With just two weeks remaining until the May 8 municipal elections, candidates in the two City of Tomball races are working to get their message out to the community faster than the signs bearing their names seem to be sprouting up.

In the running for mayor this year is the incumbent, Gretchen Fagan, and her challenger, political newcomer Judy Wilson.

Three years ago, Fagan was elected the mayor of Tomball after H.G. “Hap” Harrington held the title for more than a decade. For three years prior to that, Fagan served on the Tomball City Council.

Wilson, meanwhile, is making her first foray into the political arena in her challenge to the mayor’s seat.

Wilson and Fagan recently spoke with the Tribune about their goals for the city, if elected, and what they would like to see the city accomplish in the coming years.

During Fagan’s tenure as mayor, the city has adopted a zoning ordinance and a 30-year comprehensive plan, which she would like the city to continue to follow.

She said that one of the reasons she decided to seek re-election was to see some of those plans come to fruition.

“I think there are great things going on in Tomball and I want to see them continue,” she said. “We’ve come a long way in three years.”

Wilson, meanwhile, said that she is looking to give something back to the community in which she has lived for the past 12 years.

“I decided (to run) because so many of my like-minded friends and neighbors asked me to run,” she said. “I’ve reached a point in my life to give something back to my community.”

Wilson added that, if elected, she would like the city to establish “fiscal stability.”

“We need to look at where we turn for our revenues and where we spend those revenues,” she said. “All too often the tax payers are asked to be the first to step up, rather than the city government to start looking at how we can increase our sales tax dollars.”

Wilson suggested a way to increase sales tax dollars would be to advertise city events “outside our immediate subdivision in order to bring in people to stay in our hotels.”

Fagan said she would like to see the city continue to move forward on plans it has made during the past three to five years.

“Things like the Comprehensive Plan and Livable Centers study, I’m looking forward to seeing those comes to fruition. I’d just like to see us carry out our plan,” Fagan said.

She added that after three years on a job such as mayor, “you’re starting to get your momentum and I’d like to keep that momentum going forward.”

Wilson stated previously at a candidate’s forum and again to the Tribune that among the most important issues facing Tomball in the coming years is the unstable job market.

“Although in Tomball we’ve been isolated from the impact that other cities and states have suffered through, I think it will be a challenge simply because we’re going into an unprecedented period in time,” she said.

Fagan, meanwhile, reiterated her desire to keep the city moving in a positive direction in a time when the Tomball area is growing at a rapid pace.

“I think we’re moving in a very positive direction and I’d hate to see us making a change in direction,” she said. “There has been a lot of time and money spent and change is not what we need. Of course, we can tweak things based on the interest and input of the community.”

Fagan and Wilson both said they believe Tomball is moving in a positive direction and stated their desires to see sales tax revenue increase in the city.

“I think Tomball is moving in a very good, very positive trend, Fagan said. “I just want people to remember to shop Tomball and keep our tax money here.”

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