Spring Break
SGA hosts Denton mayoral candidates' debate
Arlinda Arriaga
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: NEWS
Few students turned out Wednesday night to hear Denton mayoral candidates debate during the Student Government Association's candidate meet and greet.
Economic development and infrastructure dominated most of the candidate's discussion.
Mark Burroughs said he wants businesses to be attracted to Denton.
"Denton has had a reputation of being unfriendly to development, and the process is perceived to be cumbersome, and without action to fix that problem we will never have consistent development," Burroughs said.
Incumbent Perry McNeill said he wants to keep Denton humble.
"I want Denton to be a place for people to be able to raise a family and build a business; this has always been my vision," McNeill said.
Justin Bell said Pittsburg was the model for development that he wants to implement in Denton.
NT junior and mayoral candidate Darac Favre said Denton businesses should focus on being environmentally friendly.
"I want to tax businesses, but at the same time have tax incentives for those that have environmentally friendly practices," Favre said.
McNeill said when it comes to infrastructure and roads, the Texas Department of Transportation has control of roads such as Loop 288, Dallas Drive and Fort Worth Drive.
"We have a priority system set up to repair those streets," McNeill said.
Burroughs said there were a lot of advantages to having a big university like NT in town, but with it came challenges.
"Transportation and roads are a nightmare in Denton, and that is why I look forward to things like extending the DART rail so that our city can benefit from that," Burroughs said.
Favre agreed that public transportation was a step in the right direction for Denton.
"The biggest solution is to get cars off the road so there is less traffic and promote public transportation," Favre said.
NT alumnus Adam Silva said the candidates discussed few issues.
"I don't think Bell and Favre had a good platform, and the other candidates' stand points seemed more realistic," Silva said.
Denton resident Jace Reder said he wanted to hear more from the candidates on issues affecting the NT campus.
"I think they could have touched more on Fry Street, and some seemed to be more prepared than others," Reder said. "I think it will be close between two candidates."
Rebecca Finberg said she hopes to have more opportunities to bring local politicians to the NT campus.
"It is very important for students to become involved and educate themselves with local leadership," Finberg said. "I think all the candidates did a great job of responding to students questions, but Mark Burroughs definitely seemed to maintain a more realistic platform of the issues."
Early voting will begin Monday.
Economic development and infrastructure dominated most of the candidate's discussion.
Mark Burroughs said he wants businesses to be attracted to Denton.
"Denton has had a reputation of being unfriendly to development, and the process is perceived to be cumbersome, and without action to fix that problem we will never have consistent development," Burroughs said.
Incumbent Perry McNeill said he wants to keep Denton humble.
"I want Denton to be a place for people to be able to raise a family and build a business; this has always been my vision," McNeill said.
Justin Bell said Pittsburg was the model for development that he wants to implement in Denton.
NT junior and mayoral candidate Darac Favre said Denton businesses should focus on being environmentally friendly.
"I want to tax businesses, but at the same time have tax incentives for those that have environmentally friendly practices," Favre said.
McNeill said when it comes to infrastructure and roads, the Texas Department of Transportation has control of roads such as Loop 288, Dallas Drive and Fort Worth Drive.
"We have a priority system set up to repair those streets," McNeill said.
Burroughs said there were a lot of advantages to having a big university like NT in town, but with it came challenges.
"Transportation and roads are a nightmare in Denton, and that is why I look forward to things like extending the DART rail so that our city can benefit from that," Burroughs said.
Favre agreed that public transportation was a step in the right direction for Denton.
"The biggest solution is to get cars off the road so there is less traffic and promote public transportation," Favre said.
NT alumnus Adam Silva said the candidates discussed few issues.
"I don't think Bell and Favre had a good platform, and the other candidates' stand points seemed more realistic," Silva said.
Denton resident Jace Reder said he wanted to hear more from the candidates on issues affecting the NT campus.
"I think they could have touched more on Fry Street, and some seemed to be more prepared than others," Reder said. "I think it will be close between two candidates."
Rebecca Finberg said she hopes to have more opportunities to bring local politicians to the NT campus.
"It is very important for students to become involved and educate themselves with local leadership," Finberg said. "I think all the candidates did a great job of responding to students questions, but Mark Burroughs definitely seemed to maintain a more realistic platform of the issues."
Early voting will begin Monday.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Doug
posted 4/24/08 @ 9:04 AM CST
The highlight of that event was when Justin Bell got up and told us all to mind our manners. That seems like such an effective way to win votes.
TheUNTEdge
posted 4/26/08 @ 2:12 AM CST
I can't believe the NT Daily posted the opinions of those elitests Mr. Silva and Mr. Reder. Their quoted opinions clearly show their disdain for at least two of the candidates, so they are obviously incapable of looking at all 4 candidates objectively. (Continued…)
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