In order to help you vote smart on June 14, the following are responses on the city councilmen run-off candidates.

Responses courtesy of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce

1. Why did you choose to run for City Council?

Tim Nelson - I have had the pleasure to live in Frisco for over nine years. During this time I have watched our leaders make some strong decisions that have set a series of events into play that have resulted in the wonderful city that we have today. While a resident I have been married to my wife Candice, had two children, bought a second home, acquired a rental property, worked with several local volunteer organizations, and deployed to Iraq with my Army Reserve unit.

I believe that the Frisco City Council, our city’s “Board of Directors” needs to comprised of intelligent, service oriented residents that have diverse experience and educational backgrounds. This year in Place 5 we lose a veteran councilman that had a unique perspective. Based on the current make up of the city council, I am the only candidate that brings diverse, unique experiences that will add a new perspective while assisting the City Council in making the best possible decisions for our city.

I am service oriented and have a lifetime’s worth of giving back. I have made a conscious decision to focus this effort on Frisco shifting the 15-20 volunteer hours that I had dedicated to the Army to the City of Frisco. I look forward to serving my community as I have served my country.

Bart Crowder - We chose to bring our family to Frisco when we moved back to the area five years ago. We love the city for its progressive attitude and great family environment. I realize that this didn’t happen by chance. It is the result of many citizens and leaders that worked hard to make it what it is today. I believe that it is important that qualified citizens continue to volunteer time and energy to keep Frisco great. I believe my professional experience and skill will enable me to best add value to Frisco by serving on City Council.

2. Since your campaign for City Council began this year, what is the one area that you have learned the most about, and how do you feel that translates to this runoff election and your candidacy?

Tim Nelson - I have learned that the best thing a candidate can do is meet as many Frisco residents as possible. If one is going to serve the community, one must be in touch with their issues and be prepared to represent everyone. I believe that this translates well to this runoff as more residents have had the opportunity to meet me and understand who I am and what I stand for. I am an honest person that embraces values such as loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage, truth and faith. As I meet people I think they realize the sincerity of what I have to say and know that I genuinely care about Frisco and have no other motive for running other than having a desire to help the city become an even better place to live, work and play.

Bart Crowder - I learned the most since I ran for City Council in 2007. I gained a great appreciation for the need to spend time learning about the city, meeting with staff and leaders to be ready to step into a position on the Council. I completed the Frisco Leadership program over the last year which allowed me to spend many hours working with key contacts within the city. I have greatly expanded my knowledge of the city and believe this translates into making me the appropriate choice for this election.

3. Since your campaign began this year, what has surprised you the most about running for office and/or the experiences you have had in doing so?
Tim Nelson - Although I already knew that the residents of Frisco were friendly, I had no idea that there would be such an outpouring of support for a candidate that was not politically well connected. I have made many new friends along the way. Each relationship helps me better understand the needs of our residents and our businesses. Serving on the city council is not about representing a group of people or about my specific ideas. It is about all of the people that live, work and play in Frisco. The only way to effectively represent those that have interests in Frisco is by personally meeting with as many of them as possible. I look forward to continuing to meet as many individuals as possible throughout my term should I be elected.

Bart Crowder - During the 2008 campaign, I clearly found that the emphasis on the Mayoral race and referendum made it more difficult for voters to focus on researching information related to the City Council positions. I am pleased that the runoff will allow citizens and voters to clearly evaluate the experience and credentials in our race.

4. What do you feel are the biggest concerns/issues facing businesses in Frisco, and what do you feel you can do to address those concerns?

Tim Nelson - I have had the opportunity to meet with many business executives in Frisco. I am very familiar with the challenges that business owners/executives, especially small business owners/executives face. Both my mother and step-father own and operate their own businesses. Professionally, I have worked for both of them in facets such as marketing, sales, planning and operations.

Several concerns have been brought to my attention recently. 1. Slower than average construction, development, permits and inspections. 2. Business failure rates. 3. Tax rates. 4. The number of restrictions and regulations. 5. Lack of a level playing field. 6. Desire for predictability and stability regarding rules and regulations.

In order to address each concern I would first listen and acknowledge each of our business owners concerns. I would then further explore the concerns to help identify where the barriers exist. I would then respond with a course of action that I would take as a member of the city council. Next would be to ensure that that concerns are addressed by the appropriate city staff. Lastly, follow up.

I have partnered with many businesses as a solution provider during my years at EDS and while conducting business development and account management roles with several organizations. Strong, successful business is what sustains a city. Without it, even the strongest cities begin to crumble.

I look forward to partnering with both Collin and Denton county businesses located in Frisco and those that wish to relocate to Frisco. Frisco is a dynamic city unlike other cities in North Texas. The sheer diversity of live, work and play options in Frisco makes it a prime location. As a member of the Frisco City Council I look forward to inviting business to our city, making it easier for its owner/executives to do what they do best, and that is grow their business.

Bart Crowder - Businesses in Frisco face similar issues to many cities: seeking to generate sales/revenue, efficiently delivering products and services, and finding talented people. Frisco’s growth has been very dramatic. This creates a unique challenge as businesses try to reach many new residents and build brand identity. I believe the city could assist the business community by co-sponsoring more forums for Frisco businesses to meet citizens. This might be a family based event that was contingent on volunteer efforts from businesses but rewarded them with exposure to a large number of citizens.

5. What traits/experience would you bring to the City Council that may not be present on Council today?

Tim Nelson - My combination of professional and military experience allow for an individual with unique experience to provide a new perspective to current and future potential challenges. The city’s “board of directors” should be made up of the most successful people from varying professions and experiences to ensure that the best possible decisions and troubleshooting abilities are on the team. My experience adds a new dimension to the city council complimenting the already diverse group

An ability to exercise values-based decision making ensure that decisions that are developed with the desired end state in mind ensuring short and long term success. I have a proven track record of effective decision making that has resulted in personal and organizational success in both the best and worst situations.

Bart Crowder - I believe there are many great traits and experience represented on the Council. Areas where I would seek to bring unique value would be related to my overall professional experience working for a Fortune 500 company and time spent living in other areas. As a leader in a large organization, I must lead teams to accomplish lofty goals. I seek to do this by motivation which starts with establishing the vision for our team. I then assess our team strengths and identify resources needed. This leads to development and execution of a plan which allows the team to reach team and individual goals. I believe this strategic approach will be beneficial to helping the Council reach goals we establish for the city.

6. What do you think about the current Frisco business community?

Tim Nelson - Our business is vibrant and diverse. As I have attended business functions and gone door to door meeting business owners I have realized that we have an amazing, talented group of entrepreneurs that have decided that Frisco is the place to be. The individuals that comprise our business community are focused, goal oriented and have a strong desire to ensure their businesses grow while adding value and giving back to our community at the same time.

There is a piece of the puzzle that I’d like to bring to the forefront and that is to attract large national/international business headquarters to Frisco. I believe Frisco has the ability to host business campuses similar to Plano’s Legacy development. This would allow for more of our highly skilled residents to work in their hometown.

Bart Crowder - I believe the current business community in Frisco is strong. It is supported by a strong Chamber which seeks to be influential in driving business success. The spirit of the Frisco community in general is very entrepreneurial and the demographics of Frisco are strong for supporting ongoing business growth.

7. What is your opinion of the many partnerships that the City of Frisco uses to help accomplish its goals, and how do you see those partnerships in the future?

Tim Nelson - The partnerships between the City of Frisco and the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, the Frisco Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) and the Frisco Community Development Corporation (CDC) have resulted in positive growth and development for our city. I have had the opportunity to attend Chamber events and have served as an Ambassador. I have also had the opportunity to attend FEDC and CDC meetings and speak with the members of their boards. What struck me as most impressive was their ability to focus on their particular area of concentration, plant seeds for the future while understanding how what they do impacts the other partnerships and the city itself. Other partnerships such as the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Advisory Board also provide the City real value.

I can’t see Frisco being as successful in the future without these strategic and operational partnerships. The City of Frisco cannot meet the needs of all her businesses and residents without them and would encourage continued collaboration.

Bart Crowder - I am a big fan of the creative partnerships which have been put in place. Citizens benefit greatly from the creative use of tax favored (TIF) zones and win/win partnerships between the City, FISD and the business community. FISD has state of the art facilities such as Pizza Hut Park while paying less than the cost of a stand alone project. The pending public/private venture to expand the Starcenter will provide a much needed venue for graduation with much smaller costs to the FISD and Frisco citizens. I envision continued implementation of value added partnerships in the future.

8. How do view Frisco’s relationship with Collin and Denton Counties?

Tim Nelson - Frisco has a strong and robust relationship with Collin County. Collin County has experienced many years of continuous growth and identifies well with Frisco’s current success and challenges. The collaborative relationship between the two has fostered growth for our community. Without their assistance many of the things residents take for granted would not exist. We must continue to reach out to Collin County to ensure that our city is “top of mind” and that our residents are taken care of when problems are identified.

Our relationship with Denton County is more challenging. Only recently has Denton County experienced the kind of growth Collin County has enjoyed for the past couple decades. This relationship has been strained by an inability to better understand each other’s needs and collaborate on projects that benefit both parties. It is Frisco’s obligation, and the obligation of our City Council, to continue to reach out to Denton County develop a further understanding of each other’s goals and then work towards them.

Bart Crowder - In the recent past, Frisco’s relationship with Collin County was much stronger. Going forward, I believe we can improve relationships with Denton County and build bridges with new contacts in each entity.

9. How do you view Frisco’s relationship with its adjoining cities?

Tim Nelson - Our relationship with our adjoining cities is dynamic. Some relationships are stronger than others. It is critical that strong relationships are developed so that future regional initiatives can be accomplished. Just as “no man is an island”, Frisco must continue to reach out to our neighbors and develop strong relationships so that we can all be successful.

Bart Crowder - Frisco has strong relationships with adjoining cities. Frisco learned much from Plano’s experience and has partnered with multiple cities to address mutual issues. Mayor Pat Evans has been a friend to Frisco. To our North, Prosper is now learning from Frisco’s experience. Newly elected Frisco Mayor Maso is a big believer in strong regional relationships and will certainly continue leading us to maintain strong relationships.

10. What is your opinion as to the next steps that need to be taken on the Arts of Collin County?

Tim Nelson - Unfortunately, McKinney has decided against participating in the Arts of Collin County project. However, I am familiar with the efforts of some of McKinney’s businesses and prominent residents to support the project. Clearly there is a need for such a facility. No city of national prominence is without a place to celebrate the arts. Although I originally favored a city of Frisco Arts Project, the costs of such a project make this a prime candidate for collaboration with our neighbors. The current project is intended to be located just outside our city limits, but close enough for all of our residents to enjoy. I believe Frisco should live up to its commitment and continue its involvement in the Arts project.

That being said, a report should be published to the residents of Frisco containing the current state of the project as well as the plan for additional funding and projected completion date. Should there be glaring discrepancies compared to the agreed upon terms only then should any discussion of withdrawal be considered by the Frisco City Council. If withdrawal looks to be our best course of action, it should be brought to the voters for their say.

Bart Crowder - I believe the Arts of Collin County project will be completed and will be an outstanding addition for Collin County and Frisco. The current budget shortfalls are being addressed by additional corporate donations. I also believe that McKinney will soon elect to join this important project.