Guest column: What to expect

For past three years it’s been my pleasure to serve on Flower Mound’s Town Council, and after much consideration, I will be on the ballot as the mayoral candidate for Flower Mound this year.

As you cast your ballot, this is what you should expect during my term:

* It will be my objective to bring our council together, to collaborate and to encourage an unfettered exchange of ideas.  No individual has a monopoly on ideas, and it will be my responsibility to encourage teamwork. It will be a new day when we have less drama at Town Hall.

* A forward vision for Flower Mound. We should protect open spaces, and the areas we have designated as commerce we should put our full shoulder behind.  Our town has an uneven tax base, with an over-reliance on residential property taxes.  As we come out of the current recession, we have an opportunity to add retail and dining options and keep our resources in Flower Mound.  Our town is among the lowest in per capita sales tax revenue in North Texas.  This means when you shop in Grapevine, we are helping them. A recent town survey cited the reason a majority of residents don’t shop in town is the desired item isn’t available.

The Lakeside DFW area is zoned for numerous, tall office buildings. For decades we’ve been trying to recruit a major corporate campus to that area.  We have to be open minded as to what is viable and what would allow residents and visitors to enjoy Grapevine Lake.

The proposed Lakeside Development is something to be excited about as well as the long term success of the Riverwalk.  An idea is only half of the equation, implementation is equally important.  To bring these ideas to realization it is going to take community support.  

* Branding our town.  Roanoke is aiming to be “The Unique Dining Capital of North Texas.”  They have a direction they are working toward. What’s Flower Mound’s identity? With the support of council, I’d like to see us become the “Entrepreneurial Capital of the Metroplex.” We have the tools, location, amenities and housing options. The town must devise a plan and proceed. For decades we’ve tried to recruit a large corporate campus which hasn’t been successful, but targeting the 20- to 50-person small business, engineering firm, software company, law firm, even satellite branches of large companies such as Verizon to reduce the commute should be considered.

* Flower Mound has been described by developers as being one of the most difficult places in North Texas to do business, having the most aggressive ordinances in the area. We can hang our hat on being “different,” or we can admit we operate in manner that doesn’t encourage businesses to consider Flower Mound as their first option, then correct the problem.

* Oil and Gas. Flower Mound has the right oil and gas ordinance for our residents, and I was a significant voice in the construction of it. As your mayor, the council will not consider taking any steps that would reverse the progress we’ve made. As long as there is drilling in Flower Mound, drilling will be an important issue to our residents and the council. However, it cannot be our only issue or what we’re known for as it discourages growth. Drilling has driven a wedge between neighbors, and we’ve got to move forward into areas where we can get along and work together.

My opponent and I do firmly agree in one area, as her signs say, we need a new direction. I look forward to serving as your mayor.

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