Community and city leaders attribute trend to citizen satisfaction, lack of controversy
When Round Rock business owner Debbie Bruce-Juhlke considered running for the City Council seat Rufus Honeycutt vacated last year, one simple idea kept her from contesting the race eventually claimed by Craig Morgan.
"Craig and I went through Leadership Round Rock together and had said we wouldn't run against each other," Bruce-Juhlke said of the uncontested election.
Now, for the third year in a row, Round Rock has canceled its spring city election due to lack of challengers. Since 2006, just 10 individuals have run for City Council, including several who ran again after previously losing.
Theories from community leaders as to why contested races have become the exception rather than the rule run the gamut from citywide satisfaction to the tight-knit nature of the city's most involved citizenry.
"I think most of that is for a positive reason. If something's not broke, why try to fix it?" said Landy Warren, a former Round Rock Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. "It'd be hard to improve on the way things are going."
Yet it remains an open question as to why Round Rock, unlike surrounding municipalities, has, in recent years, seen little in the way of choice at the polls.
Satisfaction
By far the most common answer to the question of why there were so many uncontested elections in recent years was a general satisfaction with how the city is being run.
"I think that the citizenry is generally satisfied with the course and direction that the council has taken," said John Avery Sr., who sits on a number of community boards and whose family land has helped shape Round Rock.
Avery's view was echoed by nearly every community leader interviewed for this story.
Recent accolades and survey results seem to bear that out. The city was named the No. 8 "Perfect Suburb" on CNBC.com in 2011 based on unemployment, home values and crime rate, one of a number of such national lists Round Rock has found itself on in recent years.
Locals seem to agree. A 2010 Round Rock city survey—the most recent available— showed that an overwhelming portion of the citizenry—87 percent—were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with quality of life. The city received high marks in most categories.
"As long as [council members are] doing a good job and want to stay on, you probably won't see a contested election," Councilwoman Kris Whitfield said.
Lack of defining issue
Several attributed that satisfaction to a lack of a divisive issue that could paint a rift down the center of the community.
"We haven't had one of those defining issues in a number of years," Mayor Alan McGraw said, pointing to decisions in the late 1990s that centered on roads and the growth of the city as issues that caused community fissures.
Indeed, in 2000 and 2001, five candidates ran for two spots each year.
Lately, however, some of the more divisive issues that prompted community response have not even reached the council's desk.
When developments near RM 620 and University Boulevard—a gas station and a mental health facility, respectively—stirred up protests from nearby neighborhood groups, developers pulled the items before the council could vote on them.
Some that have come to a vote, however, have resulted in splits on the council.
Red-light cameras, for example, caused some debate among council members, leading to a rare 5–2 split. The implementation of such cameras has caused political headaches for a few Texas cities, most notably Houston, where voters elected to remove cameras from the city in 2010.
McGraw also recently took a stance against the emergency listing of the Jollyville Plateau Salamander, contrary to the position of a number of vocal citizens. The council eventually voted unanimously to support a resolution voicing opposition to the emergency listing.
However, given that this year's candidates—councilmen John Moman and Joe Clifford—ran uncontested, it appears that no issues have yet risen to the level that would bring new candidates into the conversation.
Council unity
Those split votes, however, are far from the norm. Rather, the council has shown a good deal of unity on most issues in recent years.
"When things aren't dysfunctional, it's hard to run on the campaign of, 'I'm going to fix the dysfunction,' if there is none," McGraw said.
Most votes by Round Rock City Council members are unanimous. When there are disagreements, McGraw said discussions are typically respectful.
"The citizens deserve to not open the paper every day and be embarrassed by their government," McGraw said.
Small world
The council itself is not the only group on friendly terms. Like Bruce-Juhlke and Morgan, the pool of potential candidates often run through the same community groups and boards, such as the chamber of commerce and various city commissions (See Page 17).
"Most of the people that you've heard that are toying with the idea of running, they all know each other," McGraw said.
In Morgan's case, even though he was running for an open seat, his community involvement and the fact that he had run previously led to a familiarity among those who might have considered running.
"A lot of us looked around and said, 'OK'," to Morgan's candidacy, Will Peckham, owner of Round Rock Travel, said.
Some say that friendliness is actually part of the city's success.
"Practically, the reason it has worked so well is that people have known each other, trusted each other and respected each other," Warren said.
Those interested in City Council have, at least recently, sought out the advice of community leaders. Morgan said he sought counsel with former mayor Nyle Maxwell, and McGraw said people have visited with him as well on the topic of running for office.
"It's not to get a blessing. It's to get a reality check, " McGraw said.
And although community leaders said there was no secret cabal that kept things harmonious, they did acknowledge that there are groups of people who have an interest in the future of the city that potential candidates would do well to visit with.
"There isn't this magical mystical inner circle that nobody knows that appoints people to this stuff. It's really just a growing group of leaders that always made sure we had the right people in the right spots," Warren said.
Anyone who wants to run, Warren said, would do well to get to know that group of leaders by being active in the community.
"I haven't seen anybody be successful just coming in and saying, 'I have a whole new bold agenda'," Warren said. "If anyone's interested, step forward, get to know the current leadership and the folks at the Chamber of Commerce and use that visibility to make yourself known.
"To me, it's proven to be a successful method," he said.
Who's Next?
While the three most recent Round Rock city elections have been canceled for lack of contested races, there are a number of potential candidates waiting in the wings for future races. Below is a list of nine potential candidates who were suggested by community leaders as people who they believe could or should run. None of the people seen below have declared any definitive plans to run, but each one left the possibility open for a future shot at city office.
Writ Baese, Hill Country Payroll, president
"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon we'll see how it develops."
- Round Rock Chamber of Commerce board of directors, chairman
- Rotary Club of Round Rock, president-elect
- Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation board of directors
- Youth sports coach
Hollis Bone, Principal relationship manager and senior vice president at Wells Fargo
"If you don't take on a leadership role, you waive your right to complain."
- Round Rock Chamber of Commerce board of directors, past chairman
- Hope Alliance, advisory board
- Chisholm Trail District Boy Scouts, chairman
- Round Rock Transportation System Development Corp., vice-presdient
Nicole Boynton, Realtor, Class Act Realty LLC; technology trainer, Gracy Title Co.
"It's something that you want to make sure you're ready for and you can embrace it, but I'm not at that point yet."
- Round Rock Chamber of Commerce board of directors, member
- Round Rock Chamber of Commerce Ascend Program, vice chair
- Texas Women in Business, board of directors
- Deep Wood Elem. PTA, 2012–13 treasurer
Debbie Bruce-Juhlke, Co-owner of Bella Notte on Main
"Timing is everything I'm looking for when would be the appropriate time."
- School district volunteer
- Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, ambassador
- Church ministry, St. Vincent De Paul
Amanda Keeter, Associate director of development for Children at Heart Foundation
"I'm very engaged in the community, but just haven't been sure if I want to pursue an elected position."
- Round Rock Chamber of Commerce board of directors, member
- Co-founder and co-chair (2009–11) of Ascend (young leadership group)
- Women Impacting the Nation, board member
Celeste Lesmeister, Marketing, communications and business development director, St. David's HealthCare
"When the time is right, I would consider giving back to the community in an elected position."
- Round Rock Chamber of Commerce board of directors, member
- Round Rock ISD Partners in Education, board member
- Leadership Round Rock, alumni planning council member
- Round Rock Future Fund, member
Will Peckham, Owner of Round Rock Travel & Tours
"Round Rock's been very good to our family, so if I can help out in some way, I'm happy to do that."
- Round Rock Chamber of Commerce board of directors, member
- YMCA of Greater Williamson County vice chair, CHASCO board
- Williamson County A&M Club, past president
- Round Rock Rotary Club, past president and board member
Cam Scott, Director of community care for Texas Baptist
"The next time there is a vacant seat on the city, I would strongly consider it."
- Community Development Advisory Commission, chairman
- Round Rock Sunrise Rotary Club, president
- Capital Area Council of Governments, Texas Review and Comment System Committee
Jim Shelgren, Regional vice president AT&T Inc.
"I would say I would leave all my options open I want to continue to be involved in the great community that we have."
- Round Rock Chamber of Commerce board of directors, past chairman
- Round Rock Planning and Zoning Commission
- Round Rock Economic Development Advisory Committee
