Learn more about the candidates running for the Highland Village City Council Place 5 seat ahead of the May 1 election. Early voting is from April 19-27.

Editor's note: An asterisk (*) indicates the candidate is an incumbent.


DALLAS-FORT WORTH



Highland Village City Council Place 5










Jason Bates





Why are you running to represent Highland Village residents on the City Council?



JB: God has given several incredible gifts or rights to humanity that when protected and used properly lead to human flourishing: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Life is the foundational moral principle, without which all the others will fall apart. Our lives are precious commodities and ought to be protected; especially the most innocent and helpless among us, the unborn. Liberty or free will is the second greatest gift of God. I believe each human has the responsibility and privilege to choose what is best for his future. John Locke was correct in his assertion that the best governance starts with understanding the sovereignty of the individual. It's this bottom-up view of the state that led Founding Fathers like Jefferson, Adams and Hamilton to risk it all for a better and more moral form of government. Pursuit of happiness is the general outcome of life and liberty. Work and industry are imperative to the fulfillment of human purpose. It’s an individual choice, but the government has a duty to provide opportunities by not over encumbering the people with regulations, fees or taxes. My purpose in running is to nurture these gifts in our community. Given the last year of fear, control and tyranny, it’s clear how tenuously we keep these divine rights, and why, even in Highland Village, principled leadership is needed.



What will you bring to this office in terms of your qualifications or perspective?



JB: In 2006, I chose to serve my country and joined the Army. During my training and subsequent participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom, I was thrown into the crucible of combat through which my study of leadership began in earnest. These experiences were tempered later managing highly diverse teams in corporate America. When drawn together, each choice on my career path has honed my understanding of what it means to be a servant leader. It is this understanding that will guide my approach to making decisions for Highland Village; an approach that will be measured with service, courage, honor and discipline.



If elected, what would your top priorities be over the coming term?



JB: We have opportunities to improve our tax structure to be more business friendly, to end municipal online sales taxes, alleviate fees for residents for city parks, streamline our budget, and make smart investments for the future. I spoke on this briefly at the Flower Mound Republican Party Forum, but just because Highland Village is nearly built out does not mean that there isn’t room to grow. Growth is not simply measured in square miles or the number of houses. Quality of life, assurance of more freedom, and better business opportunities are growth factors that will keep Highland Village flourishing well into the future.









Tom Heslep*





Why are you running to represent Highland Village residents on the City Council?



TH: I want to leave a legacy to my community and the citizens of Highland Village of integrity and fiscal leadership by demonstrating service above self.



What will you bring to this office in terms of your qualifications or perspective?



TH: I was elected to City Council in 2019. I served on the Planning & Zoning board for the City of Highland Village from 2016-2019. I have 38 years of banking and leadership knowledge. I also currently serve on the boards of Medical City Lewisville and Lewisville Education Foundation where I am the treasurer.



If elected, what would your top priorities be over the coming term?



TH: Lead with fiscal responsibility; work to maintain our property tax base; look for new and innovative ways to generate revenue; maintain our beautiful parks and walking trails; and keep our community save through supporting our Police and Fire Departments.