Irving Issues

The Dallas Morning News had an article in yesterday's print edition, "Irving’s hottest issues at boiling point for start of election season." http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/irving/headlines/20120311-irvings-hottest-issues-at-boiling-point-for-start-of-election-season.ece?action=reregister.  Once again, the media wants to glorify the extreme viewpoints in an attempt to sell more copies.  The decision to continue with the development of an entertainment center in Irving is important.  However, it is not the only issue facing Irving at this time.  Voters should beware of single-issue candidates running for City Council.  What are these candidates going to do once that one issue is finally decided and they are asked to make important decisions on the future of our city?  What experience do they have in the other areas that will significantly impact Irving?

Irving has several key areas that are primed for growth and/or redevelopment (Transit Oriented Developments "TOD's" along the soon-to-be completed DART Orange Line and the TRE, former Texas Stadium site, Las Colinas Urban Center and Irving's Heritage Crossing).  Irving can expand its tax base, which in turn could lower property taxes, by seeking and encouraging the right types of developments for these areas.   Density is good, as long as you have quality construction and the proper mix of increased retail opportunities.

Along with growth comes greater infrastructure needs.  According to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (http://www.nctcog.org/ris/demographics/forecast.asp), the population in our area will nearly double by 2040.

"Over the course of a thirty‐five year period, which began in 2005, the North Central Texas area is
expected to add nearly 4.8 million people and 3.0 million jobs."

This incredible expansion will burden our already crowded transportation systems and our troubled water supply.  Irving is very fortunate to have a rail option through downtown and the DART Orange line through Las Colinas.  These are good steps towards meeting the city's future transportation needs.  In addition, Irving has already begun to take steps to secure sufficient water supplies for tomorrow.  We need to continue to ensure that Irving has enough resources to sustain any contemplated or projected growth. 

This is not the time for single-issue petty politics.  This is the time for teamwork and leadership!

The election is May 12, 2012.  For more information about me or my campaign, please check out our website at http://www.billmahoneycampaign.com/.

I would appreciate your vote for Irving City Council, Place 6.

Pol. Adv. paid for by Bill Mahoney Campaign