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 will eventually need to incorporate in order to avoid annexation by Houston or Conroe. I support a measured approach to incorporating, while finding ways to quantify and minimize the additional cost burden. I don’t think we need a deadline (other than at least a couple of years before 2057), but we should proceed with careful planning and preparation. Some people feel that the county is ignoring Township Board resolutions, resident petitions, and resident votes and that the only way to solve this is incorporation. I don’t see this as a serious issue that cannot be resolved through good communications and cooperation. I also believe that after about $80 million in bonds have been paid off, that this reduction in mandatory expense will help cushion, or even offset, the higher costs of becoming a city. I don’t believe we fully know the cost of incorporation or the ongoing cost difference between operating as a township and as a city. To my knowledge, no unincorporated area in Texas as large as The Woodlands has ever incorporated.

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

Education (Purdue - BS in Mechanical Engineering, MS in Industrial Management; Yale – Post Graduate studies in Transportation Economics); 45 years as a professional transportation and management consultant and business owner; local community involvement (MUD 1 president, Grogan’s Mill Village Association director and treasurer, Grogan’s Mill Residential Design Review Committee); and adequate time to devote to being a good director (I am fully retired). I had a major role in helping to consolidate the former MUD 2 and MUD 40 into MUD 1.

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

No

Why are you running for this office and what 3 major goals do you want to be measured by if you are elected?

I am running in order to better serve my community, utilizing the knowledge, skills, and experience I have acquired over the years in both business and community service. I have four top goals: 1) to promote and institute actions to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility; 2) improve focus on serving community and resident interests (George Mitchell’s original vision); 3) slow the rush to incorporate (see above); and, 4) improve two-way communications with residents.

What three changes would you like to see implemented by the Township?

I have nothing specific at this time, though I would like to see more civility and respect among Board directors.

Did you take a public position on clear-cutting of trees and if so, what was it? And in a few sentences, explain why.

I did not take a public position on clear-cutting, but I am generally opposed to doing so.

List all civic, political or union organizations or individuals to whom you have contributed time or money in the last five years.

Republican party candidates (state & national); Interfaith; local and national charities; The Woodlands United Methodist Church.

Are any of your family members employed by or working under contract to either The Woodlands Township or Montgomery County?

No

What are your thoughts regarding the 2018 Budget Provided at the August 14, 2017 Board Meeting? 

It is not possible to comment on the details of the budget, as I would need to know the history behind the development of each line item. In general, I believe it is a well thought out document, following conservative fiscal accounting procedures. While I certainly favor lowering taxes, I also favor setting up reserves as depreciation accounting is not used and reserves better reflect the market value of capital items which will need to be replaced. I also think it is fiscally prudent to budget for future incorporation (which, technically, may not be possible until the debt has been retired). As a general rule, I also favor pay-as-you-go as much as possible, minimizing the need to acquire debt.

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?

“Surplus” is perceived in the eye of the beholder. While the General Fund surplus noted in the budget (Page 15-37) is very nominal, others might perceive that “surpluses” are parked away in reserves. With growth slowing as build-out approaches, the effective tax rate continuing to slowly drop, incorporation probably coming down the road, the Township being only six years old, and with low inflation rates, it is fiscally prudent at this time to build reserves without increasing tax rates to do so. Further, fully funded reserves maintain or improve The Woodlands excellent credit ratings. Beyond a certain point, we should explore a further reduction in taxes. 

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.

I think this is a decision that should be made by community input. I have no preset positions on these, as I need to better understand the costs, and the pros and cons of making these expenditures. Some community events or services may be more worthwhile than others.

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?

I believe that it is more flexible to maintain as a general fund as long as there is public support, accountability, and good rationale for spending the money, but I am not against setting up purpose specific reserve funds. This may be more of an accounting or accountability issue.

What's your understanding and opinion on the Alpha Omega Security Services? And should the Township continue to fund/utilize it?

I have mixed feelings on this and believe that it should again be discussed by the new Board, with more resident input. It is my understanding that the Montgomery County police department believes this is a worthwhile activity, serving to provide more eyes, ears, and visibility to discourage crime and vandalism. It is a unique tourist attraction, but in itself does not bring in tourists or affect their spending.

This is a non-paid position. Do you think this role should receive compensation?

This is a moot question as the enabling legislation creating the Township prohibits paying directors. It is worth noting, however, that MUD directors get paid $150 per meeting and spend far less time than a Township Director must devote to the job. The fact that it is unpaid speaks highly to the quality of people who are willing to run for this office, particularly those who stand to gain no direct or indirect financial gain from doing so.

Do you consider the water taxi service an amenity in The Woodlands? If so what level of funding should be paid by taxpayer dollars?

 I do not consider this to be either a taxi service or an amenity that should be funded with taxpayer dollars unless a legitimate case can be made for its continuation. Unless there are liability or insurance issues, it may be possible to replace some paid employees with volunteers as an alternative to completely shutting it down. Also, perhaps not enough has been done to increase revenues and reduce costs. This is something I am willing to dig more into if I am elected.

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?

 I would not consider it an inequity if reasonable proportion of taxes paid by The Woodlands residents is invested back into The Woodlands or otherwise provides some benefit to Woodlands residents. Also the average income of residents and property values are much higher in The Woodlands than the rest of the county, so much of the collection difference can be attributed to these two facts. It is the nature of government to incur some imbalances between revenues collected and expenses distributed to resident benefits. I would need more facts to conclude that a “gross imbalance of tax equity” exists. If it can clearly be shown that a gross imbalance exists, then ballot initiatives need to be proposed to correct this, though I think this might be a formidable challenge. I am not aware of any public reports with facts and figures that point to a “gross imbalance” other than cited above.

If The Woodlands incorporates, do you think it will raise taxes for residents.  If so, how much and what is your basis for that claim?

If the Woodlands incorporates, there will undoubtedly be an increase in taxes. I think the February 10, 2012 incorporation study reasonably demonstrated that. The real questions is how much. After reading that study, using comparable cities, I think we can do much better starting with a zero based approach to staffing, material, and capital expenses. I personally think the study over estimated what we really need to spend, but I am not educated enough, yet, to know where and how much we really need to spend, particularly in road maintenance and capital for the 684 miles of roadway we will inherit from the county. I feel we can do better than the 70 percent increase noted in the study. Thirty percent? Fifty percent? I simply don’t know.

I am also concerned about the up front, high, one time capital costs and start-up costs related to incorporation, before the proposed city settles down into a smooth operating organization. I repeat that I am not against incorporation but emphasize that we need to know the costs and the game plan before we make an irreversible commitment to incorporate. Also, I don’t see the urgency to incorporate that some people feel. After only six + years, we are still learning how to govern with our unique Township model. We can still tweak it, perhaps with some help from the legislature.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Economic Development Partnerships?

Economic Development Partnerships can be designed to attract desirable businesses that benefit a community and create jobs. Disadvantages may include promoting excessive growth, promoting business interests over resident interest, costing more than it is worth or, in the case of The Woodlands, diminution of George Mitchell’s original vision for the community. There are some people who believe we are going, or have gone, a bit too far, too fast, with promoting business growth as evidenced by many, or more, commuters driving into The Woodlands to work as those who drive out.

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

I have high regard and respect for most present Board members, especially for their diversity, skills, experience, and commitment to the community. I regret to see, however, that the civility among Board members seems to be declining. 

In this role, you'll be representing both residents & organizations. In the event of a conflict with the Woodlands Development Company and/or the Economic Development Partnership, how would handling this situation?

Compromise is usually the best solution. In the event a satisfactory compromise cannot be accomplished, I would favor a resolution that represents the interests of community residents.

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

In my opinion, the three top mobility issues are traffic congestion on major roads, traffic congestion in the Central Business District, and a transit/bike/walk environment that needs to be improved. Traffic congestion on major roads may be significantly reduced utilizing new, advanced traffic signal technologies, similar to what Grapevine, Texas has done. A better designed (serving more clearly defined and quantified needs), more frequent, and reliable circulating bus service between major traffic centers appears to be needed. I am disappointed with the dissolution of the ad hoc Transportation committee – something I would like to see revived.

Please list at least 3 positives and 3 negatives of the WRUD and describe your proposed solutions for the negatives?

The greatest positive of the WRUD is that it has raised over 100 hundred million dollars for infrastructure improvements at no cost to residential taxpayers. Negatives are lack of accountability, appearance of “under the radar” back room planning, ability to unilaterally assess taxes and annex jurisdictional territory, and inadequate representation of public interests. (The number of eligible voters was only 3 in 2014.)

Did you take a public position on the May 9, 2015 Road Bond, and if so, what was it? And in a few sentences, explain why.

I did not take a public position on the May 9 Road Bond. From the dissent created by initial failure of the 2015 Road Bond proposal, it is clear that more facts, public input, and hearings are required to sell the public on road bonds. Even the Bond authority which passed, was a hard sell. I am totally against financing routine road maintenance with bonds.

Do you have any main disagreements with the Precinct 3 Mobility Plan and if so, explain what they are and the rationale behind them.

The plan does not address the need for regional mass transit, the potential of improved traffic control technologies, and, I believe, insufficient efforts into developing transit alternatives, such as buses, biking and walking. Some of this may be related to study budget or defined scope of work. Expanding roads and highways primarily benefits inefficient single person vehicles and it is getting increasingly expensive. In many cases, it only encourages more traffic. Increasingly, there is more traffic inflow into The Woodlands in the morning, and outflow in the evening, reversing what was the norm five to ten years ago. We need to consider more alternatives than simply pouring more concrete. Perhaps we need to think “out of the box,” such as a fully automated monorail system (see Seattle, Disney World), or even light rail (as over a dozen US cities have done). The capital cost per passenger mile of capacity for these alternatives may be significantly less than building comparable road capacity. By using automated, driverless vehicles (such as  in Vancouver, BC; Seattle; Disney World; New York City Times Square shuttle, and many airports), and charging low fares, operating subsidies can be minimized or avoided. 

Are you active with any Tea Party or conservative grassroots organization? If so, list which, how long and what capacity? If not, what's your opinion of Tea Party groups here as to their effectiveness?

No

Should Township directors serve at large or represent specific villages (districts)?

It is my opinion that directors should serve at large, representing all villages