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River Oaks Mayor

The Mayor is the Chair of the City Council and generally leads meetings, often voting only as a tie-breaker. Responsibilities include: representing the city to other entities; performing ceremonial roles; and appointing members to committees, commissions, boards, and study groups.

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    Jill Fox
    (N)

  • Candidate picture

    Don Istook
    (N)

Biographical Information

Education/Experience:

Background: How does your background qualify you for this office?

Public Input: How would you ensure adequate, timely and comprehensive public input and transparency at city council meetings?

Discrimination: What policies, procedures and guidelines would you support to protect residents from discrimination in response to federal funding requirements related to DEI programs and language?

ICE: What level of cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would you or would you not support under 287(g)?

Critical Issues: What are the most critical issues facing the city, and how will you address them?

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Campaign Phone 8176906747
Campaign Email donaldistook@gmail.com
Campaign Facebook http://www.facebook.com/don.istook
Occupation Self-emp
Texas Wesleyan College, University of Texas at Arlington, Tarrant County College, Texas Christian University, United States Air Force
I was an Economic/ Business major in college. My first real career was in banking, working up to a Vice-Presidency making commercial loans. I have owned commercial businesses, and been a real estate developer. I have served within the City of River Oaks on Storm Water, Zoning Board of Adjustments, Planning & Zoning, and Economic Development Corporation committees. I was instrumental in assisting the recent bond issue for Castleberry ISD. I am active in the RO community.
Everyone has a voice. There are ways to go about change (if warranted) in city government. I encourage citizens to orderly speak out and make their voices heard. Better posting of agendas within the community can inform citizens of meetings that may be of concern to them. I would like to have monthly public forums, and “Walk with the Mayor” in spot locations. Getting out, not just in meetings, to reach into the community is a goal.
Current laws, ordinances, and policies must be adhered to. If citizens want a change, there are channels for that. I encourage citizens to work together and bring forth issues to Council that will result in a better, stronger community. There is NO tolerance for discrimination. In our small City, we have a large Hispanic population. U.S. citizen or not, everyone has a right for certain equal opportunities free from racism and discrimination.
That is a legal question, and one to confer with our City Attorney and Police Chief. As an elected official, I would be bound by law to follow mandates set forth by local, state, and federal statutes. That is not saying “lay over” for any ICE enforcement, but to work together to protect our citizen’s rights by lawful means
City taxes are too high, we have clean water issues, ordinances are not being followed, and streets are in need of repair. I would also work to repair citizen/City relationships with additional training. My economic and business development background will help with our tax structure. I will dwell into why we have water issues, even enlisting outside help. Proper enforcement of our ordinances will help in “cleaning up” our City. I would call on citizens for a City beautification program.
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