Dallas Mayor’s Race 2007

Ed Oakley

Coalition Builder, People Leader and Visionary- Right Man for Dallas Top Job

Dallas- For Dallas Councilman Ed Oakley, running for Dallas mayor represents more than just taking an ambitious political step forward.

Oakley presents himself a man with grassroots conviction who truly wants to bring city hall back to the people.

After his campaign kickoff in December, Councilman Oakley and his supporters began their effort to “knock on every door in Dallas.”

The councilman is heading straight to the voters stating, “This city belongs to all the people of Dallas, and my campaign will value all people equally – average citizens and business leaders, black white and brown, North or South.”
The focus is on the day to day work of taking his uniting message to the people on both sides of the Trinity River.

Dallas is a divided city with crime problems, school and education issues, homeless concerns, economic development challenges and also is a city struggling to re-invent for a future without the Dallas Cowboys and the annual Cotton Bowl game.

The next leader must build strong coalitions that will help the northern and southern sectors work and grow together eliminating the clashes of the rich and poor, the Democrat and Republican and the have and have-nots.

“This campaign will be about bringing jobs back to Dallas,” Oakley said. “Our city’s challenges in crime and education can be solved when we restore our city’s economic strength. That is what I have done in my district and we must do it city wide.”
Oakley believes his leadership can revitalize downtown and help the city break out and be competitive again as it moves forward towards the next decade.

On the campaign trail, Oakley speaks to the key issues affecting Dallas including that of crime, economic development, education and transportation, and the city’s need for leadership that can build coalitions and solve problems.

According to Oakley, he is the type of leader that will bring people together in order to focus on the greater good rather than dividing people into their all too familiar factions.
Oakley brings the type of character to the table that sends a strong message that he is not for sale or cannot be bought with big influential political action committee dollars.

His election game plan appears to be simple. Take his message to the people with honesty and reaching one voter at a time.

“We’re not going to buy votes,” he said. “We’re going to the voters by knocking on as many doors in Dallas. I want to earn their respect and vote based on my ability to lead our city.”

He is fully qualified to lead the nation’s ninth largest city.

As a member of the Dallas City Council for six years, Ed has been proud to work with residents throughout the city and his colleagues to build a better future

Ed Oakley was elected as a Dallas City Councilmember for District 6 in June of 2001 and as of June, 2005, he was re-elected twice as the Councilmember for District 3.

Prior to his election to the Dallas City Council, Oakley worked for more than a decade to improve the lives of the citizens of Dallas including fighting to protect neighborhood homes and working to improve local schools.

He also earned the respect and support of a broad coalition of the city’s neighborhoods, businesses and volunteer communities because of his ability to represent diverse interests, issues and groups.

He helped Oak Cliff and North Dallas constituents through the zoning process at city hall and helped neighborhoods understand zoning and in zoning cases ranging from the construction of daycare centers to senior living facilities to helping congregations through the planned development process for church campuses.
Oakley’s ability to help citizens rezone these neighborhoods into Planned Development Districts allowed them to control their own destiny and provided the same protections enjoyed in residential neighborhoods throughout the city.
One of his most fulfilling accomplishments was helping Arlington Park, the Bottoms Neighborhood, The Tenth Street Historic District, and other predominantly African-American neighborhoods protect their homes.

Oakley is also a proven leader on the city council having:

· Successfully coordinated the 2003 City of Dallas Bond Program with over 500 million dollars to improve basic infrastructure including roads, parks, libraries, and police and fire facilities to promote economic development.

· Led the efforts for the 2006-2007 budget year resulting in the first property tax base reduction in 8 years.

· Been a leader in the council’s strategic planning along five priority areas including public safety, economic development, quality of life, staff accountability and the Trinity River Project.

· Undertook the city’s economic development strategy which has set the city on the path of new businesses, jobs and sales tax base growth.

· Coordinated an effort with Southwest Dallas County Cities including Duncanville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill and Lancaster to preserve the Army Air Force Exchange Facility.

· Serves as the first Chair of the Trinity River Committee. Ed has guided the committee’s effort to chart the course in the largest public works project in Dallas.

• Worked with neighborhood leaders in District 3 to protect and promote the district’s best assets and chart a course for the future. Also, increased funding for parks, new libraries, additional conservation districts, and a significant increase in new retail and neighborhood services.

He serves on several city committees and also has been a team player working with colleagues on other multi-million dollar projects, programs and funding initiatives that have improved quality of life issues and helped Dallas people to live better here.

Those who know the councilman say he is the right man for the job because he has earned the respect and support of a broad coalition of the city’s neighborhoods, businesses and volunteer communities.

His ability to represent diverse interests, issues, and groups has helped him to reach consensus through leadership in the most effective manner.

Only Dallas voters can decide who will lead the city for the next four years.

Ed Oakley has a public service record without controversy and an unselfish heart and spirit to go with it. His motives are right place and he represents the best qualities in an office holder - Understanding, compassion, experience and integrity.