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IS HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING INTO THE MEETING, SO WE ARE WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING HIS LINK. IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE ON ANYWAY.
[Call to Order]
WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO THE TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE GARLAND CITY COUNCIL. WE ARE WE ARE HERE BASICALLY TO CERTIFY THE RESULTS FROM THE JUNE 5TH RUNOFF ELECTION IN DISTRICT THREE.AND COUNCIL, REALLY QUICKLY, WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO A QUICK WE'RE WAITING FOR MAYOR PRO TEM NICKERSON TO JOIN US.
HE IS HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE LINK.
SO WE ARE TRYING TO GET HIM INTO THE MEETING.
AND I'M WATCHING THE SCREEN AND I DON'T SEE HIM SO COUNCIL, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS TO ALLOW HIM TO GET IN, SO WE'LL TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS.
WELL, WE HAD A LOT ADVERSARY OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO.
GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. SORRY, WE ARE HAVING SOME ISSUES HERE THIS EVENING.
WE ARE COMING BACK FROM A BRIEF.
WE STARTED THE MEETING AND IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO RECESS TO RESOLVE SOME TECHNICAL ISSUES.
AND THIS IS A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE GARLAND CITY COUNCIL.
ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PRESENT EXCEPT FOR COUNCILMAN VERA FROM DISTRICT SIX.
BUT AT THIS POINT, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON.
SO OUR ONLY AGENDA ITEM TONIGHT, AGENDA ITEM 1A CONSIDER AND ORDINANCE CANVASING THE
[1A. Consider an ordinance canvassing the results of a Runoff Election for the purpose of electing a Council Member to District 3 of the City of Garland, Texas; declaring the results of that election; and providing an effective date.]
RESULTS OF A RUNOFF ELECTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A COUNCIL MEMBER TO DISTRICT THREE OF THE CITY OF GARLAND, TEXAS, DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THAT ELECTION AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.YES, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 1A, AS STATED.
AND I HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAYOR PRO TEM NICKERSON A SECOND, BY COUNCIL MEMBER SMITH TO APPROVE ITEM 1A AS PRESENTED.
AND LET THE RECORD SHOW THAT THAT ITEM IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY WITH THE EIGHT COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE PRESENT.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. NOW WE DO HAVE A VIDEO PRESENTATION, OBVIOUSLY, SINCE WE ARE STILL MEETING VIRTUALLY WE HAVE PRERECORDED SOME REMARKS FROM MAYOR PRO TEM NICKERSON AND FROM OUR NEWLY SEATED COUNCIL MEMBER ED MOORE.
CARMA, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE CONTROL OF THE VIDEO.
HERE WE GO. CITIZENS, FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, ALMOST FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY, I WAS ELECTED AS YOUR DISTRICT THREE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR THE CITY OF GARLAND.
AND TODAY I'M HERE GIVING MY FAREWELL ADDRESS TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE GOALS ESTABLISHED WHEN FIRST ELECTED WERE DEVELOPED.
FROM LISTENING TO YOU, THE CITIZENS OF DISTRICT THREE, YOU WANTED MORE REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTH GARLAND.
YOU WANTED IMPROVEMENT IN PUBLIC SAFETY, A SOLUTION TO THE EASTERN HILLS GOLF COURSE PROPERTY SITUATION, IMPROVED HOUSING STOCK, AS WELL AS IMPROVED STREETS, ALLEYS, PARKS AND DRAINAGE. THESE BECAME OUR GOALS.
SO LET US REVIEW OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
EASTERN HILLS GOLF COURSE PROPERTY WAS A DIFFICULT SITUATION TO COMPLETE.
IT HAD A HISTORY THERE OF DEVELOPMENT REQUESTS THAT WERE JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, THE
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CITIZENS AND THE NEIGHBORS IN THAT AREA.ONE OF THE GOALS THAT WE ESTABLISHED TOGETHER WAS TO FIND THAT SOLUTION WITH WORK ON MY PART AND LISTENING AND TALKING TO YOU, THE CITIZEN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND WHAT SHOULD BE THERE IN THAT DEVELOPMENT AREA.
AND THEN ALONG CAME AN OPPORTUNITY THAT NO ONE REALLY EXPECTED.
AN ORGANIZATION CALLED MY POSSIBILITIES DECIDED THEY WERE VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN THE PROPERTY AND HAD GRAND PLANS FOR PROGRAMS FOR THE FOLKS THAT THEY SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY, WORKING TOGETHER WITH YOU, THE CITIZENS AND STAFF AND MY POSSIBILITIES.
THAT DEVELOPMENT BECAME A REALITY.
YOU, THE CITIZENS LED THAT BELIEVE THAT WE COULD MAKE THAT HAPPEN THERE.
AND WE DID. SO WE SOLVED A DIFFICULT SITUATION WITH A VERY POSITIVE PROMISE FOR THE FUTURE HERE IN DISTRICT THREE.
MY POSSIBILITIES HAS HAMPERED A LITTLE BIT WITH THE COVID THIS LAST YEAR, BUT THEY ARE ON TRACK TO COMPLETE THEIR DETAILED DESIGN THIS YEAR AND SOON TO BREAK GROUND.
HOUSING IN SOUTH GARLAND WAS ANOTHER CONCERN THAT YOU THE CITIZEN HAD.
NOW I CAN REPORT THAT WE HAVE BOTH SINGLE FAMILY AND MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN COMING ONLINE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS OF MY SERVICE HERE, NEW MULTIFAMILY APARTMENTS ALONG THE LAKE RAY HUBBARD AREA, ROSE HILL AND I-30.
A REBUILT MODERN MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AT 190 AND I-30 THAT HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY THE TORNADO. SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING UNITS ARE ALSO COMING ONLINE IN SOUTH GARLAND.
THIS WILL GREATLY HAVE GREATLY INCREASED BOTH ATI-30 AT ROSEHILL AND ZION AT I-30, AS WELL AS THE EMERALD LAKE AT OATS ROAD, WHICH WAS AN EXTENSION THAT WAS ABLE TO ADD OVER 300 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES OF GOOD SIZE AND QUALITY.
AND THREE MORE FROM THE, THREE HUNDRED MORE FROM MY POSSIBILITY'S DEVELOPMENT.
AND THAT'S OVER 600 NEW HOUSING UNITS FOR SOUTH GARLAND IN DISTRICT THREE.
THESE DEVELOPMENTS ALSO IMPROVED AND EXTENDED AT THEIR COST INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN THOSE AREAS AT ZION ROAD AND AT LAKE RAY HUBBARD WITH THE OATS ROAD EXTENSION IMPROVEMENT CONNECTIVITY THAT GAVE BOBTOWN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT TO [INAUDIBLE].
HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS ALSO WERE A FOCUS ALONG THE I-30 CORRIDOR AND THE CATALYST AREA.
THE SPECIFIC CORRIDOR WAS HIGHLIGHTED, HIGHLIGHTED BY A CITIZEN'S COMMITTEE A YEAR BEFORE FOR ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AND TO INCREASE THE COMMITMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICES. THIS WE ALSO ACCOMPLISHED AT I-30 AND 635 THE INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THOSE LOOP IMPROVEMENTS THAT BETTER, BETTER ACCESS TO THE I-30 AREA WILL BE IMPROVED THERE.
THE BRIDGE PHASE ONE EXTENSION ACROSS THE LAKE TO THE EAST WILL IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY, IMPROVE THE OPPORTUNITY THERE FOR BETTER TRANSPORTATION FLOW.
AND IN ADDITION, I WORKED WITH TXDOT TO TIE IN TO THE END OF THAT PROCESS A RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BASS PRO OVERPASS, THIS OVERPASS.
WOULD BE THE FIRST PROJECT TO BE STARTED ONCE THE BRIDGE WORK IS COMPLETE.
AND LAST THE CONVERSION OF THE ROSEHILL OVERPASS AT I-30 TO REMOVE THE BIG JUG HANDLE ENTRIES AND EXITS THERE, THEREBY FREEING UP MORE DEVELOPABLE LAND FOR RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT. YOU ALSO ASKED ME ABOUT ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT.
THE CITY PURCHASED LAND AT ROSEHILL AND I-30 FOR FUTURE USE AS A COMBINATION RETAIL AND RESIDENTIAL FOR OUR AREA IN SOUTH GARLAND.
THIS THIS CONCURRED WITH WHAT I HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR FOR SOME TIME IN THAT AREA AND WITH COUNCIL SUPPORT, I LED THE PUSH TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY BY THE CITY FOR A FUTURE CONTROLLED DEVELOPMENT.
THIS KIND OF INVESTMENT BY THE CITY HAD NOT BEEN MADE BEFORE IN SOUTH GARLAND.
RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS AT I-30 PRESENTLY THERE ARE AT LEAST SIX ACTIVE RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS APPROVED ARE IN CONSTRUCTION DOWN THIS I-30 CORRIDOR FROM BASS PRO TO BROADWAY.
YOU HAD ASKED FOR MORE RETAIL OPPORTUNITIES.
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FINALLY, THIS 2019 BOND PROGRAM, WHAT A CHALLENGE WE HAD THERE TOGETHER, BUT A CITIZEN'S COMMITTEE WAS FORMED AND YOU TOLD THE COUNCIL WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR AND WHAT YOU NEEDED, AND THEN YOU BRAVELY VOTED FOR THE FOUR HUNDRED AND OVER FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY MILLION DOLLAR BOND PROGRAM, THEREBY IMPROVING MULTIPLE FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY, INCREASING FINANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND BRIDGES FOR BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE, AND A CHALLENGE TO GET THIS COMPLETED AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE.WITH MY EXPERIENCE AS A PROGRAM MANAGER AND MY HISTORY IN CONSTRUCTION, I LED THE CHARGE THAT WE MUST HAVE A WAY TO DELIVER THIS BOND PROGRAM EFFICIENTLY AND QUICKLY.
I INDICATED I WOULD NOT BE IN FAVOR OF THE BOND PROGRAM IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A WAY TO DELIVER THIS PROGRAM.
I WANTED IT DELIVERED IN UNDER SEVEN YEARS THAT WOULD IMPROVE THE COST ISSUES RELATED TO KEEP TAXES AS LOW AS WE POSSIBLY COULD AND DELIVER THOSE SERVICES YOU WANT TIMELY AND EFFICIENTLY. I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE ARE ON THAT TRACK TODAY AND I LOOK FORWARD IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FOR COMPLETION OF MOST OF THOSE PROJECTS IN THE BOND PROGRAM.
SO WE INCLUDED THE REMAINING 2004 BOND PROJECTS AS WELL INTO THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES THE DOG PARK, SKATE PARK, THE NEW MODERN ANIMAL SHELTER, PARKS AND ROADS, DRAINAGE AND POLICE FACILITIES AND FIRE FACILITIES, A GRAND PLAN THAT IS BEING EXECUTED EFFICIENTLY.
THERE WERE ALSO SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN DISTRICT THREE THAT HAD TO BE RESOLVED WINDSURF PARK ISSUES OF OVERCROWDING ON HOLIDAY PERIODS WITH A CONTINUING CONCERN AND ISSUE THAT OUR CITIZENS THAT LIVED IN AN ADJACENT THERE WERE DEALING WITH.
I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY DEVELOP A SOLUTION WHERE AT PERIODS OF HIGH HIGH OCCUPANCY, WE WOULD HAVE TO CLOSE THE PARKS ON THESE HOLIDAYS TO BETTER CONTROL THE TRAFFIC AND ISSUES AROUND THE CROWDING.
BUT IT'S A PARK AND WE DON'T WANT TO KEEP IT CLOSED.
HERE RECENTLY I'VE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER REOPENING THE WINDSURF PARK AND COUNCIL HAS VOTED TO DO SO AND A PLAN WAS DEVELOPED BY STAFF.
AND WE WILL BE REOPENING WINDSURF PARK THIS SUMMER.
HORTON RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS ACTUALLY NOT INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF SOUTH GARLAND ON BOBTOWN ROAD THAT WAS GOING TO ADD 1100 HOMES INTO THE AREA OUTSIDE OF OUR CITY LIMITS. THE LOCAL CITIZENS AND I HAD HEARD THEY WERE GOING TO DEVELOP A PACKAGE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TO SERVE THAT HOUSING AREA.
AND THAT WAS SOMETHING WE JUST DID NOT WANT TO HAVE ADJACENT TO US AND SOUTH GARLAND, I LED THE CHARGE THERE AS WELL WITH CITIZEN SUPPORT TO DEVELOP A PLAN WHERE WE COULD SERVE THE DEVELOPMENT WITH WATER AND SEWER SERVICE IN LIEU OF THEM BUILDING A PLANT THAT HAS AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN MADE BETWEEN THE CITY AND D.R.
AND HERE JUST RECENTLY, WE RECEIVED NOTICE FROM THE STATE THAT THEY HAVE CANCELED THEIR APPLICATION FOR THE WASTEWATER PLANT.
THERE WERE OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THE OLD ROWLETT MARINA OFF OF ROWLETT ROAD THAT WERE UPSETTING THE CITIZENS THERE, AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK WITH THAT CITIZENRY REGROUP AND WITH CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR CONTROL, CROWD CONTROL OF THAT AREA OF THE MARINA.
AND HERE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, THAT FENCING AND GATING OF THE MARINA WILL BE COMPLETED.
AND WE WILL HAVE WE WILL HAVE CORRECTED AN ISSUE THERE THAT WAS CONCERNING TO THE LOCAL CITIZENS. WE'VE MADE IMPROVEMENTS TO PARKS ALONG THE WAY.
AND I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN ADDRESSING THE SOUTH GARLAND AND DISTRICT THREE SITUATION IN A PARKS MASTER PLAN WITH THE PARKS DIRECTOR AND OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THIS WILL PROVIDE FUTURE CONNECTIVITY TO NORTH GARLAND WITH A HIKING AND BIKING TRAIL THAT WILL CONNECT THROUGH MY POSSIBILITIES DEVELOPMENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO SOUTH GARLAND AT BASS PRO, WHERE WE WOULD GO UNDER THE NEW BASS PRO CONSTRUCTION OF AN UNDERPASS AND EVENTUALLY RECONNECTING TO ALL OF SOUTH GARLAND AND BACK TO DUCK CREEK TO EVENTUALLY MAKE A LOOP FOR A HIKING AND BIKING TRAIL AROUND THE ENTIRE CITY OF GARLAND.
YOU ALSO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT HOMELESS CAMPS AND THE HOMELESS SITUATIONS AND WITH
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COUNCIL, WE WORKED WITH CHIEF AND HIS STAFF TO DEVELOP A HOMELESS PROGRAM WHERE WE REMOVED HOMELESS CAMPS AND TRIED TO REPLACE THE HOMELESS PEOPLE BACK INTO SOCIETY.AND IT HAS IT HAS HELPED THE SITUATION HERE WITH CAMP CONTROL AND CONTINUING TO TO OPERATE FAVORABLY.
ILLEGAL PARKING ORDINANCES AND EXPANSION OF MARSHALS FOR PATROL OF THAT ORDINANCE WAS ALSO DEVELOPED IN THIS TENURE.
WE ALSO DID TAX REDUCTIONS FOR BOTH SENIORS AND HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS, REDUCING PROPERTY TAXES AND REDUCING AND INCREASING THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
AND THEN CAME COVID, SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED.
WE HAD TO THEN DEVELOP AND WORKING HARD WITH STAFF AND WITH ADDITIONAL ADJACENT CITIES.
WE LEARNED ON THE FLY HOW TO DEAL WITH A PANDEMIC THAT HAD NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE IN MY LIFETIME AND MOST OF OUR LIFETIMES.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WITH YOUR SUPPORT, THE COUNCIL GENERATED POLICIES THAT PROTECTED OUR CITY AND OUR STAFF IN THE BEST MANNER THAT WE COULD TO MINIMIZE THE EFFECTS OF A TERRIBLE PANDEMIC. AND WE HAVE DONE SO.
AND HERE TODAY WE STAND UNITED AGAIN AND READY TO REOPEN OUR COMMUNITY TO THE OUTSIDE AND TO THE WORLD ONCE AGAIN.
YOU ALSO ASK FOR MORE HELP AND REINVESTMENT IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
AND AS PART OF COUNCIL, WE'VE ALLOCATED FUNDS IN THE BOND PROGRAM FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW SQUARE TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND SERVICES OF THE CITY FOR THE CITIZENS IN GARLAND.
AND THERE ARE SO MANY MORE I COULD GO ON, BUT IT'S TIME NOW TO MOVE FORWARD.
IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY THAT WE STARTED ON THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER.
IT DID NOT. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, BUT I CAN GUARANTEE I NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED HOW THIS JOURNEY WOULD TURN OUT.
THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT MADE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE SPECIAL AND DIFFERENT.
TOGETHER, THEY CREATED AN EXCITING AND WONDROUS JOURNEY.
I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH I NEVER EXPECTED MET GREAT PEOPLE.
I NEVER WOULD HAVE MET AND EXPERIENCED THE WONDERFUL FEELING OF PUBLIC SERVICE I NEVER HAD COUNTED ON. THESE HAVE CERTAINLY CHANGED ME AND GAVE ME A DIFFERENT VISION OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND SELF-SACRIFICE I HAD NOT EXPECTED.
IT STRENGTHENED ME IN MANY WAYS, MY BELIEF IN GOD, MY BELIEF IN THE GOODNESS OF PEOPLE AND MY BELIEF IN MYSELF.
I RAN ON FOUR SIMPLE CONCEPTS FOUR YEARS AGO TO SERVE THE BEST THAT I COULD TO STAY POSITIVE AND NOT BE NEGATIVE TO THOSE THAT MIGHT DISAGREE WITH ME.
BE TRUTHFUL AND LISTEN MORE THAN TALK ALL OF THESE TO GET THINGS DONE FOR THE CITY OF GARLAND AND DISTRICT THREE.
I HAD NO ULTERIOR MOTIVES, NO ASPIRATIONS TO BE IN POLITICS.
I ONLY WANTED TO SERVE AND USE MY TALENTS, LEADERSHIP AND EXPERIENCES TO BRING VALUE TO THE GOVERNING PROCESS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR CITY AND THE CITIZENS OF DISTRICT THREE.
LITTLE DID I KNOW OR EXPECT THAT I WOULD BE THE ONE TO GAIN MORE THAN I COULD EVER HAVE GIVEN. I WANT TO CLOSE BY SAYING THANK YOU TO SO MANY.
FIRST OF ALL, MY WIFE MARLEY, SHE UNDOUBTEDLY WILL BE MORE FONDLY REMEMBERED THAN I, BUT WITHOUT HER I COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS.
THANK YOU, HONEY, TO STAFF ALL MY THANKS.
WHAT A GREAT LEADERSHIP GROUP AND PROFESSIONALISM THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN EXHIBITED TO ME AND TO OTHERS. THANK YOU TO STAFF.
TO THOSE CITIZENS THAT VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE ON ALL THE COMMITTEES AND BOARDS FOR DISTRICT THREE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND SERVICE.
TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS I SERVED WITH FROM 2017 TO 2021 WILL BE REMEMBERED AS ONE OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE COUNCILS IN CITY HISTORY, AND I AM PROUD TO HAVE SERVED WITH EACH OF THEM.
FINALLY, TO THE CITIZENS OF DISTRICT THREE AND THIS CITY.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.
WE DID GREAT THINGS TOGETHER AND HAS SET THE GROUNDWORK FOR GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN THE
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FUTURE FOR OUR CITY AND DISTRICT THREE.THIS IS JERRY NICKERSON SIGNING OFF.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.
THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT THREE.
THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT THREE.
AND WILL. TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
AND DEFEND. THE CONSTITUTION AND LAW.
HELLO, GARLAND. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR AMAZING SUPPORT TO MY CAMPAIGN DURING THE GENERAL AS WELL AS THE RUNOFF ELECTIONS.
AND I WANT TO THANK OTHERS WHO RAN FOR THIS OFFICE ALSO.
PC MATTHEWS, ANGELA GRAHAM WEST, VICKY JACKSON HIGH.
I BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY AND A SPIRITED EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND ANYONE WHO'S WILLING TO STEP UP TO HELP THE COMMUNITY, THEY ALL DESERVE OUR RESPECT.
AND SO I APPLAUD YOU FOR STEPPING UP AND WANTING TO SERVE.
I HAVE A FEW SIMPLE THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ELECTION.
WHEN I THINK BACK ON THE BEGINNING OF THIS JOURNEY, WHAT MOTIVATED ME IS THE DESIRE TO SERVE. YOU SEE, I HAVE RUN FOR COUNSEL BEFORE I SERVE AS PRESIDENT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. AND I'VE BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE CITY THROUGH BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
AND EVEN WHEN I WENT THROUGH THE GARLAND CITIZEN'S POLICE ACADEMY, I'VE JUST BECOME SO SO PASSIONATE ABOUT SERVING.
I THINK MARTIN LUTHER KING SAID IT BEST, AND THAT IS THAT WE CAN ALL BE PART OF THIS GREAT NATION BECAUSE EVERY ONE OF US, NO MATTER HOW OLD, NO MATTER HOW YOUNG, NO MATTER WHAT OUR COLOR, OUR BACKGROUND, WE CAN ALL SERVE.
AND SO I SAY TO YOU TODAY, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THINGS DONE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I'M ABOUT.
THAT'S WHAT MY CAMPAIGN WAS ABOUT AND THAT'S WHAT I DO.
I'M TALKING ABOUT STREETS, PARKS, AMENITIES AND OTHER BENEFITS THAT BENEFIT US ALL.
I'M TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RENEWAL THAT WILL HELP OUR CITY COMPETE WITH OTHER SUBURBS AND OTHER ENTITIES THROUGHOUT THIS COMMUNITY.
I'M TALKING ABOUT BEING A GOOD STEWARD OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS, MY TAX DOLLARS, AND ENSURE THAT WE MAKE SMART BUDGET DECISIONS AND USE OUR FUNDS EFFICIENTLY.
AND TO DO THIS TO DO THIS, I'LL BRING MY SKILLS AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.
I'LL BRING MY PASSION AS A PASTOR.
I'LL BRING MY DISCIPLINE AS A MILITARY PERSON.
I'LL BRING MY EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITY.
I'VE LEARNED THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE AND THROUGH TALKING WITH SO MANY OF YOU DURING THIS CAMPAIGN, AND I'LL KEEP LISTENING.
I THINK THAT THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT DURING THIS DAY AND TIME.
YOU SEE, I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU CALL, YOU'LL WANT A RESPONSE.
YOU WANT TO KNOW THAT THERE'S SOMEBODY ON THE OTHER END OF THAT LINE THAT IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT.
AND I ALSO BELIEVE UNITY OF PURPOSE IS ESSENTIAL.
OUR COUNCIL MUST WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF ALL.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR TO GET THINGS DONE. AND THEN FINALLY, THERE ARE A FEW PEOPLE THAT I NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE.
THANKS TO COUNCILMAN RICK AUBIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT, YOUR COUNSEL, ENCOURAGEMENT AND SERVICE TO OUR GREAT COMMUNITY. THANKS TO OUR POLITICAL CONSULTANT AND CAMPAIGN MANAGER, JEFF DALTON. YOUR POLITICAL UNDERSTANDING, YOUR EXPERIENCE AND FAITH CERTAINLY HELPED US TO WIN THIS RACE. THANKS FOR SHARING, ZACHARY BULLARD, THAT GUY THAT DID ALL OF THE DETAILS,
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RESEARCH THE DATA AND BROUGHT THE TEAM TOGETHER AND MUCH LOVE, MUCH LOVE TO MY SOUL MATE, MY WIFE. I CAN SAY ONCE AGAIN SHE BELIEVES IN ME.SHE BELIEVES IN ME THANKS TO MY FAMILY.
THIS IS TRULY BECOME A FAMILY AFFAIR AND IT WAS INDEED A FAMILY AFFAIR, THE FIRST MONEYS THAT WE RECEIVED. IT WAS ALL FROM FAMILY.
WE CALLED ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THEY CAME THROUGH.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
THERE ARE SO MANY FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH MEMBERS, SUPPORTERS AND ENCOURAGES THAT I CAN NAME WHO HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND EXPECTATION.
YOU'VE CONTRIBUTED THE TIME, YOUR TALENT AND YOUR TREASURES FROM THE DONORS WHO CONTRIBUTED TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS AND MORE, NOT ONCE, BUT SACRIFICIALLY, FROM TOWN HALL VIDEO PARTICIPANTS TO THE MEET AND GREET GROUPS, THE FACEBOOK ADVERTISEMENTS AND TO THE WEEKLY CANVASING WALKERS TO THE VOTER LOCATION GREETERS AND ROAD SIGN PLACERS.
TO ALL OF YOU I SAY THANK YOU.
AND THEN, THANKS TO THE GARLAND FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, GARLAND POLICE ASSOCIATION AND THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF DALLAS FOR YOUR ENDORSEMENTS, THANKS.
HONORABLE MAYOR RONALD JONES, RICH AUBIN, PRESTON EDWARDS, DAVID GIBBONS FOR YOUR ENDORSEMENTS. THANKS TO THOSE WHO ALLOW THIS TO BECOME WHO DID NOT ALLOW THIS TO BECOME A CULTURAL CONTEST.
BUT BELIEVE THIS I LEADERSHIP SHOULD BE BASED ON THE CONTENT OF OUR CHARACTER, COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY AND DEMONSTRATED PUBLIC SERVICE.
AND THEN FINALLY, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS INTO THIS CITY, THANKS TO YOU, THE VOTERS.
THAT'S WHAT WE STAND ON. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME A CHANCE TO SERVE.
AND I WILL WORK AS HARD AS I CAN TO LIVE UP TO THE TRUST THAT YOU'VE PLACED IN ME.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, GARLAND.
GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS OUR GREAT CITY.
NOW, GENTLEMEN, I WOULD JUST SAY.
MAYOR PRO TEM NICKERSON, WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE.
IT HAS BEEN QUITE AN EVENTFUL FOUR YEARS AND, YOU KNOW, CITYWIDE, STATEWIDE.
WORLDWIDE, BUT I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT BEING HERE WITH YOU THAT THERE WAS A LOT GOING ON IN DISTRICT THREE OVER THAT TIME, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS OF TAKING CARE OF ALL THOSE THINGS.
AND TO COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, WE WELCOME YOU.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING WITH YOU.
HOPEFULLY IT WON'T BE QUITE AS EVENTFUL AS YOUR PREDECESSOR, BUT THERE'S PROBABLY VERY LITTLE GUARANTEED TO THAT.
SO WE WELCOME YOU AND WE WILL WE WILL BE READY TO SERVE TOGETHER.
THIS IS JUST A DIFFERENT PHASE OF IT.
SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE TONIGHT.
AND THAT BEING THE ONLY ITEM BEFORE US AT 7:35, WE ARE ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.