CORINTH — A husband and wife are challenging two of the three council members up for re-election in Corinth.

Tracy Corliss-Portnoy, 45, and Sim Portnoy, 44, have challenged incumbents John Booher and Joe Harrison, respectively. Booher, 50, is seeking his second term in Place 3 and Joe Harrison, 70, is seeking his third term in Place 4.

Place 1 council member Randy Gibbons drew no opponent in his bid to serve a full term. He was appointed to finish the term of Paul Ruggiere, who was in Place 1 when he ran successfully for mayor last year.

Sim Portnoy said he and his wife are independent thinkers, likening their relationship to opposing political operatives James Carville and Mary Matalin.

“We’re sleeping in the same bed, but that doesn’t mean we’re sacrificing our opinion,” Sim Portnoy said.

The couple plans to campaign with front yard cooking events, the first of which was slated for last Saturday.

“It’s a better way of getting a mix of people to come by,” Tracy Corliss-Portnoy said. “If they are out walking the dog, or going to the park, they might stop by and talk a little.”

Booher said he would campaign as he did before, and hoped he could rely on name recognition and the community’s knowledge that they could count on his commitment to public service.

“I’ve been volunteering in the community for a long time,” Booher said.

Likewise, Harrison, who faced no opponent two years ago, said he would raise money for signs and fliers and the usual campaign materials. But he also planned on an old-fashioned, shoe-leather effort.

“I’m going to get out and meet with the people,” Harrison said.

Place 3

Corliss-Portnoy said she’s running to bring better oversight to the city’s budget, which she considers out-of-touch with economic conditions.

Corliss-Portnoy said she hasn’t been to council meetings to know firsthand what the council is thinking as it approves some of the expenses, but reviewing the material on paper shows a lack of restraint.

The city keeps adding staff, for example, even as sales and property tax revenue drop.

“You have to look at downsizing the same as you would in any business,” Corliss-Portnoy said. “Residents don’t need to see their tax dollars increased in order to cover those costs.”

Booher said he didn’t think the city would be able to get through the coming years without some cuts in services.

“This year, we didn’t have to lay anyone off, but we’re not hiring empty positions either,” Booher said. He thought some of the staffing could be shrunk with seasonal hires, but that wouldn’t address all the payroll cuts that might be needed.

The city budgeted for about $1 million less this year than last year, and must find another $300,000 to cut before the year is out, Booher said.

He said the city needs his 15 years of experience in public service and government.

Place 4

Sim Portnoy said he’s running to bring greater transparency and accountability to the council. It bothers him that much of the city’s business is discussed in executive session and brings little debate.

“Other than a lawsuit, there’s no reason for anything to be behind closed doors,” Portnoy said. “The rest has to be out in the open. If there is a difference of opinion, we need to have it on the record.”

Already a frequent critic of City Hall, he pledged to be the loyal opposition if he was elected to serve.

“They need somebody like me, who’s not afraid to ask questions,” Portnoy said.

Harrison said he shares a passion for the city, too, and cares about what’s important for the city’s success.

“Like all communities, we’re going to hit some problems,” Harrison said. “But my major concern is that we need to make the city the best we can, without increasing taxes to do it.”

He defended Corinth’s capital improvement program, which tackles road, water and sewer needs for the city.

“Our property values are tied to infrastructure improvements,” Harrison said. “It tends to improve the quality of life and the value of whatever is around it.”

“It’s really the common-sense approach,” Harrison added.

PEGGY HEINKEL-WOLFE can be reached at 940-566-6881. Her e-mail address is pheinkel-wolfe@dentonrc.com .

Randy Gibbons

RANDY GIBBONS

Age: 34

Born in: Layton, Utah

Education: associate’s degree, Weber State University, 1999

Experience: mission work, 1995-97; reservation agent, 1997-99; technical customer service, 1999; marketing, 2000-08; finance manager, Southwest Airlines, 2008-present.

John Booher

JOHN BOOHER

Age: 50

Born in: Lubbock

Education: bachelor’s degree in journalism, Texas Tech University, 1984; master’s degree in public administration, 1990, and doctorate in political science, 1994, Texas A&M University

Experience: policy and public program analyst, 1995-98; private sector marketing analyst, 1998-2000; software programmer, 2000; software design engineer, 2001-09; business intelligence analyst, 2009-present; adjunct government professor, Tarrant County College, 2009-present

Tracy Corliss-Portnoy

TRACY CORLISS-PORTNOY

Age: 45

Born in: St. Louis, Mo.

Education: bachelor of business administration, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1989

Experience: bookkeeper, five years; staff account and bookkeeper, eight years; co-owner, accounting and financial services firm, 2000-present.

Joe Harrison

JOE HARRISON

Age: 70

Born in: Temple

Education: bachelor’s degree in history and pre-law, 1973, Texas Lutheran University

Experience: U.S. Air Force, 1956-85; federal contractor, National Resources Conservation Service, 1985-96; president, Oakmont Property Owners Association, 2005-06; volunteer, Lake Cities Fire Department, 1998-present

Sim Portnoy

SIM PORTNOY

Age: 44

Born in: Moscow

Education: diploma, Leskov Officer’s School, 1987

Experience: member, Israeli army, 1984-94; yellow pages sales, 1995-2000; independent financial adviser, 2000-present