DMN Keeps Endorsments

From Dallas Morning News, June 3, 2007

Editorial: We Recommend
A summary of our choices for the runoff elections in Frisco
03:46 PM CDT on Sunday, June 3, 2007

We said in April that Frisco voters faced some tough choices in local elections this year. While other cities and school districts offered their voters little in the way of choice, Frisco fielded a strong slate of candidates, all dedicated to their community, and most of them fully qualified to do the job. Certainly, it's fair to say that the four candidates in the two runoff elections in Frisco could ably provide the city with strong leadership in the years to come.

Still, elections are about making choices, so the members of The DMN Suburban Editorial Board got to know a little more about the candidates, both through interviews and through the helpful Candidate Quiz, which is still available online at www.dallasnews.com/elections. The runoff election is June 16; early voting starts tomorrow, and any registered voter (not just those who voted in May) can help decide these races. So today we summarize our recommendations in these races.

DMN Suburban Editorial Board

Fred Pascarelli
Frisco City Council
Place 2

Fred Pascarelli has had broader experience in city issues, earning him the nod in what is a close call. He first got involved in city issues in 2001, when he worked on a committee that successfully fought Frisco's airport.

He ran for council in 2002, losing to Bob Allen, but gained valuable experience. He has since served on the Planning and Zoning Commission – albeit, briefly – and has also been active on bond committees and the city's charter amendment committee.

Mr. Pascarelli talks about the need for stronger communication between the city and developers. He says he attends developers meetings to try to understand their issues, although he stresses that he alone is funding his campaign.

He seems more likely to let the market decide anything beyond Frisco's already energy-friendly standards and incentives.

Also in the runoff:
Jeff Cheney

Chris Moss
Frisco City Council
Place 4

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Chris Moss focuses on 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 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.

Also in the runoff:
David Prince