Frisco Community Engages in Candid Dialogue with City Council and School Board Candidates
Our Bureau
Frisco, TX
In a landmark civic event, the Indian American Public Affairs Council (IAPAC) of North Texas hosted its first-ever “Conversation Over Coffee” forum on Easter Sunday, April 20. More than 50 Frisco-area residents participated in the town hall-style gathering, engaging directly with candidates for Frisco City Council and Frisco ISD Board of Trustees.
Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, IAPAC Member-at-Large, and JD Diganvker, journalist with New India Abroad, served as moderators for the forum. The event provided a meaningful platform for open and transparent dialogue between candidates and community members.
The event opened with remarks from Dr. Roopa Gir, President of IAPAC, who shared the organization’s mission to foster civic engagement, promote transparency in governance, and support leadership rooted in community service. She highlighted IAPAC’s cornerstone initiatives including the “Conversations Over Coffee” (COC@IAPAC) series, Women’s Empowerment Forums (WE@IAPAC), and the annual Thanksgiving Reception, which honors elected officials and celebrates global cultures and religions.
The forum was organized and led by IAPAC North Texas leaders Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Ashish Patel, and Gitesh Desai, all of whom emphasized the importance of inclusive civic participation in one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas.
Key Issues Discussed Included:
Growth & Infrastructure
Candidates discussed how to manage Frisco’s rapid growth responsibly. Jared Elias, candidate for City Council Place 4, remarked, “The problem is man-made. We’ve overbuilt apartments and underbuilt roads.”
Sangita Dutta added, “Reinvestment and reconstruction are a necessity. We need infrastructure that actually saves lives, not just looks good on paper.”
Diversity & Inclusion
Candidates stressed the need for decision-making that reflects Frisco’s diverse population. Gopal Ponangi noted, “45% of Frisco ISD is Asian—yet we see very little representation on decision-making boards.” Other candidates advocated for language inclusion in school curricula and greater support for small businesses.
Education & Equity
School board candidates addressed teacher retention, funding gaps, and academic achievement. Dr. Amit Kalra emphasized the role of culturally responsive education and mental health support: “Test scores don’t always reflect intelligence. Equity includes emotional and cultural factors too.”
Candidate Muni J urged a reallocation of resources: “We must stop overbuilding and start investing where it matters most.”
Leadership & Service
When asked to define leadership, Sangita Dutta stated, “Leadership is taking important decisions even if you stand alone—owning mistakes, learning, and growing from them.”
In his closing remarks, Gitesh Desai expressed gratitude to all participating candidates, community members, and local volunteers. He offered special thanks to Pradeep Patel, who generously sponsored the event by providing the venue at Hot Pizza in Frisco, Texas, along with Iranian tea and refreshments for attendees.
This inaugural event marks a key milestone as IAPAC expands its civic engagement programs across Texas. The organization encourages continued community involvement as Frisco navigates its next chapter of growth and leadership.
Early voting ends on Tuesday, April 29. Election Day is Saturday, May 4.
For more information on IAPAC and upcoming events, please visit its website.
