I served 6 years on the Chamber of Commerce board, including one year as Board Chair and was named the 2024 Chamber Man of the Year. I served multiple years as Program Coordinator for the Chamber’s Leadership Gillespie County. I currently serve on the City’s Historic Review Board. I served on the City’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, the City’s 2020 Historic District Design Guidelines Steering Committee and the City’s 2017 Community Visioning Plan Business Committee. I am a founding board member of Casa Über Alles and was a founding board member of The Grace Center.
We need to focus on managing growth and development while maintaining a balance of character and identity that honors our heritage. With growth comes increased traffic and a significant impact on the city’s infrastructure. Land use and zoning regulations need to follow what was adopted in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan. As we plan for the future, we need to consider the lack of economic diversity in our community. Affordable housing has been an issue for decades in our community, and we need to partner with landowners, developers, and builders to develop strategic plans.
I’m hearing a lot: Lack of recreational amenities for young families with children. Needing open space, parks, trails, greenways. Focusing on pedestrian safety and mobility: sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes. Implementing effective land use and zoning ordinances. Lack of employment opportunities. Needing sustainable development with consideration for water usage. Lack of affordable housing. Loss of neighborhoods. Income Disparity. Labor constraints. Lack of economic diversity. Traffic congestion, speeds and side-street parking. Alcohol consumption on Main Street. Recycling and landfill capacity. Maintaining our German heritage while planning for the future. Art in public spaces.
I realize that great public service begins with experience and knowledge. Along with my lifelong residency and work experience that I have acquired from 24 years of owning and operating a business on Main Street and the 25 years as an active successful Realtor. Memberships on City Council, Fredericksburg Planning and Zoning Board, the Fredericksburg Independent School Board, Gillespie County Leadership Class, Justice of the Peace Pct 4, St Mary's Parish Council and the Historical Committee that developed the first Historical District Ordinance. My family remains active in volunteering for events in schools, churches, city and Gillespie County.
Fredericksburg continues to have challenges as our city continues to grow. Management of growth and the impact on infrastructure including Water, Sewer and Electric. Traffic/Congestion/Parking/City Streets and diversity of business. Planning and implicating future road extensions and sanitation landfills. Having an open communication relationship with Gillespie County officials.
Visiting with people on almost daily, I have listened to concerns dealing with water usage and the impact of development that puts an additional stress on our ground water aquifers. Open public communication at the city council meetings. Park enhancements to provide outdoor recreational activities for both young and old through public and private partnership.
I first visited Fredericksburg more than thirty years ago after my parents retired here from the small rural community where I grew up. I have lived in Fredericksburg full-time for nearly seven years. During this time, I have tried to learn more about the community and become involved. I have participated in many varied community organizations and events and was a member of the inaugural class of Fredericksburg Citizen University. I believe that all of life prepares one for the challenges and opportunities of the present. My life experiences have honed my skills in leadership, collaboration, and community knowledge.
Many of the issues facing City Council are not new, although they may present themselves in new ways. Small rural towns everywhere are facing challenges which must be addressed to ensure people of all demographics can live and work there. At the same time, Fredericksburg is a unique community, and we need to seek creative ways to address these challenges. This includes managing growth and development in partnership with the County, addressing traffic congestion and roadway safety, ensuring adequate workforce housing for those who live and work
here, and responsibly managing our water supply.
Since deciding to run for City Council, I have sought every opportunity to listen to the citizens of Fredericksburg. They express the desire to be heard and say they feel that decisions are being made by groups and
organizations without asking what the people want or need. The specific issues raised are the same as many of those the City Council faces. I am committed to listening to your voices, addressing your concerns, and working collaboratively to create a bright future for Fredericksburg. Together, we can build on the rich heritage of Fredericksburg while embracing innovation and progress.
I believe that my 40 plus years of experience as a successful businessman and business owner, as well as my 19 years of continuous involvement in the Fredericksburg community, gives me the background and the qualifications needed to continue to serve on the Fredericksburg City Council and the Fredericksburg Charter Review Committee. My community involvement includes leadership roles in Leadership Gillespie County, Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce as well as positions on the Fredericksburg CVB, Fredericksburg Planning & Zoning Board, Gillespie County Economic Development Commission, Gillespie County Airport Advisory Board and 5 terms as a Fredericksburg City Councilman.
Fredericksburg is a unique small town that has a strong agricultural community, a growing wine industry as well as a robust tourism business with water conservation being one of the most pressing issues facing the City Council. Another issue the City Council faces is finding the balance between managing the town's continued growth and preserving the quality of life for Fredericksburg's residents. As well as maintaining our high level of city services, providing parks for our growing population of your families, affordable housing for our residents and employees, and
preserving our rich German heritage.
Citizens are concerned about the continued growth of Fredericksburg. The primary concerns that are associated with this growth are water, increased cost of residential property, growth in tourism, more traffic
congestion, and the ability to preserve our quality of life and Fredericksburg's small-town character. Lack of affordable housing for our workforce is also a concern for Fredericksburg. As mentioned previously, with our growth in young families, we have outgrown our park facilities and need to improve and add to our existing park system. If reelected, I will continue to make these items my priority.
