As five candidates vie for the three Waller city council positions at large, most candidates agree the area needs to prepare for impending growth.

The Waller Area Chamber of Commerce held an hour long candidate’s forum on April 28 in the Waller ISD board room. Three council positions are currently up for election. Roger Frey, Nancy Arnold and Maurice Hart previously held the positions. Frey and Arnold are seeking re-election while Hart is not.

Also in the running are Dwayne Hajek, Kevin Wood and Sydney Johnson. The top three vote getters will become council members.

Pictured is Kevin Wood, who is currently seeking a position on the Waller City Council.

All candidates were given the opportunity to speak about their goals if elected and each reflected on Waller’s growth.

Hajek served as councilman in 2004 and as mayor from 2006 to 2008. He is the Vice President and Assistant Fire Chief of the Waller Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD).

Hajek said Waller is a “growing city.”

“We need to prepare for growth. Don’t let the growth control us,” he added.

Wood, who also works for WVFD, expressed a similar attitude.

“I am trying to guide the growth,” he said about his goals if elected.

He said IH 290 is the last undeveloped corridor in the area and the city needs to focus on that area.

Wood also said that Waller needs a theme much like other cities near by, such as The Woodlands which is known for its dense forests.

Arnold has served on city council for four years. Much like the other candidates she said her goals for Waller were for the city to be self sustaining.

According to Arnold, residents go to Cypress or Hempstead to do their shopping. Arnold said in the 20-year plan for Waller, the city has more restaurants, shopping, housing and parks.

“We want growth,” she said.

Arnold said Waller County is the third fastest-growing county in the metropolitan area.

She said IH 290 is the door to growth and the city could “lose out” if it doesn’t act.

“We don’t want to change. We want to manage and take advantage of the growth that is coming,” she said.

Frey and Johnson were unable to attend the forum.

School Board Trustee Positions 1 and 2 are also up for election. Currently, Secretary Shaun Nelson holds Position 2 and is running unopposed. He did not attend the forum. David Kirkpatrick holds Position 1 and is not seeking re-election. Candidates seeking Position 1 are Ann Kulhanek, Joe Landin and J.E. Johnson.

Early voting is from May 2 to May 10. Residents can vote at the Waller ISD Administration Building, Waller County Community Center, Roberts Road Elementary or Field Store Elementary. Election Day is May 14.

For more information, visit wallertexas.com or wallerisd.net.

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