Campaign Swearing-In Photos
photography: Randy Konkel and Diane Donley

Plano City Council inducts new members
By Kim Nguyen,Staff Writer Plano Star-Courier
Thursday, May 22, 2008

The Plano City Council inducted one re-elected member and two new members in a special-called meeting Tuesday night. Jean Callison returned to City Council after being challenged for her Place 7 position. Mabrie Jackson unseated incumbent Loretta Ellerbe for Place 3. Pat Miner beat Justin Nichols in a close race for the open Place 1 spot.

Harry LaRosiliere, who was re-elected for Place 5 on the council, was absent from the induction, as was Loretta Ellerbe, the incumbent for Place 3, and Scott Johnson, incumbent for Place 2.

Before the induction ceremony began, Place 1 Councilman Shep Stahel gave his final address to the City Council, thanking the council and citizens for his three consecutive terms. “For the two newest members, let me once again congratulate you on your election, your fresh views and your willingness to take on the tasks before you. Every hat we put on in the service of others is a privilege,” Stahel said.

Stahel is hopeful that the new council will balance the budget and continue moving forward with construction on the Oak Point Visitor Center and hiking trails. The audience gave Stahel a standing ovation as he left his place on the Plano City Council.

Mayor Pat Evans is looking forward to working with the new council. Evans and the council members will be participating in a retreat in June. “During the retreat, we’ll lay all the priorities out on the table for discussion and see how we work together,” Evans said. “After a few meetings with light agendas in June, there’ll be a vacation in July where the new members can study up on all the issues. Then August is when the real work starts.”

Pat Miner still feels speechless about his election to Place 1 and looks forward to being on the council. “Now, good, hard work begins,” Miner said. Miner’s campaign included a three-point goal to help the City of Plano prosper. By maintaining fiscal responsibilities, improving the city’s infrastructure and preserving Plano’s integrity in neighborhoods, the City of Plano will be using its resources to its advantage.

First-time challenger Mabrie Jackson won the Place 3 seat on the council, unseating the incumbent Loretta Ellerbe. Jackson’s family is ready to provide support as she faces the challenges of being a City Council member and a mom. “Our family is no stranger to local politics and everything that comes with it,” said Martin Jackson, Mabrie’s husband. “My father is [the late] David “Bubba” Jackson, who was a Plano City Council member in the 70s, and my mother has a lot of experience as a campaign manager.”

The first official meeting of the new Plano City Council will be held at 7 p.m. May 27 in the Plano Municipal Center.

Campaign Victory Photos
photography: Denice Burke

Miner takes seat
By Stephanie Flemmons, Staff Writer Plano Star-Courier
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Pat Miner easily captured the Place 1 council seat, defeating opponent Justin Nichols by 1,200 votes. Miner captured 3,690 votes, totaling slightly more than 60 percent of the votes. "I'm very humbled to have had all the support from the community," Miner said. "It has been a great ride throughout the whole process and I'm humbled voters supported the platform issues."

He believes his success was possible because of his stand on the city facing its fiscal responsibility. "We have to continue maintaining the city services to 100 percent of the citizens no matter what budget issues we face," Miner said. Miner also spoke of the importance of maintaining the infrastructure, preserving the integrity of the city's neighborhoods and public safety.

In 2003, Nichols ran unsuccessfully for school board and faced his second defeat Saturday in his race for city council. While attending law school at Southern Methodist University, Nichols, 24, said although he was defeated he will continue staying involved in the community. "I'll absolutely run again for public office," Nichols said. "I'll continue to build my experience and involvement in the community." Nichols believes a lot of positives came from this year's election.

"There were a lot of first-time voters this year," Nichols said. "It also started a bunch of new debates in our communities both on the city and county level. Miner and Nichols both agreed the race remained positive.

"I congratulate Miner and thank him for keeping our promise to run a positive campaign," Nichols said. "He kept the message positive and issue-based." Miner said he too was proud to have Nichols as his opponent. "Justin is a good young man," Miner said. "He ran a good and clean campaign."

Miner will replace incumbent Shep Stahel, who is term-limited. Miner will be sworn in May 20 and will take part in his first city council meeting May 27. "At first, I plan to sit back and collect my thoughts and take a look at things," Miner said.

Campaign Kickoff Photos

 

Community leader Pat Miner announces candidacy
for Place 1, Plano City Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   
December 5, 2007

(Plano) -- Pat Miner today announced his candidacy for Place 1 on the Plano City Council.   Mr. Miner is a former President of the Plano Homeowners' Council, former chair of the City of Plano Transition and Revitalization Commission and a graduate of the Plano Chamber of Commerce Leadership Plano program.   Mr. Miner, who's the past president of his 765 member HOA, has also been an active member of the Barron, McCall, Bowman, Williams and Plano East PTAs.   Mr. Miner has also been involved with My Friend's House, a CITY House, Inc. initiative.

When asked why he is seeking the city council position, Miner stated, "In my years of involvement in Plano, I have had the honor of working with a great number of citizens who care about the future of this great city as much as I do.   Many of these people have asked me to take this next step in my service to Plano."

As the former Chair of the city's Transition and Revitalization Commission, Miner has worked on issues facing a maturing city.   As president of the Plano Homeowners' Council, he has been an advocate for the city's neighborhoods and homeowners' associations.   He has also been responsible for re-establishing the Homeowners' Council's Officer Boot Camp as well as encouraging local and regional homeowners' associations to participate in legislative matters in Austin.

"As the city matures, so will its neighborhoods.   How we sustain the vitality of the city and these neighborhoods is a key issue," Miner stated at a recent gathering.   He continued, "I've been involved in the city of Plano and PISD schools since arriving in Plano 11 years ago.     In my capacity as an HOA president and a president of the Plano Homeowners' Council, I have collaborated with developers and neighborhood leaders to find agreeable solutions.   As a member of the Plano city council I intend to continue that spirit of cooperation and consensus building.   I am committed to maintaining the city's infrastructure, properly funding public safety, keeping the tax rate low, and building the business base."

An Air Force veteran, Pat and his family moved to Plano when he retired from active duty in 1996.   Miner currently works for the Social Security Administration's Regional Office in Dallas.   Pat and his wife of 26 years,   Angela, have two daughters.  

Tino Trujillo, former Plano Citizen of the Year, will serve as the Treasurer for the Pat Miner Campaign.

For more information, call (972) 422-0723.

Paid for by Pat Miner Campaign, Tino Trujillo, Treasurer, P.O. Box 860865, Plano, TX 75086

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