Essentials is launching our two-part West University election coverage by offering the two mayoral and five council candidates — from which voters will choose four — a chance to introduce themselves, with responses on their background and qualifications and a 100-word-or-less statement on why they are running. The second part, appearing in our April edition and posted online, will tackle issues as defined by the candidates themselves in questions they have submitted for us to create a second questionnaire.
The candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot, as determined in a drawing conducted by City Secretary Thelma Gilliam.
For mayor
Susan Sample
Occupation: Attorney
Education: B.A. Rice University; J.D. University of Texas Law School; LLM Taxation, University of Houston Law Center
Government/community involvement: Councilmember/Mayor Pro Tem – 2011-2015; Mayor – 2015-2019. Mayor 2021 – present
Years in West U: 17 years
Family: Husband – Michael Larsson. Children – Thomas and Caroline – 11 years
What is motivating you to run?
West U has experienced a renaissance in the last two years with the completion of major initiatives I spearheaded – Virtual Gate, proposed in 2017, fully opened in June 2022; Buffalo Speedway, funded in 2016, reopened in February 2023 with new surface and enhanced drainage; and sale of Ruffino Hills landfill to Houston for an incredible $10.5 million. In addition West U’s 2022 Citizen Survey shows 90% of residents think we are moving in the right direction, an all-time high. I am running to ensure we move forward on other milestone projects while maintaining the qualities that make West U home.
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/SusanSampleforMayor/
John P. Barnes
Occupation: Attorney (practice emphasis on residential/commercial real estate and corporate & nonprofit governance
Education: B.A., Vanderbilt University, 1994; J.D., South Texas College of Law, 1997
Government/community involvement: Leadership Houston, Board of Directors, 2014 – 2020, Rotary Club of West U since 2018 (including Board of Directors, 2019 – 2021, incoming Board, 2023–2024; volunteering in dugout concessions booth at Challengers Division baseball games since 2018; Council Member, City of West U since 2019; Senior Board Liaison, 2019 – 2021; Recycling & Solid Waste Board Liaison since 2021; West University Place Garden Club organizer since 2021; volunteer for Souper Bowl of Caring and for DePelchin Children’s Center; St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, member.
Years in West U: 20-year resident (at the address purchased by my grandparents in 1941)
Family: Wife — Susan Barnes
What is motivating you to run?
As a 20-year, 3rd generation resident, I love West U, our friendly, Neighborhood City. Every two years you entrust us with your money, quality of life, and the welfare and safety of your families. Before spending your money, we should rely upon objective, verifiable data to determine what West U actually needs, and we should reach out to you to learn what you actually want. We need to prioritize critical infrastructure, like Poor Farm Ditch, which has languished under each of my opponent’s five terms, ahead of vanity projects that benefit the well-connected few at the expense of the many.
Website:
https://johnbarnesforwestu.com/
For City Council
Clay Brett
Occupation: Energy Investment Principal at Millennial Energy Partners
Education: University of Florida, BA Economics, BA Political Science; Vanderbilt Law School, JD
Government/community involvement: West U Zoning Board of Adjustment (2019-2021); Shelters to Shutters Houston – Advisory Board (2019-2021); Houston Center for Literacy – Advisory Board (2012-2015); pro bono immigration & asylum legal practice (2013-2017)
Years in West U: 6.5
Family: Wife, Lindsay Wright Brett, son, John Wright (Jack) Brett, 4, daughter, Caroline Clayton Donovan (Cece) Brett, 2
What is motivating you to run?
West U is such an exceptional place to live that it invokes a sense of duty to the community. I saw a tremendous need for a new voice on behalf of West U’s families and all pedestrians during my experience successfully advocating for the Edloe Street Pathway, which will better connect our side of Albans (3700 block) with the rest of the neighborhood. I feel passionately about keeping West U a safe and prosperous city for all generations, young and old, current and future.
Website:
www.claybrettforwestu.com
Shannon Carroll
Occupation: Senior Commercial Insurance Litigation Adjuster
Education: University of Mississippi, B.S.
Government/community involvement: City Councilwoman (Incumbent), West University Place, Senior Services Board Council Liaison, West U Good Neighbor Team, West U Softball Auxiliary, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Sunday School Teacher, Harris County Meals on Wheels, Kid’s Meals, Fulfilling Families, ACE Scholarships, The Forge, Breakthrough Houston
Years in West U: Four
Family: Clay Carroll, (husband), 3 children, Melissa (10), Walker, (8), and Graham (5)
What is motivating you to run?
As an incumbent, I am motivated to run to continue the work and accomplishments of my first term. A recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey found 90% of residents believe West U is moving in the right direction. Efforts to improve drainage, safety, and sustainability include the on-time, under budget completion of Buffalo Speedway, increased pay and benefits to first responders, construction of Edloe Street Pathway, implementation of a citywide composting program, and $10 million sale of a former landfill. As both Senior Board council liaison and a mother of young children, working to ensure West U benefits everyone is my motivation.
Social media
https://www.facebook.com/carroll4westu
Buckley Morlot
Occupation: Development
Education: B.S. in Political Science from the University of Colorado
Government/community involvement: Graduate of the West U Citizens Academy; Co-Chair of the Auction Committee for the 2022 Friends of West U Parks Gala; Board Member, Children’s Assessment Center; President, Magic Circle Republican Women’s Club; Sunday School Teacher, St. Luke’s Methodist Church
Years in West U: 4
Family: Husband & two young children
What is motivating you to run?
I moved to West U to raise my children in a safe community where neighbors know and look out for each other. I am blessed to give my kids the gift of growing up in the best city in Texas. My motivation for everything in my life is the future of my two children. If elected, I promise to work for the people of West U to keep it the little city we all love so that other families have that same opportunity. We will accomplish that by supporting the services we all rely on while allowing families to flourish.
Website:
Matt Hart
Occupation: Corporate Attorney
Education: BS Electrical Engineering and MA Applied Economics, The Johns Hopkins University; JD (Law) University of Pennsylvania
Government/community involvement: Federal Law Clerk, US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals 2009-2010 (Houston); Member of Penn Club of Houston and Greater Houston Partnership
Years in West U: 4.5 years
Family: Wife, Charlotte, Business Executive at Hexagon Intergraph; Caroline, 14; Philip, 11; Victoria, 6 months
What is motivating you to run?
I was born and raised in Louisiana; received my engineering, economics and law degrees on the East Coast; and built my career in New York and London. I chose to move to West U because it’s a great place to raise a family and access the amenities of Houston. Now, I’m running for West U City Council because I want West U to be a great place for families for decades to come. I’m running for more activities for kids and adults, for improved drainage and for better city amenities. I’m running for you, for West U.
Social media:
Matt Hart for West U City Council | Facebook
John Montgomery
Occupation: VP of Commercial Development and Risk at Alta Resources
Education: BA from Emory University, MBA from Rice University
Government/community involvement: Currently serving as Mayor Pro Tempore, WU City Council, and Council Liaison to the Parks and Recreation Board
Years in West U: 17 years
Family: Married to Rachael Montgomery. We have identical twin daughters (4.5), a son (3), and a brand-new baby daughter (1 month).
What is motivating you to run?
Serving the West U community for the past two years has been a great honor. I am running (again) for the opportunity to continue the positive momentum we have built in key areas including our balanced budget, our long-term infrastructure, ensuring our public safety, and sustaining our best-in-class resident services. Importantly, I believe West U should be a family-friendly city that creates opportunities for our children to learn, grow, and play in a safe environment. In addition to our children, West U should remain a city that helps to secure the future for seniors, as well as welcoming newcomers.
Social media:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090287130019
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