Today, the current economic environment calls for a fine balance of experienced governing. The next Leander City Council must continue to work hand-in-hand with staff to maintain our AAA bond rating by continuing the fiscal responsibility the current city council and Mayor Cowman have established. With that, it is imperative to continue the forward momentum for Leander. We can’t let our city take a step back in the wrong direction to the old ways of doing things as one developer referred to Leander being like “The Hatfields & McCoys.” Those days are gone, times have changed and so has Leander.
Not only a long time resident of Leander, I have many years of true hands-on experience with several groups and have served on many committees within our community. I am a current Leander City Council Member, and have worked over the years with city staff and council passing Leander’s award winning composite zoning ordinance, just one of many forward thinking plans implemented in Leander. I served on a bond task force committee, successfully passing a $12.4 million quality of life bond package bringing a new library, several park improvements, new fire station and police facilities, along with many road and water improvements all without a tax increase. I’ve served on Leander’s groundbreaking Parks and Recreation Development Board, elected chairman and worked to create our parks master plan. As a founding member and annual volunteer of Leander’s July 4 celebration LibertyFest, my cup overflows with gratitude seeing the smiles and listening to the laughter of everyone enjoying a true sense of community with their neighbors. My husband and I both work locally for Leander ISD, sharing Dr. Champion’s vision of “Doing Right & Good by All.” Our two children attend school here as well. Along with my husband, Angel, we were proud “LHS- Pit Crew Parents” helping the LHS Band move around their percussion equipment for performances while our oldest son played the tenor drums. Our youngest son is a proud Tiger as he plays football for LMS.
Now don’t get me wrong, as enjoyable as all that may be there’s lots of work to be done here in Leander. I’ve always been the first to roll up my sleeves and get to work, I’ve proven that. We have roads to finish and many yet to improve. While listening to constituents, there seems to be an overall theme, “Taxes are too high and we need things to do here.” So much progress has been made bringing business to Leander. Let’s continue that forward momentum by bringing in more sustainable businesses, continue to address the needs of local higher education, adding local options of recreation for families. All would lower our tax base and provide local employment opportunities. Our friends and families deserve a Leander YMCA or Community Center. There is a great need for a venue our families can stroll through for dining, shopping and entertainment as our economy begins to recover.
While applauding the many accomplishments of our past we must not rest on our laurels only to stagnate. We have to continue to focus on our future, on what we can do now to continue building on those successes making Leander the best it can and should be; a fiscally responsible city whose purpose is to improve and to enhance the quality of life for all its’ citizens.
As they say, “It takes a village,” especially in local elections. Thank you Leander, for allowing me to continue bringing the energy & experience needed to help push Leander’s momentum forward!
Andrea Navarrette
