Brenda Smith
Biographical Age: 74 Family: 1 son; husband deceased; 3 grandchildren Current residence city: DeKalb, TX How long have you resided there? 32 years Top three degrees and/ or educational achievements: Bachelors of Fine Arts from NTSU, now University of North Texas Current job/employer and your top three occupational achievements: Taught k-12 for 10 years in Shreveport & Baton Rouge, LA. Retired from DeKalb ISD High School. Art and H.S. Honors Art for 23 years.
Presented at the State TAEA conference on how to write a grant and the requirements for completing it. Wrote and re-ceived a grant from the Texas Art Educators Association (TAEA) to help fund a historic community mural and a HS Hallway mural. High School Art Students, local artists and volunteers were involved in painting both murals.
Ran the Oktoberfest Art Show for 9 years.
Current City Councilwoman for DeKalb 20202026 Political Why do you want the office you are seeking? As the current councilwoman in Place 1, I want to continue being a positive part of the progress in making the City of DeKalb the best it can be and a safe community that will encourage growth in our city’s population, new businesses and more employment opportunities.
What qualifies you to hold the office you are seeking? As a councilwoman for the past 6 years, I have always been dependable, spent time studying city issues and am not afraid to pose questions when necessary. Having written and received a grant, I know how much extra effort goes into not only writing the grant but fulfilling the obligations to the state or federal entities.
What will be your top priority/priorities elected into office and how do you plan to address them? We are currently in the process of replacing 100 fire hydrants throughout the city. I will continue supporting and voting on any changes and improvements to our current water system.
When the construction on HWY 82 and Grizzly Road are completed, my top priorities will be to plan and work with the community, Keep DeKalb Beautiful, Chamber of Commerce and Oktoberfest Committee to begin restoring landscapes and trees.
What do you see as the major needs in your city? Growth of our Industrial Park, new downtown businesses, increasing employment opportunities. Providing the DeKalb Police Department with additional officers and purchasing needed equipment for our Public Works Department and Police Department.
If you could initiate one change, what would it be? More community involvement with the upkeep of properties for those needing assistance.
As an elected official, your constituents expect transparency. What are your views on transparency in government, and how could your position improve in this area? I answer questions honestly when asked about city business. The more the citizens know about City issues, the more helpful they can be.
Deborah Allen
Biographical Age: 67 Family: Husband - William Allen; Two grandsons - James Lange and Jonathan Lange Current Residence: DeKalb How long have you lived there? 12 years, 9 months Top three degrees and/ or educational achievements: High school diploma; UMA Current job/employer and your top three occupational achievements: Retired/Disabled, 16 years as a Dog Groomer; 3 years as a personal assistant at H&R Block Political Why do you want the office you are seeking? City is in need of a change from long-time members What qualifies you to hold the office you are seeking? I am a mother/ grandmother who has managed my household for 47 years. I was asked to run for this position and have prayed about it long and hard. I am by no means a politician. I am a concerned citizen who sees that a change is needed. We the people deserve honesty and transparency.
What will be your top priority/priorities elected into office and how do you plan to address them? Honesty and transparency are my top priorities. My plan is to listen to the people and help the counsel come together with a resolution to each issue that arises. What do you see as the major needs in your city? Transparency and honesty If you could initiate one change, what would it be? Transparency As an elected official, your constituents expect transparency. What are your views on transparency in government, and how could your position improve in this area? Transparency is an absolute must in order for the people to feel they can trust the government. Letting people come to our meetings and have the right to voice their grievances without fearing they had not been heard. Everyone has a right to talk to their counsel members about things they feel are not right. I myself will not sit and ignore people who want to speak at our meetings or otherwise. I want to hear from them what is on their minds.
