Weston City Council Candidates Forum

Get to know your candidates!

What do you consider the most important issue Weston faces?

KEVIN DEAL (Incumbent) – Managing future growth

RANDALL HALES (Incumbent) – Weston’s infrastructure, water and wastewater are the most important issues we will face as the City develops.  Adequate provisions must be made for water as Weston currently does not have adequate supply for either the present community or for future growth

MARIA WHITWORTH – The most important issue facing Weston has been the lack of engagement, open communication, and input between citizens and local government. Without actively involving the community concerning issues that affect them, the City Council cannot make sound decisions. The highest priority should be establishing a strong working relationship between the citizens of greater Weston (both within city limits and the ETJ -- extraterritorial jurisdiction) and the City Council that serves them.

With the imminent construction of multiple developments in Weston, what issues related to rapid growth do you foresee the Council will have to deal with?

KEVIN DEAL (Incumbent) – Traffic, fire, water, and police

RANDALL HALES (Incumbent) – The roads are currently inadequate to handle the projected potential growth.  FM 455, FM 543 and FM 2478 will be four-lane highways.  They are the main arteries into our city.  Planning for development along these roads must be a high priority for Weston, which at build-out is estimated to exceed 250,000 residents

MARIA WHITWORTH – It may feel like “rapid” growth, but we have time to think, prepare, and plan. One of the main issues I see for the citizens and Council will be how to strengthen and maintain an historic, rural, small-town feel while ensuring measured growth that is well thought out -- and working to integrate those in a way that makes sense and is sustainable for the future.

What one goal do you personally wish to work to accomplish as a Councilmember?

KEVIN DEAL (Incumbent) – To follow the path of Lucas and Parker as opposed to Plano or Frisco

RANDALL HALES (Incumbent) –As a Councilmember, the first goal I wish to work on that is the most urgent is water and sewer.  There are three major developments in progress less than three miles from Weston City Limits on FM 543.  This does not include the new Van Buren Estates

MARIA WHITWORTH – I have several goals, but first and foremost is my goal to help create a procedure for establishing ongoing, citizen-driven committees that conduct research, collect input from the community and local/regional experts, and bring findings and recommendations for the Council to consider and act upon.

The responsibility of government representatives is to legislate for “the public good”.  What does that phrase mean to you?

KEVIN DEAL (Incumbent) – For the good of the citizens, not outside developers who come and go

RANDALL HALES (Incumbent) – The public good elicits that the City Council of Weston be people with leadership, ability and integrity, for the good of all.  As City Council members it is not only our right but our responsibility to become knowledgeable through in-depth experience and fact finding to advance our community.

MARIA WHITWORTH – A handful of government representatives cannot faithfully determine what is for “the public good” without including the public. That means providing clear and open communication to citizens, encouraging their involvement, hearing their input, and presenting options to consider before making decisions that affect them.