OUR TURN: Campaigning now is over, work begins for MFalls City Council

Now that another election season has passed, the Marble Falls City Council can turn its attention back to the business of running the city.

There is plenty to do, but the new faces on the council — which include Ryan Nash and Jane Marie Hurst — have given early indications they will be up to the task.

Their responses during the recent “Tribune Talk” candidates’ forum indicated they are careful thinkers and not prone to rush into a decision.

With the guidance of veterans Mayor George Russell and Councilwoman Sharon Pittard, who just won their re-election bids, as well as council members Allan Garrett, Richard Lewis and John Packer, the public has every right to expect great things from these seven leaders.

They represent a variety of backgrounds, careers, viewpoints and social strata.

As they move ahead, these are the critically important areas that require their attention:

n Unity — The various entities that participate in the city’s commerce and governance need to do a better job of working together. The council, the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Corp. and the Historic Main Street Association, among others, all have the city’s best interests at heart. But it is no secret that during the past few years, relations have sometimes become strained between one or another of these groups. That can change with this new council, because it is up to them to set the tone for leadership. From screening board applicants to disbursing tax monies, the council must strive for unity and a cohesive policy for development among these groups.

n Tourism — Marble Falls is a commercial hub in a natural paradise of lakes and hills. Research shows boosting the city’s image as a tourist destination is critically important to the commercial survival of Marble Falls. While there is plenty to offer here — from a future sandy beach to shows at the Uptown Marble Theater — the council must determine an identity for the city and promote it.

One idea that deserves serious consideration is expanding on the already well-known assets of the region, such as the Horseshoe Bay Resort and the surrounding golf courses, and linking those established destinations in the traveling public’s mind to venues in Marble Falls, whether it’s a bat cave or the Walkway of Lights. Play to your strengths, as they say in sports.

n Infrastructure — At long last, the U.S. 281 bridge replacement project is under way. The Lake of the Hills Regional Medical Center sponsored by Scott & White Healthcare remains on track, promising hundreds of jobs. And, land has been selected for the new visitors’ center just north of the 281 bridge. These are great projects and promise great returns. But in the rush to take care of the big items, the council must not forget the little things that keep the city running on a day-to-day basis.

The parks and the pool must be maintained. There still are streets that need to be repaired, potholes to fill, low-water crossings to fix, as well as drainage, signage and dozens of other issues that are vitally important. Bragging about a new clinic doesn’t help anyone when the city can’t fill the small sinkhole in a street that just broke the axle of a car.

Though there will be times when the council members don’t agree, the most important philosophy they should observe is this: Always put the good of the people of Marble Falls first.

A Chinese proverb says, “May you live in interesting times,” and these leaders have certainly chosen such a period to serve the residents of the city.