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Businesses are struggling in some of our retail areas to the point of closing. What should we as a city do?
The City of Highland Village has already created programs to address this situation.
By enhancing these existing "business-smart" programs such as coupon mailer and the auto-dialer programs.
Educating the residents about the impact of their shopping choices, and calling on the wealth of business intelligence that exists among our residents.
We can assist in supporting our Highland Village business and business owners who have chosen to invest in our city by choosing to open their businesses here.
Let's start here rather than bailing out businesses that may be struggling due to factors of simple bad management or bad business practices and not the current economy.
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We read about many area cities in the Metroplex having mid-year budget deficits of millions of dollars. How do you feel Highland Village is weathering the recession, and if things were to turn negative in terms of city revenue, what would you do to balance the budget?
We are weathering this recession quite well. We are fortunate to have a budget that is driven mostly by residential property taxes, which make up approximately 75% or our budget dollars.
Although sales taxes are marginally down in Highland Village, compared to other North Texas communities, we are in a good position.
We are in this position because of our financial responsibility. Highland Village does not rely on deficit spending which has unfortunately become all too common a practice in other municipalities. Like in my business, if we don't have the money for something, we don't spend it.
If things were to turn negative in terms of city revenue, I would work very closely with the other council members and city staff members to identify areas of operation within our budget that we could streamline. We have the option to streamline services before we cut them in order to balance the budget.
I am very cost-conscious, and I understand the value of employing teamwork to accomplish goals.
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Many citizens from Northwood and Castlewood neighborhoods have expressed that they want the intersection of those two streets blocked off to access at FM 2499. The traffic impact engineering report will probably be presented at your first council meeting in May. Construction is in progress. How do you approach this issue? What factors will you be considering?
I approach this issue as a concerned Highland Village resident and a business owner first. My whole world is here. My home and my business are here. In order for me to represent my fellow city residents, I have to rely on my thoughts and feelings as a resident and a business owner of our community.
Now there are several options available to our city concerning this matter. Each option comes complete with its own set of PROS and CONS that are not only financially impactful to our city, but may impact safety and aesthetics as well.
To answer this question: Careful consideration of ALL the facts, not limited to ONLY the forthcoming traffic impact report will be my approach.
This is an important issue and deserves careful consideration. During my term as your city council representative, trust that I will employ this approach to each and every issue facing our community.
What is your opinion of the financial status of the city? What improvements or expansions of city services and/or facilities would warrant your support of an increase in property taxes?
My opinion of the financial status of our city is very positive.
We are blessed with an exceptional city staff that I have worked with numerous times through projects and fund raisers. Building my company building as one project, working with DKH Academy to grow that school coupled with fixing the long-standing traffic issue right there at Briarhill and Highland Shores.
Our city manager, Mike Leavitt and our Financial Director, Ken Heerman, along with the rest of the staff of Highland Village have employed budgeting and spending practices that continue to sustain our exceptional fiscal well being.
We can brag one of the higher financial ratings of municipalities in our area of AA-. If we continue these types of practices, then we potentially will not need to consider increased property taxes.
We are growing at an astounding rate and the property taxes, where they are now, have worked wonderfully in our favor.
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Numerous charter amendments are on the ballot. One item addresses re-defining term limits. What is your opinion of the changes in general and specifically regarding term limits?
The majority of the charter amendments seem to be municipal housekeeping items. I have a copy right here.
In reference to the term limitation amendment, which is on the ballot as a binding referendum, I'd like to say this:
Term limitations are in place in order to preserve the balance of power through representation. Our system of democracy was founded on the idea that common citizens "The people" can serve our country in turns while leading lives outside of public office or political positions.
The lack of term limits has the potential to create a situation where only a few citizens remain in power for extended periods, undermining the idea of representation of the people, for the people, by the people.
The city of Highland Village has been well served by term limitations. During the last 25 years, we have only had one person reach term limitation. As a citizen voter, I believe term limitations serve the greater good of democracy.
CLOSING:
I am here before you as a fellow member of this great community. A passionate American, a friend, a Christian, a conservative, a business owner and employer, offering my services as a city council member here in Highland Village.
Civic pride and a sense of duty to this community have led me here to this place and to this race.
Since the founding of our country, our greatest moments have been shaped by honest men and women who heeded the call to serve their communities in: Local and national Government, In military services, and in humanitarian endeavors.
My love for this community and its members has suffused me with a desire to give back to Highland Village, by providing stewardship at this crossroads for our country and our community.
With all humility as a resident and a business man who calls Highland Village home, I ask for your vote as City Council Member for Seat 7.
