Garden Ridge: The Role of the Mayor 

Rock formations, swimming holes, caverns, rolling hills, wildflowers, towering oaks, and abundant wildlife—this is the Texas Hill Country. This is Garden Ridge. This is our home, and it’s worth protecting. Our city is a small-town oasis, defined by its beautiful homes and remarkable people. We must safeguard it from uncontrolled growth, disruptive heavy industry, and encroaching development that threatens our way of life.

According to our Home Rule Charter, the Mayor’s role is largely ceremonial and does not include administrative duties. The Mayor serves in a voluntary, elected capacity—distinct from a City Manager, who is hired based on expertise in municipal operations. While day-to-day administration is not the Mayor’s responsibility, the role is vital in shaping the vision, policies, and advocacy that guide our community’s future.

The Mayor serves as a political and policy leader- a role I’ve already adopted as both Mayor Pro Tem and Council Member. Garden Ridge deserves a strong voice in regional decisions. Many of our residents feel underserved by county and state governments, and I have worked tirelessly to change that. I maintain ongoing relationships with our County Commissioners and Texas Legislators, ensuring that, for the first time, Garden Ridge has a consistent presence at the Capitol.

As the Garden Ridge lead in intergovernmental relations, I’ve met with Senator Donna Campbell, House Representative Carrie Isaac in both Garden Ridge and in Austin. I am in frequent contact with their local and Capitol staff members advocating for Garden Ridge on issues like Aggregate Production Operations, Police Certification and Traffic and Transportation issues. I continue to work with TXDOT, Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the city of Schertz on road issues and truck traffic on FM 2252. I also work frequently with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as well as the EPA. 

As a graduate of the Hill County Alliance inaugural leadership class, I’ve worked with Judges, Commissioners, Mayors, City Council Members, Groundwater District Managers and leaders from all over the Hill Country in advocating for clean water, clean air, responsible development and overall preservation of the natural resources in our region. I reject my opponent’s assertion that if it is outside the Garden Ridge city limits, it is not our concern. Anything and everything that impacts our citizens is a concern for your local government. 

The role of the Mayor is not to supervise or manage departments or staff- it is to lead the city, it is to advocate for its citizens, it is to build important meaningful relationships inside and outside the city limits to benefit Garden Ridge. 

Garden Ridge is at a pivotal moment. With thoughtful leadership, we can balance growth while preserving the character and quality of life that make our city extraordinary. The city needs a dynamic, assertive, forward thinking Mayor to protect Garden Ridge’s interests. Together, we will advocate, protect, and plan for a future that reflects the values of our residents and honors our rich Hill Country heritage.