Mike McLeod – City of Shenandoah Council Seat 5 candidate
Why are you running for this position?
I want to emphasize community. My parents decided to live here and retired to Shenandoah, and the sense of community is why we are here. I think the city's primary job is to take care of its citizens and to create an environment where we can thrive.
What are some of your goals if you are elected?
I think the biggest goal is continuing to work with the budget and making sure that we continue to pay off our debts as soon as possible, that we reduce the property tax rate to as little as possible, but also work with our neighbors a little more. .
What issues are important to you?
I think there is an ongoing issue of transparency. It is different from what it was many years ago, but I think we can take a simple little step and be more proactive about making the citizens aware that the city is considering a major project or the city is considering some of these projects to be done. I think they are doing that now, but I want to keep opening those doors.
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I have been an active part of the community, and the President of the Shenandoah Sharks. I have been a regular attendee of City Council meetings over the past couple of years, and even the ones I couldn't attend I at least read the materials. I have been on the pool committee since I think 2012. We are looking at refurbishing the pool and keeping after those projects. So, I know a lot of what is going on already, and I think members of the community asked me to run because of that.
Josh Wendell - City of Shenandoah Council Seat 5 candidate
Why are you running for this position?
Being in the construction industry, a lot of exciting things are going on around the city of Shenandoah with residential and commercial construction. I thought that perhaps my expertise and past history with construction could possibly serve as an asset in the community.
What are some of your goals if you are elected?
I don't know anything of how the government inside of Shenandoah has worked, but it appears to me that a lot of focus is put on the newer communities. My wife and I bought a house in the older part of Shenandoah only for the purpose of flipping it, but we bought it, the kids fell in love with it, and we are still there. What I would like to do is see what I can do to help maintain the focus on the older community.
What issues are important to you?
Honestly none at this point. I know that they are about to spend a lot of money on the park, and I have heard that a lot of people have been opposed to it in the older community. They are concerned that putting in the water features and all of that will bring more traffic into the community. At the same time that could be a tremendous positive for the city of Shenandoah.
Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I am young. I am truly immersed in this community, my family is here. I want to see the best for them. My experience with large projects around The Woodlands, commercial and residential. Honesty and integrity are the ethics I live by, and I can serve the city well.
