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Questions Turn Personal at Forum

June 7, 2007

By LOYD BRUMFIELD / Today Newspapers

While issues about a candidate’s personal life took up a lot of discussion time at the May 29 city council runoff election forum, issues that will actually affect the city were also addressed.

The Kingswood Homeowners Association and High Pointe Public Improvement District sponsored the event, featuring Place 5 candidates Jason Russell and incumbent Makia Epie.

Both candidates were asked about the problem of increased foreclosures in Cedar Hill.

“Home ownership is a dream for everybody, and adjustable-rate mortgages in and of themselves are not evil,” Epie said, adding that he works for an organization that works to help more people become homeowners without predatory lending practices.

“(Adjustable-rate mortgages) have helped a lot of people get into homes, and it is possible to refinance, but it doesn’t happen like that for everybody.”

Epie said there is “clear and convincing evidence” that predatory lending is taking place, not just in Cedar Hill, but everywhere.

Epie said the council has had workshops and meetings about foreclosures and people getting cheated out of their homes, and an ordinance is on the way that would require builders to register with the city and would hold them to certain standards.

If they abandon projects halfway through construction or don’t deal with homebuyers in an honest fashion, those builders would not be allowed to do business in Cedar Hill again.

Russell said the number of foreclosed homes in Cedar Hill is at an all-time high.

“We’ve had a lot of these homes built that are what you call starter homes that make it easier for people to get into homes,” he said. “But a lot of these builders aren’t looking out for them, they’re looking to pocket that next million dollars and then they get out.”

In addition, the rising cost of living - higher gas and utility prices, for example - has put an extra burden on homeowners, along with adjustable-rate mortgages.

For those reasons and others, Russell said he favored an end to new starter-home construction in Cedar Hill and said there are plenty of existing homes for people to buy.

“I see several starter homes going up and it makes me crazy because I see several in my area that are in foreclosure,” he said.

Epie said he would never call for anything that would make it harder for people to move to Cedar Hill or own a home.

Both candidates were asked how they would bring more corporate jobs to Cedar Hill.

“Our new Economic Development director has marching orders for her ears to reach beyond Cedar Hill,” Epie said. “I’m going to rely on our new EDC director and the contacts I have developed, and I never hesitate to use them.”

Epie also said Cedar Hill is very selective about the businesses it brings here.

“We’ve had to turn down some industries (coming to Cedar Hill Industrial Park) if they don’t fit our idea of promoting a clean, healthy environment.”

Russell said luring corporations is going to be challenge for Cedar Hill.

“We’ve got an industrial park that sits barren. There’s a lot of nice land and a new TXDOT office and that’s nice, but in my opinion you aren’t going to get many businesses here if the city and school district can’t work out some problems.”

Moderator Jan Lovell asked both candidates why someone who just moved to Cedar Hill should vote for them.

Russell said that although both candidates had similar views on many issues, there were differences, such as their positions on starter homes.

“Cedar Hill is already one of the most affordable places to live,” he said. “When you look at what you have to pay in Frisco and Plano, it’s relatively easy to own a home here.”

Russell also said he believes in term limits - which Epie opposes - but said he agreed with three-year terms for each council member.

“You aren’t supposed to make a career out of politics,” he said. “After six years, you aren’t going to see me (on the council). You follow the people’s will, and then you move on.”

Epie said his stay on the council did not amount to a career.

“I do not get paid a dime for this job. I volunteer for it,” he said. “I’m not building a resume. I already have one of those. I had a good job that provided for my family but I left it because it took too much time away from my family.”

Epie, a hearing officer on the Dallas County board of pardons and paroles, listed things he had a hand in bringing to reality while on the council, including shrinking water rates during his first year on the council and moving the citizens forum portion of council meetings from the end of gatherings to the middle.

“I thought it was important that we hear what our citizens have to say,” he said.

Epie also said he is working with TXU Energy to provide significant rebates on utility bills for residents who buy energy efficient equipment for their homes and is pushing for EMS response times to be reduced through a new fire station in Lake Ridge and by moving others around to more central locations.

The election is scheduled for June 16, and polling places will be at Bray Elementary and Belt Line Intermediate School.

Early voting at the CHISD Administration Building continues through June 12.

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