The Cross Timbers Gazette asked each candidate in a contested race to answer a brief questionnaire to help voters make an informed decision at the polls this May. Election Day is Saturday, May 6, with early voting beginning Monday, April 24 running through Tuesday, May 2.
The candidates are listed in alphabetic order.
Argyle Town Council, Place 2
Ronald H. Schmidt, 57
The main issues facing your town and how you would resolve them: Councilperson too focused on attracting and pleasing real estate developers as opposed to listening to the residence wants. We are at a crossroads regarding our future and how we can maintain the fragile rural charm of our town, particularly with pressures from profit-minded developers. One of my main objectives is to control the uncertainty of our rural lifestyle, by being a resident-focused Councilperson while utilizing my varied experience.
Why voters should elect you: Having the opportunity to grow up and live in a small rural community is very special, and something about which we should feel blessed. I understand that having grown up in a small town outside of San Antonio. It would be my responsibility to protect that feeling from outside interest. I want to build bridges not walls within our community, and to build a cohesive vision for our town. With all the development that has occurred and is already planned, some have given up on our vision for Argyle as a charming rural community. I’m still very optimistic that Argyle can retain its rural charm, and that we can digest what has already been released for development. But we must recognize that we are at a crossroad, and that if we continue the current path that it will change not only our landscape but also from something we cherish to something like every other surrounding overbuilt community. I have been in Real Estate and know how the profit minded Real Estate developers think and work. I also understand what builds or maintains property values, having had a career as a Real Estate Appraiser. Beyond that, I spent over 20 years in business, having served in various executive positions, finally entering academia about 12 years ago. I have an MBA with a concentration in Finance, and an MS in Accounting with a minor in Economics. I understand numbers, how to budget and expend them wisely, and most importantly how to avoid a town budget increase of over 30%, as it is proposed for 2017 (versus 2015). Doing so I believe will also dispel the tax gap fear in Argyle, which is driving the need for hurried development. I also know leadership and servitude, having served in the ARMY for over 30 years. I retired last June as a Sr. NCO, spending most of my military career in Basic Training and other leadership environments, having had the privilege to train some of our country’s best Warriors. I understand politics and how to go about ethically getting things done, having served the last 10 years in public higher education. I currently serve as Business Program Chair for a local college. And last but certainly not least, I respect that our government and elected officials are to serve those that elected them. Government should be “for the people and by the people”.
Current occupation: Business Program Chair at a local College
Education: MBA (Concentration in Corp. Finance), MS in Accounting with a minor in Economics
Current civic involvement: None at the moment
Past civic service: Member of Economic Development Committee and Zoning Board of Adjustments
Have you ever been arrested or involved in any criminal proceedings or civil suits? If so, please explain: No
Additional comments: I believe a Councilperson first and foremost should have a deep sense of loyalty to the residence that they are serving, and that it’s based on shared values and guiding principles; and in Argyle’s case to maintain the rural charm of the town. One of my main objectives would be to control the uncertainty of our rural lifestyle from developers. This coming May 6th, is probably one of the most important dates in our community, and the impact it can have on our lives in Argyle going forward.
Website: www.RonaldHSchmidt.com
Kay Jenkins Teer, 63
The main issues facing your town and how you would resolve them: The council does not have a responsibility to prevent residents from selling their land, but it does have a responsibility to help manage any development which may come. This means keeping any higher density developments and retail limited to the 377 and I-35W corridor, leaving everything else as lower density. There is a fine line between keeping this town rural and providing needed services to our residents; between shutting the gate to keep new residents out and preventing our existing residents from utilizing their assets the way they want/need.
Why voters should re-elect you: We currently have a good council. We do not always agree on issues. All of us have different backgrounds and see our town through different lenses. Some of us are relatively new and some of us have lived here for decades. I believe we work well together, without the contentiousness that I’ve seen in previous years.
Current occupation: Retired from Software Consulting Services, Hewlett-Packard
Education: Argyle School, Denton Jr High and High School, North Texas State University
Current civic involvement: 2013-Present: Place 2 Council Member, Argyle
Past civic service: 1990-1997: Mayor Pro Tem/Treasurer; Argyle Pride Task Force Liaison, Argyle City Council; 1994-1997: Assistant Director, Argyle Pride Day historical pageant; and, 1995-1997: Argyle Community Chorus
Have you ever been arrested or involved in any criminal proceedings or civil suits? If so, please explain: No
Additional Comments: I understand that taxes are high and there are more and more people moving here, but the majority of our property taxes go to the school district, not the town; $1.57 for the ISD vs $.39 for the town per $100 valuation. There are many subdivisions being built inside the school district, but not necessarily inside the town limits. We have worked hard to keep town taxes as low as we can without sacrificing services that our residents expect.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KayJenkinsTeer/
The Cross Timbers Gazette hosted a candidate forum on April 13 at Argyle Town Hall. Listen to the forum here.
 GIF.gif)
