City of Glenn Heights 2026 State of the City

To every resident, partner, elected official, staff member, friend, and family member - Thank you for believing in this city.

To our 21,000 residents - this city belongs to you!
There is no State of the City without a city.
There is no Glenn Heights without you.
Thank you for your trust.
Thank you for choosing Glenn Heights.
Thank you for electing me to a second term to serve as your Mayor.
Thank you for believing that our best days are ahead.

Glenn Heights is evolving. We are strengthening systems. We are reviewing policies. We are addressing governance with seriousness and integrity. We are choosing transparency over tension, structure over confusion, and accountability over comfort.

Transformative leadership requires vision. And you will see clearly where we are headed. We are building a city that functions with excellence behind the scenes so it can flourish in front of the world.

To our community partners - AT&T, United Way, Compudopt, Linebarger, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Official DART page), Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Oncor, Atmos Energy, Community Waste Disposal, Red Oak Area Chamber - THANK YOU!

You do more than place logos on banners. You show up with solutions.

Just recently, through our partnership with AT&T, United Way, and Compudopt, we were able to place laptops directly into the hands of our residents. That meant students could complete homework. Parents could apply for jobs. Seniors could access telehealth. Entrepreneurs could grow their businesses.

That is digital equity in action. That is what happens when public leadership and private partnership come together with purpose.

And I also want to thank Linebarger for their work on behalf of our city. They help us do the necessary work of revenue recovery so that we can reinvest in streets, public safety, parks, and services for our residents. It may not always be glamorous, but it is essential. And we appreciate the partnership.

And through DART, we continue to expand access to regional mobility, connecting our residents to jobs, education, healthcare, and opportunity throughout North Texas. Reliable transportation and reliable technology are not luxuries. They are necessities. We are proud to be building in both Glenn Heights.

To Michael Stewart, President of Methodist Charlton Medical Center, and his entire team -thank you for your commitment to closing the health gap in Glenn Heights. Because of your leadership, families feel confident seeking care, trusting their loved ones to your facility, and knowing they will be treated with dignity and compassion. You consistently show up for our residents and meet needs beyond hospital walls, and we are grateful for that partnership.

To Kenneth Govan and ONCOR - Mr. Govan is truly our partnership connector. He brings people together, keeps communication clear, and ensures our residents have reliable access to power. Whether during storms or unexpected outages, he keeps us informed and works tirelessly to restore service as quickly as possible. We appreciate your responsiveness and your dedication to our community.

To Ms. McNeely and Atmos Energy - thank you for being a constant presence in Glenn Heights. Whether you are supporting our Back to School Bash, volunteering your time, or standing beside us at community events, you do it with excellence and professionalism. Your partnership reflects true community leadership and is not unnoticed.

To CWD - clean streets are safe streets, and reliable waste and recycling services are essential to the health of our city. We appreciate the role you play in keeping Glenn Heights moving forward and look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to meet the high standards our residents deserve.

And to the Red Oak Chamber of Commerce, especially President Clint Woodward - thank you for your leadership in supporting local businesses and for your instrumental role in helping us establish the Glenn Heights Chamber of Commerce. Your mentorship and collaboration have strengthened our local economy and expanded opportunities for entrepreneurs in our city.

I also want to recognize the outstanding leadership of our superintendents, Dr. Usamah Rodgers of DeSoto ISD and Brenda Sanford of Red Oak ISD. Both continue to deepen their partnerships with the City of Glenn Heights, and we are better because of that collaboration. Through recently passed bonds, both districts are making historic investments in students and families. In DeSoto, we will see the construction of a new Frank D. Moates, major improvements to Curtisene McCowan, and upgrades across multiple campuses. In Red Oak, the opening of the state-of-the-art Dr. Joy Shaw Middle School and districtwide improvements reflect a powerful commitment to educational excellence. Thank you both for leading with vision, accountability, and heart.

And to our faith leaders - thank you. Thank you for praying for our city. Thank you for personally lifting me in prayer. I have felt those prayers, I continue to feel them, and I am grateful for the spiritual foundation you provide for Glenn Heights.

I have to recognize and thank our incredible volunteers. So much of what we do as a city would not be possible without your time, your energy, and your willingness to serve. From community festivals and health fairs to youth programs and civic events, you consistently show up with excellence and a spirit of generosity. You are the heartbeat behind our programs and the hands that help make our success possible. Your service reflects the very best of Glenn Heights, and we are deeply grateful for each and every one of you.

To each of these partners – THANK YOU for standing with Glenn Heights, for showing up consistently, and for helping us build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.

All cities, big and small, have a support system of other elected officials. To those who serve us, I am indebted to you.

I want to begin by thanking Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price for his continued leadership and for approving and funding the East Bear Creek Road expansion project. Commissioner Price has consistently advocated for Glenn Heights at the county level, ensuring our voice is heard in major infrastructure decisions. He understands that strong roads build strong communities. His leadership, accessibility, and willingness to fight for our district truly matter. And on behalf of the residents of Glenn Heights, I thank you.

Representative Aicha Davis for Texas, District 109 - Thank you for your strong commitment to our community and for being an accessible, engaged, and responsive partner. We have had meaningful and productive conversations about parks, infrastructure, and quality-of-life investments, and I appreciate your willingness to listen, collaborate, and advocate for Glenn Heights at the state level. Your leadership reflects a genuine desire to see our residents thrive, and I look forward to continuing and expanding our work together for the benefit of our families, our youth, and our future.

Representative Brian Harrison, District 10 - Thank you for the important work you are doing on the Ellis County side of Glenn Heights.  Your willingness to collaborate across county lines helps ensure that our residents receive consistent services, strong infrastructure, and equitable support, regardless of jurisdiction. The spirit of cooperation will strengthen our entire city, promote regional unity, and position Glenn Heights for long-term success. I appreciate your commitment to working with us.

State Senator Royce West, who has represented the 23rd Senatorial District in the Texas Senate since 1993, remains a powerful voice for education, justice, and economic opportunity in our region.  Senator West has championed expanded access to higher education, helped create and strengthen institutions such as the University of North Texas at Dallas, and worked to secure meaningful financial aid resources for students across Texas.

Congressman Jake Ellzey, Congressional District 6, thank you for your listening ear and support. Infrastructure remains a top priority for Glenn Heights, and I look forward to continuing and advancing our conversations regarding critical road improvement projects that impact safety, commerce, and regional connectivity. Our residents deserve reliable, modern, and well-planned transportation systems, and I am confident that you are just as committed as I am to ensuring their voices are heard, respected, and represented at every level of government.

And Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett continues to fight tirelessly for Congressional District 30 and for the families she represents every single day. She is a bold, principled, and highly effective advocate for equity, opportunity, infrastructure, public safety, and economic growth in our region. Whether she is addressing issues related to transportation, housing, healthcare, or education, she consistently ensures that communities like Glenn Heights are not overlooked. Through her message in our State of the City address, she reminds us that Glenn Heights has a seat at the table and a voice in national conversations. When you see her on that screen, I want you to understand that this city is represented, respected, and defended at the highest levels of government. And that matters.

To all local, county, state, and federal elected officials present - thank you for your partnership and for standing with our city.