City Council Candidate Statement: Mike Walker

The following is a reply to a request by the Kennedale for information from each of the seven candidates who are running for a Kennedale City Council place. {{more: READ MORE …}}

 

This statement is from Mike Walker, a candidate for Council, Place 3. Place 3 is also being contested by Sandra Lee.

 

My name is Mike Walker and I am running for re-election for city council, place 3. I am a 32 year resident of Kennedale. My wife and I have two children and two grandchildren. My daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters also live in Kennedale. My son is completing his doctoral degree in physical therapy at Texas Tech. I am a licensed psychologist and co-owner of North Texas Pain Recovery Center, a medical rehabilitation clinic is Southwest Arlington.

Educational Background:

I have a bachelor?s degree from Oklahoma Christian University, a master?s degree in psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma, a master?s degree in Health Law from Nova Southeastern University, a MBA from Jones International University, a doctoral degree in counseling from Texas A&M-Commerce and a doctoral degree in health law from Concord Law School.

Highlights of Current and Past Civic Involvement:

• Elder at Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ (2009-present)
• Charter member of Kennedale Rotary Club (2009-present)
• Planning and Zoning Commission at City of Kennedale (2013-14)
• KISD Career & Technology Education Advisory Board (2009-2014)
• Volunteer Consulting Psychologist for Kennedale Fire Dept. (2010-11)
• President of Kennedale Athletic Booster Club (2003-06)
• KISD Facilities Planning Committee (2004)
• Board of Trustees at Oklahoma Christian University (2013-presnt)
• President of Oklahoma Christian University?s National Alumni Council (2011-present)

Elected Offices Held:

• Kennedale City Council Person, Place 3 (2014-present)
• Trustee, Kennedale Independent School District (2004-13)
• President, Board of Trustees at Kennedale Independent School District (2005-13)

During my first term on City Council we have:

1. Increase our sales tax base (QT & 4 new restaurants)
2. Increased our S&P bond rating
3. Secured a lessee who is now renovating Town Center
4. Successfully negotiated to bring in our city?s first hotel
5. Successfully negotiated the closing of Texas Raceway, opening up more than 110 acres for community development in Southwest Kennedale

My goals for the next 2 years include:

• Continue Controlled Growth

Kennedale must continue growing. This is the only responsible way we can improve city services and lower homeowner cost. This controlled growth enables our property tax bases to grow (allowing infrastructure cost to be shared by more residents) and enables us to grow our sales tax base (reducing the tax burden on residents). Toward this end the race tracks must be closed and the southwest corner of Kennedale developed. Failure to close the remaining race track means Kennedale cannot have substantial growth without relying on apartments, which I am not support. In the future we must look at redeveloping the land on Kennedale Parkway currently occupied by salvage yards. Kennedale United is promoting a ?no growth? policy which explains why a large portion of their campaign is financed by individuals who live outside Kennedale and have an interest in the salvage yards or race track.

• Continue Progress on making Kennedale a Livable Community

There has been improvement in recent years in Kennedale?s ?livability.? We have added and upgraded city parks, improved roads, placed sidewalks so residents can walk safely, began beatification projects and improved our city emergency services. We must continue these efforts within our budget constraints. Unlike my opponent, I lived in Kennedale in the 1980?s. It?s true that costs were low, but the services and quality of life were even lower. We do not need to return to those days!

• Property Tax Freeze

We need to consider a property tax freeze for residents age 65 and above similar to what the Kennedale Independent School District had in place when I was president of the school board.

• Improved Communications

If there is one thing the last year has shown the city it is we need to find methods to improve the communication between the city and residents. The city council has made improvement in this area a priority with our new city manager.

• Improve Utility Customer Service

I was not on city council when we contracted with Fathom to install ?smart? meters and our utility billing and collection. I believe their customer service is extremely poor. We should consider bringing utility customer service back to Kennedale.

• Continue Efforts to Control and Lower Utility Cost

We must continue to look for responsible avenues to control our utility cost. No one is happy with our current utility costs; however the solutions must be responsible. The utilities cannot operate in a deficit. The rollback supported by my opponent would do just that. Do we really want to lower other city service, especially fire and police, to subsidize utility rates? We have asked our new city manager, someone with 40+ years of experience, to reexamine this issue for us and explore cheaper utility options. We are also involved in negotiates with Arlington to lower our waste water charges.

This year the citizen of Kennedale have a real choice. They can vote to continue progress toward a more livable community or they can vote to stop growth, reduce city services and increase debt/taxes. The first option will enable our property values to continue climbing, increased retail growth and ultimately lower taxes/costs. The second option will lead to stagnation and decline.

 

Mike Walker