SouthlakebrStyle: What inspired you to run for City Council?
Stephen Luhrs: Ibrhave always had a desire to be on City Council at some point. I have served onbrcharity boards, HOA boards, boards of directors but never in a municipalitybrenvironment. I very much want to be involved and serve the community we live inbrand this opening is that opportunity. I very much look forward to working forbrthe community and helping to make the place we call home better for all.
SS: Ifbrelected what are some of your top priorities?
Luhrs: Initially,brI would like to improve the communication between the city and the citizens. Asbra citizen of Southlake it sometimes feels like we are informed after the fact,brand are not aware of all that is going on. I believe in transparency and makingbrsure that our citizens are fully aware of what we as a council are workingbrtowards. Second, I would work on our traffic issues, ever since we arrived inbrSouthlake we have continuously heard about and experienced the traffic issues.
SS: What dobryou see as the biggest challenges facing Southlake?
Luhrs: Ibrfeel the biggest challenge facing Southlake is our growth. Southlake growth hasbrbeen tremendous over the years and has benefited our citizens tremendously. Asbrwe move into the next decade we need to be sure that we manage this properly.brMoving forward we need to manage our growth specifically as it effects ourbrschools and traffic infrastructure. Growth is inevitable and has allowed us tobrget to where we are , but moving forward slow and steady might be a perfectbrplan.
SS: What isbryour vision with Southlake?
Luhrs: Ibrsee a Southlake that is close to what we have today. I would like to see abrSouthlake that looks very much like today’s city. I feel that Southlake has abrcharm like no other city in Texas and that we should do everything that we canbrto save as much of that charm as possible. The uniqueness of our city isbrsomething that we need to protect, much like our tradition in athletics andbracademics. My goal is that Southlake is still recognizable to our children whenbrthey come back to visit with their kids.
SS: Whatbrmakes you the best candidate?
Luhrs: Ibrfeel that I am the best candidate because I bring a fresh perspective tobrSouthlake. Being an entrepreneur and understanding how to build teams andbrbusinesses, I have the ability to use these specialties to help our city withbrits issues and goals. A city is much like a business, and the city council isbrmuch like a board of directors, it requires someone who can work on teams,brunderstand budgets, expectations and how to keep an entity running. I feel thatbrthe city council provides a key role forbrthe citizens and it is our job to protect our citizens interests and it is mybrdesire to help make this the best place possible.
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