Priscilla Shacklett: Why I’m Running For Dallas City Council District 13

By Priscilla Shacklett
Special Contributor

I’m Priscilla Shacklett, and I’m running against Gay Donnell Willis for Dallas City Council District 13. The election is May 6.

I have business experience that applies directly to the Dallas City Council job. I haven’t been groomed in the political backrooms (commissions, etc.) to learn the protocols. I’m coming in fresh and ready to dig into where the city’s money is and where it’s going. I will get to the heart of matters and be responsive to concerned citizens like me.

District 13 is not improving under the current leadership. It’s getting worse. That’s why I’m running.  

I will stop homeless encampments. I see the same humans recycling under different bridges all the time. I will get a handle on the homelessness resources at the city council’s disposal and make sure they are effectively used.  

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Crime is on the upswing. I totally support police presence and law enforcement — crime and traffic laws. Our streets are still in poor shape. The infrastructure funds need to be used to resurface streets and paint lane lines. The libraries where kids are supposed to study and feel safe have become inclement day homeless shelters under Willis.  

Willis was a proud part of the recent 10-1 vote to affirm Dallas as an abortion sanctuary city and also a mecca for illegal immigrants seeking quick Medicaid and inexpensive medical care. There was absolutely no reason for our city to make such a proclamation. I’ve called our district officials recently on a few occasions regarding immediate issues, with no useful response. There is no transparency if you are looking for basic information. I’m just a regular citizen who experiences what everyone else does and I know things need to change for our district and the city as a whole.  

Education And Work Experience

I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and education from the University of Colorado and an associate’s degree in early childhood development.

I was born and raised in California and am married with three grown children and five grandchildren. I worked in revenue accounting for 12 years at PacBell (AT&T).   

I have hands-on experience as a manager preparing, tracking, and reconciling massive budgets and results. I worked as a programmer, systems analyst, and in administrative services. I took an early retirement that was offered to all employees.

I was elected to a position with the Contra Costa County, Calif., Republican Central Committee. It was very much like our Dallas County Republican Party, but the public votes to select members. Once elected, the committee chose me to be the treasurer. We reached out to get candidates, vetted them, raised funding for them, and publicized them. We also took stands on various public issues appearing on ballots.

Real Estate And Childcare Advocacy

My husband and I built a small housing subdivision from scratch.  We experienced all of the issues big developers face: land purchase, permitting, hiring contractors, financing, city planner interaction, marketing, selling, and writing covenants, conditions, and restrictions.

I was a certified relocation specialist in California and a licensed Realtor for 12 years with residential and some commercial properties. I was ranked nationally among the top producers in our company. My business was based on referrals.  I successfully evaluated property values (current and potential) for my clients and banks. I was responsible for hundreds of contracts (transactions) and was acutely aware of how to write, read, and honor detailed contracts. My clients varied from corporate CEOs to young single adults.  I’m still in touch with many who remain friends.

We moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Dallas in 2011 because our daughter was expecting a baby. Both she and her husband worked full-time and could not find trusted childcare for their baby.  

We successfully survived the big housing bubble burst of 2009 and were working hard at the time in real estate but welcomed the opportunity to help our daughter.  We have always saved our money and were able to complete our remaining escrows while relocating to Dallas.  We instantly loved Dallas and I was able to be our grandson’s surrogate mom full-time from infancy until he started fifth grade in public school last year.  Because of him and with him I’ve enjoyed our parks, libraries, arboretum, museums, school meetings, school pick-up lines, etc. up until a year ago.  I can honestly relate to current child-related issues as I am experiencing them, too.

In the last year-plus, I’ve been able to get involved in elections. I served as a poll watcher in polling locations around the county as well as at Dallas County Central Count headquarters.  I’ve met with Elections Administrator Michael Scarpello regarding observed irregularities.  I served as the presiding election judge at Walnut Hill Recreation Center. Child protection issues are important to me and I’ve been actively involved with other concerned citizens.

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CandysDirt.com has extended an invitation to all Dallas City Council candidates to share with our readers why they’re seeking public office. Want to announce your candidacy? Email us at [email protected].