Re-elect Paul Watkins for Sachse City Council, Place 3
Why do you want to serve on the Sachse City Council?
I have been serving as a councilmember for the past 6 years during unprecedented growth in Sachse and in the surrounding area. When I was first elected, Sachse was at a crossroad with the choice to move forward with a strategic vision for growth or remain as is, mired in the past. There has been much progress over the past 6 years as we created and executed on a strategic vision to move Sachse forward. We have done much to enable development on 190, initiate creation of the downtown district, attract more businesses to Sachse, and spur additional residential growth. I want to continue to serve so that we can complete these current development initiatives and setup Sachse for a successful future.
What are your educational and work Backgrounds?
I graduated from Oklahoma Christian University with B.S. degree in Business Management and was awarded Business Management student of the year. I work for Atmos Energy and have been with Atmos for 28 years. I lead a team of application developers as their IT Manager, and work in partnership across varying levels of leadership, business and IT teams to develop solutions and resolve issues.
What leadership qualities do you bring to the post?
- Vision & Strategic Planning – Both of these go hand in hand. Having a vision for our future and then strategically planning to update our comprehensive plan with citizenry input, PGBT zoning, funding enablement for Parks and Rec., preserving zoning for rural residential, updating zoning for mixed use as necessary, updating our fire equipment and expanding staff, and continuing to think about and plan for future needs of Sachse as we grow are all examples of my decisions based on this quality.
- Integrity – I value fiscal stewardship, servant leadership and I am pro-growth, which calls me to base my decisions and judgements on these values and what I believe the citizens of Sachse want. This is how I live and how I vote.
- Patience & Perseverance – Laws, regulations, and the amount of growth in the DFW area do not facilitate quick turnarounds in major projects. But through relentless perseverance we have enabled the start of some big development projects (The Station, Trinity Regional Hospital) and have funding for two major road construction projects (~30M) that are all underway.
- Listening & Partnership Mindset – I focus on the positives of a situation and search for solutions to issues. I welcome varying viewpoints so we can collectively determine what we can do to be even more effective. The success of Sachse cannot be accomplished in a vacuum. It is dependent on strategic partnerships with county and regional bodies to resolve issues we may have. I bring that attitude of cooperation and partnership to the post. I am excited about Sachse’s future.
- Sincere Enthusiasm & Commitment – I have lived in Sachse for almost 20 years. All of us wanted to see Sachse grow and progress forward. For the past 6 years I have willingly committed countless evenings and weekends in this volunteer service and I would appreciate the opportunity to finish what we’ve started.
What do you see as the most pressing issue facing the city?
Roads – The growth in Sachse and Wylie has outpaced our ability to fund reconstruction of the major roads. Where I live, my only intersection is onto Sachse Road just east of the Woodbridge and Merritt intersections to Sachse Road. I know firsthand the pothole and alignment issues we are experiencing. With the funding secured for Merritt Road reconstruction/realignment and the 5th St/Sachse Rd. reconstruction, we have a great start to resolving these issues.
In what area do you think you would make the biggest contribution? Why?
Planning and Economic Development – I am passionate about growing Sachse. I recognize that the needs of roads, drainage, first responder services and old facilities all need additional funding. This funding is dependent on realizing our vision and strategy to grow. Keeping us on course to achieving that with more daytime business, additional mixed use and density for retail and restaurants is where I think I will make the biggest contribution. This is not the time to lose courage and pull back but a time to stay the course and move Sachse forward.