Linus Spiller: District 6 City Council candidate

Leading up to the May 3 election, Dallas Free Press is asking questions and publishing answers from the nine District 6 candidates, one of whom will represent West Dallas. Find more information on 60-year-old Linus Spiller and other candidates, plus where and when to vote, in our Dallas Voter Guide.

Where do you live, and how long have you lived there?

I live in a house in the NW Dallas/Bachman Lake area. I have lived at my home since 1996 (29 years).

Did you grow up in Dallas? Where did you live previously?

I grew up in Flint, Michigan and relocated to Arlington, Texas after graduating from high school to attend college. I have previously lived in Dallas in multiple areas including: Red Bird, South Dallas, and East Dallas.

Tell us about your family.

My parents are deceased but were very active in politics and the community. My father was a United Auto Worker local officer and National union representative, and my mother was an elected Water Board Commissioner and School Board member. I have two siblings, am married, have two children and a stepson, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. My family supports my political ambitions and always have.

Have you run for office previously, whether for this seat or others?

Yes.
Dallas City Council, District 6 (2003 – Lost)
Dallas City Council, District 6 (2005 – Lost)
Dallas ISD Board of Trustees – District 1 (2006 – Lost)
Dallas ISD Board of Trustees – District 1 (2009 – Lost)
Dallas City Council, District 6 (2017 – Lost)

What is the main reason you are running for this seat at this time?

Residents in NW Dallas/Bachman Lake and West Dallas asked me to reconsider running again despite the sordid outcome of the 2017 contest. I took it under advisement and decided to run again because the same priorities in both areas demanded attention: Public safety, affordable housing, economic development, and city services delivery. I added education and career development because there is a strong need to equip residents with the skills needed to secure employment in high-demand fields in our local economy which will have a direct impact on our priorities.

What is one thing that needs to change in West Dallas, and what policies will you create or activate to make that happen?

Public safety is at the top of the list of priorities because without safe communities, affordable housing, economic development, education and career development, and city services delivery remain challenges.

The lack of urgency displayed by the city council following the recent passage of Proposition U translates into continuing public safety issues in District 6. I will work with city stakeholders to develop a strategy for meeting our mandate and hiring the officers needed, with a strong emphasis having an equitable percentage assigned to our NW and SW patrol divisions.

Likewise, economic development in West Dallas outside of the Trinity Groves area shows a lack of a business infrastructure. I will work with the city’s Economic Development office to engage the business community through available incentives to encourage their presence and investment in the West Dallas area for the purpose of growing the city’s tax base and spurring job creation.

What is one thing that needs to stay the same in West Dallas, and what policies will you create or activate to make that happen?

The spirit and tenacity of West Dallas residents needs to stay the same despite decades of city neglect, environmental injustice, poor city service delivery, insufficient economic development, poor street/road infrastructure, and out of control gentrification. What needs to change doesn’t require policy creation or activation but the direct efforts of the incoming council representative with trust and accountability regarding critical city information, processes, upcoming initiatives and projects. The District 6 representative must be a straight shooter and not just show up every two years asking for a vote when residents can’t see what you done. As a result, residents are disengaged and believe they have no voice. One upcoming example is high speed rail slated to go through a section of West Dallas. How will the District 6 representative engage the community when trust is no longer there following current gentrification of West Dallas when residents were blindsided?

What other community and civic roles have you held in Dallas, especially in West Dallas? (We asked candidates to list up to 10 roles.)

Dallas Independent School District
Bond 2020 Campaign
Member, Finance Sub-Committee
Service period: 10/2019 – 05/2020

Dallas Independent School District
John Lewis Social Justice Academy at Oliver Wendell Holmes
Chairperson, Site-Based Decision-Making Committee
Service period: 08/2019 – 05/2024

United Black Ellument (U-BE)
Advisory Board Member – *Affiliated with the University of California at San Francisco
Service period: 01/2010 – 12/2010

City of Dallas Office of Strategic Customer Services
Advisory Board Member, Loving My Community (City Council Appointment)
Service period: 06/2009 – 9/2010

City of Dallas Martin Luther King, Jr. Library Friends/Support Group
Vice-President
Service period: 04/2009 – 12/2010

Dallas Independent School District – Leonidas Cigarroa Elementary School
Chairperson, Site-Based Decision-Making Committee
Service period: 10/2007 – 05/2008

City of Dallas Environment Health Services
Board Member, Environmental Health Commission (City Council Appointment)
Service period: 05/2003 – 01/2005

Dallas County Grand Jury, District Attorney Division
Assistant Jury Foreman, Panel B
Service period: 01/2011 – 03/2011

City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs
Grant Panel Review Member, Cultural Projects Program (City Council Appointment)
Service period: 04/2010 – 09/2016

Bluitt-Flowers Community Health Center
Board Member
Service period: 2/2010 – 12/2012

What is the job of a Dallas city council member?

A Dallas City Council member per the city charter is responsible for setting city policy and adopting ordinances that govern daily operations, fiduciary oversight, setting the city tax rate, issuing and selling municipal bonds for needed capital improvements and other areas, annual budget approval, purchasing and selling city property, appointment of key city officials, establishing city departments and services to be provided to residents, advocating for the interest of their districts constituents, and representing the city at community meetings, city functions, and high profile events in their elected capacity.

How will you approach this job on a day-to-day basis?

I will approach my capacity as an elected official for my constituents, Dallas residents, and other stakeholders based on the five priorities set by the city manager in her 100-Day Plan following her appointment. Those priorities are: Public safety, homelessness and housing, financial stability, targeted economic growth, and basic city services. My daily/monthly/semi-annual/annual goal setting combined with direct feedback from my constituents and lobbying other council members for passage of the priorities needed for District 6 will guide my work and the trust voters provided me to govern effectively.

If you lose, would you be willing to serve as an appointee to a City board or commission? Yes or no?

Yes

If you win, would you be willing to appoint your fellow candidates to a City board or commission? Yes or no?

Yes

What distinguishes you from your fellow candidates?

My campaign motto is “Experience Matters!” because even though I have not served in an elected capacity, I have functioned in key areas most of the other candidates have not and that will make me an adept council representative. I have worked in banking, loan operations, nonprofit administration, staffing/talent acquisition, project management, contract administration, career services, education, and grants administration. I am a public servant and for the PEOPLE, not for politics and games at City Hall. I get results and will hit the ground running after inauguration.

Is there anything we haven’t asked that voters should know?

My spouse and I have been long-term canine pet owners, and I strongly encourage residents to consider adopting a canine from Dallas Animal Services. Not only do our furry family members provide companionship and comfort, but they are also effective in our public safety efforts. If a potential criminal knocks on your door and hears excessive barking, they will retreat immediately. While blocking for this race, I noticed a good percentage of District 6 residents are pet owners, but I would like to see more. Every little bit in the public safety fight helps!

Linus Spiller can be reached at 945.354.9636. His email is electlinusspillercampaign@gmail.com. His campaign website is electlinusspillercampaign.com.

Dallas Free Press requested answers to these questions from all candidates for Dallas City Council District 6 and published the responses we’ve received. Find other candidate responses, forums and resources related to the Dallas City Council District 6 election here. Find all voter resources at dallasfreepress.com/vote.