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.
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1. Name: Schnell Blanton
2. Occupation: Small Business Entrepreneur and Senior Project Manager
3. Education: Texas Woman's University and LBJ Women’s Campaign School University of Texas School of Public Affairs
4. Campaign Phone: 469 844 3637
7. Facebook: blantonforaddison
8. YouTube: N/A
9. Other Social Media: IG: blantonforaddison
10. Length of residency in the Town of Addison: 6.5 years
11. Why are you running for city council, and why now? I believe leadership starts with service to our neighbors and serving everyone. I have a background in small business and corporate HR. I have good people skills and budget skills.
12. What specific experiences have prepared you to serve as city council member? I have served as President of my HOA, Airport Advisory Committee and co-authored Addison CARES to support our Seniors. The current Council adopted the ADDISON C.A.R.E.S. program for single family homes. I will now ask that this service be available to all Addison residents. Seniors and vulnerable residents live in apartment communities as well.
13. What distinguishes you from the other candidate in this race? I am an entrepreneur at heart. I built a wine and spirits distribution company from scratch, creating jobs and dealing with tough TABC laws and making payroll. I bring real-world fiscal discipline. I understand our Town’s budget doesn’t mean blank checks.
14. How many Addison City Council meetings have you attended or watched online in the last year? I have attended or watched the majority of them last year and this year.
15. What do you see as the three most important responsibilities of city council Members? Balanced Budget, Public Safety and retaining our Men and Women of Fire and Police with competitive salaries, Redevelopment and Regional Connectivity with DART.
16. How will you balance council duties with your professional and personal responsibilities? Last year with my job, I volunteered over 500 hours. Service is a part of life for me. I also volunteer with the Addison Midday Rotary Club truly embracing Service Above Self. I am used to managing a busy schedule.
17. Have you served on any Town of Addison boards or commissions, which ones?
18. What other civic responsibilities have you undertaken? What other offices have you run for? When? Addison Citizens Academy: Foster greater civic engagement
Addison Midday Rotary Club: Active Member committed to "Service Above Self."
Addison Airport Advisory Board: Appointed Member contributing to strategic economic growth.
Addison Place HOA: Board President
Leadership Metrocrest: Class 35 2025-2026
LBJ Women’s Campaign School - 2025
19. What community organizations do you belong to? Midday Rotary Club, St Luke Community UMC, WNBA Dallas Wings PRIDE Champion of Change.
20. How accessible do you think council members should be to residents, and how will you ensure accessibility? You should be accessible to the town residents. I will be available via direct communication via email. The town residents should never have to continuously call you and wait for answers. I would take the approach of having one off community meetings or schedule Chat’s with a council member and ask for a rotating schedule with the other members of informal sessions where we just listen to the community and come back with actionable items.
21. How would you ensure transparency in town decision-making? Support clear, honest communication. The town should have access to easy to read budget summaries and proactive updates so residents are not caught off guard.
22. What do you see as the steepest learning curve if elected? The red tape of inter-govermental relations. My experience with TABC and corporate HR has taught me how to navigate complex regulations.
23. What is your vision for Addison over the next five years? An upgraded more modern town that has updated its infrastructure, continues updating streets and for us to remain a destination for people to come in from all over to live, play and work all while protecting our vulnerable neighbors.
24. What is the biggest opportunity facing the town right now? The DART Silver Line and being connected to the region. If we stay connected and leverage this right, we can attract businesses and a workforce that keeps our economy growing.
25. What is the biggest risk or threat facing the town? Aging infrastructure and any shift in commercial real estate. We will have to be proactive about redevelopment of old outdated spaces so the tax burden doesn’t fall on our residents.
26. Should Addison remain a member of DART? Why or why not? If the town remains, what changes would you advocate for? Yes, I fully support Addison remaining with DART. Our economic growth depends on connectivity. To attract businesses, support our workforce and stay competitive, we need reliable public transit. I will continue to champion the essential services DART provides and ensure our investment in the Silver Line drives economic growth while providing mobility for our residents that need to arrive at our local restaurants and businesses in a safe and timely manner.
27. What kind of town do you want Addison to be in 10 years? A community that you can age in place, where business wants to be and where neighborhoods like Addison Circle are still safe quiet gems.
28. What principles would guide your decisions on property tax rates? Efficiency and Purpose. I believe that every dollar should be spent with a clear goal. If it doesn’t strengthen our future or support our residents, we should not spend it.
29. What areas of the budget deserve closer scrutiny or potential reduction? I would look at non-essential consultant spending.
30. What types of businesses should Addison actively recruit? High-tech firms and businesses that partner with our local infrastructure that create high-quality jobs.
31. How should Addison approach redevelopment of aging office building managing commercial properties? We need to be intentional with high density redevelopment where it makes sense all while protecting each neighborhood and managing traffic.
32. How would you evaluate the town’s performance on streets, parks and facilities? Stay ahead of the growth instead of just maintaining drainage and roads. Be proactive instead of reactive,
33. What public safety challenges do you anticipate in the coming years? Short term rentals and extended stay motels. We must enforce our ordinances to make sure our neighborhoods are safe. I will always advocate for competitive pay to recruit and maintain the best Police and Fire professionals. We should also ensure our seniors and vulnerable neighbors have the advocacy and resources they need.
34. How do you describe your leadership style? Collaborative and results-driven. I listen first, fact find for myself and then ask for input from the residents. I am not afraid to make tough decisions.
35. How do you handle disagreement with colleagues? With integrity and respect. You can disagree on a policy without being disrespectful. We are all human and deserve respect.
36. Describe a time when you changed your mind after hearing opposing viewpoints? I actually used to be against more apartments, thinking we already had enough. But after talking to others and hearing their points, I’ve shifted my stance. I now realize that strategic redevelopment is essential to the town. Instead of letting older structures become outdated, we should modernize because it encourages economic growth.
37. How should Addison balance the interests of residents, businesses, and property owners? We have to be fair. Both have to realize it’s a partnership. Residents need to be reminded that we need businesses to keep taxes low and we need residents to make the town a place that businesses want to be.
38. Addison has far more workers and visitors than residents. How should that reality influence town decision-making? Making our public safety and infrastructure a priority. We will continue to welcome our visitors but the council’s decisions must protect the quality of life for those of us who call Addison home sweet
