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Community health care. Improved housing opportunities. Zero-tolerance for absentee slumlords. Community policing. Neighborhood and commercial re-development. The country’s largest transit-oriented development district.
Any of these on its own would be enough of a rallying cry for an elected official. But for the Mayor of Irving, Texas, Herbert Gears, all are a high and constant priority.
An active community resident for more than 25 years, Gears served for six years on the Irving City Council before being elected to his first term as Mayor in 2005, a post he was re-elected to in 2008.
Mayor Gears was instrumental in developing a partnership between Dallas County, Parkland Hospital and Baylor Health Systems to build the system’s first Community-Oriented Primary Care Clinic, providing medical care for Irving residents without health insurance.
Mayor Gears worked with the community to secure more than $30 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, helping provide improved housing for seniors, better dental care for children, and additional funding for the YMCA, Irving Cares, the Salvation Army, Brighter Tomorrows, and dozens of other community organizations.
The Mayor’s focused vision – and his mantra of “no limiting beliefs” – has allowed the city to keep resident’s taxes low, while pursuing aggressive economic development – and re-development – initiatives. His willingness to provide creative incentives, infrastructure and services for targeted big picture developments are allowing the city to see unprecedented economic growth in every corridor. Strict code enforcement, a focus on neighborhood vitality, and public safety are keys to this success as well. |
