After a historic turnout in Early Voting and on Election Day, three City Council seats, including the Mayor, are heading for a December 8 runoff election, with early voting beginning November 23. Make sure to get out and vote in the runoff so we continue this incredible streak of voting in Denton!
Click the buttons below to see our voter guide for each race and find out where the candidates stand on environmental issues.
The following survey was created by Texas Campaign for the Environment and Denton Conservation Alliance for the purpose of nonpartisan voter education on local environmental issues. The survey was distributed to all 2020 Denton City Council and Mayoral Candidates. Candidate responses are organized by district/place.
Mail Ballots: A Note for College Students and Out-of-Town Residents
If you’re a college student in Denton, there’s a good chance you might be out of town for this election. If you’re a student or resident who will be out of town, make sure the Denton County Elections Office receives your application for a mail-in ballot by November 25th. Download the application for a mail-in ballot here. The address to submit your application and more information on the process can be found at the county’s vote-by-mail page.
Voter Information:
Places 6 and Mayor are citywide elections. For District 2, voting is restricted to registered voters living within the respective districts. You can find your district here.
Election Day is December 8. Find Polling Locations here.
For additional election information, including voter registration, voter ID requirements, and precinct information, please visit the Denton County Elections website at www.votedenton.com.
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
2. Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks
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
3. Renewable Commitments
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
4. Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste
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. Land Development and Green Spaces
City Council and the Planning-and-Zoning commission have recently seen some high-profile development projects approved that would severely impact or even destroy large swathes of important green corridors, further exacerbating species loss and the financial impacts thereof. Where do you stand on such developments and what steps could the city take to sustain and protect regional environmental assets?
Connie Baker Building projects are essential to growth, but we need to consider how each project will effect the agriculture, wildlife, air pollution, traffic and other components. We need to develop a strategic future vision.
Ronnie Anderson
No Response
6. Community Engagement
How would you engage and support community members to make positive environmental changes in Denton?
Connie Baker We could add more open spaces, such as hiking trails, parks and activity centers. Reduce waste by better recycling methods. Encouraging carpools, public transit and bikes as alternate transportation.
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?
Paul Meltzer Increasing temperatures make the “heat island” consequences of rapid development worse. We need to preserve and enhance tree canopy, make funded parkland purchases, and be open to creative zoning-for-preservation swaps.
Jim Mann
Declined to Respond
2. Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks
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?
Paul Meltzer In the balance of property rights and health protections, I think 500 feet is a realistic and prudent basic reverse setback. I’d be interested in exploring other avenues to encourage well capping and zoning-for-conservation swaps.
Jim Mann
Declined to Respond
3. Renewable Commitments
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?
Paul Meltzer I was relieved to see that the sale would involve decommissioning the plant and doing the associated environmental cleanup. We’re continuing to engage in new longer term renewable energy contracts. I also support increasing our tree canopy and protecting green space to sequester carbon and particulates.
Jim Mann
Declined to Respond
4. Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste
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?
Paul Meltzer I support finding ways to limit contamination so we can expand our recycling program to include commercial and multifamily—a waste stream three times as big as residential. I also support investigating introducing curbside compost pickup for residential and commercial. Other municipalities do it.
Jim Mann
Declined to Respond
5. Land Development and Green Spaces
City Council and the Planning-and-Zoning commission have recently seen some high-profile development projects approved that would severely impact or even destroy large swathes of important green corridors, further exacerbating species loss and the financial impacts thereof. Where do you stand on such developments and what steps could the city take to sustain and protect regional environmental assets?
Paul Meltzer We have about $6 million in bond money for parkland purchases. We prioritize adding people into the 10-minute-walk to green space range and trail connectivity. I’ve also asked staff to add an evaluation of conservation value to each parcel considered. I feel we need to protect the trees areas around our major watersheds, Clear Creek, Hickory Creek, Pecan Creek, and Cooper Creek and preserving what’s left of our original cross timbers. I encourage exploring zoning-for-conservation swaps to achieve this.
Jim Mann
Declined to Respond
6. Community Engagement
How would you engage and support community members to make positive environmental changes in Denton?
Paul Meltzer I supported forming a new Sustainability Committee to tap local expertise to help guide us toward our sustainability goals.
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?
Keely Briggs
Extreme record breaking temperatures, drought, flash flooding, water supply, loss of habitat/insects. We must put a priority on green infrastructure and protecting and preserving our forests. The barriers would be funding and a lack of urgency by council.
Gerard Hudspeth
One of my top environmental and land development concerns is guarding against developmental sprawl. I support policies to incentivize infill development and repurpose existing buildings. Another priority is the tree canopy and green spaces. I will work to ensure both increase every year.
2. Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks
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?
Keely Briggs
500ft. is better than 250ft. Data from other studies suggests it should be more. Without a local Denton study, 500Ft was agreed upon and it is in place. With the 500ft, I believe other measures should be implemented to help with safety. Soil and water testing, local health impact study, continued/increased inspections, notifications to homeowners and air monitoring around sites.
Gerard Hudspeth
Personal health concerns are not a one size fits all solution. As Mayor, I would take a very active role in ensuring Denton’s public health. Public health is a core responsibility of the City Council, per the city charter.
3. Renewable Commitments
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?
Keely Briggs
I am not in favor of selling Gibbons Creek so that it can continue to run as a coal plant. In 2015 we were told as part of our renewable Denton Plan this dirty polluter would come offline. Most decisions then were made based on that assumption. All generation goes into the grid. Denton has committed to a 100% renewable energy goal and city leaders will need to continue to work and maintain that goal to help the grid stay as clean as possible.
Gerard Hudspeth
I cannot provide an answer because this decision has not come before council. It is important to have all available and updated information before making a decision of this magnitude.
4. Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste
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?
Keely Briggs
We do not need to renew the many outside contracts of waste we allow to come in to our landfill once they expire. If we are to prevent a 210ft trash pile we have to start doing something now. Recycling will help but it isn’t the answer. We can make multifamily units and commercial recycle but if it’s contaminated it will not be recycled. So education is still critically important. We need to start composting programs or change our policy to allow for private companies to begin composting in our city. There is so much food waste!
Gerard Hudspeth
The landfill expansion is not imminent and will be decided by a future city council. Denton has a number of programs that encourage citizens to reduce and divert the amount of waste. For example, the dumpsters downtown were removed so that the individual commercial customers could be accountable for their solid waste. Also, this change helped with illegal dumping. Denton offers recycling centers and free pick up to discourage illegal dumping.
5. Land Development and Green Spaces
City Council and the Planning-and-Zoning commission have recently seen some high-profile development projects approved that would severely impact or even destroy large swathes of important green corridors, further exacerbating species loss and the financial impacts thereof. Where do you stand on such developments and what steps could the city take to sustain and protect regional environmental assets?
Keely Briggs
Losing quality forests and open spaces is hard to watch. These old growth trees and prairies have been here longer than we have.They provide many benefits to our ecosystem. I am concerned about the loss of habitat for our wildlife. We need to understand these areas have value and add to our quality of life. When they are gone, they are gone. Our tree code has been updated and is better than before but if an area was platted under the old code, they can use it. A positive is that we allow conservation areas now. It doesn’t seem to be enough. I understand development has to happen and is going to, but we can do it in a smart and sustainable way. These corridors are our highly valued assets and should treated as such.
Gerard Hudspeth
The citizens of Denton voted in last year’s bond election to purchase land to preserve green space. I support the vote of the citizens and staff has recently identified several acres to purchase. I currently discuss land banking, via first right of refusal agreements with the city staff. As Mayor I will continue to look for new and unique ways to protect our city green space.
6. Community Engagement
How would you engage and support community members to make positive environmental changes in Denton?
Keely Briggs
I am very excited that we are creating a community Environmental Committee to help implement our sustainability plan. It was an idea that came from our own Environmental Committee, which I chair, to help our residents engage and be a part of solutions to make our city more sustainable. I will continue to host monthly meetings and make sure issues are made public and information is shared.
Gerard Hudspeth
I have a clear record of promoting open communication on the council. And I want to do more, as Mayor. In the past, people could have direct and daily contact with their leaders. But this has been pushed that to the wayside as cities grew. I plan to use advancements in technology to help me bring that tradition back. As Mayor, I will continue with direct monthly meetings with citizens and use “CivicPlus”, a constituent relationship app to ensure citizens always have a voice. I will also continue to be active with local nonprofit organizations to be part of their weekly scheduled event. I will have an open door policy.
Connie Baker
Paul Meltzer
Gerard Hudspeth
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