Frisco is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, and, not surprisingly, traffic congestion, housing affordability and other challenges of explosive growth are at the forefront in the race for Frisco City Council, Place 3.
We recommend incumbent Angelia Pelham over challenger John Redmond for this seat. While both have impressive business backgrounds, Pelham, the council’s deputy mayor pro tem, is detailed, knowledgeable and has a clearer vision for Frisco’s future.
Pelham, 56, and Redmond, 53, differ on a wide range of issues, most notably Frisco’s use of economic incentives. Redmond, a co-founder of a Frisco-based research company, said the city already is a magnet for businesses and that the council should be more judicious in how it offers commercial incentives to developers.
Redmond said he would not support incentives for anything other than redevelopment or revitalization of downtown or east and southeast portions of Frisco. Pelham, however, offers a more nuanced approach, noting that the city regularly reviews its use of incentives and balances those choices with the impact that new construction will have on jobs and Frisco’s economic vitality.
Redmond and Pelham also have conflicting views on housing. Pelham said the city should have a variety of workforce and other housing options in mixed-use developments. In his Voter Guide response, Redmond says residents shouldn’t apologize for the city’s affluence and housing costs, adding that efforts to encourage specific “affordable” housing aren’t necessary.
Pelham and Redmond also diverged on city propositions that would allow Frisco’s firefighters to collectively bargain and to get civil service protections. Pelham opposes the idea, contending that employees are compensated fairly and that the measures would interfere with Frisco’s culture and management. Redmond, who said he originally opposed the measures, now supports them.
Addressing the complexities of a growing city that also has to replace aging infrastructure and manage traffic congestion takes a clear vision, deft governance and an eye on wisely managing taxpayer dollars. Pelham is the better choice to lead Frisco forward.
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