Ed Robb 2010 Campaign for The Woodlands Township Board of Directors

Letters to the Editor
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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

Ed Robb has been a leader in The Woodlands for over 30 years. He and his wife, Bev, came to our hometown to establish a new church, The Woodlands United Methodist Church. His vision for reaching this start-up community for Christ led him down many paths as he organized a small band of families meeting at the original Information Center into a dynamic congregation of over 8,000 members with ministries reaching across the globe and across our wooded streets.

Many pastors devote all their time to their individual church needs which are indeed daunting. With his God-given gift of administration, Ed has been called to serve a larger congregation—our community-at-large—by spending countless hours in public service in various areas: the Interfaith Board, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Board, The Woodlands Township Board (including two years as Chairman), The Woodlands Governance Committee, and the list goes on and on.

But a lengthy resume is not what makes Ed Robb stand out. It is his model of a life lived with purpose, a man of integrity, character, vision, and compassion. His leadership style does not seek glory and accolades for himself. Instead, he lifts others up and empowers them to expand their sphere of influence to become leaders in the community, their workplaces, and their homes.

It is men like Ed Robb who have built The Woodlands into a hometown that draws people to want to share in this kind of life for their families. We proudly endorse Ed Robb for The Woodlands Township Board Position 4.

Sally & Kim Bacon

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

I feel very fortunate to live in The Woodlands. When we moved here in 1985, our community was just a fraction of what it is today and, in fact, when people from out of state asked us where we lived, we would respond “Houston” because people didn’t know about The Woodlands.

That is not the case today: We are a vibrant community approaching a population of 100,000 people. This didn’t just happen. It is the result of George Mitchell’s vision, careful planning and execution of that plan by those who worked for his company, and the management of what he started almost 40 years ago.

Ed Robb, a 32-year resident of The Woodlands, is a candidate for The Woodlands Township Board, Position 4. He has watched our community mature, and he has made it better through his community service, the most relevant of which is his ten years of service to The Woodlands Township and its predecessor, the Town Center Improvement District (TCID). As Chairman of the TCID, he was instrumental in finalizing the agreement with the City of Houston to free us from the threat of annexation by the City of Houston. Dr. Robb’s ability to listen, to lead, and to make good decisions are the reasons Mr. Mitchell has endorsed him.

Some are for immediate incorporation and against economic development, even though incorporation will most likely double or triple our tax burden because we will actually lose services provided by Montgomery County (law enforcement and county-maintained roads to name two) and be required to build the infrastructure for a city government. Not only does economic development make this a better place to live, it shifts a major part of our tax burden to those who shop, vacation, and attend conventions here (a majority of whom do not live in The Woodlands) and to businesses who relocate here. Approximately 58% of the total budget of The Township comes from sales, hotel occupancy, and commercial property taxes, so why would we want to stop economic development?

Unfortunately, very few residents vote in community elections. The results of this particular election will determine the future of The Woodlands. Study the issues, talk to someone who has lived in this community for awhile, consider the dollar impact of the changes that some candidates are proposing, and then be sure to vote. Don’t leave it to others to decide our future. I, personally, think Ed Robb has represented residents well, and I will be voting for him on May 8.

Diane Bass

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

I have known Ed Robb for 22 years. During that time, I have come to know him as a man gifted with great leadership, integrity, and honesty. He is a man of vision that has the ability to see what can be achieved and the leadership skills to make it happen.

Ed is passionate about The Woodlands, and preserving the great quality of life that we enjoy in this community. He has lived in The Woodlands since 1978, and will work to fulfill the vision of its founder, George Mitchell. Ed has the experience to make it happen. He has served as a Director of The Woodlands Township Board (formerly known as Town Center Improvement District) for the past 10 years. He was Chairman of that Board from 2005 – 2007. Ed has also given countless hours of dedicated service to our community on the Boards of South Montgomery County YMCA, Interfaith, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and Montgomery County Women’s Shelter.

I support Ed Robb for The Woodlands Township Director Position 4. He will work to maintain the “Quality of Life” that has made The Woodlands a great Hometown!

Dan Cox

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

Ann and I enthusiastically support Ed Robb’s election to serve on The Woodlands Township Board Position 4. As our community continues its transition toward full incorporation as a self-governing city, we need elected leaders with experience, knowledge, integrity and vision. We believe Ed Robb has these qualities. I have had the opportunity to serve on the Town Center Improvement District Board and the Governance Steering Committee with Ed. I have witnessed his leadership qualities and recommend him for your consideration without reservation. This is an important election for our community’s future. Please consider the candidates and cast your vote on Election Day May 8 or in early voting, April 26-May 4.

Ann & Roger Galatas

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

Ed Robb is a proven community leader in the Woodlands and is a first class choice for The Woodlands Township Director, Position 4.

I have known Ed and Bev for over 25 years and have seen Ed organize and mature his church into a major church resource in The Woodlands. He has been on the Town Center Improvement District Board (now the Township Board) for years, and he pushed to keep The Woodlands from being annexed by Houston. He also chaired the Governance Committee that organized the transition of the Township Board from appointed positions to elected positions. In addition, Ed has made time to serve on many civic boards including the YMCA, Interfaith, The Pavilion and the Women’s Shelter. I know that Ed has a strong commitment to keep taxes as low as possible, well funded police and fire, and maintenance of the Woodlands life style. Ed would do a great job!

John Hagerman

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

It is a pleasure for me to endorse Ed Robb as a candidate for The Woodlands Township Director, Position 4. I have had the privilege of knowing Ed Robb since the early beginnings of The Woodlands. George Mitchell’s vision for a master planned community became a reality as families moved into the area, rolled up their sleeves, and invested time into making it a real hometown. These early pioneers helped to create the heart and soul of our community. Ed Robb was one of those pioneers. He has been a leader from the very beginning and continues to demonstrate his loyalty to our community. He has the experience and knowledge to guide The Woodlands as it moves towards self-governance.

As a local business professional for the past thirty years, I want to have a leader who has a long proven track record of service and dedication The Woodlands. Ed Robb is that person. He understands this community’s past, and he has a vision for its future.

Please remember to vote in this important election and cast your vote for Ed Robb, The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, Position 4.

George Kaufman

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

I am writing to endorse Ed Robb in his campaign for The Woodlands Township Director Position 4.

Ed Robb is an outstanding individual who understands and is committed to our quality of life. He and his wife, Bev, have lived in The Woodlands for 32 years, and raised their children here. Ed has provided our community with dedicated leadership and inspiration as it has grown from a tiny suburb to a thriving township.

Ed Robb uses his time and his talents to create a strong family culture in The Woodlands and to serve God, his church and this community. To that end, he has served on the Board of Directors for the TCID, Interfaith, the Pavilion, the YMCA, and the Women’s Shelter. In addition, he supports strong law enforcement, exceptional amenities, protecting our environment, and furthering the creation of jobs in our area.

Please support Ed Robb. He understands the history of our community and is committed to its future. He is a man of integrity and character and will work hard to protect and enhance our quality of life.

Judy Larson

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

I heartily endorse the nomination of Ed Robb to the Township Board. As a resident of the Woodlands since its inception in 1974 and having known Ed for 30 years or more, I can honestly say that he is the best man to continue the job, along with, in my opinion, the other three dedicated incumbents who are currently running.

Ed’s understanding, his integrity and his commitment to the continued management of The Woodlands we can all enjoy is critical, if we are to continue the lifestyle we currently enjoy. Because of his years of involvement in the various governmental entities here he has an understanding of the need a for balance between the well being of our residents and creating a commercial environment that supports our tax coffer from sales taxes generated by Houston Metro shoppers, businesses, and folks seeking entertainment, thus helping keep our property taxes low.

Ed’s leadership style is well known and regarded in the community and we need to keep him on board at this critical time when questions of whether or not we incorporate comes up for debate.

Mary Matteson-Parrish

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

As a resident of this impressive community for more than 12 years, I feel it is vital that George P. Mitchell’s vision of The Woodlands continues to be a priority amongst our civic leaders. I am proud to support Ed Robb for The Woodlands Township Board Position 4. Ed plans to continue to preserve the quality of life that was envisioned many years ago. In fact, George Mitchell has endorsed Ed Robb for this position.

To be a civic leader is to rule, guide, and inspire others. Ed has been a leader in this community with a proven record leading large organizations, serving the community in many capacities, while maintaining integrity and a strong sense of character. Ed is committed to increasing law enforcement in The Woodlands to ensure safety for all families in our community. Ed also wants to see the economic development of our community flourish and he said, “Economic development benefits all of us – not just from jobs provided but also from taxes generated. Furthermore, economic development enhances residential property values and creates for our residents plenty of shopping, dining and entertainment.”

The Woodlands Township Board needs leaders like Ed Robb. He is qualified, fair-minded, and straightforward and will work hard for the residents of The Woodlands. Please take the time to vote in this important election for our community. You may vote early from April 26th through May 4th at the South County Community Building or on Election Day, May 8th at your regular voting location.

Shannon Mills

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

I want to take this opportunity to express my support and endorsement of Ed Robb for The Woodlands Township, Position 4. I believe that Ed Robb has the experience, commitment, and integrity to represent The Woodlands Township. He has served on the Town Center Improvement Board that is the predecessor to The Woodlands Township Board since 1999. He was Chairman of The Woodlands Township Board from 2005-2007. He was a leader and instrumental in the negotiations with the City of Houston that permitted the formation of The Woodlands Township that was overwhelmingly approved by the voters. He continued his leadership as the Chair of the Governance Committee that oversaw the transition of the Township board from appointed positions to elected officials.

He and his family have lived in The Woodlands for 32 years. He knows this community and he knows it in a special way due to his civic responsibilities and as a spiritual leader in the community. He leads a purposeful life that is dedicated to God, his family, his church and his community.

I also know that his priorities for The Woodlands Township are focused on fulfilling the vision of George Mitchell, the Founder of The Woodlands; security in terms of law enforcement and fire protection; quality of life; intelligent planning for the growth of The Woodlands Township; maintaining a low tax rate; and governance that places the best interest of community before petty, individual agendas.

Vote for Ed Robb, Position 4, The Woodland Township.

Steve Sanders

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

There are few people living in The Woodlands who are so committed to the community’s safety and quality of life as Ed Robb. His commitment to The Woodlands has been reflected in the numerous positions he has held with The Woodlands Township and its prior entity The Town Center Improvement District. He has dedicated his time and leadership to serving on numerous non-profit Boards as well as chairing the Governance Committee that oversaw the transition of the Township Board from appointed positions to elected officials.

Ed Robb is the obvious and best choice for The Woodlands Township Director, Position 4. Nothing need more be said other than George Mitchell himself, endorses Ed Robb.

Donald S. Stirman

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Dear Residents of The Woodlands:

Since coming to The Woodlands more than three decades ago, Ed Robb has served our community through difficult, as well as, prosperous times. His collaborative leadership has made possible numerous improvements to the standard and quality of life we all enjoy. From the beauty and convenience of Market Street and Waterway Square to the more mundane aspects of maintaining, and even lowering, fair and equitable property taxes, Ed has led the way in giving each of us a hometown of which we can be proud. Communities always have problems to face, difficulties to overcome, and visions to achieve. Ed Robb has dedicated thirty years of exemplary leadership in doing that for The Woodlands and has touched countless lives in the process. We need him to continue.

David A. Vogt

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Longtime Community Leader and Pastor Ed Robb Announces Run for The Woodlands Township Board of Directors

The Woodlands Township Board Elections are May 8th
Early Voting in person will run from April 26th through May 4th

THE WOODLANDS – For over 30 years, Ed Robb has been serving The Woodlands community. Quietly and with integrity, Ed has answered the call to listen, to serve, to lead, and when necessary, to heal. Today, he announced that he is once again offering his service to The Woodlands community as he has filed as a candidate for Place 4 on The Woodlands Township Board.

“The Woodlands has provided the best quality of life Beverley and I could have ever hoped and prayed for,” Robb said in announcing his campaign. “We were privileged to raise our family here and be involved in the community. I will work hard everyday to protect that quality of life for every family in The Woodlands.”

Serving in a leadership position for The Woodlands is not new to Ed, as he has served on and chaired the former Town Center Improvement District (TCID) board prior to the creation of The Woodlands Township.

In fact, Ed led the Town Center (TCID) board when the agreement was brokered to set The Woodlands free from the threat of annexation by Houston. Ed was instrumental in negotiating the agreement, and was a key leader in supporting its adoption by an overwhelming majority of voters in The Woodlands.

With the Township created and approved, Ed was named chairman of the governance committee that oversaw the transition from community associations to a duly elected governing board that everyone in The Woodlands gets to vote on personally. The official transfer of powers and duties from the community association to The Woodlands Township took place January 1, 2010. Ed Robb’s involvement and leadership help make the transition seamless, and ensured that the interests of neighborhoods and villages were top priority.

“It’s important that we keep taxes low, grow our commercial tax base, and continue to add police officers to address an increase in public safety concerns,” said Robb. “Those are the priorities I offer voters in The Woodlands.”

In addition to leading the charge to set The Woodlands free, and helping to guide the transition, Ed has served the community in many other ways. He has Chaired Interfaith of The Woodlands. He’s been a Director of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. He’s a past Director of the South Montgomery County YMCA.

Ed also answered the call when disaster has struck. His rapid response in the wake of Hurricane Katrina gave hope and assistance to over 5,000 evacuees. He mobilized countless volunteers and provided shelter for the hardest hit for 3 months. Ed saw to it that dormitories were provided to house families and individuals, that legal and medical assistance was available, and that evacuees received tutoring and counseling.

In addition to his community service Ed Robb is best known as the founding pastor of The Woodlands United Methodist Church. Since its beginning in January, 1978, this congregation has been one of the fastest-growing churches in America with a current congregation of over 8,400.

Robb concluded his kick off announcement by saying, “Anyone who knows me knows my door is always open to anyone for anything. Call my Campaign Hotline at 281.297.5920 if you need anything.”

Elected Officials Honored By Economic Development Partnership