Hi Folks,

I had a long talk with Fred Placke, President of the LISD school board yesterday about the Heritage School traffic issue.  Since FM 407 is a State funded road, the State governs what you can and cannot do with respect to traffic.  Highland Village on two occasions has attempted to convince the State that we need a traffic light at that intersection.  We failed because there is not enough traffic as yet on the cross streets to justify a light.  When the townhomes that will border 407 between Barnett and Briar Hill are put in place, there will be an outlet road that will run to Briar Hill from Barnett that will alleviate the problem for folks.  This road will allow them to use the Briar Hill to go either back to HV or turn at the light at 407.  We all hope that this will be done soon.  All the paperwork with respect to the City has been completed for this project so they should begin construction soon.  I would hope that the problem can be alleviated within the next year. 

Why not open up the back way to Heritage?  You guessed it, liability associated with the fact that the road used is an LISD road not an HV road.  One cannot take chocolate cake to celebrate a birthday because of liability plus other things as you know.  There is a similar fear that letting the mix of kids and vehicles might cause an accident at Heritage and LISD would be the one sued.  I guess we can only wait for the townhomes to be built. 
 
Thanks for you questions and comments.  Please vote starting April 28.   

Hi folks,

Every year I guess some act of stupidity has to happen at least once.  For some reason there are folks in Highland Village that think they can influence an election by stealing or mutilating a sign of an opponent.  No, I do not know who cut down my $175 sign at the corner of Creek Haven and Highland Shores but someone did.  Last evening after about 5:30 PM it appears that someone decided that I did not need a sign at that intersection.  I am not one that thinks the sign wars mean much but I do think that name recognition is important.  Name recognition is what political signs are about.  I have filed a police report because we need to somehow curtail these childish acts.  The crime is theft.  If the perpetrators are caught they will be punished.  The punishment is more than a slap on the fingers.

It appears that Highland Village takes on a a different character during "Silly Season" .  Respect for others and their points of view appear to insight folks to do really nutty things rather than create a dialog.  Too bad, because during the rest of the year this is the best place I can think of to live.  It saddens me that things must be different during the election season.

Your comments are welcome.  Please vote on May 10. 

Hi folks,

The "Silly Season" is hard on all.  It is hard on you all that have to tolerate the signs and it is hard on the candidates who have to put up the signs.  There are some benefits however.   As a result of asking for the permission to put up signs, I have been able to talk to two folks with drainage issues and one person that has had an issue with light from a shopping center.  I of course relay this to the City and both have been contacted.  I also was able to make contact with a personal trainer that wants to help our kids with free workout sessions over the summer as part of the HV parks department summer program.  Therefore, I would say that "Silly Season" does have its benefits.  Now it becomes time for the letters touting the good of candidates to appear in the paper.  One of my opponents has already sent some in to be published and you will see some from me shortly.  

On a more somber note.  Have you ever wondered why it takes a thing like an election campaign for folks to think that they can talk to the folks that represent them?  I have.  This is one of the things that I hope to change.  Talking to the City should not be intimidating and talking to your Council person or the Mayor should not be intimidating either.  Our Council meetings should be a time of information exchange, not intimidation.  If you elect me, I will make sure that the meetings you attend allow for you to say what you wish.  As you know, the state has a set of rules known as the Local Government code that must be adhered to for meetings.  I will try to push the limit toward more time for you and your input rather than less.  You are the owners of this City and you are the folks who disserve respect.  I promise you things will change.  Greater respect to the Citizens of this great City will be observed.

As always, please send me your thoughts and don't for get to vote on May 10.