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Durham seeks another term
By Heather M. Goodwin, hgoodwin@starlocalnews.com
Rudy Durham is seeking another term on the Lewisville City Council. If elected, he will remain the longest-serving councilman.
Durham is running for re-election to Place 5. As of press time, he has one challenger - Raymond Daniels. Durham said he doesn't feel that he has completed everything he wants to do.
"I'm running again because we still have a lot of work to do," Durham said. "I think I have knowledge about what is going on. I also know how the system works, but the problem is, the system changes everyday, and we need somebody who can work that system."
"This is the biggest project coming up, and it will be continuing work from now on," Durham said.
Another big project for Lewisville will be the lake development project, Durham said.
"We talked about it at the retreat, and it will be a long-term deal," Durham said.
In addition, he said the city would need to keep pushing for more water for the future. Durham said residents need to get away from simply water conservation ideas.
He said it's not just about conservation but also about creating new water projects, which take years to accomplish.
"If we didn't waste a drop of water and if projections are correct, we won't have enough water by 2030," Durham said. "Water doesn't just magically appear, and we've been in a drought, and it will happen again."
Durham also said the city council will need to focus on the infrastructure, which is a day-to-day job that always needs to be maintained.
"Things don't last forever," Durham said. "They have to be systematically replaced."
Within the next 10 years, Durham said the biggest challenges would be water, transportation and keeping up with infrastructures such as roads, curbs and sewer.
"As far as transportation goes, we have to make sure that all systems work together including the State Highway121 project and the President George Bush Turnpike and how it will fit in with the I-35 expansion," Durham said. "When thinking about transportation, I look at it regionally, whatever Carrollton does will affect us."
Throughout his 19 years on the council, Durham said there several accomplishments that he is proud of, but in general, he's simply proud of the day-to-day responsibilities of being on the council.
"We've inched forward one a day at a time, but things are changing," Durham said. "I'm looking at things 30-50 years from now that I want to be a part of. It's [being a council member] an everyday deal, and everyday, I try to work with the council on the projects that need to take place."
Durham said his past experience would be valuable when moving forward with transportation projects. He currently serves on the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition. He's also past chairman of the planning and zoning commission, the zoning board of adjustment and a member of the Regional Transportation Council.
"On the RTC, I was part of the metropolitan planning organization that oversees regional funding," Durham said. "There's not enough money to go around for projects that are needed, and we need someone who can fight for funding."
Durham also said he doesn't believe in the "pay as you go" philosophy.
"Pay as you go is crazy. Without bonds, you wouldn't have anything built," Durham said. "I do agree that we should be fiscally conservative."
Durham has lived in Lewisville since the 1950s. He said he has knowledge of the area and knows why things happen around here.
During his campaign, Durham said he'll participate in forums, go door-to-door and let people know who he is. He doesn't have a website and doesn't plan launch one.
"People can see that I have a track record. I've been doing this a long time, and I haven't changed much over that period of time. I don't care which way the wind blows, people know what they're getting with me," Durham said. "I'm a good steward for the city. I do have a record, and people can agree or not agree, but at least I have an opinion. I'm trying to protect the property and individual rights to live."
For information email Durham at rdurham@cityoflewisville.com
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