Do you think The Woodlands should become a city or remain unincorporated? Why or why not (what are some of the pro's and cons)?  And if so, when should incorporation occur and why in that time frame? 

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. I remain an advid supporter to allow the residents to vote on incorporation as Director at Position 3. 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, such as Woodlands Parkway, Branch Crossing and Gosling Roads. This would also halt the encroachment on our desirable and successful community from county and other outside special interests. However, the Residents have their own reasons for  voting yes or no, which ultimately will be their decision.

What are the three main attributes that make you the most qualified for this position?

Management experience.

 As a Facilities Supervisor for our corporate global HQ's here in The Woodlands and extensive contracts negotiaions, I am able to provide insight and advice on brick and mortar solutions thoughout The Woodlands. 

Township Expereince.

I have served on the Township board since 2016, serving on the Law Enfrocement Advisory committee, Economic Develpoment committiee, Vice Chairman of Visit The Woodlands, and serving as treasurer of the board. Also, I have been on the Alden Bridge Village Association Board over 10 years with a nomination as Volunteer of the Year for Alden Bridge in 2015.

Community Experience.

Been volunteering for 10 years, active in almost every facet of this community from Interfiath, Light the Night, Suicide prevention, and events throughout our Township, it has brought me together with amazing leaders. It has been through these contacts that I have earned the respect to discuss issues at any level and bring resolution.

Are you in favor of allowing the residents to vote on the incorporation question once the incorporation planning process is complete? Why or why not?

The residents will have the final desicion at the ballot box whether or not they wish to incorporate. It is the only way to be fair to the majority of residents and how they wish to continue their future governance.The residents will have a complete study, 5 year plan and accurate future tax rate if they do choose to incorporate.

Should board members actively engage with other government entities to fight to reduce burdens placed on them by other taxing entities?

The Board should engage with any entity that directly affects their consituents in any matter.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Economic Development Partnerships?

Economic development is critical to any community. The vitality of a community is based upon the balance of Commerical Investment and the Impact to its residents. We should support EDP in ways by cooperating with them on recruiting presentations, tours, special events, and hospitality.

One advantage is that the EDP is proactively looking for businesses to make The Woodlands their home, which in turn brings in tax revenue. It's an Investment to keeping the economic vitality and providing a revenue stream for The Township to be able to provide world class amenities.

The only disadvantage is that in the same breath, the EDP does not work for just The Township and work for a larger region and even though growth in our region benefits the county at large, there might not be an immediate, direct revenue source for our residents. 

Are you familiar with the FTA grant requirements that enable Federal Funding for the Park and RIde and Trolley services? Would you try to modify those agreements? Why or why not?

The Township's contract with the Brazos Transit District and part of the Conroe-The Woodlands Urbanized Area (UZA). This provides essential funding to provide these statutory services.

As a representative of a Top Rated Master Planned Community, what are the challenges you see with balancing the expected ammenities and the increasing costs with property taxes associated with them?

The balance is how do we keep these expected world class amenities and provide them with a declining sales and property tax revenue. With the ever increasing growth and competition from our neighbors in the County for events, hotel space and amenities, we need to find ways to be able to pay for the lifestyle our community expects. With comerrical/residnetial buildout coming to the end, we can't expect to survive on property taxes, especially wtih ours that are high. However, with increasing expenses with added value of services, we have to fiund alternate solutions to keep a balance budget, which will be a challenge in the next 5 years.

What are your thoughts regarding the 2020 Preliminary budget ?  Do your support it in full and if not what do you object to?"

Yes, however, it will be challenging in the next 5 years to continue to provide high class ameneties without finding alterante revenue sources.

Should the economic development reserve fund serve as a general fund, to go to multiple projects such as ice-rinks, museums, buildings, street repairs etc. or should it be a project specific only account?

Reserves Funds are just place holders for identified areas of expeditures and can be moves around if need be, typically, except for our Obligated Fund reserves which our credit rating looks at and past boards have set at 20% of the current budget.

The reserves should be used on any project that brings value to the community.

Should the township be funding non-profit organization events such as Interfaith luncheons, senior pick-up services, Education for tomorrow luncheons, etc...with tax dollars.

~Not Answered Yet~

What are your thoughts regarding the 2020 Preliminary budget?  Do you fully support it in full and, if not, what do you object to?

~Not Answered Yet~

What is your position on the Homestead, Over 65 and Disabled Exemptions available to the residents of the Township?

We should always attempt to provide relief to our senior community and those disabled so that they can retire here, enjoy the amenities they helped fund. Homestead exempetions are vital to maintaining some sort of cotrol on individual property tax rates.

With The Woodlands reaching full residential build-out, what do you think the Township should do to generate additional non-property tax revenues to maintain services without a property tax increase?

Find alternate solutions to increase hotel and saels tax. Other than Property Tax, Sales tax is the largest revenue genrator for the Township, which I would say is the most important generator of revenue. This would include the expansion of our Convention center to allow for large conferences and events, which in turn provides hotel and sales tax.

It's been reported that The Woodlands comprises only 20% of households in the county, yet provides almost double that (38.5%) of the county total in property taxes. What would/could you do to correct this gross imbalance of tax inequity?

Unfortunately, the only way to change this is at the ballot box and elect officials that will be fair and provide relative vlaue to what we provide in taxes. I would like to see the county provide more services to The Woodlands in proportionate to what we pay.

Have you ever been convicted as result of arrest? Ever had any tax liens? If so, give start & resolution dates?

No.

Have you and/or any of your family members ever ben employed by or worked under contract to either The Woodlands Township, Woodlands Development Company or Montgomery County?

No.

What are your thoughts about the community using the board to promote certain social justice agendas? Should the board maintain neutrality since they represent broad views of all residents?

As elected officials we should allow the residents there right to express their opinions. As individual citizens (not board memebers) we have the right to participate in any events that are related to our own personal values, however not use the baord for a personal platform.

What are the 3 most pressing mobility issues in The Woodlands and what is your preferred solution to each?

~Not Answered Yet~

Commissioner Riley is actively planning the extension of the Mansion's Way parkway. What should the Township do to prevent a flood of cut though traffic on Woodlands Parkway?

~Not Answered Yet~

What is your opinion of the WRUD (Woodlands Road Utility District) and how is it useful and what's the downside?

The WRUD is an entity empowered by Texas law to levy taxes and spend the revenue on road improvements in The Woodlands. They do not ask for input of The Woodlands residents and can be influenced by special interests. A lot of how the WRUD is elected and what power they have is ambiguous to the residents.

Most of the roads built in The Woodlands today were because of the WRUD.

What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?

1. To continue to keep this community as an example to all communities by providing sound, fiscal responsibility, while providing top class amenities and providing one of the safest areas to live in the country.

2. Being an integral part of the future of The Woodlands and how it will handle the upcoming challenges.

3. Using my experiences as a comunity leader to listen to the residents, educate them and discuss how we can resolve their issues.

What do you perceive to be the biggest threat to our community within the next 5 years?

Our budget will be the biggest challenge in the next 5-10 years.

With new legislation (HB347) prohibiting annexation of smaller communities by larger/adjacent cities unless approved by voters, is The Woodlands still obligated to pay-off Houston ($1 million) and Conroe ($500,000) for that purpose?

UNfortunately, with Texas contract law, we are obligated by contract to pay the gross amount to both Houston and Conroe

Do you agree/disagree with MCTP Core Values?  Please explain if you disagree

I support the mission of the Montgomery CountyTea Party because it is in line with my conservative values, but I am not active with any tea Party organization.

What political party do you affiliate with? Do you believe in that party platform (all of it or % part - if %, please describe what you disagree with)?

The Republican party.