As of Jan. 30, people in Tomball and Magnolia can file as candidates for city council, as well as Magnolia ISD school board. Two City of Tomball officials wasted no time in putting their names on the ballot. Mayor Gretchen Fagan, as well a City Councilman Rick Brown, filed for re-election to continue their leadership roles in the city.

Individuals could begin filing for office Jan. 30, and the deadline is March 1.

Fagan was elected mayor in 2007, and Brown was elected to Position 3 on City Council in 2010. Outside of their municipal duties, Fagan serves as president of the Tomball Economic Development Corporation and was recently elected to serve as chair of the Hwy. 249 Partnership.

"Residents in the City of Tomball know about the Hwy. 249 expansion and are ready for it, but we need to make sure the communities past us are ready for it and the economic impact," Fagan said.

Brown remains active as senior pastor of ChristBridge Fellowship Church in Tomball and also acts as president for Northwest Emergency Medical Services.

"Things are going really well in the city right now and I enjoy being a part of that," Brown said. "If I can help us continue to grow, I want to continue being a part [of the council.]"

When Fagan was elected in 2007, she said, the city began forming and approving several projects she wants to see through. From projects as big as the pending Baker Hughes education center to more parking lots around Main Street, Fagan said she cannot help but be actively involved.

"It's just a part of me," she said. "I like to know what's going on."

In Magnolia, Anne Sundquist, Jeff Chumley and Rick Harvey are up for reelection for city council, while Steve Crews, Deborah Rose Miller and Gary Blizzard are up for reelection on the Magnolia ISD school board.

Election Day is May 11, and early voting begins April 29. To view more information and instructions on how to file for election, visit www.tomballtx.gov for Tomball and www.cityofmagnolia.com for Magnolia.