Mayor pro tems identify future projects and challenges

Mayor pro tems identify future projects and challenges

Sunday, 07 January 2007

Kirsten Lynch, City Council Mayor Pro tem, Leander

When Kirsten Lynch is not attending her homeowners association meetings, volunteering for the fire department or training for the Citizens Emergency Response Team, CERT, she is sitting behind a small plaque that reads: City Council Member Place Two, Mayor Pro Tem.

Lynch was first elected in 2004 and re-elected in May. Before serving on the council, she was on Leander’s Planning & Zoning Commission for seven years.

• Education: Two bachelor degrees from the College of Idaho; One in elementary education and one in psychology
• Family: Late husband, Howard (married 19 years), daughter Mary and mother, Murney
• Contact Information: 258-0654; place2@ci.leander.tx.us

Q. What are your duties? Explain what the mayor pro tem is.

A. Our duties are to legislate the functions of the city, set city ordinances, set the direction of our growth, identify the city’s opportunities to improve, establish the tax rate, approve an annual budget and plan for capital improvements. As mayor pro tem, I was elected by the City Council to act on the mayor’s behalf if he is not present for official functions.

Q. What projects are you most excited about this new year?

A. Leander’s growth and development! Our quality of life is improving with the new Leander Public Library and improved parks and recreation. We have the transit-oriented development and H-E-B. We will also have the opening of US 183A that will benefit our commute times and bring more people to Leander.

Q. What do you think is Leander’s biggest challenge right now?

A. The city’s growth and economic development. Leander is open for business, which is an over-used, but very descriptive phrase. Leander has everything a company needs; we just have to be sure we’re showing off all of our assets. The Council must stay mindful of guiding that growth in a way to benefit everyone.

Q. How do you balance your career, home life and civic responsibilities?

A. Foremost, I put God first. I pray about decisions I make and try my best to listen and stay in His presence. Volunteering is my balance; giving back is important to me. Many of the projects I do with my daughter. My job is something I love and I enjoy waking up each morning to do it. Finally, keeping a positive attitude is a great stress reliever.

Q. What is your New Year’s resolution?

A. I should get in better shape, I should save more for retirement, I should eat better…but, I’m already happy and blessed. I love God, my family, myself and living in Leander.

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Cobby Caputo , City Council Mayor Pro tem, Cedar Park

Once Mayor Pro Tem Cobby Caputo’s neighborhood was annexed into Cedar Park city limits in 1994, he did not waste any time becoming involved with city government.

In 1996, he was elected to the city council and has been active ever since. His latest term, after being elected in 2005, will take him to 2008.

The attorney by day said he became interested in politics when a high school government teacher required him to participate in 40 hours of political service.

“I became really interested when I was working for local campaigns,” Caputo said. “I kept it up through college and I really love being here when the city is transitioning like it is.”

• Education: Bachelor’s in history and Law degree from University of Texas at Austin
• Family: Wife, Mary, and three children 17, 15 and 12
• Contact Information: 472-8021; place6@ci.cedar-park.tx.us

Q. What are your duties? Explain what the mayor pro tem is.

A. Basically, I am the backup mayor. I have no official duties as the mayor pro tem, but if the mayor is out of town or gone, I fill in for him. Under the city charter, the mayor picks a city council member to serve as the mayor pro tem. As a council member, I attend two council meetings a month and respond to constituents. There are also a lot of extra meetings, as well as retreats.

Q. What projects are you most excited about this new year?

A. There are so many amazing things coming in 2007. The 1890 Ranch retail development will be huge for us. It is what we have been striving for: a full-service city. We will have our own movie theater and bring in things so we don’t have to leave the city. The new hospital, [Cedar Park Regional Medical Center], is also changing the city’s landscape with new specialists. We also have the water partnership with Round Rock and Leander. We have our water supply nailed down for the next 40 years.

Q. What do you think is Cedar Park’s biggest challenge right now?

A. Most people used to say our biggest challenge was transportation, but the toll road is opening in March and everything is changing. One challenge in the future will be our budget, which is so much supported by the rate of growth. When residential growth stops, we will have a big hole in the budget. As long as we hold to the vision, we will be able to keep everything going like it is now. We have to be proactive about the slowdown that’s coming and know how to redevelop the city.

Q. How do you balance your career, home life and civic responsibilities?

A. Some days are better than others. The Council is more than just a couple of meetings a month. There is prep time, calls from residents. It’s hard to balance everything, but the partners at my law firm understand if I have to go do something for the council. All seven of us [council members] are really engaged and involved.

Q. What is your New Year’s resolution?

A. I am actually renewing last year’s which was to get in better shape and take care of myself physically.