Candidates for Grapevine City Council

Grapevine, Texas March 15, 2017

PLACE 5 GRAPEVINE CITY COUNCIL

Cory Huddleston

Cory Huddleston, Challenger Place 6 www.coryhuddleston.com

1.) What do you feel are your best qualifications to serve on City Council?

Business Experience: I own a digital marketing and media company in Grapevine, and because of that I have hands on experience with budgeting, investing for ROI, vision/goal setting, time management, creative problem solving, continued innovation, and resourcefulness. I understand the complexities of running/growing a business and having employees which translate’s well into serving on the council. I understand the changes taking place in regards to the digital retail vs brick and mortar retail landscape and can be an asset as awareness of technologies becomes vital to the future of the city.

Family Man: I have been married 8 years and have a 5-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter. This has taught me the value of what it means to have others depending on me and how important it is to live my life with integrity and character because we should strive to be the change we want to see.

Seek Wisdom: I surround myself with the smartest/wisest people. I give authority to a handful of trusted advisors and mentors to keep me in check and call me out if they see something in my life that is out of character.

Serving: Having served in the leadership of Wingmen Ministries (http://wingmen.org) for the past 9 years among various other volunteer and community outreach opportunities, I value opportunities to serve my community in meaningful and fruitful ways and understand the impact of what just one person can do when there is a clear vision and common purpose.

Constant Learning: I have taken the time to sit down with Mayor Tate, current city council members, Grapevine Republican Club, Commissioner Gary Fickes, many Grapevine businesses (of which I am one), Grapevine citizens and influencers, Community Outreach Center Officers on Mustang, etc, to find out as much as possible about current and future needs of the city so that I can be as informed as possible going in and focus on working with my fellow council members and the city manager as to how we can get things done with creative and innovative solutions.

2.) Please list all city activities, Boards, etc. you have been involved with the dates.

Wingmen Ministries (http://wingmen.org): strategy, video production, developed digital media and communications platforms. 2008 – Present
Gateway Church – Usher Team:
Fellowship Church –
Bonton Farm – Work Days
6 Stones – Promo videos
Local and state elections – Deverick Jordan, Christian Ross, Leon Leal, Chris Putnum, Bobby Lindamood, Atty Gen Ken Paxton, State Rep Jonathan Stickland. Various dates

3.) Please list your top 5 major issues and your position on these issues.

Finding innovative ways to increase sales tax revenue opportunities without jeopardizing the historic and unique character that we have worked so hard to preserve with things like apartments and liquor stores. These are the easy way out and our citizens deserve more.
Work with existing Grapevine business to create a climate for growth and innovation that will serve to provide more employment opportunities here locally.
Partner with organizations that are already doing great things in the city to help bring awareness to their efforts. I believe the people can do better things to serve our community that the Government ever could.
Equipping the next generation with opportunities to grow through entrepreneurship so that they can navigate and thrive in an uncertain future.
I want to see our elders being connected with younger generations to pass down wisdom and experience that only life experience can provide. I believe this will reinforce honor, character, and humility in our younger generations and will give our elders life, meaning, and purpose.

Chris Coy, Incumbent Place 5

Chris Coy, Incumbent Place 5

1.) What do you feel are your best qualifications to serve on City Council?

I understand the importance of public service. Before being elected to city council, I had many years of experience serving the city as a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment. Having completed the Grapevine Citizens’ Fire and Police Academies, and Leadership Grapevine, I continue to study and learn all that I can to best serve our citizens as their representative.

I also strongly believe in community service. I am an active member of the Grapevine Rotary Club, the G/CISD Education Foundation, First Baptist Church of Colleyville, Indian Guides and Indian Princesses, and have volunteered for and supported the Boy Scouts, GRACE, The Gatehouse, and our local festivals and events.

I have relied on my budgeting/accounting education and professional expertise to help in financial decisions for the city that benefit the people, including property tax rate cuts in excess of 20% during my time on the city council. We now have one of the lowest tax rates in North Texas, while we have added services and amenities that make Grapevine such a special place.

2.) Please list all city activities, Boards, etc. you have been involved with the dates.

Grapevine City Council Member (2008 – Present)
- Audit Committee, 4-B Economic Development Corporation, G/CISD Liaison, Utility Committee, Tax Increment Finance “TIF” Committee
G/CISD Foundation Board Member (2009 – Present)
Grapevine Planning & Zoning Commission, including time as Vice Chairman (1996-2008)
Grapevine Board of Zoning Adjustment, including time as Chairman (1991-1996)
Grapevine Rotary Club (10+ years)
Grapevine Citizens’ Academy (Police and Fire) graduate
Leadership Grapevine graduate
Main Street Fest/Days and GrapeFest volunteer
Grapevine Heritage Foundation and Grapevine Historical Society member

3.) Please list the top 5 major issues and your position on these issues.

Put the people who live here FIRST–keep them safe, our roads in good shape, property taxes low and to offer outstanding services and amenities.
Traffic: every year, we assess the condition of our roads, re-visit our thoroughfare plan and make improvements to help our citizens navigate in, out, and through our city.
Citizen input: we must continue to listen to all ideas and take the time to study all sides of each issue. I’m proud that we now have live-streaming of our city council meetings so that our citizens can view our discussions and decisions as they happen.
Animal Shelter: we need to expand and enhance our animal shelter to increase our animal adoptions and provide better settings for both animals and adoption families.
Fire Stations: with our new and expanded Police Department opening this summer, we need to upgrade our fire stations. This needs to include two station relocations and expansions, as well as modifications to other stations to provide our fire fighters with the equipment and work environment they deserve for all their efforts to keep us safe.

Debbie Meek

Debbie Meek, Challenger Place 5

What do you feel are your best qualifications to serve on City Council?

I’m passionate about Grapevine and the people of this city. I will work tirelessly to preserve our history while planning for the future.

I own a small business and historical property on Main Street. I have a keen understanding of the challenges that small business owners face.I have a long track record of service above self through a variety of clubs and organizations in Grapevine. I will stand up for what is best for Grapevine and continue to promote solid growth in our community.

2.) Please list all city activities, Boards, etc. you have been involved with the dates.

Back the Blue event organizer – 2015
Bayview Club Member – 2008-2017
Cancer Survivor – 2010
Chamber of Commerce Member 1983-2017
Church member & volunteer 2008-2017
Citizen of the year 2015
Community Spirit nominee 2009, 2011
CVB Advisory Board 2015-2017
Gatehouse Ambassador 2015-2017
Grapevine Historical Society President 2017
Grapevine Rotary 2008-2017
Historic Downtown Grapevine Assoc. officer 2008-2017
Historical property owner 1998-2017
Holiday Charity Ball Chair 2010
HOA Officer 2011-2017
Leadership Grapeivne 2010
Main Street Business Owner 2008-2017
National Day of Prayer at the Depot 2010
Veteran’s Fair Volunteer 2014-2017
Women’s Division of the Grapevine Chamber 2009
Young Entrepreneur’s Academy mentor 2013-2014
Married to Mike since 1972

3.) Please list the top 5 major issues and your position on these issues.

1.) We need more parking in and around Main Street. A parking garage in teh 300-400 block could be beneficial in alleviating the parking problem.

2.)As Tex Rail is preparing to come to Grapevine, it is imperative that we continue to embrace our history while building for the future.

3.) We should consider alternatives to multi family housing and limit the number of apartments in the city. It could be detrimental in the future.

4.) It is very important to continue the develoopment of the remaining portion of the 185 acres in north Grapevine.

5.) The existing facility at the Concourse Golf Course is old and dated. A new building could help generate more revenue and compliment the very nice golf course.

Note all candidates were contacted via email on March 8, 2015 and given until March 14, 2015 to respond with a head shot and answers to the same questions.

LNO did not post until 4:30 pm March 15, 2015 and delivered an additional email to Council member O’Dell providing until that time to respond this date.

Additional Attempt to reach Ms. O’Dell….Relayed: Candidate’s questions — Wed 3/15/2017 3:41 PM Delivery to these recipients or groups is complete
dodell@gmail.com (dodell@gmail.com)

Subject: Candidate’s questions

Duff O’Dell

Duff O’Dell, Incumbent Place 6