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

After my wife's death in April 2019, I decided to run for the Township Board as a way to get back into community life. In addition, I felt the Township Board had spent too much time and money dealing with incorporation which was not needed and too expensive. Finally, Roger Galatas asked me to run and I have never turned down a request from Mr. Galatas. 

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? 

The Woodlands should remain unincorporated at this time. There is no benefit to incorporating at this time and the cost to incorporate will be substanial. The exact cost is hard to determine because the City of The Woodlands could continue to rely on the Montgomery County Sheriff to provide policy protection as the Township currently does instead of creating a police department. But we do know that if The Woodlands incorporated, the city would have to bear the entire cost of road repair and replacement instead of sharing that cost with the other taxpayers of Montgomery County. In addition, all residents who subscribe to cable will have to start paying a pass through franchise fee. And the size and complexity of government would grow and that means increased costs. 

Incorporation is a governance tool, not a goal. Incorporation should not occur until the benefits of incorporation clearly outweigh the costs of incorporation. 

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?

Yes. The agreements between the Town Center Improvement District (now the Township) and the cities of Houston and Conroe do not allow the Township to withdraw if there is a change in annexation legislation. Furthermore, the moratorium agreements prevent Houston and Conroe from even attempting to annex The Woodlands until 2058 while the new legislation prevents annexation of The Woodlands unless a majority of the voters in The Woodlands agree to the annexation. Without the moratorium agreements, Houston and Conroe could begin the annexation process at any time which would divert time and resources which could be better spent on solving real problems facing The Woodlands. 

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

Expertise gained from practicing law for 45 years, understanding of The Woodlands gained from living here 29 years and my demonstrated commitment to community service. 

What, in your view, are the positive and negative aspects of the Township's current governance structure?

The current governance structure in The Woodlands is doing a good job. The combination of an elected board of directors, an elected county sheriff to provide policing and an elected county commissioner to provide road maintenance gives the voters of The Woodlands much control over governance. 

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 incorporation planning process has been a waste of time and money. The Township should pull incorporation off the shelf from time to time to see if incorporation is appropriate. But it was not necessary to spend so much time and money to determine that there are no benefits from incorporation at this time. With regard to putting incorporation on the ballot for the voters to decide the issue, the incorporation referendum should not be coupled with any other election so that the voters are not distracted by other ballot issues. In addition, prior to the election there should be many forums which voters can attend to hear reasoned arguments concerning our present form of government and the pros (if there are any) and cons of incorporation. Also the referendum should not just be for or against incorporation, but for retaining our present government structure or for incorporating and creating a specific new governmental structure and the cost thereof. For example, the ballot should describe the structure of the new city and the cost of creating all new offices, the ballot should reveal wether the new city will continue to use the existing Township building or build a new city hall and the cost thereof and so on.  

Did you attend any of the Special Planning meetings on incorporation? If so, how many?

No

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?

Should serve as a general fund. 

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

2020 budget is generally OK in my view, although I do object to reserving funds for incorporation and a new city hall. 

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.

That is a difficult question to answer. Generally, I am not in favor of using tax dollars for any purpose other than paying the cost of government. I am totally against the Township funding any for profit organization. With regard to non-profits, I have no problem if the Township reserved funds to provide grants to non-profit organizations that provide services the Township should provide and that benefit all residents of The Woodlands. The amount to be reserved should be determined at least in part by resident input. Difficult to put the question on a ballot, but through the use of surveys and open hearings, the board can probably get a good idea as to how much the residents want to reserve for this purpose. And there should be an application process whereby non-profit organizations request funds for particular purposes, open hearings to allow resident input and total transparency. 

The township budget funds all reserves 100% yearly. What is the current surplus and should any of it be returned to the residents or retained in a rainy day fund and if so, how much and why? Any other options for the surplus?

I do not understand the question. A funded reserve is not a surplus. There are metrics governments can use in evaluating how much to reserve for certain purposes.

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?

Were is the "gross imbalnce of tax equity"? The reason why The Woodlands provides a large portion of county property taxes is because property in The Woodlands has higher appraised values than other areas of Montgomery County. 

If The Woodlands residents vote to incorporate, will their tax obligations to the county be reduced, remain the same or increase. How much in any case?

County taxes will not be reduced and will probably increase over time. As to how much, I have no idea. 

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?

Since there is no personal income tax in Texas, the Townships only other sources of revenue are the sales tax, user fees and a reduction in the cost of government. It will be hard for the Township to avoid tax increases. We traditionally demand a high level of services in The Woodlands and it is unlikely that this demand will decrease at least in the short term. Certainly the fastest way to achieve more non-property tax revenue is to reduce the cost of government. An increase in sales tax revenue can be achieved by providing more shopping opportunities, but more shoppers means more traffic. Clearly the board will have hard decisions to make to achieve a balanced budget in 2021 and beyond without a tax increase. 

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

They should be available to residents of The Woodlands. But it is unfortunate that these exemptions are not means tested. 

What is the effective tax rate for The Woodlands Township? What's the significance of this if home values (appraisals) go up and the tax rate stays the same as the previous year?

The Effective Tax Rate for 2020 is $0.2240/$100 valuation.Theoretically, this rate should eliminate the impact of an increase in appraised values by providing the same tax revenue as the previous year.  

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

No

Which current Township board member do you identify with the most and why?

None

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, but I occasionally represent the DRC and the CSC in covenant enforcement matters and my attorney's fees for such services are paid by the Howard Hughes Corporation. My work has been limited to writing a "legal letter" to the person or entity that is in violation of the covenants. So far, the receipt of such a letter has been sufficient encouragement for the violator to reach an agreement with the DRC or CSC. 

List Civic, Political or union organization or individuals to whom you have contributed time or money (past five years).

I have not contributed to any unions. I have made small contributions to various politicans and civic organizations. 

Are you now or have you ever done business with the township and/or township/county official?

No

Should political subdivisions post their detailed check registers and credit card statements online for public viewing?

Yes

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?

If people traveling east out of west Montgomery County on Mansion's Way heading for Houston decide to turn north at the intersection of Mansion's Way and 2978 and drive north up 2978 to the intersection of Woodlands Parkway and 2978 and then turn onto Woodlands Parkway and go through 26 stop lights to reach IH 45 and then head for Houston instead of turning south at the intersection of Mansion's Way and 2978 and head down 2978 to its intersection with the Grand Parkway and take an exit off of the Grand Parkway to reach Houston, there is nothing the Township can do to prevent these poor people from making such a bad decision since the roads are all public roads. 

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

I am not aware of any major mobility issues in The Woodlands except bad rush hour traffic. 

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?

I am not affliated with any political party. 

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

If your core values include limited government and lowest possible taxes, I agree with your core values.