Candidate: Diane Benjamin

Age: 82

Website: dianefordallas.com

Why do you want to be a member of the Dallas City Council, and why are you the best person for the job?

The Dallas City Council is the best vehicle to make a positive impact and improve quality of life in District 13 and the city of Dallas. I may represent District 13, but I feel a responsibility for all the people who live in other Dallas districts. An individual can make a difference when they care about more than just their own district. I want to work with the rest of the representatives in Dallas to truly improve the quality of life for all Dallas citizens.

Here is why I am the best person for the job: I am a dedicated community volunteer and leader. My experience as an accomplished real estate professional makes me aware of many city issues that need to be addressed now. I’ve had extensive, long-term involvement in making our city a better place. I serve as Precinct Chair of Preston Hollow (Precinct 2021), one of Dallas County's largest and most engaged precincts. I was a founding member and former President of the Preston Hollow North Homeowners Association. My work helped grow it to 950+ families, enhancing neighborhood security with off-duty Dallas Police officers through the Expanded Neighborhood Patrol (ENP). I’ve been a longtime volunteer with the Dallas Police Department’s Crime Watch Executive Board. This experience included serving under three police chiefs. My nickname “Private Benjamin” demonstrates my commitment to crime prevention! My additional public service includes Commissioner for Environment & Health Services (8 years) under Councilman Mitch Rasansky and Commissioner for Seniors Affairs under Councilwoman Ann Margolin. I’ve also served on the Government Affairs and Political Action Committees, advocating for homeowners' rights.

What is the single greatest challenge for your district and how will you address it?

The greatest challenge is for policies for the entire city that don’t meet individual district needs. One example is zoning changes that hurt residential neighborhoods. Dallas is made of very different districts with many different needs. A policy for current neighborhoods should consider existing Dallas residents and the impact on them. Districts should have opt in choices instead of telling them they must comply with a zoning change that doesn’t meet residential needs. Another example is how city infrastructure is addressed. The city had an emphasis on DEI in the past. Perhaps some districts preferred this emphasis. But, why should street repair consider anything other than current street condition, numbers of cars/day, and safety? Yet the city included an equity score to allocate funds for road repair. I disagree with that policy. At a minimum, each city council member should have discretion on allocation of street funding in his/her district.

What do you see as the greatest opportunities to grow our city's tax base?

We need to look to where Dallas is undeveloped if we’re looking to grow Dallas’ tax base. We have an undeveloped southern sector that gives us the perfect opportunity to address housing, business and environmental needs. We have learned so much over the years about what city policies don’t work and which ones do. We need to continue more policies that deliver results and craft policies to be sure we get the results we expect.

As a Realtor, we know that zoning land next to shopping centers allows for higher density like multi-family housing. Next to multi-family housing are duplexes. Next to duplexes are single family residences. This is the best way to configure new land to get the maximum city tax revenue while meeting citizens’ needs.

What is your political party affiliation and what role will that play in your job as a council member?

The city council is nonpartisan. I am a registered Republican. My role as a councilman is to be fiscally responsible, respond to the interests of my constituents and continue to make Dallas a desirable city to live and work in.