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Words from Michael

Smart growth for a strong tomorrow...

As a Rowlett city councilman, I will represent you and your values. My goal is sustainable growth without compromising the spirit of our beloved city.

For many of us, Rowlett is already a dream come true - a destination city with a small town feel. We are all certainly proud of the growth that our city has already achieved, however we must endeavor to maintain our current pace of economic and cultural development.

From an open door to opening doors, my tenure as city councilman will be defined by two realities: accessibility and opportunity. I know my fellow residents know what's best for our city, and with your help, I intend to lead Rowlett into the next decade carrying forth the legacy that has already been established.

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Economic Development – Sustain Sensible, Smart Growth

  • Support continued sensible, compatible, economic development and the City’s role as a participant in public/private partnerships, such as RCCC, and potentially an Arts Center.
  • Increase mid to high-end dining opportunities.
  • Rejuvenate entry corridors (screening walls, Cheisa Road).  Reevaluate our criteria for deciding which screening walls are repaired to ensure we are making the right choices.
  • Enhance our lakeside community image without compromising the “small town” community feel.
  • Complete a total review of zoning.
  • Upgrade, expand and improve neighborhood parks and lakefront. Work with existing non-profit organizations to lessen impact to our tax dollars.

Fiscal Responsibility – Ensure Best Use of Tax Dollars

  • Ensure that City staff has the resources they need to do their job right the first time.
  • Ensure that our tax dollars expenditures are appropriate and effective.
  • Review the existing tax and fee structure to determine what may be lowered without impacting services.
  • Find alternatives to the existing water rate plan and lower rates.

Public Safety – Strengthen Our Home Town

  • Strengthen Rowlett’s public safety by making sure the police and fire departments have the resources, training and support they need to keep our families and neighborhoods safe and secure, including facilities, equipment and human resources.
  • Total review of ordinances, codes and code enforcement plan.
  • Protect and strengthen neighborhoods by empowering citizens, giving them a voice in decisions that affect their future.
  • Incentivize owner occupancy in declining neighborhoods.

Communications – Promote Rowlett from Within

  • Increase communication between our citizens and the City.
    • “Citizens Circle” – a citizen group serving as a sounding board for new ideas, initiatives, and concepts from the City.
    • “HOA Roundtable” – an opportunity for HOA president and board members to meet and communicate issues, solutions, etc.
    • “Non-profit Roundtable” –
      • Collaboration between Rowlett non-profit groups on calendars, volunteer standards, advice and counsel, bylaws and tax implications, issues, solutions, background checks, etc.
      • Opportunity for the City to coordinate with non-profits. Many City projects and programs impact the general fund — parks, libraries, the arts, historic preservation — there may be at least one non-profit working to meet the same goals we share as citizens. We can all benefit from better communication and cooperation, especially in a downturned economy.
  • Develop a more comprehensive marketing plan that takes advantage of new technologies such as social networking.
    • Expand our online presence with social networking (Twitter/Facebook, etc).
    • Utilize advertising to market our home town – Facebook and Google ads.
  • “Council on Call” (city councilman available 1 night per week to respond to citizens calls)

Volunteerism – Support Service to Others

  • Depoliticize the boards and commissions appointment process so that qualified volunteers are not overlooked.
  • Increase awareness of volunteer positions available other than boards and commissions. This can save tax dollars by allowing some work to be done by volunteers rather than paid staff.
  • Increase recognition and training for volunteers at all levels.
  • Take our boards and commissions seriously. Recommendations from a citizen board must be considered on virtually any policy decision within that board’s area of expertise.