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Addison City Council - At-large Positions 2, 4, 6

Chris DeFrancisco

Posted

Editor’s Note: The Branch Herald sent identical questionnaires to all candidates in this race. Responses are published in full and have not been edited for content, clarity or length, except for minor formatting.

This coverage is part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and informed local decision-making in Farmers Branch, Addison and Carrollton.

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1. Name: Chris DeFrancisco
2. Occupation: Commercial Banker
3. Education: BS Finance, University of Alabama & SW Graduate School of Banking, at SMU
4. Campaign Phone: 214.392.3572
7. Facebook:
8. YouTube:
9. Other Social Media:
 
10. Length of residency in the Town of Addison: 27 years
 
11. Why are you running for city council, and why now? My wife Sarah and I knew nothing about the Town of Addison when we found our first home here in 1999. We quickly fell in love with the Town’s parks, trails, Athletic Center and high level of service called the Addison Way. We loved it so much we chose to raise our family here. I’m running because I want to preserve the things all Addison residents love and help plan for an even brighter future!
 
12. What specific experiences have prepared you to serve as city council member? Addison Planning & Zoning Commission, Vice Chair, 2008-2010
Addison City Council, 2011-2015
Addison Planning & Zoning Commission, Chairman, 2020-2024
Addison City Council, Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem, 2024 – Present
 
13. What distinguishes you from the other candidate in this race? My experience, both my Addison experience & professional experience
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14. How many Addison City Council meetings have you attended or watched online in the last year? I’m currently on the Addison City Council, so all of them!
 
15. What do you see as the three most important responsibilities of city council members?
1. To listen and understand the issues of both our residents and business owners….I serve as their voice.
2. Set the Vision & Policies that move the Town forward.
3. Financial Stewardship – allocate public funds wisley
 
16. How will you balance council duties with your professional and personal responsibilities?
 
17. Have you served on any Town of Addison boards or commissions, which ones?
Please see above
 
18. What other civic responsibilities have you undertaken? What other offices have you run for? When? I am the Town of Addison’s liaison to Metrocrest Services, a local non-profit that helps individuals, families and seniors in our community.
 
19. What community organizations do you belong to? Please see
above….
 
20. How accessible do you think council members should be to residents, and how will you ensure accessibility? Very accessible. I am always willing to meet and listen to our residents.
 
21. How would you ensure transparency in town decision-making?
 
22. What do you see as the steepest learning curve if elected?
 
23. What is your vision for Addison over the next five years? A safe, clean and vibrant Addison!
Continue to make Addison a place where you can truly live, work, play AND grow your business! A more walkable community that allows residents, employees and visitors to move safely & seamlessly around our town. A town that accelerates economic growth by attracting high-quality businesses to our office towers that support our restaurant & entertainment district. At the same time, welcome new, smart redevelopment, that will replace some of our tired existing buildings, hotels & residential units. Finally, a commitment to enhancing our green spaces and residential neighborhoods to ensure Addison is an exceptional place to live!
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24. What is the biggest opportunity facing the town right now? For years, Investment has went North of Addison and the “middle” (between 635 & Bush Turnpike) is now getting noticed again. We need to let the North Texas Region know that Addison is open for business!!
 
25. What is the biggest risk or threat facing the town?
 
26. Should Addison remain a member of DART? Why or why not? If the town remains, what changes would you advocate for?
My voting record is clear. A connected Addsion is a better Addison.
 
27. What kind of town do you want Addison to be in 10 years?
 
28. What principles would guide your decisions on property tax rates?
 
29. What areas of the budget deserve closer scrutiny or potential reduction?
 
30. What types of businesses should Addison actively recruit?
 
31. How should Addison approach redevelopment of aging office buildings and commercial properties?
 
32. How would you evaluate the town’s performance on streets, parks and facilities?
 
33. What public safety challenges do you anticipate in the coming years?
 
34. How do you describe your leadership style?
 
35. How do you handle disagreement with colleagues?
 
36. Describe a time when you changed your mind after hearing opposing viewpoints.
 
37. How should Addison balance the interests of residents, businesses, and property owners?
 
38. Addison has far more workers and visitors than residents. How
should that reality influence town decision-making?