WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP BOARD DEFERS INTERIM APPOINTMENT UNTIL AFTER MAY ELECTION

I wish to congratulate my fellow members on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors for voting unanimously to defer until June any appointment to fill the current vacancy on the board that will soon lead our community into the future. Back in December, I alerted you that filling this vacancy before the May 2008 elections was not in the best interests of residents. The Courier newspaper supported this position in an editorial a few days later. Here are excerpts from a press release dated December 5, 2007:

“Peggy Hausman, a current member of The Woodlands Township Board, has questioned the wisdom of some board members to ‘rush to judgment’ in making an interim board appointment next week (Dec. 12). …The new Woodlands Township entity was approved by 86% of the voters in part so they could elect their own representatives. … Why not wait a few months for the election authorized by the residents to decide who is going to represent them until 2010? ... (We must) work towards a board that will truly represent all Woodlands families. …We must ensure that the new responsibilities of The Woodlands Township board also means that we will be held accountable for placing the preservation of family and resident interests before special interests. … Making a rush appointment just weeks before a bona fide election is a negative way to begin the promising future of The Woodlands Township and a disservice to residents who are waiting and anxious to elect their first representatives. … Hausman is a community leader who has represented resident groups here for the past 25 years”

On Feb. 28, 2008, the issue was brought before the full board by the executive committee. According to the Houston Chronicle, the vacancy was handled and discussed in the following manner: “While the executive committee of the township board recommended that an appointment be made shortly after the May 10 election, board member Peggy Hausman pressed for that recommendation to be made by the new slate of officers that will be selected by the new board in June. The executive committee is made up of the four leadership positions for the township, including president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. ‘I want to give ample time for anyone interested in the position to send a letter for consideration,’ Hausman said. The decision was unanimously supported by the board.”

I urge any residents interested in serving to fill this vacancy on The Woodlands Township Board to submit a letter of interest to Executive Committee, The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, 10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 600, The Woodlands, TX 77380. If you would like to send a copy to me, I will be sure it is considered by the board after the May 10 election.