Wylie Today

Dear Editor,

Well, you can tell the election is getting close, because the mud-slinging is in full force. Eric Hogue and his supporters have been called into question. People supporting our current mayor have questioned Eric’s character, his leadership skills and his commitment. They have even questioned the citizens who have spoken out in support of Eric.

Eric Hogue is my friend. I have known Eric and his family for years, and I can’t sit quietly while someone tries to call his character into question:

Here are the facts:

First, Eric Hogue is not an assistant to an assistant; he is a leader in one of the largest companies in the world. He reports to an executive in a company that does billions of dollars in revenue each year. He leads that Executive’s organization made up of employees not just in Texas, not just in the United States, but from all over the world. He directs the communications, budgets and human resource issues for these employees. By the way this company has an employee population about three times the size of Wylie. He speaks on behalf of this company to customers and government officials from around the world on a regular basis. He has dealt with more employee issues and concerns than most of us will ever face in our lifetime. Eric has to balance a budget and manage a payroll that is larger than that of the City of Wylie. And, that is just his day job. Looks to me like a leader and someone with experience.

Second, for over 10 years he worked with two different churches as their part time preacher. He preached every Sunday morning and Sunday evening. He taught Bible classes on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. On top of that, he produced the church’s bulletin each week and worked with any of the members in need. A preacher is one who is willing to stand and proclaim something, even when others may not want to hear the truth. I believe it takes someone with a strong conviction, strong character and strong leadership skills to have successfully preached for that length of time. By the way, he got both churches to a point to where they could hire a full-time minister, which was his goal!

Third, Eric Hogue served on our city council for seven years. Over the years, we’ve talked about his voting record and some of the issues that have come before the city council in recent years. I believe that you will find anytime a tough decision had to be made, it was Eric Hogue who made the motion. He stood for what was right for the city of Wylie. Hard choices have to be made sometimes and it takes a leader to stand against the crowd (even a crowd of seven) and take a stand for what is right.

It has been called into question why Eric didn’t support Merrill Young two years ago. I guess people forget this is a democracy and we have the right to support whoever we want to, publicly and on the ballot. I asked Eric about it and found that the current mayor’s supporter failed to tell the rest of the story…Eric Hogue called and told Mr. Young that he would be supporting his opponent…he didn’t let Merrill find out from the rumor mill…that sounds to me like someone with strong character.

Eric’s opponent and his supporters have also questioned why Eric stepped down from the city council last year, and they all know the answer to that question. They all know that our current mayor was not planning to run again this year, and that Eric was planning to run for mayor. The Mayor had told numerous people last year that he was not going to run again. They also know that a sitting council member must resign his seat in order to run for a different office. They also know that the Mayor hit up two other people trying to get them to run against Eric, because he was looking for people who would vote his way and not question him. They all know this, but they’re not telling us that story. Instead they want to label Eric as a man without character, commitment and leadership skills… that is a bunch of baloney!

But the facts are this: Eric had decided nearly a month before the other person submitted their paperwork for Place 3 that he would not be running and would be waiting until this year for the mayor’s race. If Eric had waited and resigned this year, he would have caused a special election that would have cost the tax payers more money. Once again, it sounds like Eric Hogue was trying to do what was right for Wylie. Instead of worrying about political games, he was focused on the good of Wylie…can we say that about our current leadership?One of the opponent’s supporter’s quotes Eric from an article in last year’s Wylie News, but he failed to list the whole quote, so here it is:

Seven-year city councilman Eric Hogue has announced he will not seek re-election to his Place 3 position; real estate salesperson Kathy Spillyard has filed for the seat. “After much thought, prayer and input from my family and friends, I have decided not to seek re-election,” Hogue said. “This decision did not come easy, because I have loved serving this community for nearly seven years. It has been such an honor to represent the citizens of Wylie.” Hogue cited increased job responsibilities as the reason for his decision. “Over the past two years my job responsibilities have greatly increased,” he said. “While this has been a positive benefit for me and my family, it has also impacted my free time. For example, it has become more and more difficult to get to the city council meeting by 6 p.m. from my office in west Plano.” He also said he felt uncomfortable with the direction Wylie politics and the council has taken. “A lot has changed over the past seven years, and as our city has grown and changed, so has the politics,” Hogue said. “Seven years ago when I first ran for office, my opponent and I knew each other and ran a clean and positive campaign. We talked to each other during campaign season and laughed together during the candidate debate. And after I won, I supported his appointment to the planning and zoning commission. I guess you might call those the ‘good ol’ days.’ Additionally, the make-up and attitude of the city council has changed, and I no longer feel that I fit the mode of our current council.” Hogue said he hopes whoever wins the Place 3 seat will listen to the citizens and vote as their representative. “In the past seven years, I have always tried to vote for what I believe was the best for Wylie and all its residents. During that time there have been a lot of ups and downs, a lot of exciting and frustrating times and a lot of good things that have happened in our community,” he said. Hogue said he appreciated all of the support he and his family had received during his time on the council and said he is considering a run for the mayor’s position in 2008. “If you know me, you know I love serving on the city council and I will greatly miss it,” Hogue said. “Mayor (John) Mondy has said publicly he won’t seek re-election when his term expires next year. I believe I will be in a position to seek the mayor’s seat in 2008.”

This article told us a year ago that Eric Hogue was planning to run for mayor of Wylie in 2008, so it should have come as no surprise to the current mayor and his supporters. Additionally, Eric is not the only one who has a problem with the meetings starting at 6:00pm, a number of residents don’t understand why the meetings don’t start at 7:00pm to allow for more citizen participation!

These supporters want to talk about how well Eric’s opponent works with others, I wonder how well he really works with others when he has a reputation for ignoring those council members who don’t vote his way or support his candidate of choice.

And regarding Eric’s supporters…the truth hurts, but it is still the truth. Letters were written by the Mayor that should not have been written, Eric was removed as the host of last year’s Christmas Parade by the former Chairman of the Wylie Chamber of Commerce and the Pedal Car Race announcer did endorse the current mayor, I was there and I heard it! These are all facts not rumors, not lies and not made up stories.

In closing, I thought we would actually have a clean campaign season this year, and at least on one side we do. One the other side, it seems to be business as usual: spin, spin, spin and smear. The same old tactics we have seen in Wylie politics for years.

I think if a candidate can’t win on their own merits they certainly should not win on someone else’s demerits true or not.

It’s time for Wylie to grow up and vote for somebody who cares about the city and not just someone who is pushing their own agenda.

Eric Hogue is focused on the positive future of Wylie, Texas. It’s no wonder that two former mayors, two former council members, two current council members, a Collin county commissioner and a Collin county constable are supporting Eric.

My vote goes to Eric Hogue and I want to encourage you to please join me in electing Eric Hogue as the next Mayor of Wylie.

Linda Morris,

Wylie, Texas

Mr. Byboth asked Wylie Today to run his full letter to the editor, which received the snip-snip treatment in the paper.

Dear Editor, 

I have been a volunteer in the city of Wylie for most of the last ten years. I sat on the Planning and Zoning Commission for a number of those years and ultimately on City Council for the last two years. In that time I have had the opportunity to work with many fine and enthusiastic volunteers on many projects and events. In Wylie we are truly blessed to have so many who want to do so much to make this a better place for all. I have to say though that of all that I have worked with I don’t know one that puts the hours in that our Mayor, John Mondy does.

I own my own business as does John and I am well aware of what it takes and costs to operate in today’s economy, and it’s tuff enough to do that much less dedicate all the time it takes to help the many causes that we get involved with let alone the city council.

For years John Mondy has been doing that taking his sleep in 2-3 hour snippets to ensure he covers all the bases for the citizens of Wylie. It’s not at all uncommon for John to be at a Boy Scout function in the early evening then on to a fundraiser that night only to get up and go to the FFA Show and Sale the next morning to buy some kid’s ag project after having lunch under his big tent that he graciously loans to the FFA or the city for shopping center ground breakings. Until election season began I have never seen his opponent at any of these many functions supporting the citizens or the cause.

In all the years I have known our mayor I have never heard him once complain about this city or his time on council. He has always faced the issues head on whether they be pleasant or not and in the spirit of what is best for the city regardless of his personal position on the issue. I can’t say the same for some of the others that I have served with on council. In one case personal preference of others on council cost a struggling congregation a much needed shot in the arm via a well concealed cell tower and in another instance a much needed hotel from a respected chain. In both cases a loss to the city of much needed ad valorum property taxes which would help with our tax rate. Your mayor instead, in both cases, tried to work a compromise that was amenable to all.

Just a year ago John’s opponent said he didn’t have time to be a council member anymore citing job duties, etc. yet now just one year later he has time to be mayor? And his campaign manager, another former council member, said following his term “I can’t wait to retire and kick the dust of Wylie off my boots”. I can assure you that the office of mayor is far more time demanding that that of a councilman and far more sensitive than to say things like that.

So in closing I have to ask why would anyone want to abandon a proven leader that has taken this city to triple the size it was when he began his service to it, oversaw the development of the finest public safety department for a city this size anywhere, has just led the charge to attract the largest new shopping center of it’s kind in the area, and has doggedly pursued bringing a college campus to Wylie for years. I passionately ask you to allow this good man and proven public servant to continue his service to our community for as long as he has the desire and energy to do so. Change for the sake of change is ridiculous when you already have a proven commodity in hand. Please join me in re-electing “our” mayor John Mondy.

Sincerely,

M.G. “Red” Byboth

Mayor Pro Tem

Letters to the Editor are personal opinions of the author listed and do not necessarily represent the views of wylietoday.com.

Citizens of Wylie:

Mayor Mondy has proven his leadership abilities both as our mayor for the last ten years and through service to our country as a retired Army Major in the Airborne Infantry. Mayor Mondy is a business owner with the responsibility of running a company.  Mr. Hogue is an assistant to an assistant of a large corporation, who doesn’t have to make payroll or balance a budget.

The opposition, this election, is attempting to make the mayoral race about character because they know Mayor Mondy has them beat on experience, ability and leadership.  Mr. Hogue has his campaign treasurer make accusations against Mayor Mondy that are groundless and without specifics.  Let me be specific about character.  Two years ago, Mr. Hogue felt the political winds were changing in Wylie so he publicly opposed Councilman Merrill Young (whom he had supported in years past) in favor of a candidate with no experience. Fortunately the citizens of Wylie didn’t put much stock in Mr. Hogue’s endorsement and Councilman Young was re-elected.  Mr. Hogue then chose to not seek re-election when a strong candidate opposed him, citing job obligations made it too difficult to serve as councilman.  In Eric’s own words:  “A big part of my decision was based on my career at EDS. Over the past two years my job responsibilities have greatly increased. While this has been a positive benefit for me and my family, it has also impacted my free time. For example, it has become more and more difficult to get to the city council meeting by 6:00pm from my office in west Plano.”   Now Mr. Hogue is stating he chose to sit out last year because he wanted to prepare to become mayor and save the city the cost of a special election.  Does he think we don’t remember! The voters in Wylie are smarter than that.

John Mondy is a fine man and leader and does not play the political games that his opponent engages in.  Let’s send Mr. Hogue a message that we haven’t forgotten his betrayal of Merrill Young and his reason for resigning, that he was too busy to be a councilman.  Mr. Hogue do you think that being mayor is going to be less demanding of your time?

Join me in re-electing John Mondy for Mayor of Wylie.

Carl Bodine

Citizen and Voter in Wylie

Letters to the Editor are personal opinions of the author listed and do not necessarily represent the views of wylietoday.com.

Dear Editor:

Election is day is just around the corner. The Wylie School District has several open seats this year. I believe a change is needed on the current board. I believe Barbara Goss is the right person to fulfill the role. Barbara, like me, has children enrolled in the school district. Barbara wants to make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely and that the best education for our children is available.

I believe communication is key for a board member. I know Barbara attends school board meetings and communicates to those she knows, her opinions and thoughts on what is going on.

Barbara is proactive and forward thinking, which I believe is lacking with the current school board.

I know election day is soon, but its not too late. I hope that everyone will speak with Barbara and learn what she wants to do for the school system. Barbara’s website is http://www.barbara4wisd.com

Please get out and vote for Barbara Goss to be our voice on the school board.

Leslie Simms

Letters to the Editor are personal opinions of the author listed and do not necessarily represent the views of wylietoday.com.

Thank you Mayor Mondy,

I have and will always support you in your leadership of Wylie. I feel that Wylie has grown in a way that is unlike several other small towns in our area. Wylie is growing in population but not in its feel of “Small Town America.”

In Wylie our kids still can play outside without parents having to fear all the evil things happening to them. Our Police Department is very proactive towards reducing crime. To explain, near Rush Creek Street my three sons asked if they could go and ride there bikes on the jump ramps. I, not knowing what they were talking about, followed them to see. When we got to the “jump ramps” it was a vacant lot near the old Rush creek, shaded by large trees, between several houses. Several boys’ ages 5-14 were riding bikes jumping and being KIDS. This was great to see! Kids will in all situations find a way to have fun wherever they are. While we were there a Wylie Police Officer drove by and saw the kids riding bikes and he waved at them. At that moment all the kids playing knew that he was there and he was watching over them.

This type of area for kids to play is great! Every man can remember those special places from childhood where they played, made plans and dreamed. I saw for myself that this little spot is great for my children to play and grow outside; I am so excited to see that my sons have found their special place in our wonderful city. I know that they are being watched by not only me but protected by my/your Police Department.

This is only one little snapshot in the big picture of Wylie but it is the future of Wylie and the only real legacy we as parents will leave behind (our children). I as a resident of Wylie would like to say thanks for giving my sons, my neighbors, and me the peace of mind and comfort of living in this great “small town.” Thanks John, I support you and appreciate all you do to keep Wylie my hometown.

Carrol Clore

Letters to the Editor are personal opinions of the author listed and do not necessarily represent the views of wylietoday.com.

Dear Editor,

First, I want to thank the Wylie News for hosting the Candidate forum on last Thursday night.  I think many such forums are needed.  It is in such public settings that candidates’ feelings show best.  Web sites, prepared literature and even newspaper interviews insulate the candidate from the voter.

I saw one particular viewpoint that I hope to spotlight, in order that others may see it more clearly.  There were two questions that dealt specifically with ethics.  One was about a proposed “Code of Ethics”, the other about a demonstration of ethics.  The answers were interesting.  The incumbents were unanimous in stating that they didn’t have a problem with a code being developed, that such a code had been debated and dropped.  Many candidates expressed a willingness to abide by such a code, but most stated that they were pretty confident that they were ethical.

One candidate stood out in contrast.  Eric Hogue spoke resoundingly in favor of a Code of Ethics.  He likened standards to rules of the game.  He said that a clear statement of Ethics is commonplace in “Corporate America” (I was trained repeatedly in ethical decision making at the last Fortune 500 company I worked for).  Playing without rules leaves room for indiscretion.

Another question was asked which was telling about the apparent regard that each candidate places on ethics.  As reported in the Wylie News, and acknowledged by the candidates, only two of the candidates did the ethical thing by reporting their expenditures on time. (Kudos to Rick White, he submitted his early).  Particularly egregious to me was the fact that Mayor John Mondy gave as an excuse that his campaign treasurer (“Red” Byboth) was out of town.  This means that two currently serving officials have a lax attitude towards ethical rules.  (A side note: I know that it is old news, but these two men were also two of the main players in Mayor Mondy writing a letter, as Mayor, not as a private citizen, attempting to influence the outcome of a trial of one of Mr. Byboth’s employees, an accused sex-offender, a few years back.  This should have been a warning, then.)

Mr. Porter stated that we as voters have the right to remove those that act unethically.  We have that opportunity now.  I ask all concerned citizens to vote now for ethics.  Support Eric Hogue and Rick White.  I also call for an appropriate Code of Ethics to be written and adopted, with clear language and appropriate, enforceable results.  We shouldn’t have to wait until an election to see the same consequences expected when unethical behavior occurs in industry.

Sincerely,David Dahl

Letters to the Editor are personal opinions of the author listed and do not necessarily represent the views of wylietoday.com.

My family has lived in Wylie for almost 5 years and have become well- acquainted with the Wylie Political arena. In the 2005 election, I set out on the mission to be an informed voter in our new town. I met with a couple of the candidates and saw first hand how Rick White handled himself in light of many untrue statements and accusations being made about him from the then-incumbent candidate.

Rick encouraged me to inquire and ask lots of questions and find out for myself what the truth was, and in the end, Rick got my vote…and my trust in the 2005 election season. That spoke volumes to me about Rick’s character, integrity, and openness as a person and as a future councilman. Rick White truly is a “what you see is what you get” guy and I can appreciate that in the political arena.

Regrettably during election season, voters get more smoke blown their way or too much rhetoric spoken with no real substance, promise or plan. I do not find that to be the case with Rick. His vision and track record while on council proves over and over he is for the future of Wylie with the best interest of the citizens in mind. I’m honored to call Rick White a personal friend that I would trust without question. He listens, he cares, and has always responded to my questions or concerns regarding our great City. I strongly encourage our citizens to ask questions of ALL the candidates in order to cast an informed vote. As an informed citizen, I will be casting my vote for incumbent Rick White and mayoral candidate Eric Hogue…for the Future of Wylie!

H. Glenn Bolton,
Wylie, TX

Letters to the Editor are personal opinions of the author listed and do not necessarily represent the views of wylietoday.com.

Dear Editor:

May 10, 2008 is a critical day for the Wylie Independent School District.  May 10, is Election Day for several seats on the school board.  Barbara Goss is running for Place One. I believe Barbara Goss is the right person for the job.

Barbara and I met five years ago when she became employed in the Human Resources Department of my company.   As a manager in the company, I had several opportunities to work with Barbara to resolve Human Resource issues.  Barbra was always very well organized and professional.  I know, with her professional experience, she can utilize those skills in being a successful School Board Trustee.

Barbara has children that attend Wylie schools. She has a vested interest in making the sure the schools perform, as well as spend our tax dollars wisely.

For the past several years Barbara has regularly attended school board meetings.  She keeps her friends and neighbors informed on issues at hand and communicates that information clearly.  I believe there is currently a lack of communication from the current school board.

The current school board needs a fresh perspective and fresh ideas. The school board needs to plan for future growth.  There is no reason children should have to switch schools years after year after year. The current school board is reactionary and fails to plan accordingly.

I encourage you and all your readers to speak with Barbara, and read about her ideas, and beliefs.  I believe if you speak with her, you will see the passion that I have seen.  Barbara’s website is http://www.barbara4wisd.com/.

May 10, 2008 is a crucial day for the WISD.  Let’s move WISD forward by voting for Barbara Goss, Place One.  She has earned my vote.
Jeff Cox

Letters to the Editor are personal opinions of the author listed and do not necessarily represent the views of wylietoday.com.

Fellow Residents:

As you most likely know, OUR Mayor, John Mondy is up for re-election on May 10th. Over the past 10 years John Mondy has lead Wylie from a City of under 15,000 residents to where we are today - the 8th fastest growing community in the nation with the lowest crime rate in Collin County and the highest rated Fire Department and water delivery system in the Nation. He willingly accepted the task and did his best: Wylie has seen the KCS tracks removed from Hwy 78 which allowed for Hwy 78 to be redeveloped as a business corridor, the expansion of FM 544 from a two-lane blacktop road to a concrete six-lane divided roadway, the development of FM 544 as a major retail artery which currently includes Chili’s, Home Depot, Albertson’s, and Tractor Supply and will soon be the home to Super Target and NFC Sports.

This expansion came to pass through hard work and a strong leadership team that did not make decisions for the people but rather with the people. Through this, a strong foundation has been set to build for the future. Over the next three years Wylie will see the following:

30% population increase
A new 123,000 sq ft civic complex (Library, City Hall, Rec Center)
$5.4 million of improvements to Founders Park (new soccer and softball fields, - concession stand, bathrooms, hiking/biking trail and a paved parking lot)
13 miles of new or reconstructed and expanded roadways

Mayor Mondy did this all without taking a break to prepare for doing the job, he is the most qualified candidate to serve as OUR MAYOR!! John Believes that “we must continue to stand strong and united in the direction that we take. We must focus on public safety, education, transportation, healthcare services, tax rate reduction, continued strengthening of the local economy and other quality of life issues that concern us all as we raise our families.”

Please join us and VOTE JOHN MONDY ON JUNE MAY 10TH!!! [ed note: just helping out a poor Yankee ]

John Onufreiczuk

Letters to the Editor are personal opinions of the author listed and do not necessarily represent the views of wylietoday.com.

Dear Editor and Wylie Citizens,

After these examinations, I ask that each of you join me in supporting the re-election of Mr. Joe Barton as Constable of Precinct Two.

Letters to the Editor are personal opinions of the author listed and do not necessarily represent the views of wylietoday.com.