Bellaire Mayor Cindy Siegel, who will be leaving office in January, is being considered for an appointment to the METRO Board of Directors.
Siegel told InstantNewsBellaire that the board is aware of her interest and desire to be appointed as a small city representative on METRO’s board of directors.
The position is currently held by Jim Stewart, who is term limited and will be leaving his post in April.
Two members are appointed to the board by the mayors of the 14 multi-cities in the METRO service area. Stewart, along with former West U Mayor Burt Ballanfant, currently holds those positions.
Siegel said she is happy to serve if she’s the right person to help the small cities, but said she wouldn’t be offended if there’s a better candidate.
“Whomever we appoint has to represent everyone,” she said.
Siegel, who has been considering putting her name in the ring for several months, said she isn’t aware of any other interested candidates and has had a positive response from the multi-city mayors and members of the board.
West U Mayor Bob Fry told the news organization that Siegel is a strong candidate and that he would “absolutely” support her.
One of the things that interests Siegel about the position is ensuring that the METRO mobility funds continue to help the small cities.
METRO formed an agreement in 1999 to give the cities a “general mobility fund,” which is 25 percent of METRO’s portion of the sales tax. The cities, which contribute one percent of their sales tax to METRO, can use the funds for street improvements and transit projects.
Communities that are part of the METRO area include the cities of Houston, Bellaire, Bunker Hill Village, El Lago, Hedwig Village, Hilshire Village, Humble, Hunters Creek, Katy, Missouri City, Piney Point, Southside Place, Spring Valley, Taylor Lake Village and West University Place. Major portions of unincorporated Harris County are also included.
oh my god, not again!
The 14 small multi-cities will be well served if Mayor Siegel is indeed appointed to METRO Board on their behalf.
She is an opponent of mass transit (even of sidewalks) who has spent tens of thousands on studies in anticipation of a rail station. Her vote is already committed, do not bother with the facts. Nothing more need be said, absent further provocation.
She is an opponent of mass transit (even an opponent of sidewalks) who has spent tens of thousands on planning for a rail station that may never otherwise appear. Her vote is already committed, do not bother with the facts. We could persist, but only upon further provocation.