Life After the Election - Updated October 26, 2011

What has David Smith been doing since the election?
What are some current Collin County issues?
What is the status of this campaign?

(original post written in June 2011. Scroll down for an October 2011 update.)

Thank you again to all who supported my 2010 candidacy. The level of support from many of you was humbling and gratifying.

With your help, I am confident I received a solid majority of the votes from those who follow county issues or know me or my opponent. However, these voters in the know about local issues were overwhelmed by people voting straight party based on national issues.

Nonetheless, I remain dedicated to public service; and I have been able to make a number of significant contributions since the election.

I spent much time in Austin working on homeowner association legislation as the Vice President for Legislative Affairs for Texas Neighborhoods Together, a statewide coalition of coalitions such as the Plano Homeowners Council. With the help of all the stakeholders and some key legislators, major homeowner association reform legislation was passed into law. If this is an area of interest to you, please contact me so I can in turn relay information about upcoming seminars on the new laws.

I also served as campaign treasurer for Matt Lagos, a young man who sought a Plano City Council post for the first time. Matt finished in second place but surprised many by coming within 20 votes of getting into a runoff against a former Planning and Zoning Commission chair who spent much more money. In the future, look for more of Matt on the Plano civic scene.

In addition, I am active with a city neighborhood revitalization initiative called Love Where You Live (LWYL). This year, we are marshaling resources from the city, the community and faith-based groups towards improving the Meadows Neighborhood, which is the East Plano neighborhood in which I live. I am Co-Chair of the Community Subcommittee of the LWYL Promotions, Marketing and Community Outreach Committee. If I have not yet approached you or your organization about how you can help with this initiative, I soon will be.

And of course I am working in some time with my one and only granddaughter, Adrienne, who is now 16 months old. She was born on the day after last year’s Primary Election.

Like many of you, I continue to follow county issues:

• The county contribution to employee retirement was cut by 20% last year. Earlier this year, health care for future and current retirees was eliminated. More benefit reductions may be on the table in the coming budget sessions. Are these cuts fiscally necessary for our county? How much can be cut before jeopardizing our ability to attract and retain high quality employees?

• There is a proposal to move process serving and other duties from the four constable offices to the sheriff, resulting in a net reduction in personnel. Is this a good idea? If it is, can it be implemented without the buy-in of the constables and the sheriff?

• Is it appropriate for our District Clerk and others in her office to serve while under indictment for alleged offenses associated with the 2010 primary election? Are there any issues with the indicted currently supervising employees who were informants for the investigation that led to the indictments?

• Collin County is projected to double in population by 2040. Last but likely most important, do we have plans and funding for the additional infrastructure that will be needed to support this growth?

I do not profess to have all the answers to these or other questions. I do welcome your thoughts. As you may deem appropriate, you may post a comment on this web site, start a dialogue on the campaign Facebook wall, send a message to me at DMS4CollinCounty@aol.com or give me a call at 972-516-3849.

Barring a resignation or something else unforeseen, the County Judge position will not be up for election until 2014. (See another post on this site for a list of county positions that will be on the 2012 ballot.)

However, this campaign will remain active for any and all good purposes that may be served. Donations are still being accepted. (Contact me if you would like to know how the campaign dollars can be put to use.)

Again, it was a pleasure to earn your support. I look forward to continuing to work with many of you towards keeping Collin County one of the best places in the world.

David M. Smith
2010 Candidate for Collin County Judge

UPDATE - October 26, 2011

The Love Where You Live neighborhood revitalization initiative has been a smashing success! An October 1 Service Day in the western end of the Meadows Neighborhood drew 375 volunteers. The initiative continues with a reactivation of the neighborhood association and projects in the eastern end of the neighborhood this Spring.

New appointments include a seat on an advisory committee for Texas Community Association Advocates (another statewide organization concerned about healthy neighborhoods) as well as participation in a League of Women Voters of Collin County study of our juvenile detention system.

As also reflected in the original post, I continue to follow issues and make a difference where I can. I look forward to continuing to work with many of you on one or more fronts.