Custom Text

Stuart Schroeder

Stuart L. Schroeder is one of the 2016 candidates running for the The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Position #3.

Hello Woodlands gave the opportunity to all candidates running for The Woodlands Township Board of Directors to interview with our team. We want to thank the candidates for their time and allowing Hello Woodlands to share their answers with YOU and the community.

Stuart Schroeder

What is your background?

  • Married for 29 years to Mary, a certified public accountant.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, management Texas A&M University, 1979.
  • Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, 1971 Capitol Area Council
  • Two adult sons, who were graduated from The Woodlands High School and the University of Texas at Austin.
  • Eighteen-year resident of The Woodlands (Village of Cochran’s Crossing).
  • Train Dispatcher (rail traffic controller) Union Pacific Railroad for over 31 years with a railroad career spanning over 35 years.
  • Retired on November 2, 2016.
  • My primary hobby is photography. I also enjoy spectator sports especially Texas A&M football and basketball. I consider myself an original fan of the San Antonio Spurs professional basketball team since its inception in 1973.

 What is your history of volunteer work and public service, elected and otherwise?

  • The Woodlands Community Association, Director 2006 – 10

Treasurer 2008 – 10

  • The Woodlands Recreation Center, Inc., Vice-President 2006 – 07
  • Cochran’s Crossing Village Association, Area Representative 2010 – 16, Vice-President 2010 – 11, President 2011 – present
  • South County 4th of July Parade staging team 2010 – 16, Staging Director 2015 – 16
  • Boy Scouts of America, Tall Timbers District Committee, 2010 – 16, District Chairman 2015 – 16

What are your qualifications to serve in position #3?

  • I understand the unique attributes of The Woodlands as a master-planned community from my prior service on the board of The Woodlands Community Association and my current service as president of the Cochran’s Crossing Village Association.
  • I view The Woodlands as being on a continuing journey started by George Mitchell over 40 years ago.
  • Since I am retired, I will have the time required to devote to the board and being involved in the important issues facing The Woodlands.

What are the main issues you will address if elected and what will be your proposed positions/solutions?

  • Governance – I will pursue a cautious approach toward incorporation by first understanding the true cost of incorporation and identifying all of the barriers that lie between being a special district and a home-rule city.
  • Taxes – I will work to ensure that The Woodlands maintains the lowest reasonable tax rate necessary to provide the high level of services that our citizens enjoy and expect and the continuity of the current our high quality of living. We must continue to provide for life-cycle asset replacement and ensure the safety of our community. The Woodlands Township uses a business-like approach in its budgeting process. Capital is set aside for asset replacement so that there are no sudden spikes in the property tax rate. There are no unfunded pension liabilities. We must maintain a vibrant business atmosphere in The Woodlands in order to provide employment opportunities for our citizens. A healthy, robust business environment also generates sales taxes and hotel occupancy taxes which contribute to about 47 percent of the budget revenue for the township and helps keep the property tax rate low.
  • Quality Lifestyle – One of the attributes of The Woodlands is a high quality lifestyle with many amenities available in our community that include a high level of services, entertainment, recreation, shopping and special events. Public safety is paramount to maintaining a robust business environment that contributes to our quality lifestyle. We live in a very safe community because of the vision of past community leaders and the work of our first-responders. I will work to ensure that public safety initiatives keep pace with our growth and changing technology. Mobility problems also challenge our quality of life. I support a cooperative approach to solving our The Woodlands area’s mobility issues. I believe that we must work with TxDOT, Montgomery County, The Woodlands Road Utility District One, the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments, and neighboring cities to achieve this. Acceptable regional solutions must be found to avoid a transportation crisis which would stymie our region’s economic growth, while protecting our quality of life and preserving environmentally sensitive areas.

Why are you seeking this position?

  • The Woodlands is my home and will be my retirement home. Our family has enjoyed and benefitted from our 18 years living here.
  • I am quite concerned about the divisiveness that has engulfed The Woodlands Township Board.
  • Reverse the rush to incorporate rapidly which will likely result in substantial property tax increase, making the community unaffordable for many families.
  • My prior service as a board member of The Woodlands Community Association has given me insight into many aspects of The Woodlands. The Woodlands has been on a successful path since its founding over four decades ago due to the vision of George Mitchell. I want to ensure that we continue to be good stewards of his vision and those of past community leaders.

To learn more about Stuart Schroeder, visit SchroederforTownship.com

Updated: 11/5/16 with provided questions and answers

Don’t forget to vote in Early Voting until November 4 or on Election Day, November 8!

Please note that Hello Woodlands is an unbiased, nonpartisan news source that does not support only one party or candidate. We believe in providing the community with educational information, credible facts, thoroughly researched topics and articles, and to be a voice for ALL members in our community.

Advertisement