FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HAUSMAN FILES TO RETAIN
WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP SEAT;
IDENTIFIES SEVEN KEY ISSUES
THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP, TX (January 30, 2008) - Peggy S. Hausman, a community leader for the past 25 years in The Woodlands, has filed to retain her seat on The Woodlands Township board of directors. In making her formal announcement for election as one of five at-large representatives on May 10, Hausman also identified seven key issues facing community residents.
Hausman put out a call to all residents to be “‘masters of our own destiny’ as we begin this vital new phase of our future.” She stated that the seven issues which she has posted on her new web site – www.retainpeggy.com - are essential to residents’ quality of life and the future of The Woodlands:
LAW ENFORCEMENT – “Our Achilles heel in The Woodlands is the lack of our own law enforcement. We currently have a combination of urban and rural sheriff and constable departments trying their best to serve almost 400,000 people living in 1,000 square miles. The Woodlands needs its own police department, complete with a traffic division. Our community also needs its own court system served by its own resident elected judges and justice of the peace.”
TAXES – “Our taxes should be used equitably to pay for community infrastructure, as well as economic development. The Woodlands contributes a disproportionate amount of Montgomery County’s tax revenues in comparison to the benefits we receive.”
ONE-STOP COMMUNITY SERVICES – “The Woodlands needs one-stop community services with a cohesive infrastructure. Currently The Woodlands has separate entities providing fire, police, traffic control, water, roads, government, economic development, culture, convention and visitors bureau, residential and commercial development, child care, indigent care, parks and recreation, education, animal control, and more. Not all of these can or should be consolidated, but there are promising opportunities ahead to improve service to every resident and at a significantly lower cost.”
SMART GROWTH – “Smart growth is good for The Woodlands. I’ve always supported economic development and serve on several committees that promote our community. We have become a commercial center that has surpassed even downtown Houston in key areas, such as occupancy and lease rates. I will continue to serve with a transparent record of responsibility and accountability in ensuring that new commercial development benefits everyone, not special interests. Voters should choose at-large board members who make the same pledge.”
GOVERNANCE & THE FUTURE – “How will we avoid duplication of efforts between The Woodlands Community Service Corporation and The Woodlands Township staff? Are all of our property values being protected equally? Is the front of The Woodlands developed to the same standards as the newer sections? Where and how are the access fees we pay each month on our cable and phone bills allocated back to our community? Should The Woodlands be on a fast track to becoming a great Texas City? Our new board will have a massive agenda to accomplish as we move into true self-governance.”
COVENANTS/BUILDING CODES/ORDINANCES – “George Mitchell founded The Woodlands and created the vision. However, Mr. Mitchell has not owned or developed The Woodlands since 1997. Are we satisfied with what a decade of revised dreams has contributed to the community? Let’s put covenants, development codes, ordinances, building permits and inspections firmly in the hands of the stakeholders – the residents who invested their life savings and are raising their families in The Woodlands.”
QUALITY OF LIFE – “Most of us live our lives for our children and grandchildren. One of the main reasons we moved to The Woodlands in the first place is to raise our families in George Mitchell’s idyllic community. The original slogan of The Woodlands back in 1974 was ‘A real hometown for people and companies.’ It’s now up to all of us with the opportunities and challenges generated by the new entity called The Woodlands Township to keep the ‘real hometown’ alive and to maintain the quality of life that will benefit our children, and grandchildren, and their families.”
The Woodlands Township election will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2008. Early voting begins April 28 and ends May 6. Voter registration continues until April 10.
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