DeSoto Place 7 Candidate John McCalib

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John McCalib
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Q&A With DeSoto Place 7 Candidate John McCalib

DESOTO – The DeSoto Special Election on February 2, 2021 has three candidates vying for the Place 7 seat. The seat was made vacant when Mayor Pro Tem Kenzie Moore III announced his bid to run for the mayoral seat in the Special Election to replace mayor Curtistene McCowan.

John William McCalib, Letitia Hughes and Calvin Rutledge Graham are all vying for the Place 7 seat.

Early voting begins January 20 to January 29, 2021.

Focus Daily News ask McCalib these questions about his run for the seat.

Focus Daily News: What changes are you looking forward to if you win the election for this city council seat?

John McCalib: Change the name of Meadow Creek park to Mayor Curtistene McCowan park. Mayor McCowan knowledgeable  leadership brought in an exceptional financial city manager, Brandon Wright.

 

FDN: What will be the challenges to overcome in the new term?

JM: Our “Special Term” is only three months, so I hope to catch that moving train. Since being retired I can concentrate on being a full time Councilmember by immersing myself in marriages of the public survey and the strategic plans to create good outcomes.

 

FDN: With COVID still present how do you think the City is best served moving forward and is there anything else you believe should be implemented?

JM: People in leadership should encourage our city to take the vaccines when available. But do it publicly like US Rep. Eddie B Johnson, a nurse before a politician, in her  recently written article. I believe we should implement a Parkland Hospital satellite location in DeSoto or Southwestern Dallas County cities.

 

FDN: Is there another City in the DFW area you feel is doing things well regarding COVID and learning and moving forward with the current pandemic?

JM: Grand Prairie;  in their local newspaper called pipeline they’ve initiated to help those who are suffering from COVID-19. They are also initiated a mental health and illness community outreach partnership and education called COPE. AirHogs Stadium was re-purposed for cricket matches instead of minor league baseball.

 

FDN: What other boards have you served on in this city and/or other cities?

JM: I am currently serving my fifth year on the DeSoto Park and recreation Development board as secretary. Also served as chairman of the board for two years and during my tenure initiated free Wi-Fi in our parks.

 

FDN: How long have you lived in this city?

JM: I have lived in DeSoto seven years.

 

FDN: Anything else you want to say?

JM: Come out and visit us at July 4th to see an exciting fireworks show. In 2019 we had over 10,000 people.