Richard Newton’s election as mayor highlights sweep of Colleyville challengers

Incumbents running for the office of mayor and two City Council seats lost their re-election bids, all losing to one challenger each who said the voters made it clear that it was time for a change.

In the mayor’s race, Incumbent David Kelly lost his bid for office, claiming 37.7 percent of the vote to the 62.3 percent drawn by challenger Richard Newton.

For the City Council Place 1 seat, Incumbent Carol Wollin drew 37.9 percent of the vote to the 62.1 percent claimed by Tammy Nakamura.

Incumbent Chuck Mogged claimed 37.8 percent in the Council Place 2 race with Bobby Lindamood’s 62.2 percent, complete election results show.

Newton said the support from the community was unprecedented. He said he is looking forward to getting the community involved and receiving more input from them.

Lindamood, who celebrated Saturday night at a party thrown by his best friend, former Texas Ranger Rusty Greer, was also elated, adding that all three challengers were on the same page.

“I’m so happy the residents of Colleyville voted with a resounding voice and made a clean sweep by electing all three new candidates,” Lindamood said. “I look forward to bringing honesty and integrity back to City Hall. It’s been a long hard road, but the reward of putting the people’s voice back on the council was worth every second. We all moved to Colleyville because it is unique and I plan to keep it that way.”

Nakamura agreed saying, “Colleyville is a great city and I am proud to have been elected to help lead the future of Colleyville. There are many things we can do to help our citizens and I look forward to getting started and working for our citizens for the next three years. They have spoken and we will listen. Thank you Colleyville.”

New mayor for Colleyville

Newton, a registered professional engineer and project management professional, is no newcomer to the city.

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

His platform was 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.

Place 1 winner looking for solutions

Nakamura, a business owner, is taking the Place 1 seat.

“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.”

Nakamura also 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.”

New Place 2 councilman wants citizens heard

Lindamood, a self-employed demolition specialist, is taking the Place 2 post.

“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.

He ran “to bring a leadership style that brings the voice of the citizens back to City Hall.”

This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Richard Newton’s election as mayor highlights sweep of Colleyville challengers."