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Irving candidates stress infrastructure, jobs and COVID response at League forum
Summary
Mayoral and council candidates at the League of Women Voters forum emphasized infrastructure and jobs, broadly supported postponing a $563 million bond to May 2021, and outlined COVID-era measures including a proposed $1 million small-business relief fund.
At a League of Women Voters candidate forum in Irving, mayoral and council candidates framed infrastructure, economic recovery and pandemic response as their top priorities as the city heads toward the 2020 elections.
Mayor Rick Stoeffer, the incumbent, cited long-term service and economic growth as accomplishments and argued Irving has grown to be a major job center: “we have 240,000 people that live here, but we have 250,000 jobs.” He also described efforts to coordinate with state and county leaders on COVID-19 response and said the city planned a new small-business assistance measure: “we will have on our agenda this week another $1,000,000 that we will be issuing out to small businesses at $50,000 apiece,” he said.
Challenger Olivia Novello Abreu said she would focus on representing underserved communities and supporting small businesses, telling viewers she would “represent underserved communities” and foster partnerships across public, private and nonprofit sectors.
Council and council-place candidates varied in emphasis but shared common themes. Oscar Ward and other council members highlighted infrastructure and economic development projects such as Toyota Music Factory and Water Street. One council speaker described the bond package under discussion as “about $563,000,000,” and several candidates, including Stoeffer and Olivia, said postponing the bond election to May 2021 was prudent so voters could be fully informed.
On pandemic measures, candidates broadly supported public-health guidance. Mohammad Akbar — describing his experience working on SARS research — urged rapid detection, protective measures and close coordination with state and federal partners. Abdul Abdul Khabir emphasized following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and seeking state funding for small-business support.
Candidates also addressed zoning and variances. Some said an outdated code has produced many variance requests and urged measured reform, while others emphasized due process and careful citizen appeals.
The forum followed a structured format: brief opening statements, a sequence of topic questions covering accomplishments, priorities, COVID-19 response, the postponed bond election, zoning, outreach to diverse residents and closing remarks. The moderator and League organizers encouraged participation and directed viewers to vote411.org for more election information. Early voting runs Oct. 13–30; Election Day is Nov. 3.
The League held a second session focused on Irving ISD board races immediately after this forum.
