May 19th, 2012
In the upcoming General Election in Little Elm, three candidates are running for District 3. Candidates include Curtis Cornelious, Jason Olson and Dickie Mills. Only two candidates responded to The Little Elm Journal’s questions; Mills did not wish to participate.
The General Election Day is May 12. Visit www.littleelm.org for information on voting locations.
Cornelious
Curtis Cornelious is running for reelection of the District 3 position. He was elected three years ago to the position and has served as Mayor Pro-tem as well. Cornelious feels that he is in the middle of a commitment to make a difference in Little Elm that he made three years ago.
“As a child, my father instilled in me to always be a man of your word and complete what you start,” Cornelious said. “The next three years I will continue this journey.”
Cornelious believes Little Elm is at a pivotal point and that the knowledge he’s acquired over the last three years will aid him in placing the town on the path to success. His biggest concern with the town is the lack of involvement with local government. Out of almost 30,000 residents with 13,000 of them registered voters, only 500 to 1,000 residents came out to vote last year.
“I have helped solve the issues of lack of involvement by having ‘Rock the Vote’ voter registration drives at different locations,” Cornelious said. “We have registered over 150 new applicants all while explaining the importance of voting and getting involved.”
Cornelious said since he has been on the Little Elm Town Council, they have enhanced the economic development, which in turn yielded more than 400 jobs in the town.
“Little Elm has great things in store and I want to continue the quest to bring more jobs and infrastructure to Little Elm,” Cornelious said. “I want to complete what I started three years ago and now it is not the time to shift gears.”
Olson
Jason Olson is running for District 3 on the Little Elm Town Council because he believes the town needs leadership to set the vision for its future.
“As president of the Economic Development Corporation, I know the pain of running an organization with limited council support,” Olson said. “I believe this the job of the Town Council to set the vision and then work with the Town Manager and committees towards this vision.”
Olson believes the greatest issue the town is facing is the lack of balance in development. As president of the EDC, he said he has worked hard to move projects forward such as Kroger, RaceTrac, QT and Aldi. Aldi and Kroger have already opened in Little Elm and RaceTrac and QT are well on their way to being complete as well.
“I will continues this hard work to ensure that we grow businesses throughout the town and will work closer with all the city departments to better utilize our existing resources to make Little Elm a regional destination for both businesses and patrons,” Olson said.
If elected, Olson said he can offer objective leadership and active community participation. One of the reasons Olson moved to Little Elm was to volunteer within the community. Since moving to the town in 2004, he has volunteered in various town committees and other non-profit organizations to gain better knowledge of what residents need.
Olson said he would also give residents measurable goals to evaluate him on at the end of his term if elected.
“I would be honored if my constituents would allow me the opportunity to represent them on Town Council,” Olson said.
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May 19th, 2012
Sorry, says Katrina Onstad, but she doesn’t want to join your running group: In an era when almost everything is social, she’d rather go solo
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May 17th, 2012
BY THE NUMBERS
• 600-1,000 — average expected treadmill miles in the life-span of a pair of quality running shoes.
• 300-500 — average life span in road miles.
• 300-700 — percentage of body weight generated in downward force with each heel strike during running.
• $100-$110 — average cost runners can expect to pay for quality footwear.
• 6 — number of months runners should go between replacing their footwear.
SIGNS OF A DEAD SHOE
Running shoes tend to lose their effectiveness suddenly. Here are some signs it’s time to pick up a new pair:
• Squeeze the sides of the shoe at their widest point. If the center of the shoe bows outward, the mid-sole has become too compressed and isn’t as good at shock absorption.
• Shoes tend to fail suddenly. Any surprise aches or pains that occur without a change to the exercise could be a sign a shoe is past its prime.
• Avoid deals from online storehouses for shoes that are a couple of generations old. The shock-absorption materials in the mid-sole decay over time, so even if unused, these shoes will get far fewer road miles than a new pair.
SOCK IT TO ‘EM
After shoes, experts said the most important piece of equipment runners wear is socks. Cotton socks retain sweat or water from puddles, which can cause feet to feel cold in winter and can cause abrasion that results in blisters.
Socks designed for running are made with synthetic wicking fibers that help feet remain dry. They also may provide additional cushioning or lighter-weight materials, based on individual needs.
TYPES OF RUNNING SHOES
Running shoes are designed to address pronation, or how much a runner’s foot moves during the stride. Different shoes help moderate pronation to ideal levels.
• Stability shoes — Provide additional arch support for those with slightly flexible arches to alleviate increased pressure along the inside of the foot. Identifiable by the presence of gray material along the shoe’s mid-sole.
• Motion-control shoes — Add even more rigidity and support along the arch for those with exceptionally flexible arches (also known as flat feet). Identifiable by dark material in interspersed with gray along the mid-sole.
• Neutral shoes — Additional cushioning provides additional comfort to runners without pronation problems. They also allow for more movement in supinators, those whose feet roll too little, to distribute pressure away from the outside edge of the foot. Identifiable by the uniform color along the shoe’s mid-sole.
SIGNS OF A GOOD SHOE
Running-apparel retailers said the following features are hallmarks of a shoe with the appropriate fit:
• Running shoes tend to be sized smaller than other shoes, so it’s best to begin with a shoe at least a size larger than one’s dress shoe size.
• The toe should not be flush with the end of the shoe. There should be 3/4 to a full inch of room between the toe and the end of the shoe to prevent repetitive impacts while running.
• To prevent unnecessary pressure, the ball of the foot should end in the widest point of the shoe, roughly parallel with the bottom shoelace.
When it comes to running footwear, experts say there’s no such thing as the best shoe, just the right one.
Variations in body type mean everyone runs differently. Manufacturers have adjusted their product lines to reflect that, said Joey Howe, the general manager of Fast Break Athletics, a Cherokee Boulevard store that specializes in helping customers choose the right shoe.
“The shoes are built and designed on different types of feet and different types of gaits,” Howe said. “We have 100 shoes on the wall, but probably only four or five of those are going to be good for your foot.”
When Howe began working in the shoe industry in 1980, the philosophy was different, with manufacturers pushing new technologies as one-size-fits all improvements.
In addition to weighing less and having better shock absorption, contemporary high-end brands such as Asics, K-Swiss and Saucony are mostly created equal, Howe said.
All use the same basic shape and employ similar construction materials, such as moisture-management layering, tire-rubber treads and ethyl vinyl acetate foam for shock absorption. Only minor differences in their designs distinguish each brand.
Within their lines, manufacturers now focus on shoes designed to address issues related to pronation, the rolling of the foot from the outside edge toward the center of the body during a person’s stride.
Because runners put intense stress on their feet thousands of time during an event, ensuring pressure is distributed equally along the foot is the key function of quality footwear, said Andrew Dorn, 26, manager of Front Runner Athletics on Hixson Pike.
“Higher-end running shoes are designed to take that repetitive, high impact,” he said. “It’s critical that you be capable of attenuating the shock to your foot in a healthy manner.”
Wearing shoes with improper support or in which the shock-absorbing material has become overly compressed can result in injuries such as shin splints, which eventually can develop into more serious conditions such as stress fractures, Howe said.
When customers arrive at Fast Break, Howe and his staff are trained to help customers find the best fit for their feet, a process that typically takes about 30 minutes.
As with a doctor, they begin by checking the customer’s history, such as whether they use an orthotic support or are recovering from surgery.
Next they ask if the customer has a long-standing attachment to a particular brand. Over time, feet can adapt to the slight differences in each brand’s shoe geometry, and changing brands can be uncomfortable, Howe said.
Next, the staff member watches the customer walk. By seeing how the foot arch flexes and how the ankle turns during their stride, Howe said he can quickly establish the type of pronation and appropriate level of support.
If a customer wants to estimate their type of pronation at home, Howe said, they can make a wet footprint on paper to check if they have a normal stride (wide at the heel and forefoot, narrower on the arch) or if they need a different degree of support.
Monday, Dan Misch, 26, was shopping at Fast Break, looking to replace the Saucony Ride 4 running shoes he lost before coming to Chattanooga from Seattle earlier this year.
When he bought his first pair of running shoes in Seattle, the staff informed him the foot pain he felt when running was due to having high arches. Even if he was only able to wear them two times before his gym bag was stolen, Misch said he felt an immediate difference wearing the shoes they recommended.
“For me, specifically, having the right shoe for your foot can minimize aches and pains,” he said. “You certainly are more confident in your routine in that you can push yourself to the limits without having to worry about the consequences.”
Contact Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.
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May 17th, 2012
In the upcoming General Election in Little Elm, three candidates are running for District 3. Candidates include Curtis Cornelious, Jason Olson and Dickie Mills. Only two candidates responded to The Little Elm Journal’s questions; Mills did not wish to participate.
The General Election Day is May 12. Visit www.littleelm.org for information on voting locations.
Cornelious
Curtis Cornelious is running for reelection of the District 3 position. He was elected three years ago to the position and has served as Mayor Pro-tem as well. Cornelious feels that he is in the middle of a commitment to make a difference in Little Elm that he made three years ago.
“As a child, my father instilled in me to always be a man of your word and complete what you start,” Cornelious said. “The next three years I will continue this journey.”
Cornelious believes Little Elm is at a pivotal point and that the knowledge he’s acquired over the last three years will aid him in placing the town on the path to success. His biggest concern with the town is the lack of involvement with local government. Out of almost 30,000 residents with 13,000 of them registered voters, only 500 to 1,000 residents came out to vote last year.
“I have helped solve the issues of lack of involvement by having ‘Rock the Vote’ voter registration drives at different locations,” Cornelious said. “We have registered over 150 new applicants all while explaining the importance of voting and getting involved.”
Cornelious said since he has been on the Little Elm Town Council, they have enhanced the economic development, which in turn yielded more than 400 jobs in the town.
“Little Elm has great things in store and I want to continue the quest to bring more jobs and infrastructure to Little Elm,” Cornelious said. “I want to complete what I started three years ago and now it is not the time to shift gears.”
Olson
Jason Olson is running for District 3 on the Little Elm Town Council because he believes the town needs leadership to set the vision for its future.
“As president of the Economic Development Corporation, I know the pain of running an organization with limited council support,” Olson said. “I believe this the job of the Town Council to set the vision and then work with the Town Manager and committees towards this vision.”
Olson believes the greatest issue the town is facing is the lack of balance in development. As president of the EDC, he said he has worked hard to move projects forward such as Kroger, RaceTrac, QT and Aldi. Aldi and Kroger have already opened in Little Elm and RaceTrac and QT are well on their way to being complete as well.
“I will continues this hard work to ensure that we grow businesses throughout the town and will work closer with all the city departments to better utilize our existing resources to make Little Elm a regional destination for both businesses and patrons,” Olson said.
If elected, Olson said he can offer objective leadership and active community participation. One of the reasons Olson moved to Little Elm was to volunteer within the community. Since moving to the town in 2004, he has volunteered in various town committees and other non-profit organizations to gain better knowledge of what residents need.
Olson said he would also give residents measurable goals to evaluate him on at the end of his term if elected.
“I would be honored if my constituents would allow me the opportunity to represent them on Town Council,” Olson said.
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May 15th, 2012
In the upcoming General Election in Little Elm, three candidates are running for District 3. Candidates include Curtis Cornelious, Jason Olson and Dickie Mills. Only two candidates responded to The Little Elm Journal’s questions; Mills did not wish to participate.
The General Election Day is May 12. Visit www.littleelm.org for information on voting locations.
Cornelious
Curtis Cornelious is running for reelection of the District 3 position. He was elected three years ago to the position and has served as Mayor Pro-tem as well. Cornelious feels that he is in the middle of a commitment to make a difference in Little Elm that he made three years ago.
“As a child, my father instilled in me to always be a man of your word and complete what you start,” Cornelious said. “The next three years I will continue this journey.”
Cornelious believes Little Elm is at a pivotal point and that the knowledge he’s acquired over the last three years will aid him in placing the town on the path to success. His biggest concern with the town is the lack of involvement with local government. Out of almost 30,000 residents with 13,000 of them registered voters, only 500 to 1,000 residents came out to vote last year.
“I have helped solve the issues of lack of involvement by having ‘Rock the Vote’ voter registration drives at different locations,” Cornelious said. “We have registered over 150 new applicants all while explaining the importance of voting and getting involved.”
Cornelious said since he has been on the Little Elm Town Council, they have enhanced the economic development, which in turn yielded more than 400 jobs in the town.
“Little Elm has great things in store and I want to continue the quest to bring more jobs and infrastructure to Little Elm,” Cornelious said. “I want to complete what I started three years ago and now it is not the time to shift gears.”
Olson
Jason Olson is running for District 3 on the Little Elm Town Council because he believes the town needs leadership to set the vision for its future.
“As president of the Economic Development Corporation, I know the pain of running an organization with limited council support,” Olson said. “I believe this the job of the Town Council to set the vision and then work with the Town Manager and committees towards this vision.”
Olson believes the greatest issue the town is facing is the lack of balance in development. As president of the EDC, he said he has worked hard to move projects forward such as Kroger, RaceTrac, QT and Aldi. Aldi and Kroger have already opened in Little Elm and RaceTrac and QT are well on their way to being complete as well.
“I will continues this hard work to ensure that we grow businesses throughout the town and will work closer with all the city departments to better utilize our existing resources to make Little Elm a regional destination for both businesses and patrons,” Olson said.
If elected, Olson said he can offer objective leadership and active community participation. One of the reasons Olson moved to Little Elm was to volunteer within the community. Since moving to the town in 2004, he has volunteered in various town committees and other non-profit organizations to gain better knowledge of what residents need.
Olson said he would also give residents measurable goals to evaluate him on at the end of his term if elected.
“I would be honored if my constituents would allow me the opportunity to represent them on Town Council,” Olson said.
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May 15th, 2012
15 May – Rumour has it that SBS’ “Running Man” casts are filming in Thailand again with football star Park Ji-sung, and it was recently reported that the rumour is indeed true.
According to Allkpop website, an industry insider recently confirmed the news, stating that, “The “Running Man” team will leave for Thailand on 22 to 23 May and the filming dates were scheduled to line up with the 2nd Annual Asian Dream Cup.”
He added that the episode then will be broadcasted on 27 May.
Meanwhile, the “Running Man” production is tight-lipped about the show. The insider added, “MBLAQ and SISTAR completed their “Running Man” filming on 7 May and the footage from that filming, as well as the upcoming footage with Park Ji Sung, is part of one larger project.”
The Manchester United midfielder once revealed that he is a fan of the show. Park stated recently, “I’m a viewer who enjoys watching Running Man. I plan to meet with football fans through the Asian Dream Cup in Thailand.”
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May 13th, 2012
Scaffoldings, rails and ramps were scattered around the Flagpole in the center of the SMU campus Wednesday. Rock music from Dallas’ 102.1 The Edge blasted as students and professional “free runners” jumped through the obstacles.
Ryan Ford, 20, a member of The Tribe, the performing group, explained that free running is a form of parkour. Ford explained the difference between the two. Free running is “more about style,” while parkour is about “speed and efficiency.”
The Program Council brought the K-Swiss Free Running event to SMU. The event’s purpose was to promote the sport of free running – using creative movement and acrobatics to move through the space. K-Swiss also promoted its new shoe, the Ariake, the first shoe specifically designed for the sport.
Kristen Kimball, entertainment chair for Program Council, was contacted by K-Swiss and agreed it would be a unique demonstration to bring to campus. K-Swiss sponsored the event, and it did not cost the university any money.
Students passing by could watch the show or even participate. After signing a short waiver, students could learn flips and spins from the pros. The workshop was a key component of the event.
K-Swiss also had the Ariake shoe available for the audience to try on, in addition to a chance to win a three-day trip to Washington D.C. for personal training sessions with The Tribe.
Ford, a junior at University Colorado at Boulder, had not been involved in any other sports before free running and doesn’t consider it an extreme sport. “I’ve been a member of The Tribe for about three years… free running is more of a discipline,” Ford said.
Although free running is a lesser-known sport, Ford pointed out, “You know the chase scene in the movie ‘Casino Royale’? That is free running.” He then motioned to the picture of the athlete on the K-Swiss van – “That’s him,” Ford said.
After their performance, students were provided with an instructional DVD explaining more about free running. Many began to try on Ariakes, started filling out their chance to win a trip to Washington D.C. and were eager to learn more about the sport.
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May 13th, 2012
In the upcoming General Election in Little Elm, three candidates are running for District 3. Candidates include Curtis Cornelious, Jason Olson and Dickie Mills. Only two candidates responded to The Little Elm Journal’s questions; Mills did not wish to participate.
The General Election Day is May 12. Visit www.littleelm.org for information on voting locations.
Cornelious
Curtis Cornelious is running for reelection of the District 3 position. He was elected three years ago to the position and has served as Mayor Pro-tem as well. Cornelious feels that he is in the middle of a commitment to make a difference in Little Elm that he made three years ago.
“As a child, my father instilled in me to always be a man of your word and complete what you start,” Cornelious said. “The next three years I will continue this journey.”
Cornelious believes Little Elm is at a pivotal point and that the knowledge he’s acquired over the last three years will aid him in placing the town on the path to success. His biggest concern with the town is the lack of involvement with local government. Out of almost 30,000 residents with 13,000 of them registered voters, only 500 to 1,000 residents came out to vote last year.
“I have helped solve the issues of lack of involvement by having ‘Rock the Vote’ voter registration drives at different locations,” Cornelious said. “We have registered over 150 new applicants all while explaining the importance of voting and getting involved.”
Cornelious said since he has been on the Little Elm Town Council, they have enhanced the economic development, which in turn yielded more than 400 jobs in the town.
“Little Elm has great things in store and I want to continue the quest to bring more jobs and infrastructure to Little Elm,” Cornelious said. “I want to complete what I started three years ago and now it is not the time to shift gears.”
Olson
Jason Olson is running for District 3 on the Little Elm Town Council because he believes the town needs leadership to set the vision for its future.
“As president of the Economic Development Corporation, I know the pain of running an organization with limited council support,” Olson said. “I believe this the job of the Town Council to set the vision and then work with the Town Manager and committees towards this vision.”
Olson believes the greatest issue the town is facing is the lack of balance in development. As president of the EDC, he said he has worked hard to move projects forward such as Kroger, RaceTrac, QT and Aldi. Aldi and Kroger have already opened in Little Elm and RaceTrac and QT are well on their way to being complete as well.
“I will continues this hard work to ensure that we grow businesses throughout the town and will work closer with all the city departments to better utilize our existing resources to make Little Elm a regional destination for both businesses and patrons,” Olson said.
If elected, Olson said he can offer objective leadership and active community participation. One of the reasons Olson moved to Little Elm was to volunteer within the community. Since moving to the town in 2004, he has volunteered in various town committees and other non-profit organizations to gain better knowledge of what residents need.
Olson said he would also give residents measurable goals to evaluate him on at the end of his term if elected.
“I would be honored if my constituents would allow me the opportunity to represent them on Town Council,” Olson said.
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May 11th, 2012
In the upcoming General Election in Little Elm, six candidates are running for the position of District 5 on the Little Elm Town Council. Candidates include Lloyd “Renn” Leech, Katie Gipson, David Taylor, Daniel Jaworski, DeLeon English and LeAnna Harding.
The General Election Day is May 12. Visit www.littleelm.org for information on voting locations.
Leech
Lloyd “Renn” Leech is running for District 5 because he loves the Town of Little Elm, its diversity and strong sense of community. His goal is to be a part of the decision-making processes in the town and he wants to help make it an “even better place to live.”
“I am running because helping and serving others is great passion of mine,” Leech said. “I want to look back some day when I’m retired and be able to say that I contributed to the success of my town.”
Leech is the current secretary of the Parks and Recreation Board. He has a background in management, the military and volunteerism. He holds a degree in sociology and political science.
“I feel that I am well-rounded and can contribute a great deal to making those important decisions regarding our town’s future,” Leech said.
In Leech’s opinion, there are some problems in the town that need to be resolved and he has ideas for the resolutions to those issues. He believes that whether the problem is big or small, the best way to come to a resolution is by addressing it with “open communication and involvement from everyone who cares about and has a vested interest in our town.”
“As a member of council, I would not only share my ideas but I would challenge the residents to do the same,” Leech said. “The citizens of Little Elm should vote for me simply because I am committed to doing what is best for the town and its residents.”
Gipson
Katie Gipson put her bid in for candidacy for District 5 because the town needs elected leaders committed to the growth of Little Elm and its residents. She believes she is that person who will be willing to work for the entire town and be able to reach out to all the factions within Little Elm.
“We need people willing to think creatively and handle challenges without simply throwing money at problems. I am that person,” Gipson said.
Gipson has been involved with several leadership roles including being one of the youngest delegates at the Republican State Convention several years ago. Recently, she has helped run several Little Elm ISD Parent Teacher Associations over the past eight years. She believes it is important that schools draw new residents.
“I will listen to residents’ concerns and do something about them. I will work with others to find solutions to problems that Little Elm faces,” Gipson said.
According to Gipson, Little Elm is facing many challenges with the most prominent one being property values. She believes that the town can increase property value by placing more focus on public safety, which includes ensuring the police and fire departments are adequately staffed.
“Brining in more businesses to provide a broader tax base and providing more family-friendly venues will also help increase property values,” Gipson said. “If elected, I will work with other officials and agencies to help raise and protect property values.”
Taylor
David Taylor is running for District 5 because the town needs someone who will listen to residents as plans to shape the future of Little Elm are made.
“I believe we need someone who is there for the people of the town,” Taylor said.
Taylor is reminded of the apartments issue on Farm-to-Market 423 from last year. He said the council should have listened to its constituents in opposition of the apartments.
“When the numbers of citizens show up and vote opposition to something with such a display, the council should have voted down the issue or at least tabled the issue of the apartments until they had more support,” Taylor said. “If the people are ignored, we need someone who will listen to them and I would do that.
Taylor believes there is a lack of “unity” behind some of the plans for the town’s future and a lack of a “vision caster.” He said current elected officials are not visible in many of the places he frequents, which he’d like to see changed.
“If we expect to double in size and annex Frisco Ranch and Paloma Creek by 2017, we need to be talking about what that will look like, and not just behind closed doors in a workshop with the Town Manager,” Taylor said.
Taylor is involved in Boy Scouts, LEAYSA and church and is a Neighborhood Watch block captain. He believes people should vote for him because he is “one of them.”
“I am constantly in discussion with Little Elm residents about what is happening in town,” Taylor said. “I have nothing personal to gain from being on Town Council other than the satisfaction of getting to voice my community’s concerns.”
Jaworski
Daniel Jaworski believes Little Elm is at a crossroads. In the last 2-3 years, the town has seen progress with the opening of Kroger and ALDI and improvements on Eldorado Parkway. But, Jaworski said, like the rest of Eldorado Parkway, there is still more to do.
“I have worked behind the scenes as chairman of the TIRZ [Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones] committees and LERA [Little Elm Redevelopment Authority], but I believe I can serve the community much better and more effectively as a member of the Town Council,” Jaworski said.
Jaworski said the town is funded by 70 percent property tax collection and 22 percent local sales tax collection, and the property taxes are up 83 percent since 2005.
“It’s difficult to sustain a growing, vibrant community when we are that out-of-balance,” Jaworski said. “We’ve seen year after year of increasing property taxes when we needed to see year after year of an increasing share of sales tax contributors–more businesses.”
His goal is to be more proactive in attracting business to the town and filling empty store fronts, which the many vacancies can be discouraging to potential new businesses.
Jaworski has served as chairman on three committees dedicated to attracting more business to the town, which he said played key roles in acquiring Kroger, ALDI, Quick Trip and Race Trac in the town. These businesses, he said, represent millions in additional sales tax revenue and hundred of local jobs.
“I believe that I am the best candidate in the Place 5 race because I have the most experience in dealing with our most significant challenge of better, more active economic/business development. Because of this critical experience, I am the best candidate,” Jaworski said.
For information, visit http://vote4danjaworski.com.
English
DeLeon English is committed to serving Little Elm as a leader. If elected, he will be committed to keeping the community safe and moving in the right direction by working with other council members on investments that will provide value to the town and keep it maintainable long-term.
“By making informed decisions, we can maintain a healthy financial policy that ensures a safe community and future growth,” English said.
English has experience in the local government as a Planning and Zoning Commission member, which has helped him understand the town and its challenges.
To keep the town moving forward, English will look for solutions to traffic and street congestions. He believes that infrastructure, employment and resident safety are the greatest problems facing Little Elm, which is an issue for most fast-growing cities.
“To solve these problems, I intend to work with others to fund projects and programs that add value to our community such as greater road access, keeping pace with water and sewage, and community connectivity,” English said. “Projects should be purposeful and provide ongoing value, which reduces the drain on city revenues.”
According to English, long-term employment is important to the town’s future by providing incentives for organizations to find Little Elm attractive. He will work with the business community and town leadership to identify and explore organizations that are a great fit. English plans to provide public services with funding and tools needed.
English believes that families, senior citizens and particularly children of the community deserve a leader who will bring understanding, experience and drive to ensure the future of the town.
“In me, you will get a leader who listens to the people and works for a shared vision for the good of our community and its children,” English said.
Harding
LeAnna Harding is running for District 5 because she wants to give back to the community of Little Elm.
“I was raised with the values that we are to give back to our communities and do what we can for others,” Harding said. “My belief is that it is an honor to serve and help others.”
Harding said she is a very dedicated person and loves her community. She has four children that she decided to raise in Little Elm because of the schools, the community and the security she feels when she is at home.
“I want this to be a place where my children will be proud to call home and someday raise their children here,” Harding said.
According to Harding, the greatest issue facing Little Elm is that it may be losing its “small town charm.” She believes that is what makes the Town of Little Elm so appealing to residents.
“As a member of Town Council, I would ensure that projects and other improvements brought to our attention are truly in the best interest of our residents,” Harding said.
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May 11th, 2012
In the upcoming General Election in Little Elm, three candidates are running for District 3. Candidates include Curtis Cornelious, Jason Olson and Dickie Mills. Only two candidates responded to The Little Elm Journal’s questions; Mills did not wish to participate.
The General Election Day is May 12. Visit www.littleelm.org for information on voting locations.
Cornelious
Curtis Cornelious is running for reelection of the District 3 position. He was elected three years ago to the position and has served as Mayor Pro-tem as well. Cornelious feels that he is in the middle of a commitment to make a difference in Little Elm that he made three years ago.
“As a child, my father instilled in me to always be a man of your word and complete what you start,” Cornelious said. “The next three years I will continue this journey.”
Cornelious believes Little Elm is at a pivotal point and that the knowledge he’s acquired over the last three years will aid him in placing the town on the path to success. His biggest concern with the town is the lack of involvement with local government. Out of almost 30,000 residents with 13,000 of them registered voters, only 500 to 1,000 residents came out to vote last year.
“I have helped solve the issues of lack of involvement by having ‘Rock the Vote’ voter registration drives at different locations,” Cornelious said. “We have registered over 150 new applicants all while explaining the importance of voting and getting involved.”
Cornelious said since he has been on the Little Elm Town Council, they have enhanced the economic development, which in turn yielded more than 400 jobs in the town.
“Little Elm has great things in store and I want to continue the quest to bring more jobs and infrastructure to Little Elm,” Cornelious said. “I want to complete what I started three years ago and now it is not the time to shift gears.”
Olson
Jason Olson is running for District 3 on the Little Elm Town Council because he believes the town needs leadership to set the vision for its future.
“As president of the Economic Development Corporation, I know the pain of running an organization with limited council support,” Olson said. “I believe this the job of the Town Council to set the vision and then work with the Town Manager and committees towards this vision.”
Olson believes the greatest issue the town is facing is the lack of balance in development. As president of the EDC, he said he has worked hard to move projects forward such as Kroger, RaceTrac, QT and Aldi. Aldi and Kroger have already opened in Little Elm and RaceTrac and QT are well on their way to being complete as well.
“I will continues this hard work to ensure that we grow businesses throughout the town and will work closer with all the city departments to better utilize our existing resources to make Little Elm a regional destination for both businesses and patrons,” Olson said.
If elected, Olson said he can offer objective leadership and active community participation. One of the reasons Olson moved to Little Elm was to volunteer within the community. Since moving to the town in 2004, he has volunteered in various town committees and other non-profit organizations to gain better knowledge of what residents need.
Olson said he would also give residents measurable goals to evaluate him on at the end of his term if elected.
“I would be honored if my constituents would allow me the opportunity to represent them on Town Council,” Olson said.
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