John Anthony Brown
Occupation: facilities supervisor, Huntsman International Years lived in The Woodlands: 6 years [email protected] www.brownfortownship.com 215-828-0068
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing The Woodlands, and how would you address it?
The Woodlands is between today and tomorrow. Self-governance and incorporation is the question and the answer. There are numerous items in current discussions on the board and throughout the community—the pedestrian-bike master plan, YMCA, special events and transportation around The Woodlands just to name a few. I will join the residents’ advocates already on the board to address these issues with proper planning, both in terms of fiscal and environmental impact. I would also like to see the board explore ways to reduce the escalating costs of water in our community.
Are you in favor of incorporation? Why or why not?
Although it is up to the residents to decide the fate of our governing structure, it is up to the board of directors to responsibly prepare a true cost of incorporation. The key benefits of incorporation are multifold in a municipality that functions with self-governance. The new city would have the right to prohibit extensions of our roads and could remove county plans for major new thoroughfares through our community. We could enact ordinances regarding development, removal of trees and other natural resources. This would also halt the encroachment on our desirable and successful community from county and other outside special interests.
What steps should the township board take to alleviate mobility issues in the community?
The solution for The Woodlands Township’s mobility problem begins with an independently researched and thoroughly vetted master mobility plan for Montgomery County, recognizing the impact to the residents of The Woodlands as a self-governing oasis within the geographic confluence. Through the years, various plans have been presented that were sponsored and controlled by developers, contractors and politicians. This is why wasteful and expensive issues like the defeated [May 2015] $360 million bond issue are presented to voters and fail. Our township board was ambivalent on the Woodlands Parkway bond issue. Our new board must be strong on the matter of transportation and budget accordingly for an effective mobility study recommending viable thoroughfare improvements.
How would you like to see the township board handle resident concerns involving issues like clear-cutting and future development?
Unfortunately, the current powers of The Woodlands Township board of directors are limited, so they are unable to go beyond the covenants of the community. Our trees are our most precious physical assets, not the brick and steel boxes becoming all-too-common on our landscape. If the township can create the city of The Woodlands with efficient and sensible management processes, we can better control development through zoning and permits. For true management of our forested setting, we need to incorporate so our City Council can pass ordinances and methods of enforcement. When elected, I will strive to maintain and protect The Woodlands through smart governance and without tax increases.
Stuart L. Schroeder
Occupation: train dispatcher, or rail traffic controller, for Union Pacific Railroad Years lived in The Woodlands: 18 years [email protected] www.schroederfortownship.com 936-273-0419
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing The Woodlands, and how would you address it?
Responsible incorporation. The Woodlands will need to determine the true cost of incorporation. We will also need legislation to modify current constitutional and statutory barriers that limit the abilities of general law cities to enforce covenants. There is no historical precedent for a community the size of The Woodlands incorporating. The path forward has many unknowns, and we must have as much accurate information as possible to ensure that we don’t make mistakes.
Are you in favor of incorporation? Why or why not?
Yes, I favor a responsible path to incorporation. A rapid rush toward incorporation without knowing the true cost will likely lead to a tax increase.
What steps should the township board take to alleviate mobility issues in the community?
Mobility problems challenge our quality of life. I support a cooperative approach to solving The Woodlands area’s mobility issues. I believe that we must work cooperatively with [the Texas Department of Transportation], Montgomery County, The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1, the Houston-Galveston Area Council and neighboring cities to achieve this. Acceptable regional solutions must be found to avoid a transportation crisis—which would stymie our region’s economic growth—while protecting our quality of life and preserving environmentally sensitive areas.
How would you like to see the township board handle resident concerns involving issues like clear-cutting and future development?
Commercial development standards are the same as they were during the time George Mitchell owned The Woodlands Development Company. All three covenant committees are responsible for permitting and administering the standards for new development. The Development Standards Committee administers the standards for completed, occupied commercial properties. The decisions by the covenant committees cannot be appealed. The Woodlands Township board does not administer the standards.
