Q&A with Leander's new mayor Christine Sederquist

Many residents are concerned about recent water issues and infrastructure. What solutions can City Council act on in the near future?

"We've already taken a few steps in the right direction. What you can expect going forward is that water will be our number one priority, and we'll be considering it first and foremost in everything we do. In this term, you'll see expansions to our treatment system, shoring up of our infrastructure, and planning set in place for the next 50 years of delivery through growth and droughts."

What is your vision for Old Town?

"Honestly, I don't have one, and I shouldn't. Part of Old Town's problem is competing visions for it that change with each new administration. It's well beyond time that we involve citizens, business owners, and people outside the city that have worked on revitalization projects like this before to create a master plan for what the future of Old Town looks like with actionable steps on how to get there. We can't afford to keep doing one-off projects without a publicly approved vision of what success looks like."

What do you want residents to know about you?

"What you see is what you get. I'm not a politician playing games behind the scenes. I'm just a mom in the community like a lot of us. I'm shy, but I love this city, and I want to help. I'm into transparency and love policy discussions that involve a lot of different ideas, so I'll welcome anyone with an idea to reach out anytime."

How long have you lived in Leander? Since our population was only 30,000! I moved here in June of 2010 (11 years).

Favorite parts of Leander: The answer hands down is the people. Strangers here will stop if you get a flat tire; they smile at you when you walk by; and in general, people are just kind. You don't get that in a lot of places in the country.

City government experience: I've spent the last 3 years as a council member and prior to that, I chaired the city's most recent Charter Review in 2017. I'm our representative to the Capital Area Council of Governments, on the Capital Area Economic Development District, the National Civic League's Model City Charter working group and the Texas Municipal League's legislative resolutions committee.

Community involvement: Before running for Council, I spent 7 years as a Girl Scout troop leader and several years on PTA boards serving in different roles including president, secretary, communications chair, and fundraising chair.

How can residents get in touch with you with concerns or questions? The very best way is to use my city email [email protected].