LAKE DALLAS — Two newcomers to the city have agreed to race for an unexpired City Council seat, stepping on the local political stage after a longtime council member stepped down.

Harry F. Cagnetto, 41, said Mayor Tony Marino approached him and asked him to run for the unexpired term.

HARRY F. CAGNETTO

Harry Cagnetto

Age: 41

Born in: New York City

Education: bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering, Northeastern University, 1999

Experience: nuclear mechanical operator, U.S. Navy, 1993-95; software development, 1998; network administrator, 1999-2000; information systems manager, 2000-01; technology consultant, 2001-03; contract project manager, 2003; plumbing contractor, 2003-04; technical project manager, Technisource Inc., 2004-present

RICKY MATHEWS

Ricky Mathews

Age: 51

Born in: Opp, Ala.

Education: bachelor of science degree in political science, Campbell University, 1996

Experience: logistics, U.S. Marine Corps, 1976-96; concrete work, 1996; public utilities supervisor, 1997-2001; construction manager, 2001-06; area construction manager, McDonald’s Corp., 2007-present

“I’m involved with the parks and recreation, and the community development corporation,” said Cagnetto, who has lived in the Lake Cities area for four years and in Lake Dallas for just over a year. “He [the mayor] thought this was the next logical step.”

Ricky Mathews, 51, said his neighbor approached him about the race, telling him the filing deadline was looming and asking him to run.

“He had heard I worked for a city in the past,” said Mathews, a four-year resident of Lake Dallas who had been a public utilities supervisor in North Carolina. “He thought I could help them make good decisions.”

Both candidates said they enjoyed the small-town feel Lake Dallas has achieved as it has grown through the years.

For future growth, Cagnetto said he thinks city leaders can see what works in nearby cities as they grow, but keep certain barriers in mind.

“I saw this in Corinth — thinking that it is an inconvenience to drive across the highway. It’s a silly notion,” Cagnetto said. “We need to keep residents and their tax income here as much as possible, and still be a draw and be able to compete.”

Mathews said he sees Lake Dallas’ special events as a real draw for the city, and redevelopment, or new development, is still possible. The new toll bridge and the businesses it has brought have been good for the city, without bringing too much congestion.

“Lake Dallas has an old-town charm, with the restaurants and downtown,” Mathews said. “Other things, like Wal-Mart and Albertsons, and the shops at Highland Village — everything’s relatively close.”

The city’s charter requires the Nov. 3 election to fill the seat left vacant when Alan Fletcher resigned from the council in early July.

Fletcher resigned after a controversy over his lack of attendance at council meetings during his final term in office. Job demands frequently took Fletcher out of town, and he had asked City Council members to change their regular meeting date to accommodate him, but they did not.

Both candidates were aware of the controversy and said they understood how important the issue had become to voters.

Mathews said that as a construction manager for McDonald’s Corp., he has a lot of control over his daily work schedule. Cagnetto said that while he is busy with youth sports, city service is a part of his priorities.

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