supporting conservation. We have already seen a 20 percent reduction in water usage under Stage 3 wa

Seven people filed to run for three spots on the Irving City Council in the May 12 elections . We invited the candidates to introduce themselves to readers and let you know why they re running and what they hope to accomplish if elected. We ll publish a different guest post each weekday from April 19 to April 27 . Today, at-large District 8 candidate Rick Stopfer is up. We hope you ll engage with the candidates in our comments area. As always, keep the tone respectful and on topic. Thanks!
I am continuously humbled last minute vacations cheap travel by the opportunity to serve the Irving community, and I am motivated to continue this service because of my desire to represent the citizens of Irving as well as the corporations that call our community home on major issues such as transportation, water resources and economic development.
As a nearly-25-year resident of the city, I have witnessed, and been part of, tremendous growth and change. I have served on the City Council for 14 years and would like to continue my public service for another term, in large part to see through to completion a number of legacy projects last minute vacations cheap travel that will greatly contribute to the economic vitality and mobility of the community. We are very close to securing funding for the much-needed expansion last minute vacations cheap travel of SH 183 (Airport Freeway); progress is well underway on the Irving Diamond Interchange (intersection of SH 114/SH 183/Loop 12); and our long-awaited DART light rail will begin opening in phases this July.
My expertise, last minute vacations cheap travel particularly in infrastructure development and economic development, has helped last minute vacations cheap travel position Irving for success last minute vacations cheap travel in these areas. My relationships with key decision makers in Washington, D.C., in Austin and throughout the North Texas region have helped opened doors for us in terms of generating funding for critical projects or securing last minute vacations cheap travel partnerships and leadership roles in major regional initiatives. I am proud of the progress that I have helped advance, but I also believe that there is still much work to be done and that my leadership and commitment will keep us moving forward.
public-private partnership agreement) to advance the $2.6 billion reconstruction last minute vacations cheap travel of SH 183. Approximately $1.2 billion in funds have been allocated to the project; our goal is to leverage the state and federal funds currently available last minute vacations cheap travel to secure private funding to complete the project. This will require close cooperation and collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation to insure that this project, along with the completion of the improvements to the Irving Diamond Interchange (Loop 12/SH 183/SH 114) stay on track. We have already made some significant process by moving forward with right-of-way acquisition, installing sound walls, and building new frontage roads in the Story Road area.
advancing plans for a privately owned convention center hotel. The convention center has been very successful last minute vacations cheap travel since its opening in January 2011. However, the city s ability to fully maximize the space and utilization by attracting larger conventions and special events is limited by available hotel room inventory. We have proposals from nationally last minute vacations cheap travel branded hotel operators to develop this project, thus minimizing investments by the city. Our next steps are to vet these proposals.
commercial and residential sectors. Despite the economic downturn, Irving has seen steady progress and growth both residentially and commercially, with new residential communities underway and companies that continue to bring jobs and new tax revenues to our city.
supporting conservation. We have already seen a 20 percent reduction in water usage under Stage 3 water restrictions. We also must maximize re-use in all parts of the city and continue last minute vacations cheap travel aggressive public education on water usage, re-use and strategies for conservation, such as xeriscapes. I also will continue efforts to pursue new water sources in Texas and Oklahoma.
The City of Irving and its residents and businesses have many reasons to be proud of our community. last minute vacations cheap travel As a result of aggressive oversight of financial and operations management, Irving has a reputation for delivering high-quality services last minute vacations cheap travel to residents and businesses while maintaining some of the lowest tax and water rates in the region. last minute vacations cheap travel Our crime rate is at an all-time low; our emergency responses last minute vacations cheap travel rates are commendable; we have expanded our library system, including building one of the first net-zero facilities in the country; we constructed a new, state-of-the-art animal last minute vacations cheap travel care campus; we have expanded parks and recreation facilities; and we continue to improve on our already high standards of communications with residents and businesses.
As we begin to see signs of economic recovery, it is important that we continue to leverage these successes in terms of economic development, smart growth, last minute vacations cheap travel workforce development and natural resources stewardship into new and expanded opportunities. I hope that you will support me in these efforts.