| District 5 hopefuls highlight business issues 04/06/2001 By Herb Booth / The Dallas Morning News Economic development and retaining the businesses that have helped Duncanville prosper are the most important issues for the two candidates vying for Duncanville City Council District 5.
Incumbent Jim Pyeatt will face Arnold DeWeerd in the May 5 election.
Mr. Pyeatt, 60, who has lived in Duncanville for 22 years, said he is afraid Duncanville has reached "economic stagnation. There are those who have the attitude that want Duncanville stuck in place. I don't."
Mr. Pyeatt said he would like to change the reputation Duncanville has gotten as being unfriendly toward business. He said he'd like to lure some high-tech companies to the area. "They're clean and use an affluent workforce like Duncanville has. Too many people who live here drive north to work."
Mr. DeWeerd, 63, said he wants Duncanville to keep what it has and to keep it well maintained.
"I think we ought to look after current business owners and homeowners," Mr. DeWeerd said.
"We need to grow the businesses we currently have." Mr. DeWeerd has lived in Duncanville since 1975.
Mr. Pyeatt said that he is running for office for the same reason he did two years ago.
"We need to protect residents and businesses from government," he said.
Mr. DeWeerd, a retired certified public accountant, said he didn't like what he was seeing at the council level and decided to pursue office.
|
