Willow Park Mayor Ken Hawkins’ proposal for a “united city”

CNHI

PARKER COUNTY — Editor's Note: This is the entire, unedited proposal Willow Park Mayor Ken Hawkins gave to the Democrat for his vision of a united city among the six towns in East Parker County.



It is a good thing when neighbors live together in Peace.



During my journey as Mayor in this County I have sought hard to make peace on every level between our sister cities.  I have done so with a very specific purpose, a vision and goal which I believe is in our great interest, a goal which I would like to share with you today.



I believe that it is our mutual interest as citizens of several small cities to take this unique opportunity and unite our cities under one municipal umbrella, a new ‘United City’ of East Parker County, built on a great heritage, among great people, for a great purpose of protecting all that we hold dear.



Over the last year the Mayors of Aledo, the Annettas, Hudson Oaks, and Willow Park have established unprecedented cooperation on matters resolving disputes of self interests in exchange for solutions based on the common good for all of our citizens.  The Council members of each respective city have responded to this leadership and helped steer the individual ships of state to the common goals we have achieved.



From these steps I have mentioned in small groups the need for our cities to unite as one ‘United City’.  Each time I have mentioned this there has been a series of interesting responses.  I have been met with silence.  There have been times of joking responses.  There have been other times where people have begun to imagine, “What if”.  Some more serious responses have occurred recently as this idea has taken hold, suggesting baby steps in this direction.  Folks, we are way past baby steps!   We are already setting aside years of intransigent positions and solving one problem after another at unprecedented speed.  It is time for us to consider this rare opportunity that is before us, to consider uniting our citizens into one ‘United City’ in order to protect our way of life, to keep the larger cities around us from gobbling us up, or forcing upon us constraints that we ourselves would not otherwise choose.  I want to make the case to each of you, to create in all of us an understanding of where we are and what confronts us in the future if we do not act.



The Examples:



Would you please consider the city of Burleson.  Fifteen years ago it was emerging from its rural background with a simple quiet lifestyle.  It watched Wal-Mart develop and began to see economic growth.  Before its eyes it went from a quiet community to a congested nightmare, infiltrated by poor planning, forced federal mandates that overwhelmed the local citizenry and created another congested suburban smogfest.



Or how about the city of Kennedale?  This is another example of rural outskirts turning into traffic jams, poor planning, and odd businesses.  Each neighborhood, even the small city government could not foresee the unintended consequences.  As a result they forever lost their lifestyle and sense of tranquility that they intended to keep.



Keeping this in mind, a map of the six separate cities would easily show the encroachment of Weatherford surrounding and infiltrating the area between our separate boundaries on one side, and a corresponding infringement by Fort Worth on our other side.  This is not to say that either larger city is overtly problematic, but their self interests, at some point, will infringe on interests immediately affecting our cities and neighborhoods.  By becoming one ‘United City’ we would immediately become a ‘Home Rule’ City, able under state law to annex those parts between us, and combine our boundaries into a single unit that we ourselves can protect.  We can then oversee development with purpose and foresight, rather than being over run by events beyond our control.  If we stand separate and alone, we will be overrun by events, and everything we cherish, the peace, the open roads, the fresh air, the low taxes will be subject to forces beyond our control.  Our only defense is a common defense of shared values and shared purpose.



For those of you who have grown up in East Parker County who are rooted in the fine traditions of this area, I am envious.  I have relocated from Fort Worth, and will never return to the big city as long as I live.  I love everything about our area, the people mostly, but certainly the lifestyle and the lack of urban congestion.  These things are worth keeping, but we cannot keep them with the projected growth patterns that are coming unless we unite.



Your Leadership:



Do you know how rare great leadership is?  We have in the cities of East Parker County a number of remarkable leaders, men and women of fine reputation, public servants that are capable and talented.  Yet, in each city there are some few of these leaders.  I can tell you honestly that among these servants there are some more gifted than others, some more capable than others, some with temperaments better suited than others.  It would be in our interests as citizens of this area to combine our cities and to combine our leadership in order to obtain a singular, more qualified group of leaders to watch over our interests.  The six cities have six Mayors, thirty council members, of which out of the total group there are about twelve really outstanding individuals; people particularly gifted in matters of engineering, or accounting, or development, or legal expertise that could increase the quality of our overall representations.  All of us would be better served by selectively upgrading those local representatives of government that watch over our interests.  By uniting as one ‘United City’ we would obtain a better local government.



Your Government Employees:



Let me explain some fundamental truths.  

Government exists to serve the citizens.

Government does not exist to guarantee jobs for its staff.

Government exists to manage the citizen’s money efficiently.



Consider that the cost of employees may well be the largest portion of municipal budgets.

We have 4, 5, or 6 City Managers.

We have 1 or 2 Assistant City Managers.

We have 4, 5, or 6 City Secretaries.

We have 2 or 3 additional Secretaries.

We have 3, soon to be 4, Public Works Directors

We have 3 Police Chiefs.

We have 3 Fire Chiefs.

We have 3 Economic Development Directors.

We have at least 3 Lawyers representing our interests.

We have 6 Accountants.



By uniting into a ‘United City’ these expenses, the people’s monies, could be greatly reduced, streamlined, and managed, redirecting saved resources into debt reduction, better roads and services, or lower taxes.



Please understand that every single staff person would consider this suggestion to be a direct threat to their otherwise guaranteed jobs and benefits.  But, it is not the purpose of government, nor the goal of managing your tax dollars to duplicate efforts and expenses in order to protect employees of the people.  Government must change!  I suggest we start at home, and we start now.



You must recognize that the legal teams representing these cities would also throw out every conceivable reason why we could not get along, but these consent and advisory comments would also tend to protect their self interests.  The truth is, we need less lawyers, and more cooperation, not the other way around.



Surely in this age of out of control government spending, guarantees of ridiculous benefits negotiated on behalf of public employee unions and other unions, we the people can choose a better future by reducing these unnecessary and duplicative expenses, setting aside one line on our mail delivery address and choosing to live together more efficiently under one ‘United City’.



Consider Fort Worth.  Their budget is way upside down, and the budget is being severely impacted by retirement plans for their Police and Fire Department unions.  Those unions, as all unions, are not amenable to renegotiating, regardless of the problems to the rest of us.  Fort Worth is not alone as several cities in Texas are facing broken budgets because of unfunded retirement guarantees.  Knowing this, wouldn’t it be wise to consider choosing a more efficient path?  Ultimately, the citizens have to pay for these unfunded mandates in the form of higher taxes.  I, for one, believe we should obtain the best service possible, but at the lowest cost to the citizen.  The most significant impact we can have on our future tax liability is to unite as one ’United City’ diversifying our costs over the largest number of individuals, utilizing the smallest number of employees.



Efficiency of Scale:



Not only can the cost of employees over the area be greatly reduced, saving millions of dollars, but there is also an economy of scale on other ancillary parts of municipal management.  Purchasing power, negotiating terms, loan guarantees, bond ratings, equipment purchase, and usage are many of the secondary cost saving benefits that would come by uniting.



Future Economic Growth:



There are four periods of economic development that will occur for East Parker County over the next 30 years.  These events will cause first Hudson Oaks, followed by Willow Park to ride a rising wave of economic strength.  These developments in the near term are a result of the development that will occur along the I20 corridor.



The first period of economic development is occurring now in the city of Hudson Oaks.  Any comparative analysis of the individual cities as to economic viability, or efficiency of management would recognize that Hudson Oaks has already obtained a level of excellence beyond the scope of its sister cities.  It is anchored by Wal-Mart, it has modern economic development, it has new access roads, fine restaurants, and a fun theatre experience.  Its economic base is currently more secure than all of the other cities combined.  Yet because the I20 corridor is filling up, its potential for future growth will become progressively more limited.



The second period of economic development will occur in the Willow Park corridor.  This development will occur primarily because of the rerouting of the exit ramps and access roads along the I20 roadway.  This five mile stretch of open access roads between Fort Worth and Weatherford makes this retail and commercial land area the most valuable and underdeveloped land resource in the Fort Worth area.



There is an economic boom that will occur over the next seven years that will see your favorite restaurants located conveniently in Willow Park, from Starbucks, and LaMadeline, to PeiWei, and Sushi Bars, every imaginable culinary delight will soon be available for our pleasure and as employment opportunities for our kids.



Willow Park is poised in this business cycle to also become a medical hub in the regional plans to provide top quality health care for the citizens of north Texas.  Texas Health Resources will build its ‘Harris West’ complex on the north side of I20, west of Ranch House Road.  Along with this hospital will come an array of medical facilities providing world class service to our citizens and further employment opportunities for our graduates.



The third period of economic development will occur in Aledo approximately ten to fifteen years hence when new highway access is developed on its eastern boundary.  With better access and more efficient traffic flow Aledo can move beyond its ‘mom & pop’ shops serving its local citizens and develop an economic engine along a section of highway that will enhance its place in East Parker County’s economic model.  This 3rd period of economic growth will be smaller than the first two because the amount of access and frontage road will be limited in size.



The fourth period of economic development will occur about 30 years from now as the outer loop for Fort Worth is built.  Though there are several models and suggestions, the most likely scenario is for the outer loop to follow the 1187 corridor.  The land on this corridor will become perhaps the most valuable pieces of property in Parker County at that time, and will be the center of huge development and growth for Willow Park and Aledo.



Progress to date:



I do not want to belabor the point of our past conflicts borne from short sighted events that no longer bear discussion in this age of unprecedented cooperation.  Never again will our municipalities or citizens get caught up in conflicts that cannot be resolved by reasoned mutual consideration.  We were divided, but we are no more.  This, of course, is the greatest accomplishment that we have made.  Beyond this we have set the stage and implemented substantive changes that will take care of our water issues and our waste water issues for generations to come.  Since municipalities are primarily concerned with Water, Sewer, Taxes, and Roads, I can safely report that your representatives have already solved two of these four great issues.



Roadways:



By uniting we can better manage and construct our roadways for safety, walking paths, and biking access.  The simple truth is that our road construction is of paramount importance for our future safety and land use.   The citizens of the Annettas should be most concerned on this matter because they rely on the County government to maintain the safety and quality of their roads.  If this were normal economic or government times, this matter may not be of such import.  However, if the current trends continue with the Federal government being broke, the State budget contracting, the Texas Department of Transportation without adequate revenue, then the County road budgets will also reach critical mass.  Recently, we were informed at the local Chamber’s luncheon that there is a current and future plan to allow many of these roads to return to gravel surfacing because of inadequate funding to maintain the current asphalt surfaces.  These economic realities would make the maintenance of roadways in the Annettas of paramount concern to their citizens, but critically so since they would be without the economic engine of the I20 corridor.



This is the future that we all must consider.  If the roadways in the area cannot be adequately maintained, then public safety for all, and property values for all will be negatively impacted.  And with this, so too our quality of life.



Taxes:



I know that the most immediate impediment to uniting arises from those citizens not paying ‘ad valorum property taxes’ to their respective cities.  I know this discussion is pertinent to the citizens of Hudson Oaks and of the Annettas.



As a matter of perspective the citizens of Willow Park pay the same taxes each of you already pays to the County, and other entities, but also pay .43 cents for every $100 in value, or $430 for every $100,000 in value.  For that, they receive much more prompt emergency service from Police, Fire, or Ambulance service.  They also receive better response from Public Works employees, more control over their destiny, and better communication from the City Offices serving their interests.  The need for better services, or improved public safety will eventually compel the citizens into choosing ad valorum taxes as a means to obtain these life saving improved services.



In this specific case, should we unite, joining forces would bring real benefits.  The citizens of Annetta would be able to obtain better bond ratings for the loan structure they seek for the acquisition for their water works.  They would also join into a larger community with real economic power, a solid footing from which real benefits would be shared equally among all of its citizens.  The same principle would apply to the citizens of Annetta North, and Annetta South.



As for Hudson Oaks, their city is well managed, their citizens well served, and their need for ad valorum tax structure something for them to consider themselves. But I do know that their opportunity to grow, lead, and control their future would be better served by uniting with the rest of the small cities of East Parker County, because each community brings different advantages.  If ad valorum taxes are required to protect and enhance your future, then perhaps the time has come to make such a choice.



The Name of this ‘United City’:



I share with each of you a common experience.  When I meet new friends or business acquaintances and relay to them that I live in Willow Park, more often than not, I receive a quizzical response wondering where exactly Willow Park is.  I am sure each of you, whether your residence or business is in the Annettas or in Hudson Oaks, has likewise experienced this response.  In my case, I explain that I live in the Aledo area, after which it seems everybody knows to where I refer.



Aledo has a great name!  It has a fine heritage.  Its citizens are great people.  Its government is well run and well respected.  Aledo lacks other things, but what it has in ‘spades’ is name recognition.  Therefore, in my vision of how East Parker County should unite, it should unite under the banner of ‘Aledo’.



The Seat of Government:



Any comparative analysis of the individual cities would again recognize that Hudson Oaks has already obtained a level of excellence beyond the scope of its sister cities.  It has already built beautiful facilities for municipal government.  It has a new, modern City Hall with large public chambers often graciously made available to the other cities.  It has adequate parking and green areas that again none of the other cities have.  Therefore, the seat of government for the new ‘United City’ of Aledo should be located in the municipal offices of Hudson Oaks.



Willow Park’s Contribution:



Willow Park is the largest of the separate cities, with a population equivalent in size to the remaining five cities.  Willow Park has the larger public works department, is managing a larger number of roadways, and has the largest Police and Fire Department.



It seems natural then that the facilities centered around Willow Park’s current municipal area can serve as staging locations for centralized Police and Fire services.  Willow Park also maintains a centralized dispatch service that might be better utilized under a united structure, again streamlining costs being directed elsewhere.



The Interim Leadership:



In my vision, recognizing that certain individuals are better suited than others, and dispassionately considering that most are gifted beyond my own skill set, it is my humble opinion that certain individuals should be tasked to accomplish specific goals.

As an example, the person best suited to act as Mayor pending elections would be Mayor Rob Watson of Annetta North.  His temperament and judgment provide him with an unparalleled level of reasoned moderation, a leadership quality that we would all be willing to defer to.



Clearly, Pat Deen is best suited for the most difficult task on our horizon, that of planning for long term traffic flow in our area, and to Fort Worth.  One of the great strategic benefits of the Annettas is their location vis-à-vis existing rail lines.  The North Texas Council of Governments and Fort Worth are determined to design and develop rail service as a means of public transportation minimizing traffic congestion on our highways.  If we are fortunate, high speed rail will also be built into this infrastructure.  There will be federal dollars directed into planned construction of these rail lines that will follow existing right of ways.  We need lobbying skills, multi level communications across government agencies, and strategic planning.  The vital leadership skill set required to get ahead of this growth curve is embodied in Pat Deen.  



Kit Marshall has the most experience dealing with County wide issues, as she has worked closely with County Judge Mark Riley.  We need her skill set to be focused on uniting the infrastructure of our separate cities almost in the same fashion she utilizes emergency management services for the County.  This task is the nuts and bolts of uniting the area.  She has demonstrated a mastery over directing and managing her city.  Her skill set and expertise, her ability to identify talented people would all serve to create from the many, one.



Mayor Phil Lumsden has the business background and development expertise to centralize, streamline, and unify the many differences in our development codes.  We need to be inviting to business development, but have a planned framework so that our city grows into a unique city with a certain flair and beauty that will enhance our values.  Mayor Lumsden understands planned development.



Mayor Kleinschmidt may indeed be the brightest among us, a lawyer by trade, witty and at times combative.  His no nonsense approach is exactly what we would need to reorganize our Codes or Ordinance into one unified structure.  This task would certainly be beyond me, requiring a methodical and detailed review of collective works of law that have transpired over decades.  To this specific task I would recommend one of my Council members, Gene Martin, whose mind loves such tasks!



On other matters, I would sincerely recommend the services of Gordon Swift, an engineer of renown, well beloved by Fort Worth.  In all matters relating to our sister city on our eastern boundary, I would defer to this fine gentleman.  If I were a King, I would knight this man for all that he has done for Fort Worth, and its surrounding area.



On matters of legal representation, I esteem Rider Scott above all other attorneys I have met on municipal matters, but due to his long service to Willow Park would by no means be acceptable to the other cities.  This is unfortunate because he would be eminently qualified to guide our steps.



Likewise, any associations with the attorneys of record from our past disputes would become untenable to differing parties.



Therefore, I would recommend for your considerations a new face, a man of great reputation in Fort Worth, one Robert G. West, who is the finest attorney I have ever known.  You will note that I esteem it to be of great value that we have the very best of working relations with Fort Worth.  Almost every major event on our horizon will entail a cooperative working relationship with that great city.  Therefore, all things being equal, by selecting experts well thought of by Fort Worth’s management, will likewise serve our better interests.



In the same fashion, Alan Plummer and Associates has made a profound impact on me with their broadly accepted expertise, and renown among many government agencies I have had the pleasure to deal with.  Mr. Plummer is another gentleman worthy of knighthood, who has my deepest respect.



Beyond these recommendations, I can certainly speak highly of Lockwood, Andrews, and Noonan, and Freeze and Nichols, both who have served this area by providing expert work and knowledge on Engineering matters.



Folks, we have been little cities in quiet neighborhoods, living among great people in pastoral settings.  Life is changing, and the pace will overwhelm us if we do not act with vision and purpose.  There has never been a time when every single Mayor would attest to our unprecedented cooperation.  This opportunity having never before existed, will vanish by events over time.  I encourage you to show leadership, individually and collectively.  Our future will be better secured by joining forces towards a purposed destiny.  If we act, we will not only break molds, but also demonstrate to other communities and governments that they too can solve problems by thinking outside the normal parameters, and seizing the opportunity, as I hope we choose to do.



I can think of no other people I would rather associate with than you, the citizens of our sister cities, Aledo, Hudson Oaks, and the Annettas.



With my best wishes,



Kenneth Hawkins, Ps: 34:3

Mayor, Willow Park

 

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