Candidates file for FM council seats

Three Flower Mound Town Council candidates have announced their intention to run for office this May.

 

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Tom Hayden announced his candidacy for a second term to his Place 5 seat. Hayden was elected to the council in 2009, and was named Deputy Mayor Pro Tem in 2010.

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Jeff Whittaker will run for the Place 1 Town Council seat, currently held by Steve Dixon, who has not announced whether he will run again.

Zoning Board of Adjustment/Oil and Gas Board of Appeals Member Mark Wise has declared his candidacy for the Place 3 Town Council Seat held now by Mike Wallace, who said that he will not seek re-election.

Hayden cited his priorities as protecting the community from the effects of urban gas drilling, instituting an environmental sustainability strategy, supporting SMARTGrowth and the town’s Master Plan, aggressively promoting economic development initiatives, and managing tax dollars wisely.

“Protecting our families, homes, and environment are of upmost concern,” said Hayden.

Hayden, along with Mayor Melissa Northern, Council Member Al Filidoro and Council Member Steve Lyda, has been in the forefront of addressing gas drilling issues affecting the town.

“Working closely with our Oil and Gas Advisory Board and meeting with countless residents across this community and the state, this majority is close to adopting one of the most comprehensive and protective Oil and Gas Ordinances in the State of Texas. I am committed to finishing this process,” Hayden said.

“I am also very excited to be running with Planning and Zoning Commissioner Jeff Whittaker and Zoning Board of Adjustment/Oil and Gas Board of Appeals Member Mark Wise, two outstanding community leaders, both with extensive records of serving our community. Each brings a strong background to their position and will lend their talents to what will be one of the most skilled and responsive town councils in recent history.”

Whittaker is a CPA who owns his own business in Flower Mound.

In addition to his position on the Planning and Zoning Commission, Whittaker is also a member of the SMARTGrowth Commission, a board member of the Lewisville Chamber of Commerce as well as a member of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce.

Whittaker has been active with the Lewisville Education Foundation and Friends of the Flower Mound Library, serving as treasurer of both organizations in the past.  He is also a member of the Board of the Texas Health Presbyterian Flower Mound Hospital and has been actively working with the Seniors In Motion Auxiliary, most recently in helping them to establish their 501 (c) (3) designation.

“I am pleased to join Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Tom Hayden and Board Member Mark Wise as we seek to represent the residents of Flower Mound on the Town Council,” said Whittaker. “I would not have agreed to do so if we did not have similar philosophies of safeguarding our residents and working to preserve and enhance their quality of life.”

Whittaker has been a resident of Flower Mound for 13 years and has been married to his wife Debbie for over 30 years. They have two grade school aged children.

Mark Wise has been employed in the telecommunications industry for over 22 years and has worked for only two major worldwide corporations during this time. Wise is a graduate of the Electronics Institute, with a degree in Specialized Technology in the areas of Computer and Electronics.

In discussing his fellow candidates, Wise stated, “I have had a deep respect for the dedication and involvement of both Tom Hayden and Jeff Whittaker in working to make Flower Mound a better place to live, work and raise our families. I am pleased that we have agreed to work together in seeking these council positions. I support their efforts completely.”

Wise currently serves on the Flower Mound Oil and Gas Board of Appeals and the Zoning Board of Adjustment. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Summit Club of Flower Mound, where he serves as Board Secretary and actively participates in the many community events and youth programs throughout the area.

Wise has been a resident of Flower Mound for 15 years and is married to his wife, Kris, who owns a local real estate business. They share their Flower Mound home with their two young children.

Flower Mound Town Council Members are elected “at-large” and serve two-year terms.

The last day to file as a candidate for a board seat is March 14. The final day to register to vote is April 14. Early voting begins May 2. Election Day is May 14.