Qualifications for Lewisville City Council (Updated)

• Has high intellectual capacity, and able to look beyond the superficial and quickly understand the nuance and complexity of the issues that face government.
• Has lived in the City of Lewisville a sufficient length of time to understand the demographics, the trends, the history, and the shared values of our citizens. Definitely not less than 5 years, but preferably more than 10.
• Has an up-to-date voter registration and a good history of voting in all elections, especially local ones, which evidence a long-term concern for local issues.
• Has demonstrated leadership by serving on one or more of the City's boards or commissions.
• Has demonstrated commitment to the City by volunteering for, or supporting one or more of the City's non-profit or civic groups.
• Is more dedicated to the City of Lewisville than to a political party or ideology.
• Has consistently followed City Council actions, attended meetings, workshops, budget hearings, and retreats.
• Is not using the office for personal achievement or gain, or as a stepping stone to higher office.
• Understands the relationship between city services, property values and quality of life.
• Demonstrates compassion for mankind by charity.
• Lives to a high standard of ethics in all that they do.
• Pays their taxes
• Puts the health and safety of the citizens above all else.
• Capable of listening to multiple points of view, and ensuring that all concerns are heard and addressed.
• Dedicated to seeking truthful information.
• Doesn't have character flaws or a severe or untreated mental illness that would interfere with or distract from accomplishing the City's business.
• The candidate should not have an axe to grind. In other words, he or she should not be running because of a strong feeling or passion about one issue, or because the council ticked you off about something. The person MUST be able to put single issues behind them and focus on all the other issues that will come before them without having their judgment clouded by holding grudges over votes on the issue they feel strongest about. (Borrowed from Ken, below)
• Has the ability to understand the differences between local, state, and federal government issues, and work within the scope and constraints imposed on local government from above. (Borrowed from BC - via Facebook)
• Must be honest and truthful, and hold truthfulness as a strong personal value. Liars have no business in a position of public trust. Honesty is paramount.

• Race, ethnicity, gender or sexual preference
• Religious affiliation, church attendance, or lack of affiliation. Anyone can profess a belief, but actions speak louder than words. It is at worst bigoted, and at best mentally lazy to vote for someone because they follow the same theology as you do, or vote against them because they believe or worship differently than you.
• Political party affiliation or activism. Local government is non-partisan for a reason. Partisan issues typically have no outlet at the local level because local government is constrained by higher government. Further, hyper-partisanship is detrimental because it polarizes and divides people who need to be working together on solutions that satisfy a broad consensus.

• Being a liar. Someone who will lie for you will lie to you. There is no value to lying even when one thinks the end justifies the means, since a liar usually lies to himself about the end and the means.
• Having a recent or serious criminal record or pending criminal case. A lot of people make dumb decisions when they're young, or do something minor like get a traffic ticket, and that's not what I'm talking about.
• Running for personal or business gain. If you're in it to pad your resume, or get publicity for yourself or your business, then save everyone's time and find something else to do. You need to care about the City.
• Being a racist or a bigot. There is no place in government at all for anyone who looks down on people for their race, ethnicity, color, gender, or sexual orientation.