Dallas 2011 Mayoral Race Voters' Guide


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David Kunkle


Mike Rawlings

 

http://www.davidkunkle.com/

 

 

http://www.mikerawlingsfordallas.com/

"The city must work best for the people who live here. I have a proven track record of turning around organizations in turmoil, not just in Dallas, but in every organization I have led."

"I know firsthand what it takes to create jobs and economic growth. And, I can use relationships I have built during thirty years as a businessman and CEO to attract new business and development and grow our tax base."

 

 

 

Willing to Consider An Additional Property Tax Increase?

 

 

 

"No."

 

 

"I think we can not only protect, but also improve, city services without raising taxes."

 

 

Position on the Trinity River Toll Road

 

 

"[The Trinity River Toll Road] is no longer a viable option. Not only is funding not available for the foreseeable future, I fundamentally don't believe a road should be built in a flood way. The road has no exits into downtown Dallas and does nothing for our city and it should not be built with taxpayer dollars."

 

 

"At some point the traffic concerns of the city will need to be addressed in a manner that allows it to complement the other parts of the project. The roads we build must be done in a smart, cost-effective manner that does not further burden our taxpayers."

 


 

 

 

On the Size of City Government:

 

Kunkle: "I believe we can reduce the size of government without cutting basic services and without raising taxes. I believe for long-term growth to occur we must start at the neighborhood level and focus on the basics."

 

Rawlings: "I believe we can use this economic downturn as an opportunity to re-engineer city government to make it smaller and more efficient, and to change the way we approach tax revenues, budgeting and other financial decisions."

 

 

On Ethics and Corruption:

 

 

Kunkle: "Ethics start at the very top. For too long Dallas City Hall has had a reputation of corruption- where back room deals are common place and the perception of buying influence is expected. I have the proven track record of zero tolerance at the Dallas Police Department and I will bring that same mandate to City Hall."

 

[An online search for "David Kunkle ethics" uncovered the following stories:]

 

Kunkle Steps Out on a Limb, Calling for Transparency on the Trinity (Dallas Observer, 5/20/11)

 

Kunkle: Free The Trinity Docs! And Other City Hall Ethics Proposals Unveiled This Morning. (Dallas Observer, 5/19/11)

 

Rawlings, Kunkle Debate Trinity River Project (MyFox Dallas, 5/20/11)

 

 

Rawlings: "As Mayor, I will be strong on ethics--also erring on the side of transparency because our citizens deserve that type of leader: the type of leader who will stand up for what's right, especially when it comes to keeping our city honest."

 

 

[An online search for "Mike Rawlings ethics" uncovered the following stories:]

 

Mike Rawlings' concessions company sued in New York, accused of pocketing tips (Dallas Morning News, 5/31/11)

 

Dallas trail safety campaign raises questions (WFAA-TV, 5/10/11)

 

Editorial: Rawlings and the dangers of mixing friendship with business (Dallas Morning News, 5/12/11)


 

 

 

 

On City Government Bureaucracy:

 

 

Kunkle : "We must make all our processes, particularly zoning and permits faster and easier so projects can move at a faster rate. Dallas is considered among the slowest and most expensive in zoning and permits than anywhere in North Texas. This must change."

 

Rawlings : "Dallas has earned the notorious distinction of being one of the worst cities in Texas to do business with, and we must change that image. We can start by reducing development and permitting fees, and reducing the amount of time it takes to get decisions and approvals from city departments -- but the real change must be in instilling a more customer friendly attitude at City Hall."

 

 

On Private Sector Solutions:

 

 

Kunkle : "We need to re-invent how we look at our budget. We must look at privatization of areas where the public sector may be able to do a job better and cheaper than government."

 

 

Rawlings : "I am a huge proponent of public-private partnerships. They were the key to success on the homeless issue, and they are critical in my plan to help our public schools. We are fortunate to live in a city with great civic-minded corporate citizens, and we should use these resources to improve our city."

 

 

Political Contributions:

 


David Kunkle "has no history of donating to [political] campaigns." (source : Dallas Observer, 2/8/11)

 

Mike Rawlings "has contributed nearly $85,000 to various candidates and committees since 1992--with more than 88 percent of that dough spent on Democratic causes." (source : Dallas Observer, 2/8/11)

 

 

Notable Endorsements:

 

 

Hon. Laura Miller

Hon. Mitchell Rasansky

Bill Caruth

Cecile Newberry-Fernandez

Jarrod Atkinson

Fraternal Order of Police, Dallas Lodge 588

Greenville Avenue Restaurant Association

Greater Dallas Chapter, National Latino Peace Officers Association

Sierra Club of Dallas

Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance

Stonewall Democrats of Dallas County

Dallas Area Residents for Responsible Drilling

 

Roger Staubach

H. Ross Perot

11 Dallas City Council members

Dallas Morning News

S.E.I.U. COPE and Workers United

Dallas Black Firefighters PAC

Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price

Dallas County Young Democrats

Preston Hollow Democrats

Hispanic PAC of Dallas

Hon. Tennell Atkins

Hon. John J. Carona

Hon. Ricardo Medrano