Forest Hill City Council

Members serve two-year terms and are unpaid. The council sets policies and goals for the city, adopts the annual budget and sets the tax rate. Over the years, Forest Hill has had its share of controversy, including a recall election, an ethics investigation of the mayor and litigation over the firing of City Manager David Vestal.

Place 1

Name: Damian Eugeen Dalcour

Age: 33

Occupation: General contractor

Online: none

Background: Bachelor's degree in architectural engineering and master's degree in community development from Prairie View A&M University. Member of the city's Planning and Zoning board. Member of Black Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth.

About the candidate: Dalcour believes he can use his community development background to help the city. "The name of my business is Christian Helpers for Humanity. You will not find a stronger individual than a volunteer."

Name: Malinda Miller

Age: 62

Occupation: Licensed vocational nurse

Online: none

Background: Bachelor's degree in criminal law and master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. Volunteers with Friends of the Library. Former Meals on Wheels volunteer.

About the candidate: Miller served on the council from 1997-2005 and was mayor from 1999-2003. She was targeted in a 2005 recall election after the controversial firing of City Manager David Vestal. Miller favors beautification and code enforcement. "If you fall off of a horse, you don't just sit there. You get back up, and you learn from experience and get stronger."

Place 2

Name: James Edward Overton (incumbent)

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired

Online: none

Background: Graduate of Dunbar High School. Served on parks and recreation board.

About the candidate: Overton has been a council member for nine years. He called for closer scrutiny of gas well safety regulations after a worker was killed when a valve blew off a wellhead in 2006.

Name: Lyndia Thomas

Age: 56

Occupation: Manager, U.S. Postal Service

Online: none

Background: Bachelor's degree in psychology from Texas Wesleyan University, management and accounting degrees from Tarrant County College.

About the candidate: Thomas served on the city's celebration committee and its Planning and Zoning board. She said Forest Hill needs new businesses and a youth center. She said her management skills will help the city move forward.

Place 3

Incumbent Gerald Joubert is unopposed and will keep his seat until 2010.