Colleyville gears up for May 7 election

The office of mayor and two City Council seats are expiring in May with all three incumbents seeking their positions again and facing one challenger each.

Election day is May 7 with early voting starting on April 25. Candidates had until Feb. 19 to file for a City Council seat.

Here is a look at the candidates for mayor and City Council and their platforms.

David Kelly, a certified financial planner and investment advisor, is seeking re-election as mayor. He was first elected in 2005.

“I plan to continue working with the City Council, city staff, and our residents to keep Colleyville as one of the most desirable communities to live,” he said.

Part of his focus will be on “maintaining our small town feel and keeping property values high; continuing a high public safety standard for our residents.” resulting in a low community crime rate and excellent responsiveness to fires and medical emergencies, continuing our economic development efforts to bring new business, restaurant and retail opportunities for our residents; reinvesting in Colleyville by improving our aging roadways and water/sewer infrastructure; providing additional pedestrian mobility within our community and looking for new parks and recreation opportunities; and working together to provide exemplary services to our residents and businesses.”

Among the issues he’s passionate about are keeping Colleyville unique as the city approaches buildout.

“Land values in Colleyville are high, so people will continue to sell their land to developers and others,” Kelly said. “We’ve done a good job with responsible growth. It’s incumbent upon us to do that because growth will happen. The goal is to balance that growth and still maintain the feel of Colleyville.”

Richard Newton, a registered professional engineer and project management professional, is challenging Kelly for the mayor’s seat.

He was elected to the Colleyville City Council four times and elected mayor three times.

His platform is to protect and maintain Colleyville’s vision by maintaining low density and high quality — reverse the high-density trend. He also wants to revise the Comprehensive Master Plan to insure low density, restore open and transparent city processes and modify the city charter for term limits.

“Colleyville is a unique and wonderful place to live,” Newton said. “Most people including myself are attracted to Colleyville because of its open and rural feel that results from low-density high quality housing developments. Colleyville is also blessed with highly talented and intelligent citizens. Within the last two years the lack of transparency and lack of citizen respect by elected officials have led many citizens to mistrust city government.”

He said the mistrust was manifested in the recent approval of a new Comprehensive Master Plan over the objection of many citizens.

Carol Wollin, a retired assistant professor of nursing and community volunteer, was elected to Place 1 on the City Council in 2007, 2010, and 2013.

“I am running again for the same reasons I had in the past,” Wollin said. “Colleyville has made great strides and we are well positioned for the future, but there is still more work to be accomplished to keep our city moving forward. As our community develops, I want to be your voice on the council so that we can preserve its unique charm and protect the investment we all have made in living here.

She said her plans are to incorporate the continuation of the citizen-driven budget model where citizens’ priorities and expectations remain at the forefront of city planning. Her focus will include public safety, economic development, improved road and infrastructure and financial stability which includes a sustainable and responsible budget that maximizes taxpayers’ money.

“Quality leisure activities like library services, parks, trails, and youth and adult programs are also of importance to me,” Wollin said. “I believe in working together to sustain Colleyville’s tradition of quality while preserving the friendliness of its small town feel for our current residents, and for generations to come.”

Tammy Nakamura, a business owner, is challenging Wollin, and is a firm believer in term limits.

“I believe in citizen representatives for all levels of government,” she said. “Several of our surrounding cities have term limits and it has served them well. Colleyville is plush with talented and bright citizens who have a lot to offer our city.”

Also, she said, TexRail has been a controversial topic in Colleyville for several years.

“I want to have our city lead towards a solution, not continue to parrot the excuses of inevitability given by the central planners,” she said. “The city has a responsibility to stand up for its citizens. I will do just that.”

Chuck Mogged, incumbent, is a mechanical engineer and business executive, was first elected in 2013.

“My commitment is protecting Colleyville’s future through strong public safety, smart economic development, renewing infrastructure,and maintaining our friendly small-town atmosphere,” he said.

He said Colleyville has reached several exciting milestones during his first term.

“They include record-low crime rates; authorization and design of the Colleyville Blvd. Reconstruction Project; concept decisions and designs on the Glade Road Project; firsttime adoption of a five-year capital expenditure plan; the new Water & Wastewater Master Plan; the new Destination Colleyville Comprehensive Plan; and many significant business start-ups and expansions with new food stores, restaurants, a hotel and professional offices,” Mogged said.

He considers it an honor to serve the city.

“Colleyville is a special place — blending small-town American values with the attractions and conveniences of the D-FW Metroplex. As a fiscal conservative, I want to ensure that our quality of life continues to improve while our local government lives within its means. And as a seasoned engineer and businessman, I bring valuable experience to solving our local challenges in growing successfully.”

Bobby Lindamood, a self-employed demolition specialist, is the only challenger for the Place 2 post.

Lindamood ran unsuccessfully for a council seat in May.

“I’m blessed to call Colleyville home,” he said. “It is a great place for my wife, daughters and me to call home.”

Lindamood said he is a concerned citizen — concerned about “career politicians wheeling and dealing, and about increasing encroachment of government into our daily lives at every level including our local government.”

He said the city is at a crossroads regarding several big issues. They include the current move toward high density, disproportionally high water bills, the rush toward TexRail and a “general culture at Town Hall” that ignores the citizens to the benefit of a few insiders.

“I am running to bring a leadership style that brings the voice of the citizens back to City Hall,” Lindamood said.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 8:03 AM with the headline "Colleyville gears up for May 7 election."