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

1) I would like to see us make some decisions about how we use the building we purchased on Grogan's Mill.

2) I would like our Parks & Rec streetscape maintenance to include clearing out underbrush at some of our traffic intersections, such as Kuykendahl & Research Forest as well as other areas where the underbrush is making it difficult to travel safely on our roads.

3) I would like either fire station 4 or 5 to have a second manned truck as well as hire 6 new firemen to service as drivers/firefighters to ensure our battalion chiefs are able to coordinate emergencies effectively.

 

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

1) I have accumulated two years of experience and am best placed to continue using the knowledge I have gained to ensure the Township maintains the high quality lifestyle we enjoy while keeping our tax rate low.

2) When my children are asked where they grew up, they will say "The Woodlands". I am running for reelection to preserve the hometown that my children are growing up in to be as desirable as those who have come before them.

3) As a conservative Republican, I am running to continue to keep our local government small, our local markets free from intrusive government regulations and our budget fiscally responsible.

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

Ted Cruz

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility

The Woodlands Republican Women's Club

What do you primarily rely on to help you make difficult decisions as it relates to public policy?

The Constitution, the rights of the individual, my conservative values and prayer to my God.

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

~Not Answered Yet~

 

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

~Not Answered Yet~

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

~Not Answered Yet~

What do you primarily rely on to help you make difficult decisions as it relates to public policy?

~Not Answered Yet~

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?

First, I am proud that the Township sets aside money in anticipation of capital projects in lieu of using bonds for projects such as the ice rink. The Township board has an obligation to balance present and future spending. The needs of our community are fluid. We want to maintain a high standard of living for our residents as well as a desirable place for our businesses and visitors. Given the thorough process that the board goes through to study, understand, bid and approve a large-scale project, such as an indoor theater or the like, I am comfortable with having a general economic development reserve fund.

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

I will answer for the current budget year of August 2017 for the August 2018 budget. 

We approved a budget that set the Township property tax rate for 2018 at $0.23 cents/$100 house value, which is $0.001 under the effective tax rate for 2018. The board and Township staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that our high quality of living is maintained while keeping our tax rate as low as feasible. Given the finalization of new residential construction in our Township, the Township staff and board will have to be even more diligent during the 2019 budget cycle. 

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?

We maintain reserves to ensure that our bond rating is AAA and that our anticipated capital expenditures are paid for with cash on hand. Given residential build out for 2018, continuing flat sales and hotel tax receipts, there isn't much "surplus" to be had anymore. That which we do have has been put into line items such as the Incorporation fund and the economic development reserve fund. We are entering a phase in our community where we will have to scrutinize the budget in much greater detail than we have in years past. The biggest struggle going forward will be how do we continue to maintain such a quality community with excellent services while keeping our tax rate low. 

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 believe the Township no longer funds luncheons but I'm willing to be shown differently. Beyond any federal or state mandated services, taxpayer dollars should not be spent on charitable organizations or social programs. Residents are the best deciders of how they would like to spend their money in regards to charitable & social programs.

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?

~Not Answered Yet~

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

~Not Answered Yet~

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?

~Not Answered Yet~

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's your position on a Performing Arts Center in the Woodlands and what should the funding source(s) be & at what percentages?

I am fine with a Performing Arts Center and believe the funding should come wholly from private individuals and companies.

What's your position on a Performing Arts Center in the Woodlands and what should the funding source(s) be & at what percentages?

~Not Answered Yet~

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

We already have exemptions for Over 65 and Disabled. Given our anticipated future property and sales tax receipts, the Township is not is a position to offer a residential homestead exemption and continue to provide and preserve our high quality services. We maintain a low tax rate for all residents.

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

~Not Answered Yet~

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Economic Development Partnerships?

One advantage is that we do not have to maintain our own Township EDP staff and all the accompanying costs associated with this. Given that commercial build out has a remaining 15-20% left, the role of the EDP for the Township specifically will be reduced.

The disadvantage of the EDPs is that they are not wholly Township specific. They represent regions and essentially competing communities. On the whole, however, this disadvantage doesn't appear to have a grossly negative impact on the Township.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Economic Development Partnerships?

~Not Answered Yet~

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

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?

Me because I am one. :)

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

No

List all governmental entities you've done business with during the past five years

None

Have you volunteered on one of The Woodlands Village Associations, and if so, which one, dates and what major role, if any?

2014-2015, Indian Springs Village Association board

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

Yes

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?

~Not Answered Yet~

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

~Not Answered Yet~

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

~Not Answered Yet~

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

~Not Answered Yet~

List all governmental entities you've done business with during the past five years

~Not Answered Yet~

Have you volunteered on one of The Woodlands Village Associations, and if so, which one, dates and what major role, if any?

~Not Answered Yet~

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

~Not Answered Yet~

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

1) We do not have a true seat at the table at the HGAC. The only way to solve this issue is to become a city.

2) We have the concerning potential to become a pass-through city as county officials continue to propose extending roads such as Woodlands Parkway, Gosling and Branch Crossing. The best way to solve this issue is again to become a city. In the meantime, putting political pressure on these county officials is our best option.

3). Of less concern but notable is the RUD and their suggested project to build an overpass along Lake Woodlands. Again, putting political pressure on county officials as well as RUD board members is our best course of action for the moment.

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

The one positive for the creation of the origial RUD was to build the major roads in the community which would normally be built by the city in which they exist. Since we have never been a city, this was a reasonable option (not necessarily ideal) for building Woodlands Parkway and the other major roads.

The RUD taxes entities that cannot vote for the members of the board. This creates a "taxation without representation" quandry. The best solution would be to sunset the RUD through state legislation.

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 was absolutely and actively against the May 9th road bond. The Woodlands Parkway extension should never have been a part of that bond and I had concerns about many of the other line items in that bond. 

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

I have no major disagreements with the South County Mobility plan. I hope that the entire county will conduct a similar mobility plan. 

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

~Not Answered Yet~

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

~Not Answered Yet~

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.

~Not Answered Yet~

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

~Not Answered Yet~