Candidate: Adam Bazaldua

Age: 38

Website: bazaldua4dallas.com

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

I ran for council to bring tangible change to our communities. For the past 6 years we have made great progress including establishing economic development funding, starting new public improvement districts and opening new grocery stores in food insecure communities. Completed extensive neighborhood area plans, main corridor studies for Ferguson, Military and Pennsylvania, passed conservation district to protect neighborhoods and implemented speed mitigation infrastructure throughout the entire district. We secured the largest investment for Fair Park in our city’s history, bond funding for the long awaited White Rock Hills Recreation Center as well funding for a new state of the art rebuild of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. These wins are huge for our district but not all are tangible just yet, so I am running for my 4th and final term to see these efforts to fruition. I am proud of the work that we have done together in District 7 and look forward to two more years as our representative.

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

I will have to give a broad answer here as I believe there are several challenges of equal importance to our district. Overall my answer is Quality of Life issues as a whole. We have basic infrastructure needs such as sidewalk and alley improvements along with many streets that are in poor condition. We have a need for more quality retail , restaurants and grocery stores in many parts of the district. We need more diverse housing options, diverse in both dwelling types and in affordability. We need to invest more in public safety by proactively investing in neglected areas that are plagued by blight to help attract more residents and businesses.

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

Mixed use development. In our city center along with our immediately adjacent neighborhoods, we should be looking to promote more mixed use development that not only is our fastest track to increasing our tax base, it helps us address our housing stock shortage in a more expeditious way. Commercial development is necessary for any substantial growth in the tax base which will in turn help lighten the burden on homeowners to maintain and increase our city services.

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

Although the seat I currently hold and am running to keep is non partisan, I do personally and proudly identify as a democrat. I disclose this to any voter who asks, as I believe it’s important to be as transparent as we can when asking our neighbors to trust us as their representative. Although I am a democrat, just like in a partisan position, it is my job in office to represent all of my constituents no matter what differences or similarities anyone has. Basic quality of life issues that I mentioned above are not partisan and will impact everyone no matter what their party affiliation. With that said, there are also many social and funding issues where it is clear what side of the aisle we are on at the horseshoe, so I believe voters deserve to know this about us. All this to say, when breaking down the voting electorate of my district, we are overwhelmingly democratic in District 7.

Candidate: Cydney Walker

Age: 52

Website: None provided

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

I want to be the councilmember of District 7 for a number of reasons, but my top 3 focus areas are as follows:

My Focus Areas:

Public Safety: Ensuring the safety and security of our neighborhoods is my top priority. I will work collaboratively with local law enforcement and community organizations to implement community policing initiatives, enhance emergency response services, and develop preventive programs that address the root causes of crime. Together, we can foster an environment where every resident feels safe and secure in their home and community. We as the citizens and residents of the city are in charge of preventing crime, but also helping to make our neighborhoods safe. The police are here to assist us and help make the community safer, but it starts with us.

Housing Needs: Access to affordable, safe, and quality housing is essential for the well-being of all families in District 7. I will advocate for the development of mixed housing options, support initiatives that address homelessness, and work to protect tenants' rights. By collaborating with developers and community stakeholders, we can create a diverse housing landscape that meets the needs of our growing population. I also want to protect current homeowners, especially our elderly. They are vulnerable to displacement and are the pillars of our communities. Ensuring their quality of life improves the wellbeing of our communities.

Economic Development: A thriving local economy is crucial for the prosperity of our district. I aim to promote small businesses by creating incentives for local entrepreneurs, supporting workforce development programs, and attracting new businesses that provide jobs. Together, we can create opportunities that lift our community and empower residents to achieve their economic goals. We should be able to live, work and entertain ourselves in District 7!

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

My commitment to enhancing communication and transparency within the district is the top priority. It’s crucial to ensure that all community members, regardless of their political affiliations, are well-informed about developments that affect their neighborhoods.

To effectively tackle the communication gap, I want to focus on the following to close the gap:

Regular Community Forums held at local community organizations: Organize monthly or quarterly town hall meetings where residents can voice their opinions, concerns, and suggestions. This creates a platform for open dialogue and engagement.

Digital Communication Channels: Establish a dedicated website and utilize social media platforms to disseminate information about upcoming projects, meetings, and important decisions impacting the district. Regular updates via email newsletters could also keep residents informed.

Multilingual Resources: Ensure that all communications are accessible to non-English speaking residents by providing materials in multiple languages that reflect the diversity of the community.

Feedback Mechanism: Create tools for residents to provide feedback or ask questions, such as surveys or suggestion boxes, both online and in communities. This will help you gauge public interest and areas where more clarity is needed.

Transparency in Decision Making: Whenever possible, share detailed information about how decisions are made and the rationale behind them. This can help build trust with the community and reduce opposition based on misunderstandings.

By implementing these strategies, I feel I can foster an environment where residents feel informed, valued, and empowered. A strong voice from the community can lead to better outcomes and ensure that the needs and priorities of all residents are acknowledged and addressed. Your leadership in this area will undoubtedly contribute to a more engaged and cohesive community.

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

The potential for economic growth in southern Dallas is significant, and focusing on the development of small businesses and attracting capital investments is a crucial strategy for expanding the city's tax base. By addressing the needs of the community—such as employment opportunities, improved job quality, and safe environments—we can make strides towards creating a more vibrant and self-sustaining local economy.

Investing in economic development initiatives is essential for transforming perceptions of southern Dallas. While some may view the area as crime-ridden, implementing effective environmental design can help reduce crime rates and improve community safety. A focus on creating accessible public spaces, increasing lighting, and fostering community engagement can lead to safer neighborhoods, which in turn attracts businesses and residents alike.

Enhancing job opportunities and ensuring that residents can sustain themselves financially is paramount. When individuals are gainfully employed and able to meet their basic needs, they are less likely to engage in criminal behavior. This stability fosters a sense of community and pride, motivating residents to invest in their surroundings and local businesses.

As disposable income increases, residents are more likely to spend on leisure and daily necessities within their neighborhoods. This creates a thriving ecosystem, stimulating local businesses and generating additional tax revenue for the city. In turn, this revenue can be reinvested into essential public services, including public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and homelessness support.

Ultimately, a comprehensive approach includes community engagement, investment in small business development, and enhancements in the quality of life can lead to a prosperous southern Dallas. By creating an environment where residents feel secure and empowered to contribute to their local economy, we can achieve sustainable growth and a positive perception of the area.

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

As a Democratic precinct chair since 2015, I bring a wealth of experience in community engagement and grassroots organizing that will serve me well as a city council member. While my background may be rooted in a specific political party, I recognize that the challenges our city faces transcend partisan boundaries. Issues like fixing potholes, managing utility fees, and reducing crime are fundamental concerns that affect all residents, regardless of their political beliefs.

My commitment is to address these concerns with a focus on pragmatic solutions rather than political agendas. Residents deserve a city that functions effectively, and it's essential to prioritize their needs above party lines. My goal is to foster collaboration among council members, city staff, and the community to ensure that we work together in making Dallas a safer, more efficient, and prosperous place for everyone.

It's about implementing commonsense solutions that enhance the quality of life for all constituents, ensuring equitable access to city services, and laying the groundwork for a vibrant, sustainable economic future. I believe that by working together, we can transcend partisan divides and create a city that meets the expectations and aspirations of all Dallas residents.