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Running for District 5
By Emily Hill, ehill@starlocalnews.com
In the upcoming General Election in Little Elm, six candidates are running for the position of District 5 on the Little Elm Town Council. Candidates include Lloyd "Renn" Leech, Katie Gipson, David Taylor, Daniel Jaworski, DeLeon English and LeAnna Harding.
The General Election Day is May 12. Visit www.littleelm.org for information on voting locations.
Leech
"I am running because helping and serving others is great passion of mine," Leech said. "I want to look back some day when I'm retired and be able to say that I contributed to the success of my town."
Leech is the current secretary of the Parks and Recreation Board. He has a background in management, the military and volunteerism. He holds a degree in sociology and political science.
"I feel that I am well-rounded and can contribute a great deal to making those important decisions regarding our town's future," Leech said.
In Leech's opinion, there are some problems in the town that need to be resolved and he has ideas for the resolutions to those issues. He believes that whether the problem is big or small, the best way to come to a resolution is by addressing it with "open communication and involvement from everyone who cares about and has a vested interest in our town."
"As a member of council, I would not only share my ideas but I would challenge the residents to do the same," Leech said. "The citizens of Little Elm should vote for me simply because I am committed to doing what is best for the town and its residents."
Gipson
Katie Gipson put her bid in for candidacy for District 5 because the town needs elected leaders committed to the growth of Little Elm and its residents. She believes she is that person who will be willing to work for the entire town and be able to reach out to all the factions within Little Elm.
"We need people willing to think creatively and handle challenges without simply throwing money at problems. I am that person," Gipson said.
Gipson has been involved with several leadership roles including being one of the youngest delegates at the Republican State Convention several years ago. Recently, she has helped run several Little Elm ISD Parent Teacher Associations over the past eight years. She believes it is important that schools draw new residents.
"I will listen to residents' concerns and do something about them. I will work with others to find solutions to problems that Little Elm faces," Gipson said.
According to Gipson, Little Elm is facing many challenges with the most prominent one being property values. She believes that the town can increase property value by placing more focus on public safety, which includes ensuring the police and fire departments are adequately staffed.
"Brining in more businesses to provide a broader tax base and providing more family-friendly venues will also help increase property values," Gipson said. "If elected, I will work with other officials and agencies to help raise and protect property values."
Taylor
David Taylor is running for District 5 because the town needs someone who will listen to residents as plans to shape the future of Little Elm are made.
"I believe we need someone who is there for the people of the town," Taylor said.
Taylor is reminded of the apartments issue on Farm-to-Market 423 from last year. He said the council should have listened to its constituents in opposition of the apartments.
"When the numbers of citizens show up and vote opposition to something with such a display, the council should have voted down the issue or at least tabled the issue of the apartments until they had more support," Taylor said. "If the people are ignored, we need someone who will listen to them and I would do that.
Taylor believes there is a lack of "unity" behind some of the plans for the town's future and a lack of a "vision caster." He said current elected officials are not visible in many of the places he frequents, which he'd like to see changed.
"If we expect to double in size and annex Frisco Ranch and Paloma Creek by 2017, we need to be talking about what that will look like, and not just behind closed doors in a workshop with the Town Manager," Taylor said.
Taylor is involved in Boy Scouts, LEAYSA and church and is a Neighborhood Watch block captain. He believes people should vote for him because he is "one of them."
"I am constantly in discussion with Little Elm residents about what is happening in town," Taylor said. "I have nothing personal to gain from being on Town Council other than the satisfaction of getting to voice my community's concerns."
Jaworski
Daniel Jaworski believes Little Elm is at a crossroads. In the last 2-3 years, the town has seen progress with the opening of Kroger and ALDI and improvements on Eldorado Parkway. But, Jaworski said, like the rest of Eldorado Parkway, there is still more to do.
"I have worked behind the scenes as chairman of the TIRZ [Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones] committees and LERA [Little Elm Redevelopment Authority], but I believe I can serve the community much better and more effectively as a member of the Town Council," Jaworski said.
Jaworski said the town is funded by 70 percent property tax collection and 22 percent local sales tax collection, and the property taxes are up 83 percent since 2005.
"It's difficult to sustain a growing, vibrant community when we are that out-of-balance," Jaworski said. "We've seen year after year of increasing property taxes when we needed to see year after year of an increasing share of sales tax contributors--more businesses."
His goal is to be more proactive in attracting business to the town and filling empty store fronts, which the many vacancies can be discouraging to potential new businesses.
Jaworski has served as chairman on three committees dedicated to attracting more business to the town, which he said played key roles in acquiring Kroger, ALDI, Quick Trip and Race Trac in the town. These businesses, he said, represent millions in additional sales tax revenue and hundred of local jobs.
"I believe that I am the best candidate in the Place 5 race because I have the most experience in dealing with our most significant challenge of better, more active economic/business development. Because of this critical experience, I am the best candidate," Jaworski said.
For information, visit http://vote4danjaworski.com.
English
DeLeon English is committed to serving Little Elm as a leader. If elected, he will be committed to keeping the community safe and moving in the right direction by working with other council members on investments that will provide value to the town and keep it maintainable long-term.
"By making informed decisions, we can maintain a healthy financial policy that ensures a safe community and future growth," English said.
English has experience in the local government as a Planning and Zoning Commission member, which has helped him understand the town and its challenges.
To keep the town moving forward, English will look for solutions to traffic and street congestions. He believes that infrastructure, employment and resident safety are the greatest problems facing Little Elm, which is an issue for most fast-growing cities.
"To solve these problems, I intend to work with others to fund projects and programs that add value to our community such as greater road access, keeping pace with water and sewage, and community connectivity," English said. "Projects should be purposeful and provide ongoing value, which reduces the drain on city revenues."
According to English, long-term employment is important to the town's future by providing incentives for organizations to find Little Elm attractive. He will work with the business community and town leadership to identify and explore organizations that are a great fit. English plans to provide public services with funding and tools needed.
English believes that families, senior citizens and particularly children of the community deserve a leader who will bring understanding, experience and drive to ensure the future of the town.
"In me, you will get a leader who listens to the people and works for a shared vision for the good of our community and its children," English said.
Harding
LeAnna Harding is running for District 5 because she wants to give back to the community of Little Elm.
"I was raised with the values that we are to give back to our communities and do what we can for others," Harding said. "My belief is that it is an honor to serve and help others."
Harding said she is a very dedicated person and loves her community. She has four children that she decided to raise in Little Elm because of the schools, the community and the security she feels when she is at home.
"I want this to be a place where my children will be proud to call home and someday raise their children here," Harding said.
According to Harding, the greatest issue facing Little Elm is that it may be losing its "small town charm." She believes that is what makes the Town of Little Elm so appealing to residents.
"As a member of Town Council, I would ensure that projects and other improvements brought to our attention are truly in the best interest of our residents," Harding said.
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