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Leatherwood
“I never had any intention of being mayor,” said incumbent Dublin mayoral candidate David Leatherwood. “I just felt I needed to run.”
This was 10 years ago. Leatherwood feels things have improved in that time, but there is still more to do.
“There’s a lot that I’m proud of,” Leatherwood said. “I can’t take credit for it all but I feel I’ve been a part of it.”
One of these accomplishments is combating sewer issues in a way that was fiscally responsible to Dublin residents. Leatherwood recalled the push to completely rebuild the sewer treatment plant as a mechanical system rather than the existing lagoon location.
Leatherwood was talking to another city representative who was discussing recently installing a new lagoon system. Leatherwood went back to the engineers and asked about cleaning and renovating the existing system which resulted in a project that was a few hundred thousand dollars versus the excess of a million.
proud to be able to support Dublin’s first responder agencies, recalling the resolving of issues with Dublin EMS licensing several years ago which hampered the collection of funds for service calls.
He credited EMS, Dublin Volunteer Fire Department and Dublin PD for doing good work and adds he feels public works has just got better, noting their responsiveness when he approaches them with issues such as street damage from a recent construction crew in the city.
“The city is always a work in progress, but I’m proud of what Dublin is doing,” he said. “I’m proud I’ve got good people in position.”
Leatherwood said former City Manager Nancy Wooldridge was responsible for a lot of progress in town and feels current City Manager Bobby Mendez is “taking us the rest of the way.”
He also commends City Secretary Melissa Minor on her work and Public Works director Cory James for his responsiveness.
Leatherwood admits that code enforcement regulations has been a “fine edged sword” with some council members in the past split on how it needs to be handled, but feels that the city needs to work with home owners while upholding the code.
Leatherwood said two projects he would really like to see develop are the renovation of the City Park building and the train depot, noting the potential of the “magnificent building” that was gifted to the city.
Leatherwood said he tries to keep an open door for concerned citizens.
“I try to talk to anybody,” he said. “A lot of people just want somebody to vent to.” He said he tries to help as much as he can and occasionally is able to tell the person about city services they didn’t know were available.
Leatherwood admits he isn’t a very political person but learned from the examples of service set forth by his father and grandfather, who both served as mayors for Dublin.
David and his wife, Kim (a longtime teacher at Dublin Elementary), raised four children who graduated through Dublin ISD.
He works at First National Bank and serves on its board of directors as well as the Centex Rural Rail Transportation District.
Leatherwood said Dublin was a great place to grow up and he wants to keep it that way.
“I try to be the best steward I can,” he said.