The filing period for candidates in the Nov. 5 election began July 20, and two incumbents in the three seats available on The Woodlands Township board of directors have said they will not run for re-election this year.

John McMullan, Position 5 director and vice chairman of the board, and Carol Stromatt, Position 7 director, said they will not file as candidates this year. Secretary and Position 6 director Ann Snyder, whose seat is also up for re-election this year, said in an email she does plan to file for re-election. The filing period ends Aug. 19.

"While it has been an honor to represent and get to know residents of The Woodlands, because of my current work and family demands, I’m not certain I can continue to dedicate the time to The Woodlands Township that the residents deserve, so it’s best that I not seek re-election," McMullan said in an email.

He said he felt his accomplishments in office included governing in a fiscally restrained manner and prioritizing public safety.

"Residents today pay fewer tax dollars to The Woodlands Township than they did when I joined the board," McMullan said. "Among other achievements, I led the efforts to fund a new position for the Internet Crimes Against Children task force and to establish Martin Luther King Day as a holiday for The Woodlands Township."

McMullan said he would continue to reside in the area with his wife and four children.

Stromatt, a resident of The Woodlands since 1997, served one term on the board and is an avid volunteer in the area for organizations including the Montgomery County Food Bank. She has also served on the Indian Springs Village Association.

She said she ran for the position on the board of directors in 2017 because she felt the board needed more diverse representation.

"I have a diverse family and group of friends, and I can’t imagine not supporting anyone," Stromatt said. "That was my campaign slogan—unity in the community."

Stromatt said she has enjoyed working on initiatives such as economic development, suicide prevention, and parks and recreation in the township, and she looks forward to the possibility of a new performing arts center being developed.

On the topic of incorporation, which is still under discussion at board meetings, she said she feels her role is clear.

"I feel my responsibility as a board member is to get the factual information I can get [and] communicate it to the residents who will be voting and that is their decision. I want to have good information to make a decision, but the decision is [up to] each individual voter."

Stromatt said she will continue pursuing her community service activities after her term is up.

"Serving my community in this capacity is one of the highlights of my life, and I look forward to completing the remainder of my term with gusto," she said.

Although the filing period for the Nov. 5 election continues until Aug. 19, a candidate for Position 7 released a statement July 22 announcing his run.

Walt Lisiewski, a resident of Panther Creek, announced his candidacy via a press release. Lisiewski serves as chairman of the township development standards committee.