By Forney1 on Fri, 04/21/2017 - 15:24
 
 
About the Candidate
 
Hello my name is John Walker. I am originally from Arkansas and this is where my family still lives. My mom was a school teacher and my dad was an electrician. I have an older brother and an older sister. I have been married to Susan for almost 20 years. We have a son named Noah who is 12.  I graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with a BS in Medical Technology in 1994. I began working at the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1994 and have been employed there for 23 years. In 2007, my family moved to San Antonio. We then moved to Forney in 2015. In 2016 I was appointed to the Forney Building and Standards board. My family and I are members of the Mesquite Church of Christ. My son is a member of the Boy Scouts of America and I volunteer when possible.
 
How many City Council meetings have you attended from Jan. 1, 2017 until the time you filed your paperwork to run in the municipal election? This number of meetings attended represents those attended before you filed your paperwork.
 
I believe I attended all the city council meetings from the beginning of the year until I filed for Place 4 on the city council. I started attending the City Council meetings in October of 2015
 
During the time you have been a resident of the City of Forney, how many City Council elections have you voted in?
 
I have voted in 1 city council election. 
 
Do you own a business? If so, do you currently do work for the city of Forney or any real estate developers or home owners’ associations located Inside or outside the Forney city limits? If you are elected or re-elected, do you plan to continue to do work for the City of Forney or any real estate developers or home owners’ associations inside or outside the Forney city limits while in office?
 
I do not own a business.
 
How do you propose to work with other members of the City Council and the Mayor as a team for the betterment of the City of Forney and its citizens?
 
I believe a good working relationship with the other city council members and the mayor is imperative to keep the city of Forney moving in the right direction. By having a good working relationship, the council will not spend time and energy overcoming problems associated with the other members. Instead it will give everyone a chance to focus on opportunities for our city. 
 
In your opinion, what action or actions, if any, should the City of Forney take concerning the Markout Water Corporation situation?
 
In my opinion I think it would be good to have all the citizens of Forney on the same water system, but I do not think all the citizens should have to pay for this to happen. I think there should be some kind of a fee for the residents in order to help to subsidize the cost of the switch over.  
 
In your opinion, what are the three most serious challenges or issues the city of Forney will face during your two-year term if you are elected or re-elected?
 
The three biggest challenges I believe Forney is facing is traffic, lack of commercial businesses, and school enrollment.
 
How do you propose to strengthen the relationship between the City of Forney and Forney ISD?
 
I believe there should be at least a quarterly meeting between the FISD school board and the Forney City council to discuss issues that are concerning to both entities. I would also like to see a non-voting member on the planning and zoning board from the school board or a representative any time there is a request made for new housing developments in the area. This way questions can be addressed from both parties.