Folks,

Majestic Liquors is attempting to put through the City a site plan that will allow them to build a store  located on 407 between United Community Bank and the retail portion of the storage sheds.  This was thought to be reserved by the developer for a restaurant to locate.  At the meeting on November 11, 2004, when the original site plan was approved, the developer talked about the restaurant that would bring a total of $6 to $10 million to Highland Village in the form of tax revenue.  Now he is bringing in another liquor store to our community.

What can we do?  I am afraid we may not be able to do much unless the developer is asking for variances to the original zoning for the area.  What we can do is let the City and Council know how much we are opposed to the addition of another liquor store and hope that they can somehow avoid the site plan being approved.  This new store will only put pressure on the existing stores and not really  bring any additional value to the City.

Monday at 5PM there is a work session by Planning and Zoning about this property.  They cannot approve the site plan at that time but can move it closer to being approved.  Your voices in opposition to this new liquor store would probably hinder the progress.  Secondly, if it is approved by P&Z, it must be approved by Council.  Again, if the liquor store is not asking for any variances to what was approved in the original concept plan, there may not be much we can do.  However, it does not hurt to try.  Please ask your friends and neighbors to go to www.highlandvillage.org and select City Council from the home page and then select City Council from the drop down menu.  At the bottom of the page is the option to send the City Council an email.  Please let them know how you feel.

Thanks in advance for your help and please vote on May 10. 

Hello again,

You all I know that I am very interested in doing what we can to preserve the environment.  I have even suggested that Highland Village should consider being known for our environmental conservation similar to the way we are all ready recognized for our safety.  However, there is a cost.  We must consider the cost of these environmentally friendly alternatives and assess whether the cost will be one that we can afford.

The City is presently doing just that.  They are doing an energy audit of City Hall as well as the costs to do some environmentally friendly changes to 948 as part of that construction.  This is good. 

As an example of the things that one must consider even the toilets come into play.   The very undramatic change associated with the 1 gallon flush toilet versus the 1.6 gallon standard toilet carries a dramatic difference in initial cost.  The 1 gallon toilet sells for around $690 and the standard toilet sells for $250 to $550.  You can do the math yourself.  To realize the cost savings of the 1 gallon versus the 1.6 gallon toilet would probably take 2 to 5 years.  Is this reasonable?  I don't know.  I do know that in 5 years or so Austin is considering the possibility of there being no waste associated with human activity in the City.  An admirable goal but it will be costly.  Being "green" usually involves more staff time and higher initial capital costs for equipment.   Bottom line is that whatever we do from an environmental standpoint we must be sure that the payback is realized over a reasonable period of time.

Comments are welcome.  Please vote May 10. 

Hello folks,

There is an old saying about history.  "Learn your history so that you do not make the same mistakes again."  Well, one should also remember history because sometimes it can come back as a compliment.  

I am at a conference this week in Orlando.  I met a business colleague that is also the Mayor Pro-Tem of Melissa, Texas.  Melissa is located just south of Anna on Rt 75.  Melissa has grown over the last 3 years from about 500 residents to near 5,000.  Melissa is putting together their first Charter.  What is really quite a compliment to Highland Village is the fact that they are using the Highland Village Charter as a model for their charter.  Thank you previous residents for putting together a charter worth duplicating.  

Please vote on May 10 for continued good government in Highland Village.  Your choices will show your good judgment.   If you have any comments, please click on the button above and send them to me.  Thanks.

Folks,

I am a bit self serving by only reminding you of the vote on May 10.  I should also remind you that this week through next Tuesday is the time to vote in your respective primaries for candidates for numerous county, state, and national offices.  You can vote at City Hall at 1000 Highland Village Road.  Your vote is extremely important. 

I want to stress one election group that may be more important than others because the effect may be closer to "one on one" with our citizens than the others.  We are selecting candidates from both parties to run in the general election for judgeships. 

The DMN Parade Magazine this morning had an article about the importance of these selections and some things that we should do to be a responsible voter.  These things are as you might expect - educate yourself, be wary of candidates that promise outcomes on specific cases, and vote.  

The first and last recommendation are good advice for any election but in particular, with respect to judges who interpret the law, the second is unique.  Since roughly 95% or all judicial cases are heard at the state level and below, our vote in these elections is even more critical and may have a greater impact upon our lives.

Please vote now and on May 10 and if you have comments, please email me.