Cleburne resident Dennis Price listed conservative budgeting, public safety and preparing for the future when asked which issues he plans to stress in his run for the Johnson County Commissioner Precinct 1 seat.
Price was the third candidate to jump into the race, which has grown to five candidates. Commissioner Rick Bailey filed for re-election. In addition to Price he faces challengers Derek George, Brian Peterson and William Ward. The field, which is all Republican at the moment, may increase as candidates have until Thursday to file.
“You look around as a business owner, and I have been in this county since 2000, and you see a lot you want to see improved,” Price said when asked why he entered the race. “This county and precinct used to be rural and slowly but surely it’s going to turn into something else. It’s like Burleson’s coming this way and I think we have to be ready for it and get ahead of it.”
Job one, if elected, is to serve the taxpayers, Price said.
“We have to budget our money and spend it wisely,” Price said. “We’re in an economy right now where the housing market, home values are declining as we speak. People are losing jobs and businesses are closing. Right now taxpayers, you see on TV, are all fed up with politicians, and so am I. I’m not a career politician, just a hard worker. What I’m worried about is taxpayers, not other politicians. I’m going to spend money wisely and represent the taxpayers in that way.
“When I say wisely I mean every nickel and dime needs to be looked at. We’re in a down economy and everybody suffers in that. We have to be very smart in how we manage our money. I think that’s a huge thing for me and a lot of people in this county.”
Price owns and operates B&D Steel Services and D’s Farmers Market in Cleburne.
“I opened the farmers market when the folks [at Market Square in downtown Cleburne] were kind of run off,” Price said. “We wanted to bring back what was kind of missing there and add some more to it.”
Price said his business experience prepares him for the job of commissioner.
“I’ve had 30 years in the steel business, ran many, many employees, handled capital expenditures and ISO procedures,” Price said. “[Budgeting] numbers are a huge thing for me. That’s why when I see certain things I get a little concerned. We also need to educate ourselves about other communities that are prosperous. We can learn from some of the things we do.”
Other areas of focus if elected include safe roads and bridges and public safety especially fire and other emergency services, Price said.
Price said he plans to work to ensure that Johnson County doesn’t lose its heritage, but also stressed the need to prepare for the expected growth in population and the coming of Texas 121. Work is under way to expand Texas 121 from Fort Worth to Cleburne.
“The growth we receive [from Texas 121] will bring prosperity,” Price said. “From that point we have to be really smart about our business. That’s where the business-friendly atmosphere comes in. We have a great chance to be prosperous just like our surrounding counties and I think that’s what we have to work on.”
Price said two of the big projects in Precinct 1 of recent years, Hamm Creek Park and downtown Cleburne’s Market Square may need to be reassessed in light of the current economy.
“I’m not against anything that brings people to our area for venues and events if the economy promotes that,” Price said. “The economy does not promote that right now. We need to work on being a business-friendly county. How much money do you spend on a venue like Market Square versus what you’re going to get back in an economy like this? I think the timing is wrong.
“It’s improved the appearance of downtown Cleburne and you can’t go wrong with that. I think it’s a great idea, but the amount of money spent without the economy and people there to support it may be a little questionable at this time.”
Price also listed veterans issues as paramount.
“That’s a huge thing with me and we don’t have near enough going into our veterans welfare as we should,” Price said.
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Price stresses conservative budgeting, looking to future
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May/June 2012 Community Life magazine
The May/June 2012 edition of Community Life magazine is available for online viewing. Click here to view.
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