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Candidates
Connie Baker
Ronnie Anderson
*Note: Candidate Ronnie Anderson did not respond to any of the three surveys we used for this guide. However, did he respond to questions from the Denton Record Chronicle in a Candidate Interview before the November election. You can see his answers here.
Issues
- Government Transparency & Public Outreach (League of Women Voters)
- Local Climate Impacts (Denton Environmental Candidate Survey)
- COVID-19 Impacts (League of Women Voters)
- Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste (Denton Environmental Candidate Survey)
- Transportation Infrastructure (Bike Denton)
- Renewable Commitments (Denton Environmental Candidate Survey)
- Vision for Denton (League of Women Voters)
- Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks (Denton Environmental Candidate Survey)
Selected Candidate Responses
1. Government Transparency & Public Outreach (League of Women Voters)
What strategies will you use to ensure open communication between City Hall and residents?
Connie Baker
No Response
Ronnie Anderson
No Response
2. Local Climate Impacts (Denton Environmental Candidate Survey)
What are your greatest concerns about the impacts of climate change on Denton and its residents, and what must the city do to mitigate those impacts? What barriers exist to getting these solutions enacted?
Connie Baker
My greatest concerns are about increased heat, drought, insect outbreaks and declining water supplies that lead to a reduced yield in crop, roadways, bridges, wildfires, etc. Same with extreme rainfalls in other areas. Many climate changes effects are manageable by reducing emission gases. Planning ahead and taking action to build protections where already exposed in vulnerable areas.
Ronnie Anderson
No Response
3. COVID-19 Impacts (League of Women Voters)
What actions can the city take to address the health and economic impact caused by
COVID-19?
Connie Baker
No Response
Ronnie Anderson
No Response
4. Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste (Denton Environmental Candidate Survey)
Denton is in the final stages of permitting to expand its landfill to over 200 ft high. Right now, over 50% of annual trash disposal is coming from outside cities and businesses at wholesale rates. What kinds of programs and policies would you consider to reduce trash volumes at the Denton Landfill from within the city and from outside cities and businesses? Would you consider any recycling mandates for businesses or apartments, or food waste diversion mandates (composting, food donations) for food businesses?
Connie Baker
It is my understanding that clothes are a big item in landfills. It would help to have more clothes recycle bins around town and encourage people to donate to our 2 Goodwill centers. Bringing your own cloth bags for groceries helps save the landfills from plastic bags. Composting sites would be helpful with leftover food items, such as, banana peels, egg shells, etc. Recycling bins for paper and cardboard, etc. at business would be very beneficial. Denton has a great recycle program with containers available for home use. We need to use them more by talking to our community members.
Ronnie Anderson
No Response
5. Transportation Infrastructure (Bike Denton)
The Denton 2030 Plan and the Sustainable Denton Plan have goals for a more walkable, bikeable city as a way to improve fiscal and environmental sustainability, reduce traffic and congestion, improve air quality, and improve community health and safety. However, movement toward expanding sidewalks and safe bicycle infrastructure has been slow, leaving us with an incomplete network with dangerous gaps in infrastructure. What will you do to speed up the implementation of infrastructure that gives Denton residents the option to travel safely around town without an automobile?
Connie Baker
Making a map of the “gaps” throughout the city will help focus attention on them. Such a map can then be used to chart progress and keep citizens, as well as City Administrators, informed so that prioritization of each gap-filling project can be accomplished. This map should be committed to being up-dated and used for bond committees and new developments in impaired areas.
Ronnie Anderson
No Response
6. Renewable Commitments (Denton Environmental Candidate Survey)
Denton has committed to using only 100% renewable energy and reducing air pollution. Recently there was a possibility City Council would have to decide whether or not to sell its share in the Gibbons Creek Coal Plant, which would restart the plant and create non-renewable energy and air pollution. The Gibbons Creek site still may be sold to be used for industrial processes that could create harmful emissions. How would you ensure Denton upholds its commitment to renewable energy and reducing air pollution?
Connie Baker
The Gibson Creek Coal Plant would be beneficial to decommission the plant and go with the plan to create a family-friendly area. Selling the Gibson Creek Plant could endanger the health of area residents and polluting the air and water.
Ronnie Anderson
No Response
7. Vision for Denton (League of Women Voters)
What is your vision for the future of your municipality and how would you achieve it?
Connie Baker
No response
Ronnie Anderson
No Response
8. Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks (Denton Environmental Candidate Survey)
The city recently voted to expand reverse setbacks on development near gas wells to 500 ft. Do you believe the 500 ft reverse setback is sufficient to protect public health? What measures would you like to see implemented to mitigate health concerns from potential air, water, soil, and fire concerns related to gas wells?
Connie Baker
No, I feel 500 ft. is still too close to protect the public. I am not sure what measures could be implemented, but i would be willing to look into this matter.
Ronnie Anderson
No Response
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