leander city council candidate question & answer

34
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
ELECTION GUIDE
DESIGN BY SHAWN EPPS
2015
Leander City Council Place 3 was vacated by Councilman Simon Garcia on Jan. 29.
Jeff Seiler, Place 5, ran unopposed and was sworn in April 2. Ron Abruzzese, Place 4,
ran unopposed and begins his term in May. Answers were edited for space.
COMPLETE COVERAGE AT IMPACTNEWS.COM/VOTE-AUSTIN-METRO
Compiled by Lyndsey Taylor
*Incumbent
LEANDER CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE QUESTION & ANSWER
PLACE 2
PLACE 3
KIRSTEN LYNCH*
PROFESSION:
senior
branch office
administrator
for Edward
Jones
Investments
MICHELLE STEPHENSON
PLACE 6
JERRY PEREZ
SHANAN SHEPHERD
PROFESSION: service
manager at a
management
company
PROFESSION:
structural
engineer
and project
manager
PROFESSION:
residential real
estate agent at
98th Meridian
CONTACT:
place2@leandertx.gov
CONTACT: 512-986-7165
www.michelleforplace2.wix.com/vote
michelleforplace2@gmail.com
CONTACT: 512-284-5569
Jerryperez4leander@yahoo.com
CONTACT: 512-922-3002
www.facebook.com/
shananforleander
I have a passion for Leander and
have been here since 1986. This is
our daughter’s home. ... I know how
important [it is to control] budget,
taxes and spending while fulfilling
goals, desires and growth both as a
homeowner and a city [councilwoman]. Michelle grew up in the New Orleans
area and received a degree in civil
engineering from the University of
New Orleans. ... She has served
on Leander’s Planning and Zoning
Commission for four years and is
currently vice [chairwoman].
My wife and I moved into Leander 13
years ago [and moved to the] Austin
area 20 years [ago]. ... We moved to
Leander after my military honorable
discharge. We wanted that small
hometown feeling but [did not want
to be] far from the city.
My husband, Paul, and I are both
native Texans. We have four beautiful
children. ... My passion in life is to
help others, and I am privileged to
serve on ... the Leander Chamber
of Commerce, M-25 Alliance ... and
Economic Development [Committee].
TROY HILL
DAVID SIEBOLD*
PROFESSION:
channel brand
manager at
Xerox Corp.
CONTACT: 512-745-2813
www.troyhill4citycouncil.com
I am a 10-year resident of Crystal
Falls. ... I graduated with a degree
in urban and regional planning
from Texas State University. ...
Currently I serve on the Leander
Economic Development Committee
and previously served as a precinct
[chairman] and election judge.
PROFESSION:
position at
Scotts MiracleGro CONTACT: 512-826-0105
www.facebook.com/davidsiebold
davidsiebold1@gmail.com
I have lived in Leander for 20 years
and have proudly served on the
Leander City Council for 16 years. I
serve on the board of directors for
Capital Metro. ... My passion is land
use and transportation and how they
interact.
Why are you running for Leander City Council?
The future of Leander is exciting
and promising. Our possibilities
are endless. We’re beginning
to bring more businesses and
neighborhoods to Leander with
modeled growth and planning. So
much more is on the horizon. I am
honored to be asked to run again
for Place 2 and continue fairly
evaluating issues brought before
council. I want to bring a new voice with
valuable experience to City Council
to ensure Leander grows wisely,
beautifully and responsibly. With
our significant growth, most of the
financial burden of it has fallen on
the homeowner. We need a renewed
push for economic development in
order to give relief to the citizens. We
can accomplish this [by addressing]
needed infrastructure improvements
and quality-of-life issues.
I believe I can serve our community
as a strong representative. [I am]
committed to transparency if
elected. I have no sweeping agenda
[and] no promises to keep. I simply
offer our residents my desire to
improve our community and a
commitment to keeping the public
informed of our city dealings.
I am running because I truly love
this city and the people here. With
the tremendous growth taking place
in Leander, it is important that our
council members are accountable
and responsible with taxpayer
dollars and truly listen to the wants
and needs of all citizens. I have
worked hard to learn all I can about
this community and the people
who live here. I am committed to
continue doing so.
I am running for City Council
because I believe the next few
years are critical for our city’s
growth. Leander will grow, so
the question is, ‘How will it grow?’
I believe I know what the residents
of Leander want the city to become,
and if elected I will be their voice to
make sure that happens in the way
they want.
I am running ... because of the
same reasons I first sought a seat
on council. I want to be part of
determining how Leander builds out
as a city and a community. I want
to have an impact on the type of
development that defines our city. I
am not satisfied with having a lot
of strip centers and nondescript
neighborhoods. I am more interested
in creating vibrant community centers
... and walkability between centers.
I listen, I am accountable and I
care. I have volunteered countless
hours serving the citizens of
Leander and hope to continue to
do so as a member of your City
Council. In addition to real estate,
I have a background in business
and marketing, which lends
itself to promoting the economic
development efforts of the city,
which is critical to our future
growth.
My qualifications are a knowledge
of city planning as well as business
experience. I have owned a small
business and know the challenges
business owners face every day.
The city should be a help to our
businesses so that they will succeed
as well as give our residents viable
options of where to live, shop, dine,
or be entertained. I can work well
with others and get things done.
If elected I will represent the city
at all times knowing that I am a
representative of all our residents
first and foremost.
I have the experience from being on
council for the past 16 years. I know
where we have come from and what
was behind the decisions we made
over the past two decades to get our
city to the position we are [in] now.
With a fast-growing city we have
many challenges when it comes
to prioritizing the infrastructure
improvements needed to meet the
increased demand we see with our
growth. You need someone who is
willing to ask the tough questions.
Leander’s biggest challenges are
making the cost of living more
affordable and attracting businesses.
Our tax rate should continue to
be lowered. Our water rates are
extremely high, and if there is any
way to lower them it should be
pursued. We should consider looking
for additional sources of water. In
regard to attracting businesses, the
benefit will be local jobs for Leander
citizens, which will give us the
daytime traffic needed to attract ...
retail and dining options. Incentives
to help small business locate here
should be looked at.
Our biggest challenge is reducing
the impact of taxes and water
rates on our residents. We have
plenty of residential growth and
need to focus on increasing our
retail [and] commercial growth
without compromising our vision
for the city. We are in the process
of bringing on a new economic
development director, which
doubles our staff in this area and
will allow us to focus on bringing
in developers that can create the
landing spaces for these new
businesses. What qualifications would you bring to the position?
My experience, integrity, honesty
and independence are crucial
on City Council. Both on and off
the dais I listen to, ask questions
of and evaluate items that are
critical to Leander. I serve and
have served on local and regional
boards and committees on [issues
such as] economic development,
emergency communication, ethics,
emergency response, people with
special needs, families, seniors, my
church, the Leander Citizen’s Police
Academy Alumni, United Way and
more.
• Integrity, which is of utmost
importance, and I value [it] above all
other traits.
• An engineering background, which
brings the keen understanding
that every issue or challenge can
be managed correctly when one
considers all the facts
• I have been a part of making zoning
and development decisions for the
city for the past four years and have
the knowledge and understanding of
our planning and zoning ordinances.
• I have a reputation for listening to
the citizens.
My military and current career
experiences have given me strong
communication, negotiation,
analytical and fiscal abilities,
making me a perfect fit for City
Council. Good city government
requires mutual respect among
council, staff and citizens.
What are Leander’s biggest challenges and how would you address them?
The growth of Leander is
inevitable. The way it happens
is not. Understanding the
needs of infrastructure, water,
roadways, transportation and
limiting spending are ways I can
control the demands in Leander’s
future. Creating a quality of life
that is the envy of Central Texas
with developed parklands and
community activities is something
we can achieve. Unburdening
homeowners from paying the
lion’s share of taxes by addressing
economic development is
necessary.
• Tax burden on the homeowner
and keeping up with an
increased need for infrastructure
improvements due to growth: We
need more businesses and
employers to settle in Leander. This
can be accomplished with a good
economic development plan and
by marketing ourselves to the right
companies.
• High water rates: We took on a
lot of debt to ensure Leander has
a secure water source. With more
residents to spread out the debt,
we should look at lowering the
rates.
Growth [is a challenge] just like [in]
every other city in the metropolitan
area. We have to focus on our
infrastructure, businesses and our
water. At the same time, [we need
to work] hard to keep our taxes
as low as we can and [make sure]
the city flows at a proper rate. We
can give the [city] staff the tools
they need to make a better quality
of life.
According to the majority of
citizens I have spoken to, property
taxes and a lack of retail in Leander
are our biggest challenges. I am
committed to work to bring more
businesses to Leander as this will
enhance our city’s tax base and
help lessen the tax burden on our
homeowners. Additionally, it will
give citizens more local options for
services, dining and entertainment,
something we need in order to
keep the sales tax [revenue] dollars
in Leander.
35
Cedar Park | Leander Edition • April 2015
IMPORTANT DATES
ELECTION GUIDE
2015
Leander City Council members and the mayor are elected at-large. Answers
were edited for space constraints.
Voter registration deadline: April 9
First day of in-person early voting: April 27
Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked): April 30
Last day of in-person early voting: May 5
ELECTION DAY: MAY 9, 2015
LEANDER MAYOR CANDIDATE QUESTION & ANSWER
CHRIS FIELDER*
*Incumbent
DAN MICHIE
PROFESSION: owner of Upland Outfitters Gun Shop in Leander
PROFESSION: retired Army officer, part-time Realtor
CONTACT: www.electchrisfielder.com. chris@electchrisfielder.com
CONTACT: 512-963-8991
www.danmichie.com
dlmichie52@gmail.com
[I was] elected to council Place 5 in 2007, mayor pro tem from 2008-11 and elected mayor [in
2012]. During this time I served as president of the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority city
water project and I am on the board of directors of the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy
Center and Open My World Therapeutic Riding Center, all [of which help] children. In the last
three years I have formed the Mayor’s Council on People with Disabilities, [the] Economic Development Committee and
established a Veterans Park Committee.
I am originally from northeastern Utah. I joined the U.S. Navy in 1972 and served [for] four
years. In 1976, I married Jennifer Ternes. I have two children, Matthew and Katrina. After
receiving a [Bachelor of Science] in forestry from Utah State University, I was commissioned [as] a second
lieutenant in the U.S. Army. I received a [master’s] degree in administration while attending the U.S. Army Command
and General Staff College. I retired from the army in 2001 as a lieutenant colonel. I moved to Leander in 2007.
Why are you running for Leander mayor?
I have a proven track record over the past three years of lowering the tax rate, stabilizing the water rate, creating
more transparency, [and] working with community groups to protect their interest[s] and being available. I have
worked closely with many groups and truly represented their interest[s], not mine, within our city. I would like to
keep Leander moving forward with strong leadership and the trends we have set to make our city even better.
Because I believe that one person can make a difference, and that I am that person. Our city needs real leaders
who can get things done. It’s time to stop forming countless committees and implement[ing] programs to make
our city better. We need to lower our property taxes, bring in more businesses, build walking [and] biking trails
[and] build a senior center and a recreation center for our young people. It’s time to make Leander a place where
we can do more than sleep.
What qualifications would you bring to the position?
[With experience as] the incumbent I fully understand the demands and needs of the city firsthand. I have worked as
a council member, mayor pro tem and now mayor for three years. I also have a strong background [with] our budget
and how to use what tax dollars we have to maximize our funds. I also have a strong working relationship in regional
[cities because of] having worked with many of the surrounding cities in the region and their mayors.
My education and extensive leadership experience in the military gives me a distinct advantage. I was a budget
officer several times and was responsible for creating and managing numerous annual budgets. I was able to
reduce military spending and still had an effective fighting force. I know I can help our city reduce spending and
maintain critical city services that will reduce property taxes. My military experience taught me how to work
effectively with people from all parts of the world, a valuable trait for a mayor. As a local Realtor, I understand the
demand for housing and the negative impact high tax rates [can] have on citizens. What are Leander’s biggest challenges and how would you address them?
[I would] continue to work on lowering the tax rate, [and] continue to work on economic development to attract
more industry jobs and retail so the citizens will not be the largest taxpayers. [I want to] work on finishing road
projects and park projects [to provide] for the best quality of life in Leander. [I want to help] create more events
in Leander. Managing the growth is huge, [and] we only get one chance to build our city. We want to do it the
best we can.
We have homes going up everywhere—about 14,000. Now is the time to bring in new businesses and create local
jobs. We need to decide what we want Leander to look like in 50 years, identify businesses and industries that
meet that goal, [and] then actively pursue them. [We need to] continue to develop the [transit-oriented district]
[and] hire a full-time economic director. [The] city’s tax rate is too high. I will push to prioritize and reduce the
city’s budget and implement a real property tax reduction. Parks/walking/biking trails: we have lots of plans.
Implement them now. CITY OF CEDAR PARK PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS
In Texas municipal governments
generally fall in two categories: general
law or home rule.
General law cities can only do what
is permitted by state Legislature, but
home rule cities, such as Cedar Park,
can pass regulations or take action
deemed necessary unless prohibited by
federal law.
The city of Cedar Park’s charter, a legal
document that serves as a constitution
for home rule cities, has been amended
twice in the past. Amendments may be
proposed by citizen initiative, citizen
committee review or by City Council.
However, all amendments must be
approved by the city’s voters.
The following are proposed charter
amendments, or propositions, that will
be voted on at-large in the upcoming
election May 9.
Source: city of Cedar Park
Proposed amendment
Description
PROPOSITION 1
CREATE HEALTH & SANITATION DEPARTMENT
Authorizes City Council to establish a health and sanitation department and deletes
redundancies in the charter with respect to enforcement authority
PROPOSITION 2
PREPARATION OF VOTER ELIGIBILITY LIST
The current provision identifies the county tax assessor as the preparer of the certified
voter list. This amendment would instead identify the preparer as the “appropriate county
entity or department that is responsible” to provide flexibility for county assignment of the
responsibility within state law.
PROPOSITION 3
COMPOSITION OF THE ZONING BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENT
Increases the Zoning Board of Adjustment from five members to seven
members, which is consistent with other city boards and commissions, and
amends the voting requirements to conform with state law
PROPOSITION 4
TAX COLLECTION DUTIES
Assigns duties related to the tax collection on behalf of the city to the director of
the Finance Department
PROPOSITION 5
AUTHORIZATION OF THE TRANSFER
OF USE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY
Allows City Council to authorize the transfer of control or use of public property
in a more administratively efficient manner by resolution, unless state law
requires an ordinance
PROPOSITION 6
ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE
Removes the mayor and mayor pro tem as persons authorized to administer the oath of office
because they are not authorized by state law to do so
PROPOSITION 7
INTERIM GOVERNMENT
Deletes Section 11.16 relating to an interim government, which is no longer applicable or
relevant.
36
Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com
ELECTION GUIDE
2015
Cedar Park City Council members are elected at-large. Answers were edited
for space constraints.
COMPLETE COVERAGE AT IMPACTNEWS.COM/VOTE-AUSTIN-METRO
Compiled by Lyndsey Taylor
*Incumbent
CEDAR PARK CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE QUESTION & ANSWER
PLACE 1
PLACE 3
BOB LEMON
STEPHEN THOMAS*
PROFESSION:
software
engineer at
Emerson
Process
Management
PLACE 5
MELISSA M. COWART
PROFESSION:
owner of
Melissa Cowart
Interiors
LYLE GRIMES*
PROFESSION:
corporate
sales manager
for American
Airlines
JON LUX*
MARIA L. TALAMO
PROFESSION:
project
management
office manager
for Fortune 20
company
PROFESSION:
registered
nurse,
administrator
and health care
management
consultant
CONTACT:
512-736-3513
www.boblemon.com
PROFESSION:
senior adviser
to the CEO
and human
resources
director for a
health care
corporation
CONTACT: 512-963-3624
www.stephenthomasforcedarpark.
com
CONTACT:
214-549-2552
www.votecowart.com
CONTACT: www.votegrimes.com
Lyle@VoteGrimes.com
CONTACT: 512-605-8223 joneriklux@gmail.com
CONTACT: 512-299-7771
www.mariatalamocampaign.com
MariaTalamoCampaign@gmail.com
I have [degrees] in sociology, political
science and computer science. I am
married to Patti, who is a registered
nurse. My daughters graduated from
Cedar Park High School. ... I attend
Hill Country Bible Church.
I’ve served [more than] 30 years in
military, government and elected
positions. ... I serve as a battalion
commander in the Texas State Guard
and ... I’ve lived in Cedar Park for 16
years.
I am a native Texan and ... a graduate
of the University of North Texas,
and have called Cedar Park home
for nearly four years. ... As a former
marathon runner I still enjoy the
occasional run and yoga.
Lyle Grimes grew up in Dallas and
studied at The University of Texas. In
his 20 years with American Airlines,
he has served in operations and
global sales organizations. He resides
in the Highlands at Gann Ranch.
[Jon Lux is a] decorated retired Naval
surface warfare officer ... [He has
served] on Cedar Park City Council [for
more than] two years [and is] married to
his wife Michelle, a teacher at Leander
High School. They have [two children].
Maria is a graduate of Villanova
University and ... Columbia
University. ... She has served Cedar
Park on boards and commissions for
14 years. I am seeking re-election to continue
to work for a Cedar Park that my
children and grandchildren will
desire to call home. When I ran
two years ago I sought to bring
more jobs to our city. In the past
two years I have been involved in
economic development decisions,
which brought new employers,
[including] Dana Corp., Firefly Space
Systems, Voltabox, Costco, Texas
Museum of Science and Technology,
and others, resulting in thousands
of new jobs being brought to our
city. I want to protect our future and
continue the amazing work we have
done in our city. In the past two
years we have lowered the property
tax rate. Not only [have we] brought
in new employers—Dana Corp., a
Fortune 20 company; Firefly; and
Voltabox—but also 2,400 local jobs
[and] delivered several new shopping/
dining additions: Super Wal-Mart,
Sprouts Farmers Market, BJ’s
[Restaurant &] Brewhouse, In-N-Out
Burger, Zoës Kitchen and more. [We
supported] the ... city comprehensive
plan and future land-use map.
The right to vote is the cornerstone
of our democracy, and I am running
to give our citizens a choice. My
opponent wasn’t elected­­­—he was
hand-picked for the voters, not
by them. I seek a better balance
between private property rights,
market realities and land use. I listen
to constituents and to the realities
that they experience. My leadership
style is win-win. I have experience in
promoting parks development, public
art, transportation infrastructure,
community development and
economic development. I have 20 years of personal
experience managing people and
a multimillion-dollar budget during
my career with American Airlines.
I also have experience serving my
community on my local HOA board,
the city’s 4A Economic Development
board, the Brushy Creek Regional
Utility Authority board, Junior
Achievement board of directors
and currently in my capacity as a
councilman. As a councilman I have
voted to reduce the property tax
rate for the past two years. As a retired Navy surface warfare
officer, combat veteran and program
management office manager for
a Fortune 20 company, I bring a
multitude of business experience
[and] service to [the] community
and country. [I] focus on keeping
our long-term vision and not getting
distracted by special-interest groups.
I will continue to leverage those
capabilities in protecting our future
through supporting and defending
our city’s comprehensive plan and
future land-use map.
2012-14: Parks and Recreation
Advisory board, chair 2013-14
2002-11: 4B Community Development
Corp. board, vice president 2006-11
2004: recruited Triad Hospitals Inc.
to build Cedar Park Regional Medical
Center
2003-05: board of directors and the
Economic Development Committee
of the Cedar Park Chamber of
Commerce
2002: Citizen of the Year Award from
Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce
The city staff and council [do] an
amazing job, as lauded by multiple
sources, in making Cedar Park one
of the best cites in the U.S. to live,
work [and] play. We will continue
to support all of those departments
in maintaining our amazing city. The one thing we still have plenty
of work to do [is] completing our
deep-water intake project to ensure
we have a reliable water source for
the next 50 years and beyond.
Our approaches to land use must
evolve to recognize market realities,
honor private property rights and
permit land to develop to its highest
and best use. I would promote
sensible growth that diversifies our
tax base and includes a balance in
retail, commercial, office space,
employment centers, single- and
multifamily housing, and mixeduse developments. [I would also
promote] and preserve natural
areas, parkland, and trail right of
way for future generations.
Why are you running for Cedar Park City Council?
I want Cedar Park to continue
to be the best city it can be. ...
There is enough current and future
residential growth in the city to
continue to develop businesses
that will contribute to the sales tax
revenue, which will help keep the
property taxes low. I support the
comprehensive plan and would fight
to implement the vision the citizens
of Cedar Park have. My opponent
raised taxes for the last three years.
I’m currently working to diversify
the tax base and lower the tax rate
my opponent increased before
he left office. It is crucial that we
continue to grow retail, commercial
and employment centers within the
city to diversify our tax base. I will
continue to work to bring employers
to the city to boost our daytime
employment, support our business
community and attract additional
development opportunities. I plan to
continue work on redevelopment of
key economic corridors.
I am running because I don’t believe
the sitting council represents the
whole of Cedar Park, and wives,
mothers, small-business owners,
landowners and the next generation
deserve a voice. The city has done
a great job in many ways, but there
is always room to improve our
processes and increase efficiency.
Growth is imminent, and we have to
be proactive, not reactive, in order
to preserve our cost of living and
improve our quality of life.
What qualifications would you bring to the position?
I was mayor of Cedar Park for seven
years and a council member for eight
years. I served on the Capital Area
Metropolitan Planning Organization
where I was able to bring many
road projects to the city. I have
been the [home owner association]
president for the Buttercup Creek
Neighborhood Association and
the Cypress Bend Neighborhood
Association. I was a Williamson
County Republican Volunteer of the
Year and precinct chairman for many
years.
I have served on the council at a
time of tremendous growth for
the city and have helped guide the
citizens’ vision [for] a place to live,
work and play. I have lowered the
tax rate over the last two fiscal
years and working with staff, we
developed a 20-year model to
help manage debt and revenue. I
promoted the refinancing of debt to
prevent projected tax rate increases
left by my opponent’s last service
on council.
I bring the inquisitive nature needed
to design spaces increasing worker
productivity and revenue generation.
My job is to actually listen, learn,
apply and make my clients more
money. I bring the technical
expertise, thought leadership,
and early-adoption mentality
important to businesses—including
municipalities—automating business
processes, improving workplace
strategy, and maximizing real estate
investments. I believe City Council
would benefit ... from my creative
solutions, innovation and integrity.
What are Cedar Park’s biggest challenges, and how would you address them?
Over the years one of the biggest
challenges has been transportation.
We need to continue to build our
road infrastructure so that people
can get into, out of and through
Cedar Park. My work on [the]
Capital Area Metropolitan Planning
Organization and building roads in
Cedar Park has made it easy to get
around the city as we have grown
so much. There are still more roads
that need to be built or rebuilt.
Significant challenges are
development and redevelopment of
key planning areas, management of
capital improvement projects and
corresponding debt financing. I plan
to work with stakeholders to ensure
development diversification [and] to
maximize limited land resources, and
[to] manage our debt and expenses
within our existing revenue.
Redevelopment of key economic
corridors will enhance quality of life
and tax base diversification. I’m also
working to [recruit] employers.
Traffic on Bell Boulevard will only be
worsened by a destination shopping
center. The only way to actually
reduce traffic is to build a [Toll]183A
service road. Our destination focus
should be around the Cedar Park
Center with increased mobility to
[and] from Capital Metro stops in
order to increase Cedar Park tourism
safely from Austin. Processes
around sensible growth need to be
re-evaluated. Landowners are sitting
on prime residential real estate
because it’s commercially zoned.
Cedar Park has been named the
fourth fastest-growing city in the
United States for the past two
years. With this distinction comes
many challenges and opportunities. I will continue to focus on making
strategic economic development
decisions that will add more jobs
to our community. I will also focus
on the redevelopment of Bell
Boulevard and other community
enhancements. Finally, I will work
on enhancing public safety and
mobility throughout the city.
37
Cedar Park | Leander Edition • April 2015
ELECTION GUIDE
IMPORTANT DATES
2015
Members of the Leander ISD board of trustees are elected at-large.
Answers were edited for space constraints.
Voter registration deadline: April 9
First day of in-person early voting: April 27
Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked): April 30
Last day of in-person early voting: May 5
ELECTION DAY: MAY 9, 2015
LEANDER ISD CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHIES
PLACE 1
*Incumbent
PLACE 2
TRISH BODE
LISA MALLORY*
COBBY CAPUTO
DON HISLE*
Trish Bode is a Leander ISD
parent of two children, a
community service leader,
campus volunteer and
former Legislative Action
PTA Chair.
First elected to the
Leander ISD board in
2009, Lisa brings a
background in education,
business, technology,
construction and law.
I am an attorney with
26 years of experience
representing school
districts, community
colleges, cities and counties
all over Texas.
For the [past] eight years
she has been in corporate
communication, which
uniquely qualifies her
to bring a new level of
transparency to district communications and the
budgeting process.
Her [children] have
attended four LISD
schools, giving her
firsthand knowledge of the
entire K-12 curriculum.
I also teach education law
in the Graduate School of
Education at Concordia
University [Texas] as an
adjunct professor.
Don Hisle joined IBM
[Corp.] in 1966 beginning
his 30-year tenure with the
company, overseeing the
manufacturing strategies
and business models in the
division’s global markets.
During her term the district has experienced marked
improvement in second-grade reading skills and
award-winning improvement in closing the gap in
graduation rates for economically disadvantaged
students. She opposes capital appreciation bond
financing [because of] their high cost to taxpayers.
I served on the Cedar Park City Council from 19962002 and 2005-2010. I also served on three LISD
bond committees, the 2014 Williamson County Bond
Committee and currently am chair of the Cedar Park
Bond Task Force.
Her knowledge of state legislation and how it will
impact our schools means she has spent nearly a
decade preparing to be an engaged voice for the LISD
community.
TRISH BODE
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE
512-593-1386
WWW.TRISHFORLISD.COM
LISA MALLORY
AUTOMOTIVE CLEANERS DISTRIBUTOR
512-804-9338
WWW.LISA4LISD.COM
COBBY CAPUTO
ATTORNEY, PARTNER WITH BICKERSTAFF HEATH
DELGADO ACOSTA LLP
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/COBBY4LISD
COBBYACAPUTO@HOTMAIL.COM
POLLING LOCATIONS
Registered voters in Travis and Williamson
counties can cast their ballot at any vote
center within the county in which they live
during early voting and on election day.
For a complete list of Williamson County
polling locations, visit
www.wilco.org/elections.
For a complete list of Travis County polling
locations, visit www.traviscountyclerk.org.
from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Polls are closed May 3.
Early voting locations: Williamson
County
Voters may vote at any county early polling
location in Williamson County from April
27-May 2 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and May 4-5
Election day voting locations:
On election day, May 9, registered voters
may vote at any voting center in the county
in which they live.
Polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Early voting locations: Travis County
Voters may vote at designated early voting
locations April 27-May 5. Early voting hours
in Travis County vary depending on location.
For a complete list of polling locations
and hours in Travis County, visit the Travis
County Clerk website.
CEDAR PARK
Austin Community College Cypress
Creek**
1555 Cypress Creek Road
Cedar Park Public Library**
550 Discovery Blvd.
Deer Creek Elementary School
2420 Zeppelin Drive
Randalls**
1400 Cypress Creek Road
Vista Ridge High School
200 S. Vista Ridge Blvd.
LEANDER
Leander High School
3301 S. Bagdad Road
Pat Bryson Municipal Hall**
201 N. Brushy St.
Upon retirement Hisle
became an entrepreneur
and private investor in the
housing industry.
He was appointed to the LISD board in August 1995.
[Hisle] and his wife of 47 years, Ruth, have two
children who graduated from Leander High School and
five grandchildren who attended LISD schools.
DON HISLE
ENTREPRENEUR/PRIVATE INVESTOR
512-784-8945
DON.HISLE@YAHOO.COM
FOR MORE
INFO
For more information and follow-up on
the elections, visit impactnews.com/
vote-austin-metro.
The general and special elections
included in this guide will be on ballots
in the communities covered
by Community Impact Newspaper’s
Cedar Park/Leander edition.
Rouse High School
1222 Raider Way
Round Mountain Community Center
14340 Round Mountain Road
**Early voting location also open on
election day