CANDIDATE ANSWERS
1. I would like to hear each candidate speak to their vision for the future of Shadowglen as we transition from a developer run board to a resident run board.
MATTHEW HUGHES
I hate POAs. POAs are horrible. They and just take money from residents and create a lot of unnecessary rules and regulations. They waste money on [fill in the blank]. POAs are bureaucratic nightmares with limited successes for fear of being sued.
How many of us have said one of these statements? How many people do you know feel this way. Clearly something is wrong with a lot of POAs, here in Texas and across the country. I am running for a spot on the POA Board in order to turn these negative statements into some positive outcomes for our community.
Big Picture: I want to create a strong resident-run POA Board which is dedicated to maintaining a community, where residents feel safe, they can enjoy spending time with their neighbors, and where people want to move because of strong amenities including green spaces that provide beauty and functionality. I want a strong resident life program with active clubs as well as fun and engaging events.
My answers to the questions submitted provide a surface-level view of how I would make some changes, where I would dedicate my time and how I would look to engage more people in making our community someplace special.
ALEX BRADEN
The transition to a resident run board is a massive undertaking that is long overdue. I envision a resident elected board of directors to be more proactive in addressing resident concerns and complaints, holding the management company responsible for meeting its obligations, and managing financial and other resources prudently. What is important to the developers is likely to be different than what residents find important. It will be essential to conduct resident surveys at least annually, ideally in advance of the budget development process, to gauge community priorities and where investments should be made. We need more robust methods to communicate between the board and residents. Finally, we need to make sure the elected board of resident directors is diverse and represents all neighborhoods within Shadowglen.
MILAD DAVOODI
As we transition from a developer run to a resident run board, we need to focus on what the developer run does best and balance that out with the needs of residents. This means consistently focusing on building value in our community, both monetary value of our homes and quality of life for our days.
RICHARD HALE
This transition must be transparent and involve the entire community as a whole. My vision is to have at least 1 million in the reserve account as we transition to home owner control of the HOA. My vision for the future of Shadowglen is to have a community built on trust, imagination, and innovation. There must be more community involvement, to include but not limited to forming committees to This vision must include more home owner input and implementing mandatory in person home owner meeting, which we have not since Covid.
LARRY STEWART
As we transition from developer to property owner POA, we must maintain logical thinking and not let this become a cat fight. Every decision is not going to make everyone happy. We must make the community first.
2. Does the candidate support the current parking policies or do they think it is time to revise them to allow street parking?
MATTHEW HUGHES
In general, I support the current parking policies. I do not like the idea of having cars parked in the streets everywhere. Some families have more than two cars, and the garages and driveways are not of an adequate size to accommodate all their vehicles. We need to strike a balance between allowing for some on street parking and not having our street jammed up with vehicles everywhere. One idea might be for change might be that residents should be able to apply for a temporary permit to park in the street that must be renewed periodically.
ALEX BRADEN
I want to balance the needs of keeping sidewalks clear from parked vehicles in driveways because they can’t park on the street, while also ensuring our neighborhood streets don’t become commuter parking lots or spaces where truckers park to sleep like in Presidential Meadows. So, I would be in favor of loosening street parking restrictions, but not eliminating them. Specifically, I would not want to see someone parking a clearly inoperable vehicle on the street. I also think individuals should also utilize their garage space and driveways before parking on the street. However, we must be mindful of how narrow many of our streets are and the safety issues that poses with street parking. I am open to discussions with the community to try to balance parking needs with resident safety and community atmosphere.
MILAD DAVOODI
This is something where I have to put personal feelings aside….I for one would love to street park, but having everyone do so, will definitely lessen the look and feel of our community. I do understand those that may have guests staying for a couple of days and have your parking full. Its annoying to get a letter or fine when you are not doing something maliciously. We should have a simple application process online for when you know you will have to park on the street greater than 24 hours. There are several simple and free solutions out there that can create this ability. This way when you can do so online, and therefore be permissible to keep your vehicle there longer for when you need to. As well as maintaining guidance to try and keep your vehicles in front of your property lines to avoid any issues with neighbors.
RICHARD HALE
While this always has and will continue to be a hot topic, I support the need for the no parking on the streets policy. Having said that, don’t rush to judgement. This topic has been addressed by having a community survey that I pushed for. The results of which resulted in our 4-hour parking permit. We also allow parking when the community notifies the office of special circumstances i.e. parties, seasonal celebrations, family emergencies etc.
Being a former Law Enforcement official, it presents a problem for people to pull out of their driveway if someone is parked directly across from theirs. This can potentially cause a collision by backing into a parked car. There are also homes with too many vehicles at one location. The irony of this is when I drive past some of these location’s I see garage’s full of items, that if organized would allow for the parking of at least one vehicle at a minimum. I measured the distance of the streets and discovered that an ambulance, or firetruck would have a very challenging time negotiating our streets if two cars were parked on opposite side of the streets at the same time across from each other. To my knowledge we have not had a major home fire, but I would hate to think that a fire truck couldn’t get to a home fire because of parking causing more damage than necessary.
As a board we could not allow a time delay for parking to prevent the life saving needs of our community. Our first responders are prepared to respond and provide life saving measures that save lives. A 10 second delay in response could mean the difference of going to the hospital to see your loved one in recovery or planning for a funeral.
Having said this, we can always have an open dialog concerning new ways to perhaps extend the parking time limits.
LARRY STEWART
On street parking should be temporary and not permanent.
3. Should the POA be actively encouraging and supporting the use of home and property options such as metal roofs, solar panels and xeriscaping.
MATTHEW HUGHES
If the question is asking if the POA should actively be encouraging people to install solar panels, metal roof and xeriscaping, I do not believe this is its role, and I would not encourage people to do so.
If people want to make changes to their property within what is established as acceptable by the Community Design Guidelines (one of the governing documents), I would be supportive of them to be allowed to make changes. If those changes are not approved under the guidelines, I would not support the changes.
A review of the guidelines should be done periodically to consider updates to the policy. I would support that review and actively seek input from the community about modifications.
ALEX BRADEN
I believe the architectural review board plays an important role in ensuring the aesthetic of the community. While I am open to discussions on changes that could be made to the architectural requirements, I do not think the Board has a role in “encouraging and supporting” one option over another if they are both allowed by the rules. I would also not support using HOA resources to help subsidize improvements such as solar panels or xeriscaping to individual homeowners.
MILAD DAVOODI
I think Solar Panels and Xeriscaping would be great options. We have tons of son that beats down on us and kills a lot of our landscaping. It requires lots of money and time to keep up with our landscaping – having landscaping that requires little irrigation will result in less maintenance and more beautiful neighborhood. As a community, we should have options that are negotiated at a discount cost to local landscapers and solar companies. As a result, this will also help decrease the amount of solicitors to our neighborhoods. Of course people should still have a right to choose their own vendor, but with an entire community behind us, we can get it done for cheaper and publish our “partners” with an arranged discount. With regards to metal roofs, im not as educated on that. I would like to hear the pro’s and con’s, as well as see images of a completed project. We had a tornado hit our neighborhood this year – would this help prevent more damage? Does it look nicer (to boost overall value) than a traditional roof with shingles? What is the cost difference? Is there a structural difference? How much longer do they last? These are all questions I do not know the answers to, but will find them out in order to make the best decision on behalf of the community.
RICHARD HALE
The us of metal roofs, solar panels, and xeriscaping are addresses in our deed restrictions. We have had discussion that the Bi-Laws were outdated and need a review. When SunCal, our current declarant decided to migrate towards a more drought free landscaping look it was my impression that we should allow home owners to do the same with their yards. To my knowledge we have allowed xeriscaping to occur. The use of solar panels is allowed the only restriction is that the panels cannot be on the front elevation. Unfortunately, accordingly to out by-laws metal roofs are not.
LARRY STEWART
Traffic control and lifestyle are connected. This is a subject requiring serious attention.
4. How will you help ensure Shadowglen maintains a great community lifestyle despite the increased growth in Manor, traffic, congestion, etc.?
MATTHEW HUGHES
Once the POA Board moves from control by the master builder to a Board run truly by the members of the community, the governing documents need to be reviewed, updated and approved by a majority of the residents. These documents set the rules for how the community operates. If you drive through other plans in the community you will see that Shadowglen has done a great job of building a very special place to live. Green areas with beautiful plants and ponds, wide sidewalks and other public places give it an upscale feel without being pretentious. The rules established in these documents help the POA and the community to not be degraded by one or more members, who on a whim decide to do something “crazy” to their property (ex. Paint their house orange). We have rules on parking, how yards look etc. so that there is some continuity in how everything fits together. I will make sure we continue to honor these core rules for how we operate.
As Manor grows and Shadowglen evolves, I feel I can help to make changes that residents want that benefit the community. For example, we all have a love/hate relationship with the speed bumps by the golf course. There may come a time when so much traffic bypasses 290 and cuts through our neighborhood and do need to add more bumps by our schools and other entrances to discourage cut-throughs. Enhancements to our governing documents allow us to keep up with the times as growth occurs.
We need to upgrade and connect pathways, such as the one by the electrical lines and several around the ponds.
ALEX BRADEN
The growth adjacent to our neighborhood is largely outside of our control. While the Board could begin to take official positions on certain developments or projects, our ability to advocate is somewhat limited given that Shadowglen residents do not elect members of Manor’s City Council, which is the body approving most of the development you see. I think a more effective route would be to analyze projects and make specific comments or recommendations to the proposed design in a way that reduces or eliminates potential negative impacts to our residents. I think we can also continue to advocate to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office for increased traffic enforcement and to Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources on road maintenance and improvements. Finally, I think the Board can help encourage residents to make comments or provide feedback when opportunities present themselves, such as any improvements proposed to FM 973 which is maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
MILAD DAVOODI
Encourage more activities for specific hobbies. If we have an increase in total amount of engagements, then we should have less congestion in each group (think more lanes to drive on with increased amount of vehicles on the road) along with spacing out the times of the various activities to control any further congestion.
RICHARD HALE
One of the best methods of creating a great community lifestyle is to have a committee that attends the City of Manor City Council meeting who are kept up to date, when necessary, council meeting is held that effect the community. The trails in the neighborhood have recently been mulched and will be mowed at least 10 feet back from the trailhead. The cement trails that run under the power lines are maintained by TCEQ. The board has reached out to these entities in hopes a remedy.
The City of manor as well as Shadowglen residents should be calling TXDOT to see what the long-term goals are for HWY 290 as it passes through Manor. The timing of the lights needs to be extended so that a large swath of traffic can be allowed to flow when necessary. Having the knowledge base that I do I do not believe that TXDOT is monitoring the traffic problem in Manor as closely as they should be. The City of Manor Police Department has the ability to unlock the traffic boxes and take control of the traffic flow. I know Chief Phipps well enough that if he could help, he would, but this responsibility lays with TXDOT. As this increased growth continues, we should offer solutions for TXDOT, such as a walkway across HWY 290 to connect the Walmart shopping area with the new developments coming to Manor.
I would encourage the city of Manor to build their downtown area to support more sidewalks and stores, along with the possibility of contracting with BIRD electric cycles to be able to ride from place to place throughout the community. I would encourage the City of Manor to reach out the Tesla to see what if any incentives they could reach to bring more technology to our community. The more people that call the City Counsil and TXDOT the more attention you will attract to the community. I would also encourage a call to 7 on your side, as some have done in the past to bring HWY 290 and the Manor corridor to the forefront for true change. The old adage, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” is so true. How many more lives have to be lost or serious injuries occur at the intersection of HWY 290 and FM 973 do we need to stand up and speak up?
LARRY STEWART
Traffic and lifestyle are connected. Can we restrict heavy truck traffic using us as a short cut? I don’t know but we can investigate.
5. What amenities (pickleball, dog park, another pool, tennis courts, basketball, soccer etc) will you advocate for with the extra sections added on the other side of the creek while ensuring the HOA dues are still manageable?
MATTHEW HUGHES
I would like to see basketball courts, a multi-use field for soccer and other field sports. There are also designs that support dual pickleball and tennis courts. Currently, the plans for the City of Manor Recreation complex are set for the land just south of the Episcopal Church by the golf course (across the street from Casa Garcia’s on the new road). If we can get some good facilities there, we can strategically plan what Shadowglen needs to build. When the next stage of Shadowglen is built it is my understanding that an additional pool is planned for that area. Our current pool is not being used at anywhere near capacity on most days. I am at the clubhouse most weeks 6 of 7 days.
ALEX BRADEN
Well, first I need to better understand what is proposed/approved for Phase 3 and if that phase will be included in our HOA or not. For example, my last neighborhood had two HOAs because Phase 1 and Phase 2 had different requirements relating to stormwater management and it did not seem fair for Phase 1 residents to help pay for improvements that solely benefitted Phase 2 residents. If Phase 3 is part of our HOA, then all amenities should be shared among all residents, both what is here now and what may be coming in Phase 3, but that would also mean that Phase 3 would have to contribute to the massive maintenance investment that is needed in our current amenities. It is likely that the proposed amenities for Phase 3 have already been determined, but we may be able to provide input before and during construction on those items.
MILAD DAVOODI
I think with this we should look at overall cost and impact. Without having SOW proposals on cost for each, I would think that a Dog Park should be fairly cheap as its just fencing for the most part. There are currently tons of soccer fields in Pfluggerville not so far away, so I think that has little value to duplicate what we already have fairly close by. I would think either Tennis Courts (with Pickleball mix) or Basketball along with a Dog Park would have the best impact. It comes down to money available and cost vs impact. There are other creative ways to generate funds that can be earmarked for further amenity build outs that might either lessen the need to increase HOA dues or prevent that from happening overall.
RICHARD HALE
First and foremost, I agree that we need to add amenities to our community. One of the top priorities is to maintain what we already have. I am in active negotiations with SunCal to have blueprints for a sand volleyball court by the pool by extending the current fencing outward toward the street. Secondly, I am interested in a pickleball court in the green space across from the pool where the SunCal offices were once located. If this area is not large enough then perhaps a dog park would be better suited. As far as Tennis Courts, Basketball courts etc., those are best addressed by home owner-controlled boards. All of the above are large costs tickets items. One can say they want them all but its better to ask, how will they be paid for? This brings up the ensuring the HOA dues are still manageable. Shadowglen has one of the lowest HOA fees in the area for the amenities we offer. After many years as your appointed board member and at my recommendation a five-year reserve study was conducted. The conclusion was no surprise, just like everything else has increased in price, in time so will your HOA dues. We must maintain a high level of reserves if we truly want all the item’s mentioned. The current path will allow Meritage homes to become our declarant. Meritage Homes has formed their own HOA and are in negotiations with our HOA to enter into an agreement for the temporary use of our amenity center until Meritage can complete their own amenity center. This is why it is imperative that I remain as your board member during this crucial time.
LARRY STEWART
Amenities for sports courts and dog parks are worth looking at.
6. What are the top 2 things you would like to accomplish being on the board?
MATTHEW HUGHES
a. Improve the communication and openness between the Board and residents, while
increasing the engagement of residents in the efforts of the Lifestyle team and its programming, clubs and organization.
b. Creating a sustainable budget that will allow improvements to made in the neighborhood, amenities and green spaces, while allowing for ongoing maintenance on current assets. On the same topic of budget, I would like to better understand how much money we have in arrears and develop a plan to bring more those delinquencies current. Implement the plan.
ALEX BRADEN
I want to put the board on a path towards resident control as quickly as possible and 2) implement a plan to make substantial investments in the maintenance of amenities and common spaces. On the first, it is past time that residents have more than one seat on the board and more say over how HOA funds are used. If turning over board control is not possible, a second seat for resident representation should be made available to begin the eventual transition. On the second, I want to find ways to cut operating expenses and put any identified savings into an account to begin to address what I believe to be a significant backlog in deferred maintenance. The pool and playground in particular are showing their age from a lack of preventative maintenance investment. We must do more than just planting and mulching along the road and letting everything else go by the wayside.
MILAD DAVOODI
a. We need to understand what is happening to our water. To date, im not clear on the “why” these issues keep happening. If we don’t know what the problem is, then we cannot work on a solution. These things go hand in hand.
b. Fiscal overview to understand the amount of money that is available and forecasted in order to start shopping for community improvements.
RICHARD HALE
The top two items would be to work toward having a fiscally sound reserve fund and secondly moving to home owner control of the board as soon as possible.
LARRY STEWART
Top two priorities? Frankly that’s a tough question! I say number one is Best Interest In the Community and second is see number one! Actually, that was the easy question.
7. How do you feel that you can make a difference as our representative on the board?
MATTHEW HUGHES
Improving communication. As it is right now, most residents have no idea who is on the Board, what the Board does, how big is the budget, how the budget is allocated and how the Board and the POA can make Shadowglen a vibrant place to live.
If I am elected, I would spend the first month learning as much as I can about these four or five key topics and begin to disseminate that information directly to residents. I would use in-person meetings as well as social media, direct mail and email to push information out to residents to try and educate each person about how the POA operates. Repetition will need to be used to re-enforce the messages, as we live in a time when people are overwhelmed daily with a variety of information competing for their attention. My hope is that as people understand how we operate, it will result in more engagement on our governance as well as in social engagement in fun activities.
ALEX BRADEN
I think a change of perspective is necessary. While residents may only currently have one seat on the board, we need to hold the developers accountable for meeting their obligations. It is also frustrating that the developers continue to have a super majority control of how HOA dollars are spent when residents are the ones paying the assessment. Its past time for more aggressive resident advocacy and pushing the developers to turn over the board to residents as quickly as possible.
MILAD DAVOODI
I can be our voice of reason. I will allow for a channel of feedback directly to me so everyone has the ability to share their views. I will work for you and provide the transparency needed to build trust within our community. I will focus on giving regular updates after meetings and progress on initiatives that are taking place.
RICHARD HALE
I feel as if I have already made a difference on the board as the appointed board member. To take it a step further I am always looking at the budget to make a difference in our financial side of the house. we can’t succeed if we don’t have the financial footing we need to make that difference. I have had many talks with the current declarant and am om good working terms with the new Meritage homes declarant. Relationships with people are built on trust and I believe I have the trust of those individuals who know me as a person and respect me as a person because I am unafraid to speak up for our community.
LARRY STEWART
How will I make a difference between the developer association and our property owners association? Developer Associations are cookie cutter templates nationwide. There will be local community modifications based on the best fit for the community. I don’t pretend to know what those will be but the best interest of the community should be the decision maker.
8. What are your plans to work with the city regarding water restrictions?
MATTHEW HUGHES
Despite Shadowglen not being governed by Manor, I would be supportive of water restrictions in an effort to not have more serious consequences to the overall community. With that said, we either have restrictions and they should be enforced or we don’t. In 2024, we were under Stage 4 water restrictions and it was clear A LOT of people were not following the rules. The POA could (should) have role in helping with enforcement of the rules within Shadowglen.
I would also actively work to find a way to keep open the pool in the event of water restrictions, through alternative means such as a water purchase from a vendor (particularly in the summer when temperature are over 100 degrees).
ALEX BRADEN
The City has no control over water restrictions either for residents of the City of Manor, or within the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) such as ShadowGlen. The Wilbarger Creek Municipal Utility Districts (MUD) #1 and #2 are responsible for providing water service to our community. I am happy to try to collaborate with their elected board of directors on matters of shared concern, but residents should address their water issues and comments with the MUD boards directly at their publicly open meetings. I do intend however on making meetings of the HOA and other relevant elected bodies more accessible and will work to educate residents on how they can interact with those elected officials directly.
MILAD DAVOODI
Need to understand what the problem is, so we can drive solutions. First it takes getting to the table and drilling into the difficult questions and demanding accountability. Are there more sustainable ways for us to maintain water nearby? How can we capture some of that rain that comes down hard in certain times? What is the cost of these solutions in order to supplement the times of drought? These issues will continuously get worse over time, so we need to be long term solutions focused.
RICHARD HALE
The water restrictions are not controlled by the City of Manor. The water restrictions are controlled by the MUD boards. Once the water levels drop to a certain level the MUD boards are required to issue the water restrictions. As your appointed board member, I have worked hand in hand with some of the MUD board members to allow for some exceptions. The swimming pool water level must be maintained to prevent damage, therefore during our Last water shortage we were able to work out an agreement with the MUD board to fill the pool to try to minimize any damage to the pool. Researches predict that water will be one of the world’s most precious resources in the near future. If you look now at our surrounding areas such as nearby lakes and rivers are at an all-time low. We must learn better ways to conserve water.
LARRY STEWART
Water Restrictions! You hit my nerve center! We are in a MUD so the city is probably not a factor at this time. Water is a very political issue add a business. I will push for more transparency from the suppliers and not accept excuses for muddy water and shortages! Are contractors being fined substantially for digging up our water supply lines? This must be public record. If the MUD can’t perform we must find another source. End of story!
9. What strategies would you implement to ensure that all green areas in our community are completed and effectively maintained?
MATTHEW HUGHES
There are current plans for green spaces that are behind schedule. There are other projects that are half finished, others that are not on the calendar. I would like to develop a complete list of all the common green areas and what assets we have in each place. Next work to develop a completion plan for all current projects within the next six month. For projects not started, I would like to have definitive dates for when they will be started and completed (within 12-18 months). Moving forward, this master list will have a written plan for regular and special maintenance. (ex. Ponds areas maintenance, garden bed updates, new projects to start etc). I think there is an opportunity to create a Community Garden Club that could work with the Board on helping to make sure common areas receive the care they need and deserve.
ALEX BRADEN
My wife and I have particular interest in the proper maintenance of common areas within the community. I am a firm believer of “Lead by example”. The HOA cannot neglect its responsibilities for landscaping while assessing fines on residents who don’t maintain their own. For example, the loss of several large trees in the neighborhood common areas are an eyesore and need to be removed and replaced. The developers have also been slow to landscape parts of Phase 2 or have done so with subpar work which my wife and I regularly report to the management company to be addressed.
Long term however, we need to start proactively managing these areas in more environmentally friendly and cost effective ways. It seems we spend a lot of money on annual and non-native plants that always need to be replaced and do not tolerate our climate. I want to begin to transition what we are planting to Texas native plants to reduce water use and plant failure. My wife and I have made great effort in our own yard to plant only native plants and I can attest to how good they look and how they continue to flower in this August heat while receiving small amounts of water through drip irrigation (also replaced by us instead of the builder grade pop up sprayers that just wet the mulch). We don’t have the resources to replace everything at once, but I believe we can start now with big benefits to our HOA and the planet in the coming years.
MILAD DAVOODI
Hire local landscapers to maintain their/our neighborhood. Hiring local would be a greater incentive to effectively maintain the work since if it gets worse, they are also hurt due to living in the area. We could also have a small set of volunteers in each area of the community to be our “eyes” and report any areas that need to be maintained better. There also seems to be confusion on who needs to be maintaining what areas (such as the trail). We need to understand clear paths of accountability so we can do what is right for our community.
RICHARD HALE
The most important strategy is a constant review of our landscaping contract. I have made suggestions that when we re negotiate our landscaping contract that we put in clauses that allow for addendums to be added or word the contract that with xeriscape areas should not require much maintenance and be reexamined on an as needed basis. Since we really don’t have an active board per se we rely on CCMC to be our eyes on the ground to look at the maintenance component. I am constantly reminded of some of our community short comings’ when I take a stroll and see areas where there are dead trees, areas that were not mowed I bring these items to the attention of CCMC and they are immediately addressed. CCMC also makes numerous trips looking for areas that need attention and makes the necessary phone calls
LARRY STEWART
Green is king! Having said that, there are many factors involved. I tend to drift toward less grad and associated maintenance in favor of more gardens with native low maintenance landscaping. This will require research but our neighbors to out west are doing it so it should be easy to replicate their solutions.
10. How would you identify and prioritize the most pressing needs of our community, and what criteria would you use to ensure that resources are allocated effectively to address these needs?
MATTHEW HUGHES
See my answers for questions #1 and #7
ALEX BRADEN
As a public budget official, I am keenly aware on how community feedback needs to be incorporated into the budget. A budget is not simply a spreadsheet or table of numbers. It is a policy document that shows, by looking at where the money is allocated, what the priorities for an organization are, particularly when allocating new revenue from things such as growth or assessment increases. We need to engage in a robust community outreach campaign at least annually to assess those priorities and share draft versions of the budget and proposed assessments for resident feedback prior to approval. This is another reason why it is so important to transition the board from the developers as soon as possible, so we have more control over how our HOA assessments are spent.
MILAD DAVOODI
Here are the variables to identify and quantify pressing needs….Severity of issue, cost of problem (in both home value and cost for budget), cost of projected solution, quantification for “quality of life” increase to determine ROI.
RICHARD HALE
I would first prioritize the budget. If the budget allows then I would look at the most pressing needs of the community. For instance, the pool would be a pressing issue. As far as criteria I have always used three things ion life. There are wants, needs and affords. I apply logic this was the community may want something, but does the community really need something and lastly can the community afford something. If you can answer this question with a yes, from the community and not from people private agenda or from what one person’s desires are over another, then you explore the possibility. The board as also placed emphasis on community surveys too determine a boarded view of what the community wants as a whole I am in support of these types of surveys.
LARRY STEWART
Traffic Safety! Let’s coordinate with public safety to see what we can do. I will encourage an ongoing campaign to stress that community quality is everyone’s responsibility!
11. For the unretired candidates: How would you balance your full time work with the responsibilities of the board position?
MATTHEW HUGHES
I am semi-retired. I have served on Board’s for both profit and non-profit organizations. I have volunteered my time as well in the communities where I have lived while holding a full time job and raising a family. Before anyone takes on a volunteer role, you have to understand what the time commitment is for the role you are considering, and decide if that fits in to where you are in your life given your other responsibilities. I have done so in regard to serving on the Shadowglen POA, and know I will have the time, to fulfill my Board responsibilities, continue my consulting work and actively travel for fun. Simple organization and time management.
ALEX BRADEN
I do not think my job will impede my ability to serve on the board including attending board meetings, doing community outreach, performing advocacy work, and responding to resident inquiries. While I do not envision this position’s sole time commitment to be attending a board meeting once a month, I would not be running for this position if I did not feel I had adequate time to meet its commitments.
MILAD DAVOODI
I work from home and am a business owner, so im thankful to be in a position to manage my own time. Once I commit to something, I put all my effort into it, even if I am doing multiple things. I am a worker and I am passionate about everything I do. Let me prove it to you.
RICHARD HALE
NA
LARRY STEWART
I am similar-retired and have no problem being available for my duty to the community.
12. What is going to be done to better maintain the vegetation, trees, weeds surrounding the ponds? They are growing each year and becoming a nuisance both visually and also the pollen, etc.
MATTHEW HUGHES
I have combined by answers for questions #9 and #12 in one answer. See my answer for #9.
ALEX BRADEN
While these areas do require maintenance from time to time, much of the vegetation in and around these ponds serves a purpose by filtering water entering the pond and improving the water quality before it goes into Wilbarger Creek. That said, I think we need to ask Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources staff from its stormwater management division to come perform an assessment of our stormwater retention ponds and maintenance practices to see if there is more we should be doing to improve runoff water quality while still maintaining the ponds in a way that doesn’t make them look unkempt. We also need to perform resident awareness campaigns on this and many other issues in our community so that residents know what is going on and why the HOA is doing what it is doing.
MILAD DAVOODI
Some aspects of the vegetation is nice to have, but I agree that some of it can be a bit annoying. We should be maintaining certain areas, while leaving others. We need to identify how serious of a problem this is, and this is when I will work to hear from all of you that live close to the ponds. Pros vs cons, what you like, vs what are issues. I don’t want to simply make decisions because 1 person has an issue, but it needs to be worked with collectively. Before we go into a mode of trying to do everything, we need to determine if it’s a serious problem in order to spend money on. Transparency in the outcome here is key to building trust in the HOA.
RICHARD HALE
This question has been asked before but I will let you know what I can. The ponds were built and engineered by the developer and are strickly there for drainage overflow. Having said that once they are built, they support vegetation, fish and wildlife they actually fall under the guidance of TCEQ. The tall weeds are often referred to in Texas as Cattails can grow quickly and can get out of hand. The board has recently reached out to TCEQ and I was under the impression it was being addressed. I will take a look at this again in the near future. I would prefer to have an area approved where we could constantly maintain an area where families could enjoy some catch and release fishing time with their family.
In closing, everything I have discussed takes time, money, resources, community involvement and most of all trust. Together we can continue to make Shadowglen on of the best communities to live in and to raise our children. Until we reach a point where home owner controls occur, we are bound by our own bi-laws. I do not believe this time frame will be that long, depending on how quickly Meritage Homes can get their first homesites up and for sale.
LARRY STEWART
Horticultural care can be improved. Remember the last freeze and tree damage? Crews were hired to cut and mulch downed limbs and trees. The mulch was hauled away at a cost. Could it have been left in a designated place for property owners to collect for free to use on our property.