Archives > Plano Star-courier > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Plano City Council candidates enter the home stretch
By Kim Nguyen, knguyen@acnpapers.com
Special Election Day is Saturday, giving the three Plano City Council candidates only a few more opportunities to campaign for a place on the council.
Former City Councilwoman Mabrie Jackson resigned from the Place 3 seat on the council to launch a campaign for State Representative Brian McCall’s seat once his term is up.
Looking to take her place are three civic-minded Plano citizens -- André Davidson, Cathy Fang and Doug Shockey – all who have big boots to fill.
Occupation: Volunteer
Background: Davidson, Plano’s Citizen of the Year in 2005 and former executive director of Leadership Plano, said her 30-year history of involvement in the Plano community gives her the knowledge and experience to be able to be a voice for the community.
Among her numerous civic activities: serving as board chair of the Volunteer Center of Collin County, as well as serving on the Plano ISD Education Foundation, Leadership Plano, Mayor’s Community Outreach Task Force and Plano Youth Leadership. She is currently vice president of the CITY House Board of Directors, a member of The Medical Center of Plano Board of Trustees, and is a former member of the advisory boards of the Plano Chamber of Commerce and the Junior League of Plano.
Goals: Davidson plans on being a viable member of the council and making decisions that reflect the best interest of Plano citizens. She plans to be an active voice on the council and says she will not be afraid to voice her opinion despite being a relative newcomer to city politics.
“I have seen this city grow from a population of 30,000 to more than a quarter of a million and have had the privilege of serving my community in many roles. I see this opportunity as a continuation of that call to service and believe my proven leadership and community experience qualifies me for this position,” Davidson said. “I look forward to working with the dedicated members of the council as we address the challenges facing our maturing city: quality city services, public safety, economic development and neighborhood revitalization. I will be fiscally responsible in planning for Plano’s future and am committed to maintaining the quality of life our citizens expect.”
Candidate: Cathy Fang
Occupation: Certified Public Accountant
Background: Fang, a graduate of Leadership Plano Class 25, has been a resident of Plano since 1983. She established her CPA firm in Richardson before relocating to the Stonewood Office-Business Park in central Plano in 2004.
She is past president of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, founder of the Federation of North Texas Chapter of the Chinese Business Womens Association, member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, member of the Texas Society of CPAs and a member of the Plano Chamber of Commerce. Fang was appointed to senior advisor of overseas affairs for Taiwan in 2008 and published her book, “Green Grass,” in 2007 about life in Taiwan and the United States. Fang has been writing columns about social and economic issues for the past 20 years and has been published in the Dallas Chinese Times and the Dallas Chinese News.
Goals: Using her financial background, Fang plans to be the city council’s watchdog as Plano goes through declining economic times and to contribute to economic development in the city. Fang’s campaign platform includes economic development -- what the city needs to do to attract and retain major companies and businesses, fiscal responsibility and accountability.
“We all know there is a slowdown in growth in Plano, but we need to spend money to make money,” she said. “Plano needs to be aggressive in the business market to attract bigger businesses and companies to bring jobs to the Plano community.”
Candidate: Doug Shockey
Occupation: Real estate investor
Background: Shockey has lived in Plano since 1979 when his family moved here while he was in seventh grade. He went to Baylor University for his accounting undergraduate work and a master’s degree in taxation. He eventually returned to Plano to work for JCPenney for four years. Shockey decided he would have better opportunities with his own business, so he and his brother started a real estate investment company.
Goals: Shockey said his “new-blood mentality” and new mindset is something that is really needed on the council. He would like to increase transparency and open communication to citizens. Shockey said he feels that the council needs to take a deeper look into the budget to find as many cost-effective options and ideas as possible to be able to justify program and service cuts to the Plano community. With more community involvement, the council can make decisions that reflect the community’s wants and needs, he said. City government is a three-legged process, Shockey said, and without citizen participation, the constituents will continue to feel misrepresented and discontinue their efforts to help make Plano the best city in which to live.
“A lot of people have a negative view on our city leaders strictly because they don’t know what’s going on or they don’t feel like they know what’s going on,” he said. “Some people I’ve met have said that they want to get involved but don’t know how to. I pledge to find ways for them to get involved, either through volunteer efforts or through education.”
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
