If there was a movie to depict the life and times of John Wiley Price and his work as a Dallas County Commissioner, the marquee would read “Management on Elm Street.” His unyielding dedication to and direction of Dallas County resources toward fiscal health and efficiency have quieted the Nightmare that usually exists in local government. John Wiley Price’s activism and commitment to his divergent constituency would be the only logical sequel.
John Wiley Price stands in the vanguard of those persons who have been traditionally locked out of the systems and institutions where change is most needed. John Wiley Price addresses real issues, advances real change and achieves real results. He began his political career under the moniker “Our Man Downtown”, and has lived up to that mantra for the citizens of Dallas County ever since.
JWP is in the midst of his sixth four-year term as a Dallas County Commissioner for District Three. JWP by tenure is the ranking member of the court and uses his wealth of experience and tenacious style as a voice of reason and as a voice for the people. He became the 17th Commissioner of District Three in the counties’ 142 year history when he took the oath of office on January 1, 1985. For more than 20 years now, Commissioner Price’s service on the Court has been responsive to the needs of all of Dallas County citizens.
JWP came to the Court with the intent of ensuring that Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) ventures were accorded equal opportunity and a fair share of Dallas County’s procurement and services contracts. Since 1985 procurement via MWBE vendors and professionals under his watchful eye has risen from a paltry $50,000 per annum to $295,975,431.64 million as of August 31, 2008.
Boards and Commissions
JWP has also been integral in placing qualified individuals on Boards and Commissions, who are sensitive to the needs of all of the citizens in Dallas County. But he did not stop there; he modeled what good citizenship means by immersing himself in a number of substantive boards and commissions ranging from juvenile justice to information technology.
JWP’s comprehensive engagement in civic issues and governance has manifested itself in numerous positions. He serves as Chairman of Dallas County Civil Service Commission [Grievance Reviewing Panel], Vice President of the Dallas County Juvenile Board, Chairman of the Commissioners Court/Sheriff Liaison Committee, Chairman of the Delinquent Tax Collection Selection Committee, Loop 9 Policy Advisor Group, Vice President of the Dallas County Housing Finance Corporation, Chairman of the Public Health Advisory Committee (Bioterrorism, Safety), Adult and Juvenile Health Advisory Committee and Texas Juvenile Crime Commission, Dallas County Information Technology Steering committee, the appointee to the Dallas Housing Acquisition and Development Corporation (DHADC) Board, and past President of the Texas Organization of Black County Commissioners.
Community Action
JWP has been active and accountable in this community and has invested most of not all of his personal time to activities that inform and educate his burgeoning constituency. For fourteen years, JWP served as the host of a weekly community forum known as “The Dallas County Community Leadership Luncheon”. This forum enlightened the community through informative and educational speakers of local, statewide, and national prominence. For twelve years, he was the nightly host of KKDA’s “Talk Back, Liberation Radio”. JWP continued in his crusade to “cleanse” the airwaves by hosting “Liberation Nation” on KNON 89.3 FM for more than six years. He is the Founder/President of KwanzaaFest, Inc., the largest community, cultural event in the state established in 1991. KwanzaaFest plays host to an excess of 50,000 patrons and embraces the seven principles of the African American holiday, Kwanzaa. He is the facilitator of numerous community events, and educational lectures.
The Man Downtown
Commissioner Price’s responsibilities have always extended far beyond the realm of his statutory duties as a duly elected County Commissioner. Because of his passion to enhance the value and quality of life of people and community, he continues to lead in the never ending struggle for justice.
JWP manages his personal responsibilities with the same rigor and regard that he has for his work. He is the committed father of two sons, John Jr. and John Nicholas, and one daughter, Angelina Monique. To many, he is a seeker of truth, a warrior for justice, and a visionary leader, but to his children he is Dad.
JWP continues to stand in the face of chaos and controversy with a strong will and the assurance of his purpose in life. JWP has been called both a faithful friend and a formidable for. Much like the Apostle Paul, wherever he goes his advocacy for justice is sure to cause a riot or a revival. He is known as a motivator and a liberator. But to his constituents in District Three and throughout Dallas County he is known simply as, “Our Man Downtown.”
You may ask how he manages to do so much and do it all so well. But the key is that John Wiley Price applies the discipline of management and stewardship to every aspect of his life. But when it’s all said and done, Dallas County has Management on Elm Street, because John Wiley Price wouldn’t have it any other way.
JWP is a blockbuster movie worth watching!
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