Martin Enters Race for Mayor

HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS - As one of the most vocal advocates for the incorporation of Horseshoe Bay, I have been encouraged by many to run for Mayor.  Having never been a political candidate, naturally the prospect of running for office was not easy to embrace.  

As was the case for me during the debate regarding incorporation, I remain concerned that our doing so needed to be for the right reasons, and not with an objective of changing the underlying dynamics of our community.  The great success of Horseshoe Bay is due to the solid foundation on which it was developed.  Based on my understanding of the interrelationship of the various interests in Horseshoe Bay and my personal relationship with the various principals who will remain instrumental in the continued success of Horseshoe Bay, I believe I am ideally qualified to lead the organization of our new city government.  In response to those who have encouraged me to do so, I filed the necessary application on October 3rd to formally become a candidate for Mayor. 

Prior to moving to Horseshoe Bay I was a resident of NW Houston where I was involved in the development of a residential subdivision.  From that experience I learned the necessity of balancing the rights of the property owners with the needs and authority of the developer.  In time, as circumstances dictated, I realized that I would benefit by transferring my developer's rights to the property owners.  My inclination was right and the neighborhood has continued to thrive long after I moved away.

Although I did not move to Horseshoe Bay until 1997, my parents had been residents here for the preceding 20 years, so I was naturally a frequent visitor.  My father had been active in the affairs of this community through his service for 11-years on the Board of the Lake LBJ MUD.  It was a privilege to experience the evolution of Horseshoe Bay, first-hand and through the eyes of my parents, and having had the opportunity to know many of the people involved.  Living through that history of our development has certainly contributed to my depth of knowledge about the interrelationships and appreciation for the balance that must be maintained.

During the past eight years I have dedicated a great deal of my time to community service.  My first commitment was to the Highland Lakes Chapter of the American Heart Association where I chaired our Celebrity Gala event for several years and was honored with their recognition as "Volunteer of the Year".  Between 1999 and 2004 I served on the Board of Directors of the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce where I was twice honored by that organization as "Director of the Year".  In 2001 I began organizing the Hill Country Economic Development Council as a vehicle for business and government leaders throughout the Burnet & Llano counties region to cooperatively manage the growth that clearly was heading in our direction.  Many of the initiatives of that organization have been cited by statewide organizations as a model for rural communities to follow.  During the past few years I have participated on several LCRA panels involved in revisions to various ordinances associated with LCRA's protection of our lakes.  In January of this year I was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Capital Area Economic Development District (CAPCO), which serves a 10-county region surrounding Austin, including Burnet & Llano.  In that capacity I have participated on the Comprehensive Economic Strategy Committee which was responsible for developing our Five Year Strategic Plan for the region.

To have the opportunity to use my experience and talents to directly serve my friends and neighbors in Horseshoe Bay, in an even greater capacity than what I have been able to indirectly do on a regional level, is something that I would proudly accept if I am honored by your vote of confidence in November and elected the first Mayor of Horseshoe Bay.  While I am now a candidate in a race with a challenger, I am not running against anyone.  Rather, I am running on the basis of the plan I have set forth that will insure the protection of our lifestyle, through the conscientious use of our new opportunities, balanced representation of all interests and conservative fiscal management.

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