After numerous uncontested City Council races in Joshua it is nice to have the democratic process back in play. Place 6 is being vacated by long-time council member, Bob Neely, who is term limited this year and we have three candidates lining up for a shot at that seat. I found myself in a similar challenge in 2009. Because a winner will need 50% +1 vote it is generally unlikely that a three-way race will not go to a run-off in June unless everyone gets out and votes for the best candidate, Matthew Small.
Matt has a very clear grasp on how to build on what is already going well in Joshua and the commitment to not lose sight of the prize, making Joshua the best place to live and raise a family. Recent interest and action by businesses in our city have begun to change the landscape that myself and many others have worked towards for a long time. We're seeing existing businesses re-investing in their place here to attract customers through beautification projects and improved storefronts. New businesses are choosing to locate here providing residents with more local options and getting passersby to stop and spend their dollars here. The focus needs to remain on improving the sales tax revenue to the city to lessen the burden on property tax paying residents. That benefit comes in conjunction with more options closer to home improving quality of life and lowering travel expenses. These are the goals that Matthew Small is interested in obtaining.
Scott Kimble has had a couple rather confusing stances in the paper recently regarding increasing the industrial businesses in the city. I'm going to go way out on a limb and give him the benefit of the doubt in assuming his bottom line is in decreasing the burden on residential property tax payers. That's what I want and I know the rest of the current Joshua City Council wants that too. Who wouldn't want to have other revenue sources to keep citizen taxes lower? The real take away between the candidates is that Matthew Small has the experience and the understanding of the direction the city is headed in now in increasing sales tax revenue through economic development. He knows that with so much going on right now that shifting focus would be a grave mistake. We don't have unlimited staff time and we don't have unlimited economic development dollars. The right candidate is the one who can help get the ball over the goal line, not forfeit and start a new game.
Matt is well aware of the current opportunities the City of Joshua has in commercial development. He's been a member of our Type A Economic Development Board for the last year learning and participating in the processes of enhancing sales tax revenue and quality of life in Joshua. Matt's wife, Dayna, serves with me on our Library Board. They have three wonderful children which provide ample motivation to be involved in our city in very active ways.
The choice on May 12th is really very easy. Matthew Small is the conservative candidate with the experience and desire to help all of Joshua succeed. I'm proud to endorse Matthew Small for Joshua City Council Place 6 and hope you'll join me in voting for him on May 12th.
A.J.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Some positive ESD news
Yes, the headline is correct, I'm not writing a flame-throwing rant about the Johnson County Emergency Services District. Let me tell you about some good things going on between the City of Joshua and the ESD for a change.
Over the last several months representatives from our city and the ESD have worked hard to rebuild relationships that had become stretched to the breaking point over the last few years. Joshua Fire Chief, Wayne Baker and ESD Director, Mike Johnston, have certainly championed these efforts and much credit is due.
About a month ago Joshua rejoined the ESD dispatch service which made good improvements in communication. The ESD has also included Joshua in available funds for gear and staffing which are great uses of taxpayer funds. The latest notable in-road is the ESD is using our fire station to house it's Engine 290 over night. E-290 is one of two full-time, daytime, staffed engine companies that operate in the county now. This one is primarily covering the western side of the county and during the day operates from newly purchased property with a building used as an office about 5 miles from the Joshua Fire Station. Chief Baker speaks highly of these guys in their professionalism and dedication and for that I am excited. It sounds like they frequently spend their lunch money in town here too so, thanks guys! They have begun responding to calls with our own firefighters in our city when available which is a great benefit to our citizens. The more first responders available, the better! I'm happy that we've been able to accommodate storing the engine overnight so they don't have to move it back and forth to Cleburne where it was previously stored at the ESD facilities. Out of the ESD meeting last night it was reported to me that they are apparently holding off on any rush to build a station at that new location until seeing how things may work out with Joshua. I think that's prudent. Now with the ESD engine, a CareFlite ambulance and our own apparatus under one roof we're becoming quite the little melting pot of emergency service collaboration. It's hard to say at this point where the relationship between our entities may go, but it's nice to be working together amicably.
On a related note the new Joshua Fire Station construction is making progress, but has had a lot of rain related setbacks. They are finally getting close to pouring the foundation which will allow things to get moving faster. Pick up some lunch this weekend at one of our local restaurants and then drive down Main St. and check it out. You'll be right by the park so stop in and have a picnic.
A.J.
Over the last several months representatives from our city and the ESD have worked hard to rebuild relationships that had become stretched to the breaking point over the last few years. Joshua Fire Chief, Wayne Baker and ESD Director, Mike Johnston, have certainly championed these efforts and much credit is due.
About a month ago Joshua rejoined the ESD dispatch service which made good improvements in communication. The ESD has also included Joshua in available funds for gear and staffing which are great uses of taxpayer funds. The latest notable in-road is the ESD is using our fire station to house it's Engine 290 over night. E-290 is one of two full-time, daytime, staffed engine companies that operate in the county now. This one is primarily covering the western side of the county and during the day operates from newly purchased property with a building used as an office about 5 miles from the Joshua Fire Station. Chief Baker speaks highly of these guys in their professionalism and dedication and for that I am excited. It sounds like they frequently spend their lunch money in town here too so, thanks guys! They have begun responding to calls with our own firefighters in our city when available which is a great benefit to our citizens. The more first responders available, the better! I'm happy that we've been able to accommodate storing the engine overnight so they don't have to move it back and forth to Cleburne where it was previously stored at the ESD facilities. Out of the ESD meeting last night it was reported to me that they are apparently holding off on any rush to build a station at that new location until seeing how things may work out with Joshua. I think that's prudent. Now with the ESD engine, a CareFlite ambulance and our own apparatus under one roof we're becoming quite the little melting pot of emergency service collaboration. It's hard to say at this point where the relationship between our entities may go, but it's nice to be working together amicably.
On a related note the new Joshua Fire Station construction is making progress, but has had a lot of rain related setbacks. They are finally getting close to pouring the foundation which will allow things to get moving faster. Pick up some lunch this weekend at one of our local restaurants and then drive down Main St. and check it out. You'll be right by the park so stop in and have a picnic.
A.J.
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