FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is your position on taxes? During my 2 terms on Council, I continually pushed to lower taxes or maintain the current rate. The Colony is in great shape financially going into the current economic downturn. While other cities around The Colony consider laying off employees, raising taxes, and cutting service, I will work to make sure your city government is as efficient as possible to stay the coarse with flat or lower taxes.
2. What is meant when you say you will monitor mobility around the city? In simple terms it is making sure the city does not tear up so many streets at one time that you cannot go from one side of town to the other without a major detour zig zaging through residential streets. Here's an example. The Colony has had a program of improving 6 to 8 streets around town every year or every other year. The city has plans to improve North Colony from Main Street to Morning Star. If this contract is approved, it should have a completion date prior to the tearing up of Main. This applies to the portion between Main and Paige at a minimum.
3. How did you vote on the Trails Project? I voted in favor of this project. This is an item that has received an overwhelming vote of support from all sections of town. It is also a project that is drawing a lot of attention from runners all across the Metroplex.
4. If elected, will you continue as the Commander of the American Legion? My term as Commander expires on June 30th. If elected Mayor, I will not run again for another term as Commander.
Candidates Open Forum Questions from April 25th 2009 -- Questions to Joe McCourry
1.What is the most difficult situation you have had to deal with in your former position on the City Council? In 2003, I was elected Mayor Pro-Term by my council peers. Soon after I was obligated to take over as Acting Mayor due to a court injunction against the current Mayor. After thoroughly researching all the laws that applied to this case, a decision was made. The decision was based on the facts of the case and the appropriate law that governed at the time. I made the decision that removed the Mayor from office, set the date for another election, and ran city government until a new Mayor was elected and properly seated.
2.Frisco won't let the fire department eat at restaurants because they cannot go to all so they go to none. Why do we still allow it? Based on the actions and interactions I have had with Frisco I do not believe they are a city that we should look to as an example. That being said, If I am elected I will evaluate the pros and cons and if necessary make a recommendation to the City Manager and Council. I welcome input from anyone taking a position on this item.
3.Why don't we have volunteer fireman? We used to.
The past chief was not in support of the use of volunteers and the potential liability that a volunteer presented. He has left and a new chief is in his place.
The American Legion has met with the new chief and they are working on a new program that will utilize volunteers in numerous ways. This program will be developed in phases and will provide a plan that will support our Public Safety
staff from fires to full City disasters. The Citizen Fire Academy is a starting point for this new partnership.
If you are interested in this type of volunteer work, contact the city for class
schedules of the CFA.
Candidates Open Forum Questions from April 25th 2009 -- Questions for Mayor Position
1.As The Colony has a very strong commitment to the service men and women that defend our country, what is your background working with veterans and veteran's organizations?
I am a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. I am a charter member of The Colony American Legion Post 21.
I was elected last June as the Post Commander. The American Legion is dedicated to the support of Veterans and their families.
In 2009, the J.R.O.T.C program at The Colony High School and Post 21 held the first ever American Legion/Texas State Championship Skills Meet competition.
This meet will be even bigger and better in 2010. I am a member of the Sons of
the American Legion and the American Legion Riders. The Sons are an
integral part of the Veteran family that works with the American Legion
Veterans. As an American Legion Rider, I ride for Freedom. The
Legion Riders support fallen soldiers, raise money for scholarships for the
children of fallen soldiers and other programs to support the community of
Veterans and thier families.
I am also a member of the Marine Corps League
and work to support the efforts of my fellow Marines in and around the Denton
County area.
2.What is your specific background in City government? I was elected to City Council in 2002 and served this city for 6 years until 2008.
3.As the Mayor of The Colony we are looking for a candidate with experience with “civic service' city representatives. What is your specific background in City government? What past experience have you had in politics, College etc.. I have had many levels of experience in politics. Prior to my years on council, I have worked on campaigns for candidates for Public Utilities Commissioner and Governor. I was President of the Young Republicans. I served four years on the Student Government of the University of Central Oklahoma. Two of those years I served as Student Body President. My efforts as Student Body President resulted in the creation of a permanent student representative position on the Board of Regents. As an Embassy Guard in the Marines, I was responsible for the protection of U.S. Foreign Diplomats overseas. Six years on The Colony City Council.
4.What is your feeling on the current infrastructure of The Colony and what are your thoughts of the future infrastructure needs? Please elaborate.
Infrastructure needs for a city are a never ending item and require a rotating maintenance schedule
to keep it all working. While on council this was a continual item of discussion and planning to ensure our infrastructure
will function well into the future.
The Infrastructure needs facing The Colony today is all about the water needs of the future.
I have long been an advocate of drilling enough water wells into the Trinity
Aquifer to supply our city even after full build out.
This is a plan, that if implemented, will guarantee your supply of water even if Dallas shuts off the flow to the City.
Just last month, 4 counties to the North and West of The Colony instituted a water conservation district to begin the control of
water by a government agency. The Colony must act now to prevent higher government authorities, like the state, from telling us
what we can and cannot do to keep pumping water to our citizens.
5.What specific things do you plan on doing to help businesses here in The Colony?
Do you plan to help existing local businesses increase sales? If so, how? Explain your attitude toward the business community, and how you
would support the existing businesses. Do you plan to reach out to new business?
All of these questions are about my approach to business. I have split this into two parts: 1) new business and 2) existing business.
First, the city should take a look at the work of the Economic Development Department. There are two full time EDC members working at city hall
and their energy and efficiency is vital to helping grow the business community. Months ago, I began a challenge to the members of council
and EDC. They needed to take a look at the EDC website and make the site more attractive to potential companies. Some of these changes are
already appearing on their site. If the EDC can make contact with a new business, the city has a fighting chance to bring them home to The Colony.
Next, would be to set down with the board members, Director and council liaison to 4A and challenge them to come up with a business plan for
attracting small to medium businesses that has measurable goals and results. The success of this plan could impact the many vacant offices
and retail spaces around town. This plan would include specific types of business to seek out.
I would also request a written business plan for the medium to large business. There are still several large
tracks of land in town that could support a large business. While I understand the economic times are tough, company moves are still happening and
corporate expansions will move ahead. The EDC and council work at ICSC and other shows are a part of this continuing push for more business.
Second, it is important that the city hear the concerns of the existing businesses. A meeting should be arranged with owners from a similar type business, in
a round table forum, to allow the owners the opportunity to express different ways the city can help their business or
report things the city is doing
that makes it hard to do business. While not every suggestion will be implemented, every one will be recorded and researched for
the feasibility of that idea. It is time the city listen to their business core and improve. As Mayor, the staff would report on the city's
promotion of Shop The Colony. Review the current materials, and level of advertising and promote changes where necessary.
6.Would you support a Casino on Office Creek? No - at least not until there is a change in the Texas State Gambling law. For more information, read Chapter 47 - Gambling of the Texas Penal Code. Even ships that are sea going Casino's must turn off the gambling machines while in a Texas port. This prevents a casino on Office Creek.
7.How do you feel about a new city hall? That would be fantastic! I just need to know how to pay for it! There are other more critical capital projects on the books that must be handled first.
8.Why is the vision of The Colony so small? I am not sure where this question originated but I have always been under the impression that the vision was larger and broader than the budget could ever fulfill. I know my vision is! Take some time to review the full master plan for the build out of this city.
Q & A will continue on this page.
Political Ad paid by Joe McCourry