At today’s special meeting the City Council voted to appoint Bjorn Kirchdorfer to fill my unexpired term as City Councilman. Mr. Kirchdorfer will serve for one year until May of 2011, when City elections will be held again. I welcome Mr. Kirchdorfer as our newest Councilman and believe he will add value and vision to the Council. I look forward to a productive year with the Council as we work together for the good of our community and its citizens.

I write a short note to let you know that that airport avigation easement/golf course reparation issue between the County and the City came to a resolution tonight. The City Council voted 5-0 to accept the County’s latest offer of $550,000, to be paid in two installments. The first County payment to the City will be for $300,000 upon execution of the necessary expanded avigation easement and the second for $250,000 to be paid by March 1, 2011. The trees will be immediately trimmed as required by FAA regulations upon receipt of the first payment.

I am very happy that the County and the City, through compromise and negotiation, were finally able to come to an agreement. I feel that with this issue now resolved, the City and County can move forward in good faith for the citizens of our community. It is by working together that we can accomplish the work with which we have been entrusted by you, the people of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County.

I thank you for your input on this matter over the past several months and for your patience in its resolution.

It is with great excitement that I announce to you my candidacy for Mayor of Fredericksburg.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Fredericksburg these past five years on City Council and I have enjoyed working with Mayor Jeryl Hoover, who has served our city so well since 2006. I feel that as your Mayor I can make a positive impact on our community and believe I have the insight and experience to move us forward on the many issues that await us now and in the future.

Fredericksburg is a growing community with a diverse population of changing needs, whether you were born here or arrived yesterday. But a town that is not looking ahead is falling behind. It is important that government be forward thinking when dealing with new challenges and opportunities that affect all our citizens.

Fredericksburg is a special place and has been my home for the past 36 years. I have seen many changes during that time, most all for the betterment of our community. It is good to know that Fredericksburg is a town that never forgets where it has been, even as it looks ahead to where it is going.

I encourage you to continue to contact me with what’s on your mind. Your input is needed and valued.

I look forward to continued service to our fine community. I thank you for your support, and for your vote, as Mayor of Fredericksburg.

-Tom

P.S. If I can count on your public support in my campaign, please let me know here. If you would like to contribute to my campaign, click here.

As your councilman, I was honored to be selected as Fredericksburg’s Mayor Pro Tem at the May 19 City Council meeting.  What this title means is, that as Mayor Pro Tem, my job is fill in for Mayor Jeryl Hoover at City Council meetings, when he is unavailable due to other commitments or health reasons.  This job entails presiding over the meeting, calling for discussion, and voting on agenda items.  I will also fill in for the Mayor when he is unavailable for public appearances in our community.  I thank the Council, and our citizens, for your support in my role as Councilman and as Mayor Pro Tem.

“Together working to preserve the German heritage of our beloved Hill Country.”