people, about the community and about doing what is best for the residents of Frisco.  That means a delicate balance of both short term needs as well as providing for a strong future.  In addition, I hope that people feel that I represented the needs of the residents well and that I understood my role as a short term ambassador in helping to build the City of Frisco’s brand equity.

List your awards/accomplishments

¨       My son is my best accomplishment.  He keeps me honest and passionate about the future.  Everything else is a distant second.

¨       Frisco Soccer Association President

¨       Frisco Sports Council

¨       Frisco Community Development Corporation Board Member, appointed 200x, 200x, 2000x, elected President by Board 2008

¨       2006 Bond Election Committee member

¨       Involved with Frisco Miracle League

¨       Buddy Petty Foundation volunteer

¨       Contributed to Frisco Arts

¨       Mike Simpson Roast for Miracle League

¨       Art Committee member for Frisco Athletic Center

¨       Donations to St. Francis Monte Carlo event

¨       Volunteer SW Region III Soccer Tournament at Pizza Hut Park

¨       Organized initial meeting leading to the development of Pizza Hut Park in Frisco

¨       Leadership role to develop soccer program in Frisco Middle School

¨       Applied and received North Texas grant to help light Warren Sports Complex

¨       Frisco Soccer Association Appeals & Discipline Chairman

¨       CDC projects: Grand Park acquisition and planning; Bacchus Community Park development; Phillips Community Park development; Heritage Village Cabin acquisition and development;

 

 

 

Frisco City Council Candidate

Phil Ramirez

Candidate for:

City Council, Place 3

Occupation:

Director of Operations for an Event Technology Company

Contact information:

www.voteramirez.wordpress.com  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Why are you running for office?

I have two reasons.  The first is personal.  For many years I've always had opinions about local issues.  Even growing up in Beaumont, TX I had these ideas and concerns about the community, but I never addressed them.  I never did anything about it.  For 2009, I decided to do something about it.  Instead of just talking the talk....I am now going to walk the walk.  That is one reason why am running.
 
The second is I can think of nothing more honorable than serving the community in which my family lives.  My family growing up with your family, our children growing up with your children.
 
I was here when the biggest talk of the town was the new Brookshire Brothers grocery store opening.  I've seen how much this community has grown, what it all has been through, and I can see what excitement lies ahead.  I want to do my part.

What is the key issue you are campaigning on?

The economy.

What experience do you offer for this position?

For the past several years I've been involved in business management.  It has been my responsibility to manage and develop people, be fiscally responsible, and service internal and external clients.
 
Recently I was put in charge of a task to turn around a multi-million dollar business that was severely underperforming in 2007 from all angles (Profit/Loss, internal and external customer service).  Since I was assigned this project, everything was completely turned around -  despite the downward trend of the economy in the second half of 2008.  We were so successful our business was recognized as 1 of only 16 properties out of 700+ in the company for outstanding financial results.
 
Before I got into business, I taught math for 5 years at the high school and college levels.  That experience developed me as a motivator, afterall we all know how hard it is to get high school students motivated for Algebra II and the like.

What is in your platform that makes you different from your opponents?

I think what might make me different is the concern I would have about sustaining businesses.  We have to be careful and not make the same mistakes in the same manner as Starbuck's or Blockbusters' of the world.

"For Lease" signs in retail shops is bad business and bad for the business next door.  Let's do what we can to keep everybody doing business in the community stay in business.

With the current economic situation - budgets are tight.  Are you more inclined to raise taxes or cut costs? 
And, where would you cut the costs as part of the solution?

I'm more into cutting costs.  I would have a simple plan.  Talk to each department of the city and look to see where costs can be cut.  Talk to the people that make the schedule and manage the people on a daily basis.  Let's start with that and go from there.  In most businesses, labor is the biggest cost and can be the easiest to control. 

Start with labor and go from there, keeping only what's necessary and efficient, without sacrificing service.

What do you feel needs to be changed in City Council?

I went to a "coffee with the Mayor" a few days ago.  He mentioned the upcoming City Council election and defined the council as members who "represent" the city.

I think this is the best argument for my stance.  I feel there needs to be proper represenation on the council for the city and I feel I can bring that representation from all facets of the meaning of the word.

What do you feel needs to be maintained?

The ease of accessibility of what happens at the meetings.  Through the website, every citizen with internet access can see the meetings, download documents, and see a calendar of meetings to come.

I think this is a step in the necessary direction with all the technology that exists, and one that needs to be maintained.

What do you think City Council could do to increase attendance at meetings?

I think a more proactive approach is needed.  Even though I think information, agendas and calendars are easily accessible for the public, they are very passive.
I feel we should stay with the times of twitter, texting and the like.  Imagine if we had a database of cell phones and simply sent a text to those who have signed up as a reminder of an upcoming meeting...a reminder that goes directly to your phone.
An Outlook invite on a calendar and the use of twitter are other options that the citizens of Frisco could use.
The resources are there, we just need to come up with the right one. 

What would you like your legacy to be and what do you want to be remembered for doing after you leave office?

A person who was sincere, gave it his all, and did his best to make the right decisions for the city is the legacy I want to leave.

List your awards/accomplishments

Family

Married high school sweetheart - Kim, 17 yrs
Two daughters - Zoe 10 yrs, Trinity 5 yrs
One dog   - Oscar, 6 month Chocolate Lab

Education

Russian Student Ambassador for People to People
Full Scholarship to OU for Mechanical Engineering
Dean's List at the University of North Texas several semesters
Graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's in Mathematics from the University of North Texas
  
Professional
 
One of only ten people in the state to speak on Video Technology in the classroom at a statewide High School Teacher's Convention in 2002
Documentary on "North End Baptist Church - The First 70 years" placed 2nd at the Spindletop Film Festival
One of only sixteen properties nominated for "Outstanding Financial Results" for 2008, over 700 properties exist
 

Frisco City Council Candidate 

Rhonda Martin

Candidate for: 

City Council Place 3

Occupation: 

Commercial Real Estate Broker

Contact information

www.RhondaMartin2009.com  
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  

Why are you running for office?

I have been heavily involved in volunteer work in my community for 9 years.  Many elected officials both past and present saw that and felt I had the right qualifications, experience, and the right desire to run.  For years they have seen me at City Council Meetings, Town Hall Meetings, City Board meetings, park dedications, facility openings and many more city wide events.  I come not as an individual but as a consortium of relationships that have developed with hands on involvement that touch many aspects of this city.   Volunteering became my passion and I am ready to take on the challenge of tackling the tough issues as a member of City Council.

What is the key issue you are campaigning on? 

We need to continue to expand and diversify the local tax base by bringing business relocations into our community.  That includes corporate headquarters, technology, health, medical and life science related businesses.  In addition, we need to help existing businesses expand.  We need to create jobs at all levels.  By doing that we can grow our tax base, increase tax revenue, and help keep our city and school taxes low.  

What experience do you offer for this position?  

As a business woman, in Commercial Real Estate, I know how to bring people to the table and solve problems.   That is because I have worked every part of the problem solving process as a consensus builder and trusted advisor to many publicly traded companies. In addition, all my board positions have prepared me for being on City Council.  They represent a wide variety of boards – including a social service board, an art board and a chamber of commerce board.

What is in your platform that makes you different from your opponents?

I am running on my own merits not against my opponents.  I want people to be aware of my experience and what I can bring to the table.   I do know that I will bring the perspective of a woman to the council.  I would like to fill the shoes of the only woman currently on council, Joy West, whose term is about to expire. Women make up 50% of the population and it would be a shame if women did not have a voice on the City Council. I am well qualified for this position and I have a long history of service and leadership in Frisco at a level unmatched by any of my opponents.

With the current economic situation - budgets are tight.  Are you more inclined to raise taxes or cut costs?
And, where would you cut the costs as part of the solution?

Given the current economic crisis I do not believe we should raise taxes – we should continue on the course.   Our city planners anticipated this local economic slowdown and had requested each department to reduce the budget by 10%.  Because Fiscal year ’09 is expected to show a 4% shortfall, each department is working to further evaluate and reduce expenses.    Fortunately we are #17 in sales tax collection in the state over the last 12 month period.  It is possible that we will have to dip in to some reserves which is understandable considering we are in the toughest economic climate we have had in decades.  City staff is reviewing all of this and I would look at their recommendation.

What do you feel needs to be changed in City Council? 

I would not change anything - but the voters will be changing the makeup of our council.   Through the election if the voters want to choose someone who has deep roots in this community, someone that has been helping people throughout the community for years - then they will choose me.  If they want someone that has worked with people from many of the City’s departments and services then they will chose me.  I am the only candidate in the Place 3 race that has 15 years tenure of board experience and held years of chair experience.  My experience is very well rounded as I have been out in the real world with the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, Frisco Family Services and the Frisco Public Art Program.  

What do you feel needs to be maintained? 

In Frisco, it is a known fact that we have an outstanding city hall - all the way across the board - from the city manager and throughout the city staff.  Running the city in the quality manner it has been operated is what needs to be maintained.  We benefit by the quality of the employees that we have in this city.  They are very experienced and the city needs to continue to take advantage of their expertise.   Furthermore, the harmony and positive working relationship between the council and city staff needs to be maintained.

What do you think City Council could do to increase attendance at meetings? 

Start with the Homeowners Association Board Members and active individuals in the city.  Personally invite them and ask for a commitment from them to bring 2 other people.  As we listen to the concerns of our citizens we need them to come forward at City Council and Town Hall Meetings and voice their opinions on issues or concerns.  We all on the same page – we want a very special life here in Frisco.

What would you like your legacy to be and what do you want to be remembered for doing after you leave office? 

After I have left office, I want my constituents to look back and say that during my term we helped the city sharpen its competitive edge and attract businesses.  The city improved amenities and expanded the job training program so residents could be retrained for jobs in 2015.   We got where we are today by being aggressive and getting the corporations, the retail and the sports venues that we knew would attract more people and thus more dollars to the City.  We have to remain financially strong BUT we also have to make Frisco even more uniquely attractive to businesses in 2015.                                                                                                                                             

List your awards/accomplishments

I have been involved in an array of organizations that make up the fabric of Frisco.  I have been elected or appointed to numerous local Boards and have served more than 15 years in cumulative tenure.  The Mayor and Council have appointed me to 2 positions in the community.  I serve in a director position on the Frisco Public Art board, which I also Chair, Frisco Chamber of Commerce board, Frisco Family Services Center board, The Retail Property Fund board, and Stonebriar Country Club board.  I serve on the Arts of Collin County Advisory Committee, the Frisco Community Emergency Response Team and was one of the founders of Mindbender Academy Science Camp supporting Frisco’s youth. In the last several years, I have completed Leadership Frisco Class XI, Frisco City Hall 101, Frisco Citizens Police Academy and Frisco Citizens Fire Academy. I have also volunteered for Frisco Parks and Recreation committees, my homeowners association, and several major charity galas benefiting local Frisco causes.  Beyond Frisco my work extends to mission trips to Israel, Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, Iran and China dating back to 2000.

Frisco City Council Candidate

Pat Fallon

Candidate for:

Frisco City Council Place 3

Occupation: 

Business Owner & Entrepreneur

Contact information:

email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     website:  www.fallonforfrisco.com

Why are you running for office?  

The short, direct & honest answer is to make Frisco a better place.  We're all extremely fortunate to live in this country and to call Frisco home.  It's imperative that we have council members that have extensive leadership & economic experience.  In these challenging times that we now find ourselves in I feel that I can add value and have a positive impact on our community precisely because of my military background and the skill set accrued & honed as the CEO and owner of a successful small business with over 70 employees.

What is the key issue you are campaigning on? 

My business experience, education and rapidly growing knowledge of our city

What experience do you offer for this position?

  I hold a 4 year degree in Government from the University of Notre Dame, 4 years leadership training in the Reserve Officer Training Corps, 4 years as a US Air Force Officer, 3 years as a certified Total Quality Management Instructor, 2 years as the Business Manager for Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger (life story was the subject of the TriStar Feature Film RUDY), 15 years as an entrepreneur and business owner, Leadership Frisco Class XII, Frisco City Hall 101, and a range of community involvement, support & activity.

What is in your platform that makes you different from your opponents? 

I'd like to say, think & believe that there are no opponents during this election cycle in either Place for our city council.  We don't have opponents we have fellow candidates.  I'm not running against anyone, I'm running FOR city council.  I don't feel qualified to speak for or about my fellow candidates.  I can and will only speak for myself.  I very much appreciate the sacrifices that all citizens that run for public office face.  It's not easy to put yourself out there so I have the utmost respect for anyone who runs a truthful, honest, open, and respectful campaign.    I do feel that my education, military leadership training & background, and my extensive business experience demonstrate what kind of council member I would be if afforded the privilege to serve. 

With the current economic situation - budgets are tight.  Are you more inclined to raise taxes or cut costs? 
And, where would you cut the costs as part of the solution? 

Taxes are an unfortunate necessity in our society.  But I DO NOT believe that raising taxes is the solution.  There are some who, when facing budget shortfalls, automatically want to raise taxes.  We are fortunate that we don't have that kind of philosophy here  in Frisco.  We need innovative & ingenious ways to keep our city services, employees and the public's safety intact while working with the current tax rate we assess. 

What do you feel needs to be changed in City Council? 

We should all want a diversity on the city council.  But for more important that ethnicity, gender or religion we should want diversity of experience & knowledge.  We should all want a wide range of expertise on the council.    Having at least one council member that signs the front of over 70 paychecks adds a good deal of value.  Also, having at least one council member that has served our country in the military adds a different and unique perspective as well.  Also, if elected I will view this as a full time job and spend my time accordingly.  I will dedicate all of the time required to represent our city.  I am in fortunate position of being able to commit 40 hours per week (or more) to the city as needed. 

What do you feel needs to be maintained? 

Our City Staff & Leadership have done a great job with our city.  Frisco is by no means perfect, we all know that, but we've gotten far more things right than we have wrong.  It's essential that we do everything we can to maintain the amazing degree and high level of service & support that our city staff provides to its citizens.

What do you think City Council could do to increase attendance at meetings?  

Engaging fellow citizens and encouraging them to not only vote but to participate is essential to any democracy that wants to thrive & prosper.  Having the council meetings available for live viewing as well as on demand viewing over the Internet was a superb idea and concept that has come to fruition.  If elected I will take my role as an ambassador for the city very seriously and will endeavour to attend, meet and interact with as many of my fellow citizens and residents as possible.  I want to encourage everyone to become involved to the degree that there situations allow. 

What would you like your legacy to be and what do you want to be remembered for doing after you leave office? 

Honestly, I couldn't give a 'hoot' about my legacy.  This is not about me or any one person, this is about Frisco.  If elected I will always take the office very seriously but I will never take myself that seriously.  After all, each council seat isn't the possession of any one person, it's the people's seat, and as an office holder you are merely its caretaker.  One of the many reasons I'm running is I'm fed up with elected official's egos and their all too often evident narcissism.  Fortunately, that's not so much a problem here locally but all too often it's played out in regional, state and federal politics.  My goal is to be merely be a part of the BEST city council in the entire country.  And that will take cooperation and the right blend of personalities & experience to realize that goal. 

List your awards/accomplishments - brag a little

This is the part I hate most.  The 'why I am so great' list.  This is kind of like taxes, a necessary 'evil' of politics, campaigns & government.  Just so you know, I'm not going to list every little & lasting detail of the past twenty years.  I find that unnecessary, irrelevant and far too often obnoxious.  Holding my nose, here's some highlights:

 

EDUCATION

• Degree in Government, University of Notre Dame
• Reserve Officer Training Corps
• Recipient of tuition scholarship from Air Force ROTC
• Varsity Football Player, University of Notre Dame (Member of the 1988 National Championship team, coach by Lou Holtz)
• Awarded the Governor's Merit Scholarship, University of Massachusetts
• Served in the Student Senate, University of Massachusetts
• Dean's List

FAMILY

• Very happily married to my wife Susan for five years
• Son, Thomas who is 2 1/2 years old
• We're expecting our second son this May
• Very fortunate to be raised by two wonderful parents, Thomas & Annette, who are now enjoying their retirement after a combined 60 years of teaching
• Two Sisters, Maura & Caron, that are married to two great guys and have given me five wonderful nieces & nephews

CAREER

• United States Air Force Officer
• Recipient of the Air Force Achievement Medal
• Total Quality Management (TQM) Certified Instructor
• Cited by Major General Dale Tabor for excellence in TQM instruction & briefing
• Personally selected by Logistics Group Commander as Executive Officer
• Founder & Owner of Premier Enterprises
• Business Manager for Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger-life story featured in the TriStar Pictures Feature Film, RUDY
• Co-Founder & Partner of NeverQuit Activewear
• Real Estate Investor (Private rental properties....no land development or commercial land holdings in the State of Texas)
• President, CEO and owner of Virtus Apparel LLC
• Virtus and its companion companies employee over 70 people and have annual revenues of nearly $20,000,000.00
• One of the fastest growing custom apparel companies & lines in the entire country
• Created 11 jobs in Firsco over the last 12 months & an additional 20 nationally

COMMUNITY

• Selected for Leadership Frisco Class XII
• Served on Marketing Committee for the I AM FRISCO project
• Chamber of Commerce member
• Frisco Family Services donor & volunteer
• Live auction chair for Frisco Family Services 2009 Gala
• Frisco City Hall 101
• Starwood Homeowners' Association Village Representative
• Member of the HOA social committee
• Heritage Association of Frisco, Lifetime Member
• Member of the Frisco Republican Men's Club
• Associate member of the FARW Club
• Paddy Dash volunteer & booster
• Noon Rotary Member
• Meals on Wheels volunteer
• Member of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Former volunteer High School Football Coach