DMN Endorses Chris Moss for Place 4

From Dallas Morning News, April 27, 2007

Editorial: We Recommend
By DMN Suburban Editorial Board

The three-person race for Place 4 on the Frisco City Council comes down to two candidates who have given solid service to city government and community causes.

Our recommendation goes to Planning and Zoning commissioner Chris Moss, on the basis of his clearer expression of priorities and his broader apprenticeship in city matters. Accountant David Prince is a creditable candidate, as well, but doesn't bring as firm an agenda to the campaign.

Mr. Moss, 36, an eight-year resident of the city, has been on the Planning and Zoning Commission since 2005. He has also served on advisory panels in the areas of building, planning, parks planning and city sign ordinances. He has been active in two homeowners associations and is a member of the Frisco Heritage Association and Association for the Arts.

Mr. Moss' priorities center on keeping up with growth by aggressively improving roadways and finding backup water resources. He pledges to press for better city representation on the Regional Transportation Council and to press the state to make headway on vital road projects, specifically FM423, Eldorado Parkway, Main Street and Preston Road north of Main.

The city's demand for water can be tempered through public education, innovative landscaping and working with developers and commercial users, he says. Mr. Moss also says it's unwise to assume the North Texas Municipal Water District will be able to meet future needs; rather, the city should actively explore options to use if a crisis occurs down the road.

Mr. Moss, a risk-management consultant, also says the city might be able to save money by eliminating some consultants and bringing the expertise on staff.

Mr. Moss takes a broad view of city government's role and the possibilities in partnering with other entities, such as private business, the school district, county government and Arts of Collin County.

Mr. Prince, 57, also an eight-year resident of Frisco, served on a city bond advisory committee in 2005. He has been treasurer for the Frisco Family Services board for five years and of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce for three years. Mr. Prince is now the chamber's chair-elect.

Mr. Prince pledges to use his 30-plus years of accounting experience to help the city keep a close eye on spending and tax rates. A central theme of his candidacy is limited government and focus on those things that "citizens are unable to provide for themselves."

The third candidate in the race is three-year Frisco resident David Preston, 60, sales manager of a six-state tire distributorship. A mayoral candidate two years ago, he is a member of the city's urban forestry board and the arts association.

Mr. Preston comes up short of his rivals on experience and vision. Among his top issues are providing two, rather than one, garbage pickup days, pushing for options in Internet service providers and reducing city publications that go to residents.

The election is May 12. Early voting starts April 30.

DMN Suburban Editorial Board
© 2007 Dallas Morning News