Three candidates running for Forney City Council showed up on Thursday, April 26, 2012, at the Meet the Candidate Night forum at North Forney High School. After a lengthy session of questions and answers with the candidates running for school board, it was time for those vying for a council spot to take the stage.
Three candidates running for Forney City Council showed up on Thursday, April 26, 2012, at the Meet the Candidate Night forum at North Forney High School. After a lengthy session of questions and answers with the candidates running for school board, it was time for those vying for a council spot to take the stage.
Judge Erleigh Norville Wiley acted as the moderator for the Forney City Council candidates. Each candidate was allowed a three minute opening statement before audience questions were read aloud to be answered.
Darryl Hobbs is running unopposed for Place One on the Forney City Council. He is currently retired from a 33 year career in law enforcement and he has lived in Forney for five and a half years. He has been on the Forney Planning and Zoning Committee for three and a half years. Hobbs and his wife were victims of the April 3, 2012, tornado that struck Forney. He extended his thanks to the firefighters and police officers that showed up to help his family on that day.
Jennifer Helms is running against incumbent Mary Penn and newcomer Mark Ellis for the Place Five position on the council. Helms has lived with her family in Forney for nine years. She works at the Forney Laden Senior Center and runs the local Meals On Wheels program. She recently became a member of the Forney Lions and spoke about the leadership classes she attended in Kaufman County and in Forney.
Incumbent Mary Penn said, “I love Forney and I've been here for 30 years.” She has served on the city council for the last three years and said, “It has been an honor to serve the city and I would like to continue serving.”
Incumbent Robbie Powers is running unopposed for Place Three on the council and did not attend the event. Place Five challenger Mark Ellis also sent his regrets for not being able to attend, citing a previous engagement.
The first question asked of the three candidates was, “How would you propose to manage growth in Forney and still keep the small town feel?” Darryl Hobbs said, “You can't stifle growth, Forney needs growth.” Jennifer Helms told the audience that her family moved to Forney for the schools and the sense of community. “The small town feel is kept by our neighbors, youth sports activities, our church family...I have seen this town rally for each other and we really feel like one family.” Mary Penn told the crowd that Forney has a great EDC and leadership in city government, “We are being proactive in our growth.” She said her family has felt the community's love in their times of need and that the small town feel of Forney is not going anywhere.
The second question was, “If there is growth in sales and property tax, how would you spend the surplus?” Mr. Hobbs spoke of the need to maintain roads and sidewalks and to take care of our public safety workers. He would hire additional public safety personnel to keep up with Forney's growth.
Mrs. Helms agreed that adding revenue to public works and public safety would be her priority. She also said she would like to give back to the hard working City of Forney employees who have had to take on additional responsibilities during the tough economic times.
Mrs. Penn said she believes in taking care of the city employees but that her main concern is with the growing elderly population in Forney. “We need to take care of our elderly and make them a priority.”
The third and final question for the Forney City Council candidates asked them to discuss the current and future roadway projects in Forney. All three candidates expressed their pride in Forney and the direction it is taking. Helms said, "These are growing pains but we'll get through it and we'll be better for it.” Helms exclaimed, “548 looks awesome!” Mary Penn said she is proud of what's going on and she is excited by our future. She gave a lot of credit to Assistant City Manager Gina Nash for making sure the road construction gets done right and on time.
In the closing remarks, Hobbs told the crowd, “Together, I hope we can help Forney grow to be a better and safer city.” Helms said, “I'm a hard worker and if I can't figure something out, I find someone that can help me.” Incumbent Penn told the audience, “I'm really not a good politician, but I am a good public servant.”
The one thing that was clear amongst all three candidates for Forney City Council, is that each of them seeks to serve their community and wants to help lead Forney into its future.
To read the article on the FISD School Board candidates, click here.
