City Governments, Grand Prairie City Council, Place 6

Job description	The Council is the city’s governing body. Districts 1-6 are elected by district. Districts 7-8 are elected city-wide. Term is three years.
Duties	Enacts city laws and ordinances Determines city policies Adopts city budget Appoints city manager to administer city government
Annual salary	Council members may receive $5 for each meeting attended; no council member can receive more than $25 per month.
Meetings	Council meetings twice monthly; special meetings called as needed.
City contact information	Contact City Secretary, gpcitysecretary@gptx.org or 972-237-8035

Kurt G. Johnson	Website: http://Kurtjohnsoncitycouncildist6.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KurtForGPCouncil/ Email: kurtjohnsoncampaign@gmail.com Phone: 214-641-3390	RUNOFF
Jeff Wooldridge (incumbent)	Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jeff-Wooldridge-for-City-Council-District-6-206384646167158 Email: jeffw77@yahoo.com	RUNOFF

Candidate Q&A

1. WHY ARE YOU THE BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE?
	Kurt G. Johnson I’m running for City Council because we need a Councilman who is available and willing to serve the community. I’m a servant leader who comes ready on day one with the skill set, knowledge, and ability to give voice for every resident in District 6. I’ve been a resident of Grand Prairie since 1999, and in that time, I’ve dedicated myself to being involved in the community. Through my experience on city boards and as President of the Westchester Homeowners Association, I’m able to bring innovative thinking. I’m willing to listen to our residents and encourage stronger conversations to introduce new ideas aimed to benefit our district as well as the City.
	Jeff Wooldridge
2. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT NEEDS OF YOUR DISTRICT/AREA AND WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM?
	Kurt G. Johnson I’ve spent the better part of my campaign listening to the voters in District 6 and desire is nearly unanimous for a high-quality grocery store (such as H.E.B./Whole Foods/Central Market) along I-20. I strongly agree with them. I have flexibility and expertise to meet with developers to collaborate on bringing various economic development to the district. While I was on the Planning and Zoning Board, we approved a developer’s plans to bring a grocery store on the NE corner of Camp Wisdom and Lake Ridge Parkway and other land is already zoned within District 6 for the development of a grocery store. If elected, I’ll move quickly on this before the available land in District 6 is rezoned for other use.
	Jeff Wooldridge
3. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED THE CITY’S BUDGET AND SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS. HOW WOULD YOU GRADE YOUR CITY’S RESPONSE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?
	Kurt G. Johnson We only heard from the Mayor leading the city during the pandemic, but nothing from our City Councilman. I am pleased with the communication(s) from our Mayor. During crisis’ that have significant repercussions on our district, it’s imperative for our Councilman to be heavily involved and strongly communicating. Moving forward, I’ll work to spread the word about COVID-19 updates, vaccinations plans, and how we’ll ensure our city does not fall behind due to these challenges.
	Jeff Wooldridge
4. HOW SHOULD THE CITY ADDRESS THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING? WHAT ROLE SHOULD CITY GOVERNMENT PLAY IN RESPONDING TO PANDEMIC-RELATED EVICTIONS?
	Kurt G. Johnson If a developer wanted to build a Project Based subsidized housing units in District 6, I would seek the opinion of our residents and neighborhood leaders. With strong communication, I would ensure the community has an opportunity to support or oppose this development at town hall meetings, scheduled Planning and Zoning meeting as well as the City Council meetings. Being elected by the people, for the people, my decision would be based on what the people decide. We truly cannot establish a fixed ratio of single-family housing vs. multifamily housing. Today’s ratio may not hold up to tomorrow’s newest trends or market analysis. However, building new multifamily housing units should be secondary to building residential properties.
	Jeff Wooldridge
5. HOW TO BEST ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY IS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON BALANCING THE FUNDING AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOTH POLICE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES?
	Kurt G. Johnson I support our law enforcement officers. District 6 residents are concerned about the limited presents of officers patrolling our neighborhoods. In the past, the presence of police vehicles was visible, and you would routinely see them crisscrossing intersections, making everyone feel safer. Now, residents report hardly seen patrol cars driving through District 6. I’ll use forward-thinking to keep our department well trained, compensated, and get more of our officers patrolling the streets. Additionally, many of the citizens have wanted to voice their concerns but have had very little communication from our current representation. As Councilman, I’ll make it a priority to organize a community meeting with the Mayor, City Manager and Chief of Police, giving citizens the opportunity to ask questions regarding public safety. Collaboration between citizens and their leadership is needed to help ease the public safety concerns from our residents.
	Jeff Wooldridge
6. IN THE LAST TERM, WHAT DO YOU THINK WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT VOTE? WHY? HOW DID OR WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED ON THE ISSUE AND WHY?
	Kurt G. Johnson I'm not sure what you mean about the "last term and the most important vote."
	Jeff Wooldridge
7. DO YOU THINK IT IS EVER APPROPRIATE FOR STATE LAWS TO OVERRIDE LOCAL CONTROL OF ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE CITY? IF SO, PLEASE PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE.
	Kurt G. Johnson The state provides needed funding for cities to provide needed services to their citizens. Therefore, the state should lead from the front and provide the necessary support for cities to make informed decisions. The state has the resources and is equally responsible for protecting citizens from pandemics or anything that will adversely impact the citizens of Texas.
	Jeff Wooldridge
8. THE RECENT “BIG FREEZE” CAUSED MANY RESIDENTS TO GO WITHOUT POWER OR WATER FOR HOURS OR EVEN DAYS. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CITY’S RESPONSE? HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO IMPROVE ELECTRIC/GAS/WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN?
	Kurt G. Johnson We only heard from the Mayor leading the city during the February freeze, but nothing from our City Councilman. I am pleased with the communication(s) from our Mayor. During crisis’ that have significant repercussions on our district, it’s imperative for our Councilman to be heavily involved and strongly communicating. We need to collaborate with our state and federal leadership and form a coalition that will address the needs for our electric/gas/water infrastructure. Most importantly, the cost should not be placed on the citizens of Texas. The state and federal government should bear paying the largest portion for the improved infrastructure
	Jeff Wooldridge
9. ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
	Kurt G. Johnson I am a career serviceman with 25 years of service in the Navy defending the Constitution of America. I would like to continue my service to this great nation by serving as Grand Prairie City Councilman District 6. I will bring innovative thinking and a 21st century approach to leading the district and city.
	Jeff Wooldridge