James Scot Sullivan (Texas city council candidate)

James Scot Sullivan

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Education

High school

North Garland High School

Associate

College of the Air Force

Bachelor's

Thomas Edison State University

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Air Force

Years of service

1996 - 2006

Personal

Profession

Information technology

James Scot Sullivan was a candidate for District 8 representative on the Garland City Council in Texas. He was defeated in the general election on May 6, 2017.

Biography

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Sullivan earned an associate degree in logistics from the College of the Air Force and a B.A. in social science from Thomas Edison State University. His professional experience includes work in information technology and service in the U.S. Air Force.

Elections

2017

See also: Municipal elections in Garland, Texas (2017)

The city of Garland, Texas, held an election for mayor and city council on May 6, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was February 17, 2017.

Mayor Douglas Athas ran for re-election in 2017. The city council seats in Districts 3, 6, 7, and 8 were also up for election. Robert John Smith defeated Jack Blackshear, James Scot Sullivan, and Terry G. Kaliney in the general election for the District 8 seat on the Garland City Council.

Garland City Council, District 8 General Election, 2017
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Robert John Smith	58.03%	513
Jack Blackshear	25.11%	222
James Scot Sullivan	10.97%	97
Terry G. Kaliney	5.88%	52
Total Votes		884
Source: Dallas County Elections, "May 6, 2017 - Joint Election," accessed June 9, 2017

Campaign themes

2017

In response to a question from the Dallas Morning News about the three most important actions he would take if elected, Sullivan said:

“	My priority is the quality of life of the law abiding, taxpaying citizens of Garland, TX. Ensure continued affordability of living by acting against increases in property taxes. Maintain quality of City services. Act against all 'Sanctuary City' policies that jeopardize Garland's financial stability. The bond ratings companies, Fitch and Standard & Poor, have reaffirmed the Garland's General Obligation Bond ratings. Fitch assigns Garland a AAA rating and S&P assigns Garland a AA+. Garland's extremely high ratings allow the City of Garland to pay lower interest rates on debt accumulated to provide City services, this benefits every Garland citizen. In cooperation with the Mayor and other City Council Members I'll continue to seek ways to improve and maintain bond ratings so as to ensure no increased taxation is levied upon citizens to provide the same quality services. I'll act as an advocate of full cooperation with Federal authorities to ensure Garland's access to Federal funds is not jeopardized. Every decision I make as a City Council Member will be for the purpose of maintaining Garland’s 'high-grade' ratings. Bond ratings serve as a statement of a City's economic, financial and managerial condition and represent the business community's assessment of the investment quality of a local government. Highly rated bonds are more attractive and are more competitive in the market and thereby help lower interest costs paid by City residents. High-grade ratings reduce the cost of raising capital for City projects and a substantial savings for the City taxpayers. In an effort to ensure our continued high rating I'll make financial decisions in accordance with the following: The city will repay borrowed funds, used for capital projects, within a period not to exceed the expected useful life of the project. This policy reflects the view that those residents who benefit from a project should pay for the project. Adherence to this policy will also help prevent the government from over-extending itself with regard to the occurrence of future debt. I'll advocate that the City limit long-term debt to capital improvements which cannot be financed from current revenues. Incurring long-term debt serves to obligate future taxpayers. Excess reliance on long-term debt can cause debt levels to reach or exceed the government's ability to pay. Therefore, conscientious use of long-term debt will provide assurance that future residents will be able to service the debt obligations left by former residents. I'll also advocate that the city not use long-term debt for financing current operations. This policy reflects the view that those residents who benefit from a service should pay for the service. Utilization of long-term debt to support current operations would result in future residents supporting services provided to current residents.	”
—James Scot Sullivan

See also

Garland, Texas	Texas	Municipal government	Other local coverage

External links

Suggest a link

• Garland Mayor & City Council