Runoff Elections in City of Carrollton

PRESS RELEASE

Candidates Forum for the runoff elections in Carrollton, the conversation will be about building a cohesive Carrollton.

The City of Carrollton has earned a reputation for its greatness and location, and now it is our duty to set ourselves as an exemplary town in social cohesion, where the God given diversity of each one of the 130,000 of us would function cohesively to build a safe, secure and welcoming Carrollton.

Four positions were up for elections at the council and on Saturday, May 14, 2014, Mr. Matthew Marchant was elected as Mayor with a clear majority and Mr. Terry Simmons was elected unopposed from Place 6. However, for place 2 and 4 no candidate received the required 50% votes leading to a runoff election on Saturday, June 18, 2011.

 

The Candidates are:

Place 2: Bonnie Kaplan and Anthony Wilder
Approximately, they received 37% and 32% respectively.

Place 4:  Bob Garza and Cathy Henesey
approximately, they received 37% and 30% respectively.

You are invited to join;

What: Candidates Forum
When: Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Place: Barbeque Tonite Restaurant, 2540 Old Denton Road, Suite 173, Carrollton, TX 75006 (S.E Corner of Old Denton and 190/Trinity).

“Unlike all the previous candidate forums, this meeting will focus on building a cohesive Carrollton, indeed in the previous meetings, I had forwarded the same question but the candidates did not get a chance to respond due to time constraints.” said Mike Ghouse, President of America Together Foundation.

The candidates will be asked to share their approach on building a cohesive Carrollton, and how they will include and care for the well being of every resident. They will be further asked to give a one minute response to their take on issues such as: Civil Unions, Racial profiling, Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism and immigration reforms.

The early voting begins on June 6th leading to the Election Day on Saturday, June 18, 2011.

The candidates are invited to submit a write up on each issue up to 50 words and 250 words for how they are going to achieve the social cohesion, it will be printed in a small booklet to be handed out to the public and the media, and will be published at http://www.carrolltondiary.com/ as well as sent out as a story to the media. This must be submitted before 10:00 PM on Monday June 6th to go to the printer.

America Together Foundation is formed in response to ACT America, as introduced by Sean Hannity on Fox TV and Hannity Radio Shows. The organization will focus on bringing Americans together with a series of educational programs to address the critical issues facing our nation in an open forum to find pluralistic solutions to restore the cohesiveness of our society and work towards building a safe and secure America.

Mike Ghouse is set out to go on a talk tour of 10 major cities in America this fall with a goal to open our hearts and minds towards fellow Americans. No American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.

Mike Ghouse is a frequent guest with Sean Hannity and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He can be reached at (214) 325-1916 and email MikeGhouse@aol.com and all of his work is listed at  http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Carrollton Runoff Elections & Candidates Forum

Four positions were up for elections at the council and in the elections on Saturday, May 14, 2014, Mr. Matthew Marchant was elected as Mayor with a clear majority and Mr. Terry Simmons was elected from Place 6 unopposed. However, for place 2 and 4 no candidate received the required 50% votes leading to a runoff election on Saturday, June 18, 2011.

The Candidates are:

Place 2: Bonnie Kaplan and Anthony Wilder
Approximately, they received 37% and 32% respectively.

Place 4:  Bob Garza and Cathy Henesey
approximately, they received 37% and 30% respectively.

A candidates forum is planned for Wednesday, June 8, 2011 between 6:30 PM and 8:30, the announcement will be made within a few days.

CARROLLTON RUN-OFF ELECTIONS

EARLY VOTING

Josey Ranch Library
1700 Keller Springs Road
Hebron & Josey Library
4220 North Josey Lane

June 6-10(Monday through Friday)  8am to 5pm
June 11 (Saturday)  8am to 5pm
June 12 (Sunday)  1pm to 6pm
June 13 &14 (Monday and Tuesday) 7am to 7pm

--------

Election Day Voting
Saturday, June 18th
7:00am to 7:00pm
Dallas County

Crosby Road Recreation Center
1400, 1407, 1408, 1409, and 1410
1610 Crosby Road

Newman Smith HS     
1402, 1404 and 1405
2335 North Josey Lane

Country Place Elementary School 
1401, 1403, 1406 and 1411
2115 Raintree

Denton County

Rosemeade Recreation Center
204, 206, 211, 215, 217, and 225
1330 Rosemeade Parkway
                                                                        
Thompson (Woodlake) Elementary
205, 209, and 212
2915 Scott Mill Road

Carrollton Public Library
 @ Hebron & Josey
200, 203, 208, 213, 218, and 221
4220 North Josey Lane

Carrollton Candidates Forum for the runoff elections.

Pluralism Prayers at Carrollton City Council

Prayers at Carrollton City Council

Invocation prayers at Carrollton City Council

7:00 PM, Monday, May 23, 2011

A Carrollton tradition

By Mike Ghouse, Pluralist

# # #

The following is an inclusive prayer called the prayer of Pluralism. We pray for the well being of every resident of Carrollton. 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mc9D9guPMY

Let’s reflect, wish and pray:

Dear Creator of the universe,

Please accept our gratitude in every name we call upon you; Manito,  Yahweh, Elahi, Ishwar, Allah, Mahavira, Buddha, Wahe Guru, Ahura Mazda, mother earth and Jesus Christ.  

Dear Causer of the universes,

In your name we want to create a cohesive and peaceful Carrollton with care kindness and dignity to every one of the 130,000 residents of this beautiful City. 

Dear God,

Help us appreciate the prosperity and progress brought to us by our former Mayor, Ron Branson and help us welcome our Mayor-Elect Matthew Marchant and Our re-elected council person Terry Simmons and the incumbent council persons.

Dear God,

Guide our council members to treat,

Respect and honor every resident with their heart and soul.

Let goodwill prevail towards fellow Americans.

Guide our Mayor and the council to serve us with integrity and honesty;
Guide us to serve our communities with the spirit of volunteerism;
Guide us to do the right thing every moment of our life;
Guide us to open our hearts and minds toward our fellow beings;
Guide us to shed the arrogance in us, and enrich us with humility
Guide us to become conflict mitigaters and goodwill nurturers.

Dear God,
Protect our men and women in uniforms committed to our safety and well being.

Help us learn to respect the uniqueness you have blessed to each one of the 130,000 of us in Carrollton,

And help us learn to respect everywhich way one adores you and worships you.

May God drench and soak us with peaceful thoughts and goodwill.

In your name, we bow to you.

Amen.

Pictures

 # # #

 Mike Ghouse, President of America Together foundation is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day, and is available to speak at your place of worship, work or in seminars and conferences. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace.

The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence by respecting and accepting the otherness of other; and World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam. His work is reflected in 4 website's and 27 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Pluralism prayers at Carrollton City Hall

Prayers at Carrollton City Council

Invocation prayers at Carrollton City Council

7:00 PM, Monday, May 23, 2011

A Carrollton tradition

By Mike Ghouse, Pluralist

# # #

The following is an inclusive prayer called the prayer of Pluralism. We pray for the well being of every resident of Carrollton. 

Let’s reflect, wish and pray:

Dear Creator of the universe,

Please accept our gratitude in every name we call upon you; Manito,  Yahweh, Elahi, Ishwar, Allah, Mahavira, Buddha, Wahe Guru, Ahura Mazda, mother earth and Jesus Christ.  

Dear Causer of the universes,

In your name we want to create a cohesive and peaceful Carrollton with care kindness and dignity to every one of the 130,000 residents of this beautiful City. 

Dear God,

Help us appreciate the prosperity and progress brought to us by our former Mayor, Ron Branson and help us welcome our Mayor-Elect Matthew Marchant and Our re-elected council person Terry Simmons and the incumbent council persons.

Dear God,

Guide our council members to treat,

Respect and honor every resident with their heart and soul.

Let goodwill prevail towards fellow Americans.

Guide our Mayor and the council to serve us with integrity and honesty;
Guide us to serve our communities with the spirit of volunteerism;
Guide us to do the right thing every moment of our life;
Guide us to open our hearts and minds toward our fellow beings;
Guide us to shed the arrogance in us, and enrich us with humility
Guide us to become conflict mitigaters and goodwill nurturers.

Dear God,
Protect our men and women in uniforms committed to our safety and well being.

Help us learn to respect the uniqueness you have blessed to each one of the 130,000 of us in Carrollton,

And help us learn to respect everywhich way one adores you and worships you.

May God drench and soak us with peaceful thoughts and goodwill.

In your name, we bow to you.

Amen.

Pictures

Video:

 # # #

 Mike Ghouse, President of America Together foundation is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day, and is available to speak at your place of worship, work or in seminars and conferences. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace.

The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence by respecting and accepting the otherness of other; and World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam. His work is reflected in 4 website's and 27 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Congratulations to Matthew Marchant

Congratulations to Matthew Marchant for winning the Mayoral election. We are looking forward for his leadership, while appreciating the work done by our former mayor Ron Branson.

I believe there will be run off elections as none of the candiates in place 2 and 4 has secured over 50%

Place 2 - Bonnie Kaplan and Anthony Wilder
Place 4 - Bob Garza and Cathy Henesey

Carrollton election results

I believe there will be run off elections
as neither of them has secured over 50%

Place 2 - Bonnie Kaplan and Anthony Wilder
Place 4 - Bob Garza and Cathy Henesey


 Carrollton election results

Mayor 5301

Matthew Marchant - 3445 - 65%

Ron Branson - 1856- 35%

Place 2 - 4791

Kaplan - 1776 - 37%

Wilder - 1535- 32%

Desai - 1480-31%

Place 4- 4845

Garza - 1807-37.3%

Henesey - 1442 - 29.7%

Wright 1095 - 37.3%

Patel - 501 - 10%

Place 6- 3445

Simmons - 3445 - 100%

Carrollton election results

By James Roth, jroth@acnpapers.com
Published: Saturday, May 14, 2011 11:14 PM CDT
The election results are in for the city of Carrollton. The city will see two new members on the city council and a new mayor. As for the school board, both incumbents have retained their seats.

The city will have a new leader of the city as Matthew Marchant beat out Ron Branson to become the new mayor of Carrollton. Marchant won with 64.99 percent of the vote.

There were three places available for election on the city council along with the mayoral seat. Places available on the city council were Places 2, 4 and 6. Place 6 will be retained by incumbent Terry Simons, who ran unopposed.

In Place 2, three people were looking to win the race. The candidates were Anthony Wilder, Bonnie Kaplan and Pravin Desai. Kaplan will join the board by winning a close race with 37.07 percent of the vote.

Place 4 had four candidates looking to hold the position. Candidates included Cathy Henesey, Tino Patel, Bob Garza and Terry Wright. The winning candidate was Garza, who won with 37.3 percent of the votes.

There were two seats up for election on the school board this year: Places 1 and 2. Both incumbents will retain their seats. In Place 1, incumbent James Goode beat newcomer Randy Schackmann by winning 59.05 percent of the vote. In Place 2, incumbent Nancy Cline beat David Yarbrough with 58.89 percent of the vote.

Additional information on the winners will be provided in this week’s edition of the Carrollton Leader.

Question for the Candidates

Critical questions are often overlooked.

If you recall, this was the same question I have been asking from the previous meetings. Because it is my drive and am going on a nation wide speaking tour to build a cohesive America, I want to start it at my home.

1. What are your plans to bring Carrollton together?
2. What have you done in the city to build bridges?
3. What have you done elsewhere to bring diverse people together?

FOR CANDIDATES ONLY:

Please share your notes at the end of the notes at:

http://carrolltondiary.blogspot.com/2011/05/question-for-candidates_02.html

 

FOR THE PUBLIC, YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR NOTES AT:

http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=1302923677996227284&postID=3383087838130919949

 

I hope to send this link to my lists in Carrollton and also work on sending it as a press release to the media, unless Dallas Morning News or Carrollton Leader chooses to post, both of them I have copied here.

 

Please keep  your postings to under 300 words, a great guideline set by most news papers based on the reader responses.

 

Let the public perceive you in the positive light.

Show us your goodness!

 

Thank you.

 

Mike Ghouse

http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/

 

Carrolltonian Mike Ghouse on Fox News4

Imam Zia Shaikh and I are in the VIDEO Fox 4 News in Dallas at: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/050211-north-texans-react-to-bin-laden%E2%80%99s-death

We had a similar take on the issue, but Fox chose to show two different takes. That is their choice that is not all the things I have said. The following is my take and it will appear in Huffington Post is at: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2011/05/muslims-rejoice-end-of-icon-of-evil-era.html

Fox News
Published: Monday, 02 May 2011, 5:10 PM CDT

DALLAS - As details of Osama bin Laden’s death emerge, many North Texas residents are reacting with feelings of relief, victory, justice and a bit of fear.

Outside former President George Bush’s Dallas home there are signs thanking him for trying to run down bin Laden. A crowd braved the overnight rain to proclaim victory outside the house. Some brought American flags and chanted “USA” in triumph.

North Texans who have lost loved ones in the 911 attacks are still trying to digest the news. Many said they never felt certain that bin Laden was still alive so confirmation of his death at the hands of the United States military brings a sense of relief.

“He’s the face of evil. I know a lot of people don’t believe in true evil, but he was evil,” said Marty Fangman.
Fangman’s younger brother Robert was a 31-year-old flight attendant on Flight 175, the second plane that crashed into the World Trade Center.

Former flight attendant Joni Schippel felt compelled to visit the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial in Grapevine. She finds justice in the death of bin Laden and believes for many people his death ends a decade of resentment.

“We’ve been hanging on to that over 10 years. He just never got what he deserved for what he did to us and our family and friends, people that we knew,” she said. “I’m glad he’s done. I don’t like to say that about anyone who has past but he was not a good person.”

At DFW Airport some of the families of troops departing and arriving for R & R said they’re cautiously optimistic about the news. Some fear that bin Laden’s death will prompt more violence overseas.

"I do think everything will be heightened security wise and maybe there's a chance for retaliation attacks," said Army Lt. Col. Steve Davis.

However, Army Spc. Wade Pantermuehl said the announcement of bin Laden's death during the 30 hour flight home was met with an erruption of cheers.


The Department of Homeland Security has not raised the terror threat level because of bin Laden’s death, but it has warned Americans traveling abroad to be extra careful.

Travelers and flight attendants at the airport said they are just concerned about what happens next.

“The threat’s still out there and it will always be out there because somebody is waiting right behind him to take over. But to have him out of there, the mastermind behind 9/11, I mean it’s just a relief for us,” said Anke Dawson, a flight attendant.

As Robert Jasinki waited for his plane he said bin Laden’s death brings closure for a lot of people. But the war is not over.

“I don’t think we should become complacent at all,” he said.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison applauded the efforts of President Barack Obama, former President Bush and the military for hunting down bin Laden.

“He is the spiritual leader of the terrorist networks that are operating against freedom throughout the world and having the spiritual leader taken out I hope will be a significant impact on the others that would try to do harm to innocent people anywhere in the world,” Hutchison said.

State Sen. Brian Birdwell , an Army lieutenant colonel who was severely injured in the Pentagon on 9/11, said bin Laden’s death was a matter of “personal justice” for him, his family, other victims and the entire community.
"I knew we would see the day the day he would die," Birdwell said. "The question was whether it was natural causes or ours. It was ours. That's good."

Even members of the Muslim community in North Texas said they feel a sense of joy and relief.
World Muslim Congress activist Mike Ghouse said he is so happy with the news he can hardly contain himself. He hopes it will foster an improved Muslim-American relationship.

“Muslims didn’t like the guy as much as other people didn’t because he has done more harm to Muslims and the religion than anyone else ever in the history of mankind,” Ghouse said.

He believes bin Laden’s burial at sea was a good move.

“If he was buried somewhere in the ground somebody would’ve made a shrine out of it which would have been even more dangerous. I am glad he went into the sea. There are no more symbols of him left,” Ghouse said.

Read more on myFOXdfw.com: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/050211-north-texans-react-to-bin-laden%E2%80%99s-death#ixzz1LFISW6I1