Hi folks,

If you have not seen it, yesterday Diane announced that she is running for reelection.   This is great.  The citizens of Highland Village will now have a choice of leadership styles to  choose from.  As she said in the article in the News Connection, debates between us has happened in the past concerning differences in opinions of how we should proceed as a City.  With the election season now upon us we will be able to debate new issues before all of you and you will be able to make an informed decision as to who is best to lead our City to future greatness.  So let the debate begin. 

One difference of opinion that I have with her assessment of past success for Highland Village is based upon the quote in the announcement around where the credit should be given for development progress and communication with residents.   I think that the decisions of the Council and not necessarily decisions made by Diane determined our direction.  We debated numerous issues and the consensus of Council led us down the road to decisions that were made.  I think difference of opinion by Council Members is a good thing.  Without the debate surrounding the Opus development we might have ended up with a blue and white "run of the mill" WalMart rather than the upscale one that resulted.  I also doubt that the 120 year old pecan tree would be part of the WalMart front yard had it not been for debate and compromise.  Bottom line is that Council determines direction of the City with input from the citizens, not one person.    

Debate in public about issues is good for Highland Village.  Diane and I will be debating direction for the City between now and May 10.  This debate I hope will give you enough information to be able to see our differences in leadership style.  The next weeks of discussion should give everyone the information they need to decide who is best to lead the Council. 

So, don't forget to vote on May 10 to help us all understand the direction you wish our City to take.  Again, your opinions are valued so please let me know your take on things.  

Hi folks,

During my visits with folks while collecting signatures on my petition that are required to file for a place on the ballot for office, I became aware that there was some dredging and other activities around the pond that is just north of Northwoods Blvd. in Castlewood.  The pond and land adjacent to the pond has been conveyed to the City to use in association with the Inland Trail connection that will go through the area.  In order to make the pond stable and usable, the developer  who has conveyed the property to the city is changing the slope of the banks and stabilizing the pond for the City.  This will improve its appearance and make it a much better pond.  Yes, I am sure that there were fish in that pond and no I do not know what happened to them.  I am hoping that they were either saved so that the pond could be restocked or released to Lake Lewisville.  Bottom line, I think we will have a better pond than was there before and it will be a welcome addition to our City. 

Hope all is well and your comments are welcome.  Please vote on May 10.

Hi again,

 When one runs for office in Highland Village one must get signatures from registered voters acknowledging that a potential candidate has talked to registered voters about ones desire to run.  These signatures do not commit a signee to vote for the candidate but merely acknowledge that one knows the candidate. 

Comments from some folks when visiting to collect signatures concerned some Stop Signs.  There are some, and I agree with them, that we need a stoplight at the intersection of 407 and Barnett (road to Heritage Elementary).  I know that we are trying to convince the State that there is one needed there to protect our children but so far, nothing has happened.  In talking to people lately there appears to be a need at Northwoods and Highland Shores for a three way stop such that folks can get in and out of Northwoods as well as Lake Highlands Dr during rush hour.  Apparently it is a real problem.  Another place where there does not appear to be need for a four way stop sign is at Lake Vista and Creek Haven.  If any of you are familiar with the problem at either intersection, please let me or the City know and I think we can get the stop sign intersections remediated.  The light at Barnett and 407 will take more work to obtain.

Again as always, your feedback would be helpful.  Please vote May 10. 

Hi,

Another 3/4 full issue is development.  We, as a City, like to use sales tax to supplement the money raised from ad valorum property tax to supply services to our citizens.  In the last 2 years we have increased our sales tax contribution from around 6% of our total revenue suppled by sales tax to a value approaching 14% for the coming year.  That is good.  Unfortunately, we must go through a period of road construction to supply the infrastructure to allow folks to get to the new shops that supply that additional sales tax so that this percentage continues to rise.  This means traffic snarls, inconvenience, dust and all the frustrations associated with construction.  However, when it is finished we will have not only better access for our residents to go outside of Highland Village but better access for the folks in surrounding communities to reach our new sources of sales tax revenue,the businesses at 407 and 2499.  We may go through some similar development headaches over the next 5 years or so associated with the redo of I35E.  Hopefully, the construction around our shopping areas will be complete by then such that we only have one headache at a time.

As always, appreciate your comments that can be sent by clicking on the link at the above right.  Don't forget to vote May 10.