MAYOR

Ken Brixey

Age: 69

Born: Mountain Grove, Mo.

Occupation: retired

Education: bachelor of arts in music, Memphis University, 1961

Career: public relations for Holiday Inn, 1961-1972; theme park show producer, 1972-1981; general manager, Graceland, 1981-1985; general manager, Southfork Ranch, 1985-89; general manager of two dude ranches, 1989-2002; general manager, Lantana Lodge, 2002-2004; general manager, Spirit of the West resort, 2004-06

Open government survey

Government philosophy: It is my opinion that anything that is discussed relating to the city of Pilot Point should be openly discussed, completely.  I have been a private citizen much longer than I have been a candidate for city government and I disdain closed meetings.  In fact, it will be my practice to never close the door to my constituents.

Closed door meeting thoughts: Yes, I believe the attorney-client privilege is too broadly utilized in Denton County.  The exception may have been in Pilot Point, where the executive session is rarely used.  If elected Mayor, I may change my mind on that point, slightly, but, not ever to the point that the city is left wondering just what went on at council meeting.  Any time a quorum is present, the citizens should be included, as well, 99 times out of 100.

Open records limits: Again, in Pilot Point, that has rarely been an issue.  Staff time and resources are needed to keep the public informed of the decision making process in the past.  We need to keep it that way.

Campaign finance: Brixey pledged to neither accept nor spend more than $500

Denton County voting history: March 2008 primary, Nov. 2006 general

Janet Groff

Age: 54

Born: Not available     

Occupation: detention officer

Education: Not available

Career: Not available

Open government survey

Did not meet the submission deadline

Campaign finance:  Groff pledged to neither accept nor spend more than $500

Denton County voting history: March 2008 primary, May 2007 general and special, Nov. 2006 general

Pearly Mae Simpson

Pearly Mae Simpson

Age: 63

Born: Pilot Point

Education: licensed vocational nurse, Texas Woman's University, 1969; paramedic training, Grayson County Community College, 1989; National League of Cities Leadership training, March 2007

Career: school bus driver, 1984-2002; school nurse, 1994-2002; paramedic, 1989-97; retired

Open government survey

Did not meet the submission deadline

Campaign finance:  Simpson pledged to neither accept nor spend more than $500

Denton County voting history:  March 2008 primary, May 2007 general and special, Nov. 2006 general

CITY COUNCIL PLACE 4

Pete Hollar

Pete Hollar

Age: 57

Born: Pilot Point

Occupation: owner, Acme Door and Mirror Co.

Education: attended University of North Texas, 1968-72

Career: owner, Acme Door and Mirror, 1979-present; owner, ADAM Rubber Manufacturing, a tire recycling business, 1989-present.

Open government survey

Government philosophy: Elected officials are the ears and voices of the people that put them in office. Total communication must exist between the two. To be effective, there can be no secrets. My philosophy is total openness, with the exception of possible cases involving sensitive personnel issues and legal problems.

Closed door meeting thoughts: I have not been involved enough to have formed an opinion.

Open records limits: Unless the subject involves case sensitive items that really do fall under attorney-client privilege, keep the people informed. Any other matters are worth time and resources spent.

Campaign finance:  Hollar pledged to neither accept nor spend more than $500

Denton County voting history: March 2008 primary, May 2007 general and special, Nov. 2006 general

Helga Nicodemus

Helga Nicodemus

Age: 67

Born: Trier, Germany

Occupation: retired

Education: master’s degree in architecture and interior design, University of Trier, 1964

Career: worked in architectural field from 1956-68 in Germany; data analyst for GTE, 1983-1998; interior designer, 1973-present

Open government survey

Did not meet the submission deadline

Campaign finance:  Nicodemus pledged to neither accept nor spend more than $500

Denton County voting history: March 2008 primary

Jerry Ford

Age: 36

Born: Denton

Occupation: construction manager

Education: diploma, Lake Dallas High School, 1991; attended North Central Texas College, 1992-95

Career: construction, 1991-present; with CP&Y Inc. since 2007

Open government survey

Government philosophy: I believe it is very important for government to be open. Elected officials should be held accountable to its constituents who elected them. Without openness there is no accountability.

Closed door meeting thoughts: The only things that should be discussed in executive session are real estate transactions, personnel issues, lawsuits and potential legal liabilities. When citizens elect you they are putting a certain amount of trust in you to make decisions in there best interest regarding these matters. As an elected official, these matters upon their conclusion will be made public and your decisions will be judged by your constituents.

Open records limits: You cannot put a price on or say how much to spend on open government. I believe you should have an open and honest government. Every attempt should be made to make records public when requested to do so. Frivolous attempts to tie up the system should be identified and brought to city council for an up or down vote in public as to what direction to take.

Campaign finance:  Ford pledged to neither accept nor spend more than $500, but also elected to report $150 in contributions and $194.17 in expenses as of April 8.

Denton County voting history: No history since 2006