Mansfield voter’s guide for City Council, Place 5, in the May 3 election
Voters in Mansfield will decide the mayor’s race and three spots on the City Council: Places 1, 2 and 5. Early voting for the May 3 elections is from April 22-29.
Eric Rozak
Age: 53
Campaign website: https://RozakforMansfield.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Website, FB or email: eric@rozakformansfield.com
Occupation: Construction and property adjustments/estimates
Education: Associates Degree with additional education in Business Administration and the real world
Have you run for elected office before?
No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Mansfield.
Personally, do volunteering at food pantries and several other charities in town. Small business advocate.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Never any lawsuits. In 2008, as a custom home builder we lost most of what we had due to the severe financial collapse. We stayed in business long enough to ensure all vendors were paid and clients jobs completed, but eventually the banks won the battle, so we had to file for bankruptcy due to all the lots we had in inventory without any lending options available to us or future clients. Banks got all the land and resold eventually; we got the 1099 tax burden. Tough times for everyone then.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Self funded
Why are you seeking this office?
As a small business owner and 24 year resident, I am concerned with the current climate for small businesses and the accelerated pace of growth in Mansfield.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Infrastructure needs to be addressed (This more than just roads, but FD, PD as well as other city services) and need to “catch-up with the growth.
How will you measure your success?
As an elected city council member, I will measure my(our) success by the level of increased clarity (beyond just transparency) while effectively guiding the current development projects and maintaining fiscal restraint. Outpacing services and community expectations while chasing tax dollars is not a long-term winning strategy. We must ensure we grow, but with control. Mansfield is a very desirable place to live, work and play. Over the next 2-5 years the city will experience huge growth and expansion in all areas. We need to be balanced and prepared for that and in the future.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I offer a different life experience than anyone else, I am a blue-collar small business owner. I am not interested in running with the in crowd. While they are an important dynamic to the city, the regular citizen (like me) just wants less hassle, less taxes, more affordability and a government that provides what is needed but also leaves them alone.
I have 35 years construction, planning, coordination and budgeting experience that will ensure a well-rounded approach to any and all projects or developments coming to Mansfield and their impact on the city budget, taxes and its residents.
Lance Hood
Age: 47
Campaign website: www.HoodForMansfield.org
Best way for voters to reach you: Lance@HoodForMansfield.org
Occupation: High School Administrator
Education: MBA in Business Leadership and Not-for-Profit Management
Have you run for elected office before?
No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Mansfield.
Mansfield Parks Facilities Development Corporation, Board Member Alternate since 2024 / Mansfield Arts Council - Grants Committee Member since 2021 / Active City Volunteer Since 2020 / Participant Alumni Member of Citizen’s Police (2021) and Fire (2023) Academies / Member of Community Emergency Response Team from 2021 to 2024 / Mansfield Soccer Association - Referee Assignor/Mentor since 2020
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
As of filling out this form: My self and my wife and my parents.
Why are you seeking this office?
I want to make an impact in the community that I call home. Mansfield has grown rapidly over the past few years. I do not want to see the opportunities we have in front of us wasted. I was once told, “If a city isn’t growing, it’s dying.” I want to continue growing and rebuilding the community spirit that is starting to dissolve.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
(1) Infrastructure in forms of roads and increased police and fire due to the growing population. (2) Community in the continued development of our parks and trails, maintaining events in the city (Pickle Parade, Arts Week, Music Alley, etc.), and creating new opportunities for community engagement. (3) Communication between the council and the residents through town halls, electronic newsletters, social media, and easy access to members.
How will you measure your success?
This election is to fulfill the remaining two years of this offices three year term. The first 3-4 months will be learning and growing. Even in that time, however, I can work on the third priority of my campaign which is communication. Ensuring voters know what I am learning and seeing. Then, it will be building a budget and goals based on community surveys, communication, and first-hand knowledge. Success will be seen by the continued growth and development of the Mansfield Entertainment District, and ensuring other projects remain on track or get reevaluated as necessary.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I am the typical Mansfield resident. I am not a lifelong resident. I am not independently wealthy. I don’t own a business. I don’t own property other my house, which I am still paying off. I have experience. I have the know how. And...most importantly...I have the drive to make a positive impact in assisting this city with its growth while continuing to keep the community feeling we have grown to love.
Todd A. Simmons
Age: 58
Campaign website:
Best way for voters to reach you: electtoddsimmons@gmail.com or 682-261-9007
Occupation: Financial Advisor
Education: Bachelor’s in Political Science and Accounting, minor in Computer Info Systems, and MBA
Have you run for elected office before?
No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Mansfield.
Mansfield: Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Advisory Board
Member of Walnut Ridge Baptist Church since 2001, teach Sunday School and serve as Deason, past finance committee member, including chair
Mansfield Kiwanis Club, 19 years, President twice and LT Governor, Key Club Sponsor
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, multiple Community Council Committees for fund raising, Mansfield ISD, District Wide Education Improvement Committee
MISD, Multiple Site Based Committees on various campuses
Mansfield Area Chamber Member, Board of Directors, including chair
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Never
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Never
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
myself, Marty Melton, Edward McGough
Why are you seeking this office?
Mansfield is growing, we are attractive to businesses wanting to locate here. We need to choose great community partners who will give back to the community while locating corporate HQ, manufacturing facilities, and innovation incubators in Mansfield. We also need more affordable housing as our average home price is over $500k and new homes are over $700k. As we grow there needs to be a refocus on infrastructure, streets, drainage, water and sewer, and public safety. I want us to continue driving while looking through the windshield, not the rear view mirror.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1. Fully evaluate any project proposed for fiscal and community impact. 2. Strive for diversifying our tax base and continue to lower our tax rate. 3. Ensure that our public safety and municipal employees are earning a competitive salary (top 10 in N. Texas.)
How will you measure your success?
1. Have at least one new company relocate to Mansfield bringing their HQ and a manufacturing facility. 2. improve the overall sense of community and reduce the division we are currently experiencing. 3. Maintain or lower our current tax rate.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
My history of volunteerism and activity in our community proves of a willingness to serve. My education and work experience also gives me a unique perspective to analyze projects and proposals from a fiscal as well as community partner standpoint. I am campaigning from a positive position. My team is running FOR Mansfield, not against the other candidates. We want to keep moving forward in a smart manner and not turn the clock back to a slow or no growth era. Todd Simmons is dedicated, qualified, and willing to serve.
Melissa Perez
Did not respond.