The Garland City Council postponed the City’s general election six months to Nov. 3 to keep voters from gathering during a time of concern over the spread of COVID-19. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott authorized those holding May 2 elections to postpone their election to Nov. 3. “ I strongly encourage local election officials to take advantage of these waivers and postpone their elections until November,” Gov. Abbott said. “Right now, the state’s focus is responding to COVID-19 – including social distancing and avoiding large gatherings. By delaying this election, our local election officials can assist in that effort.”
Garland voters will decide representatives for Council Districts 1, 2, 4 and 5. They’ll also consider a proposal to repurpose park land at 3925 W. Walnut St. as the new site for the Walnut Creek Branch Library. Candidate filings for the election remain valid and there will be no additional filing period. Applications for mail-in ballots are still valid for those over 65 and those voting by mail due to disability. The voter registration deadline for the election is extended to Oct. 5. Early voting will be Oct. 19-30. Candidates are as follows, listed in the order in which they will appear on the ballot:
• District 1: David Gibbons (unopposed)
• District 2: Deborah Morris vs. Koni Ramos-Kaiwi
• District 4: B.J. Williams vs. Jim Bookhout
• District 5: Rich Aubin (unopposed)
In January, both the Park Board and Library Board unanimously approved the plan to use land adjacent to Hollabaugh Recreation Center, 3925 W. Walnut St., as the site for the relocation of the Walnut Creek Branch Library. By law, voters must approve any plan to use park land for purposes other than a park.
Voters approved a $10.9 million relocation and expansion of the Walnut Creek Branch Library in the City’s May 2019 bond election. In subsequent months, the City has been looking for a property that would accommodate a 16,000-square-foot building and parking – ideally with access to a major street and within a mile of the existing library. However, those conditions for relocation proved difficult in built-out West Garland. At Council’s Feb. 3 Work Session, Library Director Karen Archibald told Council that “potential sites did not work out due to cost, location and site layout.”
The Hollabaugh Park site POSTPONE from Page 1 THINKING FEDS DEAL WITH from Page 1 FRAUDULENT CLAIMS was presented as highly visible, large enough for the library and parking lot and within the one-mile radius for continued service to the Walnut Creek Branch community. Parks and library officials also touted the potential for programs that could be uniquely crafted to a dual-site. If you have questions regarding early voting, contact Dallas County Early Voting at 214-819-6359. If you have other election issues, contact the City Secretary at 972-205-2404 or Dallas County at 214-819-6300 or DallasCountyVotes.org.
