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Essentials News

A Part Of West U and Bellaire Essentials Magazine

WEST U ELECTIONS/ The Candidates: Who they are, why they’re running

April 6, 2023 by Charlotte Aguilar


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.

 

Susan Sample

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 & Susan Barnes

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/

Clay Brett and family

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

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

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: 

buckleymorlot.com

 

Matt Hart and family

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

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

Apr 6, 2023Charlotte Aguilar

Facebook Comments

Filed Under: Candidate Forum, Government, Slider, Uncategorized, West U News, Westy U Government Tagged With: Buckley Morlot, Clay Brett, John Barnes, John Montgomery, Matt Hart, Shannon Carroll, Susan Sample, West U election 2023

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