New Flower Mound council members seated

The May 20 Flower Mound Town Council meeting honored three outgoing council members and their contributions and welcomed the three new council members.

Council members Mark Wise and Jean Levenick decided to not seek re-election this year and Place 1 incumbent Michael Walker was defeated by Brian Rountree.

The hour-long public meeting was highlighted by thanks and accolades to the outgoing members for their service and words of wisdom to the incoming three council members.

Council member Brian Webb shared his thoughts about each of the outgoing members. He thanked Mark Wise for having the heart of someone who genuinely wanted to serve the residents of the community. He noted that Wise has pushed for the opening of a hotel for a community the size of Flower Mound.

“We will fight for the right issues and make sure the Town of Flower Mound maintains its charm,” said Gelbman.

Webb praised outgoing deputy mayor pro tem Michael Walker for his accountability of both himself and others. He suggested that the incoming council consider Mike’s desire to expand the tree farm.

“Mike is deliberate when examining an issue and this approach is one of the key reasons he has been additive to the governmental process. Those who follow can learn a lot by studying how Mike approaches his service to Flower Mound,” Webb said.

He praised outgoing mayor pro tem Jean Levenick for her ability to focus on the heart of an issue as well as leading the charge of opening a permanent senior center.

In addressing the crowd present Levenick pointed out that the Senior Center she had lobbied for since 2008 opened last week. Additionally sales tax is up over 16 percent and over 5,000 jobs were created in the past three years. New businesses now call Flower Mound home among which are: Signature Systems Group, Whitlock, Keystone Automotive and Custom Ink. New restaurants open or opening soon include: La Madeline, Smashburger, Modmarket, Gloria’s and Moviehouse & Eatery.

“From all the talk I’ve heard around town, everyone is very excited about the recent approval of the dog park,” Levenick added.

Wise paid tribute to the town’s police and fire department personnel saying they are “second to none” and thanked the parks and recreation staff. He advised the incoming council work in a spirit that is collaborative, compassionate, humble, understanding, honorable and respectful.

Walker thanked his fellow council members and city staff for tolerating his many questions that were critical to the decision-making process.

All three outgoing council members received keys to the city, a brick from the new Senior Center and a Flower Mound street sign in their name in addition to flowers and gift cards.

New council members Brian Rountree, Kevin Bryant and Itamar Gelbman were sworn into office with a mandate from voters to slow down commercial and residential development in Flower Mound.

“I want to thank all the voters of Flower Mound for supporting this change in direction for our council,” said Rountree. “I can’t express how humbled I am by your support.”

“We will fight for the right issues and make sure the Town of Flower Mound maintains its charm,” said Gelbman. “I think the voters have spoken about what they want to see in the future, and I think we have a good team here to make it happen.”