By Allison Pless

Residents of Dallas City Council District 3 had their first opportunity to meet the candidates at a forum held on March 23 at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. The forum was hosted by the Dallas Examiner as part of its "Monday Night Politics: Meet the Candidates" series.

First term incumbent Dave Neumann (at left) was joined by Victoria Walton (center) and Casey Thomas (at right). Each plans to focus on similar priorities -- public safety (crime and code), economic development/jobs and quality of life.

Questions for the candidates concerned the City's spending, minority-owned businesses, the police chief's authority, engaging the younger demographic, a teen curfew, the Davis Street Land Use Study, West Dallas and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, tax incentives for large employers and the convention center hotel. Their answers all ran along similar lines except for the hotel issue -- Councilmember Neumann is in favor of the hotel while Ms. Walton and Thomas oppose it.

One other topic was whether the Commerce/Fort Worth Ave./Beckley intersection and corridor should reflect a New Urbanism design. While Councilmember Neumann and Thomas both spoke of needing to make the area pedestrian-friendly and Thomas also stated that coordination with mass transit should play a part, Ms. Walton raised concern with her statement that she wasn't familiar with the area -- that her focus has been on the Southern Sector. Memo to Ms. Walton -- North Oak Cliff is part of the Southern Sector.

Ms. Walton also doesn't seem to have a grasp on the part city boards and commissions play locally. She commented that those who serve don't actually do anything to help the citizens of Dallas.

Each of the candidates displayed strengths and weaknesses in their answers (Mr. Neumann needs to learn to shorten his answers and stop talking when signalled by the timekeeper. And too often Thomas relied on "We need to do a study" for his response). It will be up to residents to decide who they think can best represent them on the City Council by taking advantage of opportunities to hear the candidates speak.