Meet the Candidates: Argyle City Council, Place 4

Why did you decide to run for council?

I want to make the Town Council a more effective and cohesive group who will protect the beauty and character of Argyle, while leading the Town in a collaborative manner with citizens. My track record of service and leadership will make me an effective part of the Council. I have been an active citizen since 2004 and have served 5 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the last 2 as Chairman. I am well versed in the Town’s business process. Dr. Cyndi Herman (Town Council place 4) reached out to me several months ago and encouraged me to seek the position she was vacating. Dr. Herman was a standout on the council, well respected and trusted. She is my inspiration and role model for intelligent, unbiased, citizen focused leadership.

What are some of the biggest issues facing the city?

Financially Argyle is rock solid. I will not settle for hastily planned, sub-standard commercial along I-35 and FM 407 (or anywhere). No mixed-use warehouses or self-storage units! Argyle deserves quality, desirable commercial, restaurants, and amenities. We don’t have to settle! No more high-density residential. My desire is to protect our rural feel. You don’t feel like you’re in the metroplex when you are in Argyle. Also, citizens of Argyle are about to feel the imposition of the US 377 widening and improvement project. US 377 is an eyesore now that desperately needs this project. The Town must engage it’s public works department to ensure connectivity and safety for the residents and businesses that will be inconvenienced.

What do you hope to accomplish on the council, and is there anything you’d like to see the city pursue or accomplish?

The Comprehensive/future land use plan needs to be updated ASAP. I am committed to achieving this with a citizen driven process focused on preserving Argyle. No outside influence!

According to census figures, the city grew by a little more than 1,100 people from 2010 to 2020. How do you think the city is doing with regard to managing growth?

The rapid growth will continue until the Waterbrook and Avalon developments fill out. The Town has already started infrastructure improvements. Roads are being upgraded from asphalt to cement construction, adding durability and smoother rides. Two drainage studies have been undertaken to solve current and prevent future drainage issues.

As the city grows, is the city doing enough to meet its demands for public services or could it do something different?

What public services are expected and valued by Argyle citizens? Police? We have the best Police Chief! Chief Jackson is an exceptional leader. The best equipped and highest paid officers in the area. Firefighters/paramedics? We are protected by the Denton County ESD #1, well respected and highly trained. Schools? As a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, I have a history of collaborative work with both AISD and Liberty Christian. Streets and infrastructure? I will maintain a continuous improvement process to never "outgrow” our infrastructure.

Why did you decide to run for council?

For five years, I have witnessed a dysfunctional town council majority that wastes time and money on lawsuits and investigations of their political enemies. It’s time for a change. We need to move in a new direction and bring civility and collaboration to town council.

What are some of the biggest issues facing the town?

There has been an overall failure to plan, a failure to prepare, and a failure to make Argyle financially sustainable over the long-term. By being the “Town of NO” for the last five years and failing to consider what the town needs to do to prepare for the future, the current council majority has the potential to cripple the town over the next several years. We have large unfunded needs, including a new police station and a new town hall that we simply cannot afford. If elected, I will refocus our development efforts toward commercial business development on the I-35W and FM 407W commercial corridors.

What do you hope to accomplish on the council, and is there anything you’d like to see the town pursue or accomplish?

I would like to see the town pursue Tier 1 recession proof retail businesses with a focus on public companies with major brands. The MDD was created for the sole purpose of collecting sales tax in the ETJ's for Argyle and to use those funds to promote the town of Argyle and attract Tier 1 businesses to invest capital in Argyle. By developing the I35 and 407W commercial corridor, Argyle would generate significant revenue to sustain the town and the school district for many years to come. A major step in the right direction for increasing our top line revenue for both the town and the school district is updating the comprehensive plan, the future land use plan, and the thoroughfare plan so that they are in sync and not in contradiction with one another.

According to census figures, the city grew by a little more than 1,100 people from 2010 to 2020. How do you think the city is doing with regard to managing growth?

The town is not managing the growth. The growth is managing the town.

As the city grows, is the city doing enough to meet its demands for public services or could it do something different?

The town is significantly understaffed. Therefore, it is unable to meet its demands for public services. A first priority would be to fill all open positions and focus on recruitment and retention of qualified staff.