I am a 34-year resident of Bellaire and raised four children in Bellaire with wife of 36 years, Lisa. I have served on Bellaire City Council since 2020, and served six years on Bellaire Board of Adjustments, two as chair. I have been involved in the community – as examples – serving on the Bellaire Business Association board, Horn PTA auction chair, Houston Youth Soccer Association secretary, and coaching (about 50 teams in basketball, softball, soccer, and football). I have an engineering degree from the University of Nebraska and an MBA and law degree from the University of Texas. I am the former President of a not for profit and currently practice labor and employment law.
While on city council I submitted many agenda items, never missed a meeting, and never missed a meeting as the Planning and Zoning Commission liaison. I also attended the Bellaire Citizens Police Academy. More importantly, I both listened to residents and did the leg work to understand what was really happening. For example, at the outset of my term I gave staff 50 questions – which they posted on the city website along with responses. To increase communication, I authored a number of articles that ran in the Southwest News. I met weekly with both the interim city manager and current city manager to better understand the problems facing the city. I also served on the subcommittee with Council Member Win Frazier that did the background work necessary to hire a new city manager.
Almost 30 years ago I first got involved with Bellaire politics when a developer tried to build apartments on the property that is now home to Pin Oak Middle School. Four years ago when I ran for council, two issues were at the top of the list: 1. out of control spending and debt and 2. poor management. Over the past four years debt has been reduced from $125 million (in the 2019 budget) to $99 million and there has been no tax rate increase. In August of last year we hired a new city manager, Sharon Citino. Sharon has had a full plate – hiring a new Public Works Director, Development Services Director, and HR Director – just for starters. We are on the right track, but the job is never done. I want to continue this work. I would be honored to have your support for Bellaire mayor!
My Top Issues:
1. Complete the comprehensive plan review and revise the zoning to protect our residential neighborhoods – the City of Homes! – and provide clear guidance to developers.
2. Improve communications – both in terms of clear and consistent messaging to residents and simplifying feedback from residents.
3. Create and implement long term infrastructure plans for flood mitigation, streets, parks, and buildings.
4. Keep debt and spending under control – do not use debt for maintenance expenditures.
5. Increase police presence – so Bellaire gets back to the reputation of “don’t speed in Bellaire” and criminals know better than to prey on our residents.
I am running on a “Bellaire4All” platform because all residents should be heard. Cliques lead to division that is unnecessary and undermines the great community that has been built in Bellaire. All residents share a desire to make the City of Bellaire a better place to live for generations to come. Working together, we can make it happen. We have incredibly talented and industrious residents who are always ready to pitch in. Bellaire is a great place to be if you want to get things done.
I have been honored to have had the opportunity to serve the past four years. I am very interested to hear your concerns and issues. Please call or email me. Please visit my website www.wesely.io if you want more information or if you would like to volunteer. (As an example of my frugality – I designed my website. It is obvious I am not running for website designer!)
I am asking for your support and your vote!
Nathan Wesely
Candidate for Bellaire Mayor
Contact:
Email: nathan@wesely.io Website: www.wesely.io Phone: 713-213-2685
