Why did you decide to run for this office?

The Serenity project in 2016-17 was an attempt to create a planned development in the heart of the Cross Timbers Conservation Development District that did not follow the elements or the spirit of the master plan for that unique area. As a resident since 1984 and having raised our family here in this beautiful Cross Timbers area, we participated with our neighbors in the effort to stop this plan and were successful. Later I was approached to consider applying for planning and zoning or running for Town Council. Since our children are grown and I’m retired (mostly), I decided the best way to participate was to use my knowledge and experience to work with other council members for a better future for the entire town than the course we are on today.

What do you think is one of the biggest issues facing Flower Mound today, and how do you plan to address it on council?

The issues in our town are all linked. Apartments drive density, traffic and more maintenance. Apartments also occupy space that might be used for better and truly affordable senior housing and preserving our unique qualities, to name a few. We must look at all these holistically.

If elected, what would be your top priorities?

Listen to the residents—Better and more candid surveys to understand what the people want and improve our communication to them. Morriss Road—Do not add more lanes; improve the existing lanes. Make it easier for people to get around town and safer for children, parents and pedestrians. Revisit our direction for master plan amendments—Lakeside is a part of the master plan but was to be developed as a “large-scale commercial and/or light industrial such as corporate offices, office parks. ...” What has evolved is a high-density residential area [that] has contributed to some of the issues we are now beginning to face as well as creating controversy and mistrust. We should work with the development community to create a process that follows the master plan. In the last two-plus years there have been just under 35-plus amendments. Protect the Cross Timbers—This is one of the three specific characteristics of Flower Mound that makes us unique from any other community and which is an enormous selling point to future development. There are many untapped opportunities to accomplish this, among them assist and guide our economic development team in tapping this resource. Transparency—We can certainly stand to improve this area, very quickly, allowing all citizens to be made aware of changes being considered well in advance, providing them with a one-page, concise summary or the potential impact to critical areas such as effect on density, traffic, environmental concerns and if an MPA will be required. Then they can decide well in advance of public hearing whether they want to take time from their families to sit through [a] council meeting. Support our existing small businesses—Understand the market for business who wish to open.

What experience—professionally or politically—do you have that would prepare you for this position?

I am a retired operational manager [and] a consultant for a couple of clients in the home health industry. I served on P&Z in the early days. I was fortunate to work on the early master plans whose many visions and principles are included in our current edition. I knew the leaders that created the document [and] how much they loved this town and the purpose that they intended. As a husband, father and grandfather, I realize now is the time for me to step back to public service to use my knowledge and experience to help guide Flower Mound to the future that was intended for our Flower Mound.