The race for Council Position 4 involves incumbent Mary Harvey against challenger Derek Townsend. Last week, the Tribune spoke with each of the candidates. The following are highlights from those conversations.

Do you believe Tomball would benefit from additional residential subdivisions?

Townsend (DT): “You’ve got to have the infrastructure in place before you can add rooftops and make sure you can handle the growth. But make sure you have the flooding traffic, fire, and police infrastructure in place. We’ve got some subdivisions that aren’t completed yet. I don’t want to see a developer come in and build two or three homes and can’t get the rest completed.”

Harvey (MH): “Yes. In order to bring in more industrial and manufacturing and retail jobs, we do need to provide rooftops for those people. But it has be an equal balance.”

Lazenby (RL): “Yes. With all the information I have received the EDC and others, when they talk about the businesses that want to come to Tomball, that before these places come in, they count rooftops, they want to know how many people live within certain miles.”

Stoll (MS): “I am for subdivisions that do not put a strain on city services. I am pro growth, contrary to what people say. But you have to control and manage the growth positively. So you have to keep in mind what the residents of Tomball want. That means you don’t have to develop every square foot of Tomball.”

Tague (BT): I believe Tomball would benefit from more, maybe not subdivisions, but more rooftops. I believe that they’ll add to our tax base, bring more residents to town who will utilize our shops and services, enhance our business community and well as our residential community. However, at the same time, we have to be able to support those subdivisions by having the proper infrastructure in place prior to their coming.”

Is there a need in Tomball for more multi-family housing?

DT: “In my opinion, I don’t see that is a benefit. Anytime you increase multi-family dwelling, you increase the stress and strain on your infrastructure.”

MH: “It would have to be an equal balance, as far as businesses and economics. At this point, we probably don’t need more apartments. But in the next 60 days, 90 days, three or five months, and as more commercial manufacturing comes to town, there may be a need. You can only look at it in a month to month basis.”

RL: “I’m not against a good, really nice multi-family development that would come in and not hurt other citizens in their property values. But it depends on where it’s going to be located and how it would impact other citizens. Some of these multi-family developments that are built are very good. I think there is a place for them, but we have to decide if that’s conducive to those residents that live around them.”

MS: “As far as multi-family development and putting in 700-square-foot apartments, no I’m not for that. They put a drain on city services and a strain on local schools. The city residents want what we have similar to today and you have to respect that.”

BT: “We have a lot of multi-family housing, and I believe a lot of them need to be upgraded. You can’t require it, but if they do have issues, code enforcement could address it. I think we need quality town homes. We need middle class housing that is affordable for everyone. Not everyone can afford to buy a home. Quality rental areas need to be done in a planned manner.”

What do you think the differences are between you and your opponent(s)?

DT: “Mary Harvey is a very nice lady and there is nothing personal. The difference between Mary and I are she is a little more laid back and easy going and I’m a little more inquisitive. I’m a little more outgoing.”

MH: “God doesn’t use a cookie cutter, so no two people are the same.”

RL: “I’ve got three years experience on the council and I’ve seen it from the inside out, rather from the outside in. I think I can bring to the table some things they (Stoll and Tague) don’t have. I listen before I act. I like to hear advice from the citizens who will give it to me.”

MS: “I would only be for a tax increase after you exhaust all avenues and cut all unnecessary spending.”

BT: I believe I have the perspective as a small business owner who’s served city government and the way it interacts with its residents, it business owners. Roy is a marvelous individual. He has a lot of varied background, but he’s never been a small business owner. Mark is a corporate person. I feel like my perspective is different. I am doing this because I have a great love for Tomball and I can be impartial.”

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