| Hopefuls clash on tax relief 04/06/2001 By Rachel Horton / The Dallas Morning News City Council candidate David Herring said he would fight for increased residential tax relief and quicker improvements to Coppell's road system if elected to Place 6.
His opponent, Mayor Pro Tem Larry Wheeler, said he would advocate a common-sense approach to economic development as a method of shifting the tax burden off homeowners.
The challenger pointed to Mr. Wheeler's recent opposition to a 3-percent homestead exemption and said that he, on the other hand, would support continued efforts to give tax breaks to Coppell homeowners.
Mr. Herring criticized Mr. Wheeler's rationale for voting against the homestead exemption, which the council narrowly passed March 27.
"My opponent is on the record saying he's not going to give tax relief because the economy is in a depressive state," Mr. Herring said, citing Mr. Wheeler's statement that he opposed the exemption because of the economy's "blinking yellow light."
Mr. Herring, a local corporate executive, quoted statistics from the Texas Workforce Commission that show Coppell's 1.2 percent unemployment rate is the sixth-lowest of 319 cities in the state and has steadily decreased in the last five years.
Mr. Wheeler defended his position, saying he based his vote on citizen input and well-founded caution about the economy.
The incumbent, who also stresses the need for aggressive infrastructure maintenance, said many residents told him they would rather have road repairs and new soccer fields than save an average $32 in taxes each year.
"The Number 1 issue that should concern Coppell right now is economic development," Mr. Wheeler said.
He said he believes the council should use common sense in considering potential developments and not limit itself to certain kinds of business.
He cited the council's rejection of a zoning case to allow a trucking firm in the city's industrial area, saying he disagreed with the decision because the firm would have served several local businesses.
"Maybe the council could sit down with planning and zoning and have a round-table discussion and talk about 'Where are we today, where do we want to be in five years, and how do we accomplish that?'" he said. "We still need to have those strong requirements in place, but there's always a little room for flexibility."
Mr. Herring echoed the need for economic development to reduce taxes. He said the city should focus on attracting commercial development to its west side.
Mr. Herring said he supports the city's tax incentive policies but believes the council should play a more active role in economic development.
"That same kind of excitement and enthusiasm for being a Coppell resident needs to be communicated to the commercial sector," Mr. Herring said.
He said he would also work to bring about increased water conservation efforts if he were elected.
The 37-year-old candidate is vice president of human resources at CitiCapital. He said his experience in working with a diverse group of people and managing a multimillion-dollar budget would be assets to the council. A seven-year Coppell resident, he is also head coach for the Coppell Youth Soccer Association and is active in community service for the United Way and March of Dimes.
Mr. Wheeler, 54, was elected in 1997 after 10 years of service on the parks board and Planning and Zoning Commission. He has lived in Coppell for 21 years.
Staff writer Rachel Horton can be reached at 972-418-9999, ext. 2005, and at .
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