VISION FOR CARROLLTON

My vision for Carrollton is a first-rate city with safe, vibrant neighborhoods, quality development and a great community spirit.  Our City needs to be proactive and move forward with a series of initiatives to keep us on the right track.  Below are some of the goals and initiatives I will work to implement if you entrust me with your vote for Mayor. 

GOALS FOR CARROLLTON (click on each goal for more details)

Crack Down On Crime-Ridden Apartments

Too often apartments can be a focal point for crime and property damage.  Proactive measures need to be taken to address this issue and protect residents around and in those complexes.

A. Zero Tolerance for The Worst Offenders

As Mayor, I will lead an effort to crack down on those apartment complexes that are detrimental to our community.  We have several areas across our City that are being held back by nearby blighted and crime-ridden apartment complexes – the City needs to work to remove these barriers to progress.

B. Strict New Ordinance to Curb Apartment Crime

In addition, I will work to pass a new ordinance that will affect all apartments and will require security measures be taken if a certain number of offenses occur at the property or by residents of the affected complex.  These measures include lighting, off-duty security, fencing and other stringent crime controls.

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Make Carrollton the Safest Large City In North Texas
 
Safety is the number one priority for residents and it will be mine as Mayor.  If we can achieve this goal it will keep our families safer and provide a great marketing tool and tagline for the City that will keep us moving in the right direction and attractive for potential residents and economic development. 
 
A. Ban Drug Paraphernalia Sales
 
There are several stores (including some near schools) in Carrollton that are currently peddling drug paraphernalia to our children and attracting the wrong kind of people into our community.  I have prepared an ordinance that will ban drug paraphernalia sales and correct this violation of our community standards.
 
B. Accelerate Fire Station #8 in Northwest Carrollton and Activate Additional Ambulance

To provide the best coverage we can for our citizens, the construction of Fire Station Number 8 (located at Huffines/Hebron) needs to be expedited.  In addition, I support the activation of an additional ambulance unit to improve medic response times across the City.

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Attract High-Quality Restaurants and Retail Development

Carrollton needs more high-quality restaurants and retail development.  Period.  As Mayor, the retention and attraction of restaurants and retail development will be among my top priorities. 
 
A. Redevelopment of Struggling Retail Centers

Like any inner-ring suburb, Carrollton has its share of struggling retail    
centers throughout our City.  Our redevelopment of these centers must be continued and increased in number and scope to give those areas and the surrounding homes a jolt of energy.

B. Increased Focus on Restaurant Recruitment

As Mayor I will have the platform to use my network of contacts in the real estate and retail industry to the City’s benefit.  The City should focus intensely on a goal of bringing in more brand name and exciting restaurants to serve our citizens.  I support using aggressive economic development tools to achieve this goal and have the know-how and experience to structure and negotiate these deals on behalf of the City.

C. Successful Transit Oriented Development at the 3 Rail Stations

Some of Carrollton’s best opportunities for development are around our 3 DART light rail stations, and the City must aggressively and creatively work to bring the right kind of development.  As Mayor I will pursue a top university to locate an MBA program or satellite campus at the Gravley Center in Downtown Carrollton.

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Promote Government Efficiency and Keep Taxes Low
 
I believe City government should live within its means just like Carrollton families do.  As Mayor, I believe we have a responsibility to seek efficiencies and that a tax increase should be an absolute last resort.  I have reviewed and voted on 8 annual budgets during my time on the City Council, and have never voted for a property tax rate increase.  My knowledge and experience with the budget helps to navigate the challenging times we are in and allocate our resources appropriately and efficiently. 

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Enhance Community Spirit and Activities

We have a great community and we need more opportunities to come together and celebrate that.  Below are several ways to achieve this goal.

A. Bluebonnet Festival, 4th of July Fireworks and Parade

I am proposing a new spring tradition called the Carrollton Bluebonnet Festival, which will take place on the rolling hills of the AW Perry Museum and Park.   The City should also bring back a fireworks display for July 4th, and I will seek private sponsorship to minimize the costs.  I would also like to work toward having an annual parade down Josey featuring performing groups from each of our high schools.

B. Improve Relationship With School Districts

Carrollton citizens attend Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Lewisville ISD and Dallas ISD.  As Mayor I will seek to have regularly scheduled lunches with the leaders of these community partners to enhance the relationships and opportunities for collaboration between our entities.

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Open, Transparent Government

Carrollton should set the standard for open, transparent government.  Our current open government efforts can be expanded and improved upon.

A.  Online Checkbook

I will lead an initiative to immediately post the City’s check register online for all to see on a monthly or weekly basis (it is currently posted online quarterly).  This is a tool that the Texas Comptroller has made available to Texas cities, and we should be on the forefront of this effort.

B. Better Communication with Citizens

Our citizens love their City and want to know more about what is happening around town. As Mayor I will work with our marketing staff to improve citizen communication.  I will also continue my personal Carrollton Update newsletter – email me to sign-up for this information source on happenings, restaurants and community events.

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Other Items to Pursue
 
The list above is certainly not an exclusive list of initiatives I would like for the City to pursue.  Other issues I support include:  Railroad Quiet Zones, Better Coordination of Road Construction, Continued Stoplight Synchronization Efforts and Sidewalk Maintenance.

Carrollton's presence in the region also needs to be increased in order to advance the interests of our citizens in regional issues such as I-35 widening, regional rail issues, air quality and economic development.  Matthew has great relationships with elected officials in all of Carrollton's surrounding cities and our county, state and federal officials and looks forward to working on regional issues on behalf of the City.
 
Please email me with any ideas you have for the future of the City at mhmarchant@hotmail.com