The last few years have brought change and challenge to all of us, and more lies ahead. Through it all, my paramount concern as a Council Member has been people—the people who live and work in Boerne.

We are fortunate to live in a special town in a special place, and none of us want to lose that distinction. We welcome growth and prosperity, but not at the expense of becoming just another San Antonio bedroom suburb. The smart way to attract new businesses, visitors, and neighbors is to retain downtown's charm, preserve our neighborhoods, churches, and schools, protect Cibolo Creek, encourage design harmony, and retain the traditional values of small-town Texas. Bringing more good jobs, more affluence, and more opportunity will change Boerne; it is up to us to make that change for the better.

Fiscal restraint is critical. Not only must we balance our budgets, we must ensure healthy property values while preventing tax-assessment sticker shock. When budgets remain under control, when added debt is viewed with a skeptical eye, soaring taxes and assessments are a lesser concern. Government and taxation have no God-given right to grow at the same rate as your home value.

Whether considering the city budget, the transportation plan, annexations, or planning and zoning recommendations, my decision-making comes down to keeping people first. The big issues are growth, jobs, and quality of life, but I always look at them through the lens of Boerne’s people. How will my decisions impact their neighborhoods and families? Will they enhance them, or instead threaten to homogenize Boerne into another indistinguishable smear of strip malls?

I have been fortunate to serve all of the citizens of Boerne for the last four years. It has been my honor and privilege. Now I have the opportunity to solely represent those who live in my “Heart of Boerne” district. I ask each of you who have trusted me to be your eyes, ears, and voice inside City Hall to re-elect me on May 8.