Plano: Forum held for area candidates

Saturday at Schimel-pfenig Library in Plano, the League of Women Voters of Plano/Collin County presented a Meet the Candidates forum for area residents.

“I think people need to find the issues that are important to them and do in-depth research on those issues,” said Tom Daley, Democratic candidate for the United States House of Representatives District 3. He is challenging incumbent Sam Johnson. “Then ask themselves who has the energy to carry out what they want.”

The first session included U.S. Representative candidates Daley, and the Libertarian candidate Chris-topher Claytor. Also involved were state representative candidates Benjamin Westfried, Libertarian for District 66, Jerry Madden, Republican for District 67, and Jeffrey Joyner, Libertarian for District 67.

The candidates were asked where they stood on Texas school finances. Madden said he is not in favor of making massive changes to school finances, but that he does want to change the top 10 percent rule, allowing the top 10 percent of the class to be admitted to any Texas university. Westfried said he wants a free market standard where people spend money for schools themselves. Joyner stated that he “hated” the “Robin Hood” program.

The final question asked to the candidates allowed them to pick out key issues they felt were important. Claytor spoke about immigration and said a fence separating the United States and Mexico is not the answer. “We should pull out of Iraq and put those people on the border, if that’s what is important to the people,” he said.

Daley said the people in Israel want peace and so does the United States so government actions should reflect that notion. Madden said one way to help with immigration would be to look at arrest warrants and people in jail and discover if they are citizens. Then the country should deport those who aren’t after they serve their time.

Westfried argued that the last eight years of the Bush administration have been a disaster and said “This isn’t the America I grew up in.”

Joyner spoke about his desire for property tax reform, saying (the tax) is too high and there needs to be a cap on appraisals.

“I think it’s important for the candidates to get in front of Plano residents,” Jan Sand, member of the League of Women Voters, said. “I just wish more than 25 (residents) showed up.”

Candidates for the office of Collin County Commissioner, Constable, and Tax-Assessor-Collector made up the second session.

Jean Power, Democratic candidate for County Commissioner, is a family law attorney who believes the current court has failed.

“I am a straight talker,” Power said. “I like simple solutions.”

Chuck Presley, Republican candidate for Constable, has more than 30 years experience in law enforcement and has worked in the Constable’s office for a year.

“I want to be able to provide Collin County with any law enforcement asked of this office,” Presley said.

Kenneth Maun, Republican, and Randy Kohn, Libertarian, are both running for County Tax Assessor-Collector. Kohn said his reason for running for office is that he wanted to get involved with the community. Maun stated that he wants the residents of Collin County to really understand the tax system.

“I enjoyed hearing the views of the candidates,” said LaWynn Rogers, president of Plano Retired Teachers. “I was very pleased with what I heard; I might have even changed a couple of my votes.”

For more information on Collin County elections and for voter guides visit www.wvcollin.org.

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