By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-836468.mp3
Dallas, TX – The newest Dallas City Council person in the city's priciest council race ever will be long time civic activist Ann Margolin, in District 13. By a 57 to 43 percent margin, she defeated tax consultant Brint Ryan, who sunk more than a million dollars of his own money into the race. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more.
Zeeble: On the night of her victory, Ann Margolin was both happy as she thanked her volunteers, and serious, about the council job she faces. Dallas faces a budget deficit of a hundred million dollars.
Margolin: Before I even take office I'm going to start looking at that & really delving into it and really understanding everything I can about it. . My background is in finance and I really know how to look at these things. And that's probably going to preoccupy me first month or two.
Zeeble: Margolin says she'll apply those finance skills to watch how the city- owned hotel proceeds, now that voters have ok'd it. Margolin does not favor the city owned hotel. No matter what Dallas's future holds, former council member Donna Blumer, who praised Margolin at her election night party, expressed full confidence in her.
Donna Blumer: She's got the background, she's got the smarts to do it. And I think she'll be a coalition builder. And I'm looking forward to having her down there.
Zeeble: Blumer says Margolin has enough city and county experience that she'll be able to hit the ground running. Her opponent, Brint Ryan, has offered to help her in any way he can. Bill Zeeble KERA news.