Dallas Morning News, Metro Section, Page 1, Sunday, February 10, 2008

Longevity at issue in Collin race

Cole cites 18 years in office; Reeves, Shaheen call for term limits, change

By ED HOUSEWRIGHT/ehousewright@dallasnews.com

Phyllis Cole touts her 18 years' experience as a Collin County commissioner as one of her greatest strengths. Her knowledge and track record should persuade voters to keep her in office, she says.

But her two opponents in the March 4 Republican primary call Ms. Cole's long tenure a liability. Douglas Reeves and Matt Shaheen say they offer new ideas and energy that a longtime incumbent does not.

Early voting for the election begins Feb. 19. The winner faces no Democratic opposition in the November general election.

Mr. Shaheen and Mr. Reeves both favor term limits for commissioners, who set the county budget and tax rate.

"Being in office for that period of time, I think one tends to lose touch with constituents," said Mr. Shaheen, 42.

Mr. Reeves said he's found many residents of Precinct 1 who can't name their county commissioner. The district encompasses West Plano and west Frisco.

"I think there's a dearth in leadership," said Mr. Reeves, 57.

Ms. Cole responds that she has not lost touch with constituents.

"Anybody in Collin County will tell you I'm very much in touch with the people," said Ms. Cole, 61. "I concentrate on getting out, going to meetings and making myself available to people to talk to me without coming to my office."

She said the county faces complex issues that she is best equipped to handle, such as financing road improvements.

"County government is very intense and very complicated," she said. "It takes a number of years to get up to speed."

Ms. Cole was appointed commissioner to fill an unexpired term in 1990. She won election in 1992 and has been re-elected three times.

She said she's proud of her record on a range of issues. For instance, she and other commissioners voted in 2003 to freeze property taxes for seniors. Commissioners also cut the tax rate a half-cent per $100 valuation in 2006. Ms. Cole, vice chairwoman of the county health care foundation, also said the county has improved health care services.

Mr. Shaheen, a first-time candidate, criticizes Ms. Cole for voting to raise commissioners' salaries several times in recent years. Commissioners now earn $107,387 a year.

He favors cutting the property tax rate and reducing county spending. He said the county's $255 million budget has grown too large.

"I would call for a freeze in overhead spending, such as general and administrative costs, which have grown at an exorbitant rate," Mr. Shaheen said.

Mr. Reeves is making his second bid for public office. He ran unsuccessfully for Precinct 4 justice of the peace in 2006. He received about 12 percent of the vote, finishing third in a field of four. Incumbent Mike Yarbrough won re-election.

Mr. Reeves said county government should focus on core functions, such as transportation and law enforcement.

"When faced with decisions on funding, I will always ask myself, 'What is the role of government?' " he said. "If elected, I will run the county government like a business."

Ms. Cole said she scrutinizes county spending and believes the budget has had to keep pace with the fast-growing county.

"When the population grows, the budget has to grow, particularly in the justice system," she said.

Ms. Cole said she doesn't think commissioners' salaries are too high. She said they set their salaries based on what commissioners in other large counties earn. In the future, she proposes that a citizen committee be formed to set commissioners' pay.

Ms. Cole has raised far more money than her challengers. Through January, her contributions totaled $48,580, according to finance reports filed with the county elections department. Mr. Shaheen had raised $13,565, and Mr. Reeves had brought in $1,725, records show.