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Home » 2021-05-01 election » City of Montgomery » Place 1 » Jenny Stewart

Jenny Stewart
Party Republican
Website https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryTXLeadership
Born 1959
Education BS TAMU Cum Laude
Occupation EX teacher, Horsebreeder
Religion Catholic
Marital Married
Children 2

Jenny Stewart

declared

City or Montgomery Councilwoman for 3 terms.Spearheaded Cedar Brake Park Project by obtaining a $500,000 Park Grant.

Negotated purchase of land for the park. Negotiated the purchase of land for the currenty City Hall site for one dollar.

Started the drive for Zoning in the City, first Planning and Zoning Chairman. Cedar Brake Park Chairman.Historic Preservation Committee,Parking Committee.

Active in MISD for 16 years; District Advisory Board, PTO Board, founding member of National Charity League Montgomery Monarchs Chapter,Bear Backers, past president Montgomery Junior Cotillion

Lake Conroe Area Republican Womens past President 2000, 1st Vice President 2yrs, Legislative Chairman 2yrs, Campaign Activities Chairman, Delegate to the Texas Federation of Repulican Women Convention, Delegate to the SD 3 Convevtion and Delegate to the Republican State Convention.

Board member of the Houston Equine Research Organization (H.E.R.O.) at Sam Houston Race Park 1995-2005

 

MCTP Score of: 86 Source

Submitted by john wertz on 2021-04-12 17:29:04

 

Pros

• Successful, personable, experienced, knowledgable, resourceful, well spoken & energetic council rep - 3 previous terms

• Small business professional; fiscal conservative w/strong negotiating skills (brokered deal for new City Hall site for $1; involved w/Cedar Brake Park);

• a positive vision for the community w/out breaking the bank;  first Planning and Zoning Chair;  understands infrastructure needs (water/sewer, sidewalks along Hwy 149 for safety)

• Active in MISD for 16 years; PTO Board

• Says majority of current council wastes taxpayer's money.  Examples of current council waste: Spent $750K for a $400K piece of property.  Other examples of current wastes: unused $14K walkie-talkies; $10K goat costume(which allegedly her opponent seconded in a meeting)

• Wants more transparency for and interaction with citizens

Cons

• answers to some questions suggest she's not...  More

Video Interview Source

Submitted by john wertz on 2021-04-11 20:09:56

 

Questionnaire

General

Civic, Political or union organization or individuals to whom you have contributed (five years):

National Republican Party, Donald Trump, numerous Republican canditates

Have you ever been arrested? Ever had any tax liens? If so, start & resolution dates?

Never arrested, no tax liens

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

I want to contribute to a better planned growth of the city and rein in reckless spending.

I have taken concrete action every time I have been in office and have produced significant outcomes; 1st term- Zoning ;2nd term-- Cedar Brake Park ; 3rd term - brokered land deal for new City Hall Site. City purchased for One Dollar.

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

Infrastructure Needs;I would work to dissolve MEDC and put those funds into the General Fund like the city of Willis has done. Example why: We have had raw sewage spewing out of a city manhole for over 2 years. Nothing has been done, yet MEDC has spent $14,000 on walkie talkies and voted on spending up to $10,000 on a goat masct costumn for the city!

  Greater connectivity with better planning and sidewalks. Grants and working with developers more would be helpful. A lot of the Engineering costs have been excessive. There have been plans for over 20 years to connect 149 with sidewalks and theyre not there yet. The same goes with looping the city with water and sewer .

Growth is inevitable, but losing our small town atmosphere is not. I feel we are losing it and thats I want to help, vote for me and youll find out how we can save our small town.

 

How can the operation of your city government be made more efficient and cost effective?

More transparency and interaction with citizens is needed. Very few citizens know that the city spent $750,000 for 41/2 acres with no concrete plans for the use. The city did not have the funds to purchase the land but borrowed it from the MEDC account that has over $1 million dollars. Eliminate MEDC and put those tax dollars to active,needed use for the citizens.We dont need a goat costumn we need infrastructure problems solved.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Economic Development Partnerships?

Basically if the city has smart people on their team, it will be a win/win situation for both parties. I feel the city has been taken advantage of in the past.

Do you support term limits for the council?  If so, how many terms? Which current Magnolia board member do you identify with the most and why?

I support term limits. However, this is a job you don't get paid for and to be successful at it you have to put time and effort into the job. Furthermore, a lot of our citizens have good ideas and some complaints, you have to be willling listen and act. Not a lot of people are willing to dedicate the time and do the actual work,  it is the job of the council member to do it for them.

 

Budget

What is the current budget surplus and should any of it be returned to the residents, pay down debt or retained in a rainy day fund and if so, how much and why?

i am not aware of a budget surplus, Montgomery has always had more projects than funds.

Will you vote to increase or reduce the annual city budget?  Why?  What changes will you propose in your city’s budget?  Why?

I am not familiar with the actual amount in the budget, I will know that next week. Due to Covid hardships in the last year I would retain the same budget and reevaluated in the following year.

Should the city be funding non-profit organization events, such as the local civic club, with tax dollars?

Yes, when benificial to both parties. Many of the work these organizations do benefit the community greatly.( both parties benefiting).

The ETJ area of the city is quite large. As the city grows how do you expect to the city to pay for the for water and sewer services for the annexed neighborhoods?

We actually have qualified for grants for some said services but were denied for technical reasons. I would actively pursue the many grant routes.

Spending

How much does this position pay each year? Do you think this amount should be increased, decreased or even, like The Woodlands Township, receive no compensation at all?

Montgomery City Council positions receive no pay

Taxes

What is the Sales Tax Rate for the City in which you're running?  Property Tax rate?  How much of the revenue is derived from each? Do you think it would be a good idea to broaden either or both of them to increase revenues?

I think the City of Montgomerys tax rates should remain the same for now.

When would it be appropriate for a business receive any tax abatements?

When the City will benefit from the business being here and it is not a hardship to the city.

Debt

What is city's bond rating?  What is the current debt load and is it too high? Please describe how you will determine the proper debt load.

I should receive updated information later this week and will have a better understanding of the fiscal situation.

1st Amendment - speech, religion

Please discuss in detail (with your rationale) to what extent you will resist threats by political groups (such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation) to change long held practices (such as opening meetings with prayer or removing public monuments). Will you defend lawsuits brought against the city?

I would fight to retain our current practices.

10th Amendment

What guidelines/ordinances/mandates do you support for public health emergencies?

I would support any mandates or guidelines for the public that would be of direct help to their safety and health .

Ethics

Have you and/or any of your family members been employed by or working under contract to any taxing entity in your jurisdiction?

No

Are you now or have you ever done business with the city and/or any other taxing entity? If so, what was the nature of that relationship?

No

Immigration

Please explain in detail why you support or oppose tax-paid welfare and health benefits to illegal aliens and recent immigrants.

I believe in legal immigration.

Other

Would you vote in favor of spousal benefits for same-sex partners of State, County and City employees? Please explain your reasons.

Yes

Do you own property in Montgomery County?  Do you own or operate a business in Montgomery County?

Yes to both

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?

Member of Lake Area Republican since 1993. Past President (2000) Vice-President and numerous other offices within the club.

Are you a member of ANY Chamber of Commerce group? Are you aware of and/or have you attended or plan to attend Leadership Montgomery County?

No

In the city, and its ETJ area, there are a lot of apartments being constructed. Do you favor the construction of single family home over large apartment complexes? Do you believe that single family home creates a more livable community?

The City of Montgomery has already exceeded the original amout of planned apartments in this town. There should never be more apartments than single family homes in this town, Ms Anna is rolling in her grave !