Issues & History

We all know what the above means, but not alive?  This is correct.  Small business and real estate developers are currently not interested in Leander.  This is due to the layers and layers of rules and hurdles both Business and Developers alike face when going through the process.  On the campaign trail, I hear that Leander is a “Leap Frog City” meaning folks would rather locate in Liberty Hill or Cedar Park.

Leander has a 50-year supply of water?  Yes, we do.  Back in 2011, we secured 24,000 acre feet of water in Lake Travis; a sustainable supply for the next 50 years!

Your city council at the time also purchased our state-of-the-art Sandy Creek water treatment plant from the LCRA thus creating a regional water and wastewater system.  Additionally, we created a partnership with Cedar Park and Round Rock (the “Brushy Creek Regional Water Authority,” “BCRUA”) to ensure that we had a system, as well as a backup system.  

Q:      Water.  Why is the water so expensive in Leander?

A:      In 1998, Leander was running out of water.  Mayor Charles Eaton and his council entered in to a partnership with the LCRA to bring a reliable water source to Leander; the Sandy Creek Water Treatment Plant was built.  The LCRA built and paid for the plant up front at a cost of 60 million dollars.  Leander agreed to repay the LCRA over ...

Where there is no vision, people perish, so your actions must inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more...

I find myself constantly reminded of how blessed, honored, and privileged I am to have been elected to the position of Mayor of the City of Leander.  I could not imagine living elsewhere. The opportunities this city has to offer for all of us are innumerable, and I cannot thank the citizens of Leander and the City of Leander herself enough for allowing me these wonderful opportunities...

I was watching the movie “Source Code” one evening and the last line in the movie was “Everything is going to be okay.”  I thought this was totally absurd as the man this message was directed to was literally cut in half, on life support, and not standing a chance at life, but these six little words provided such a level of comfort to him, it was believable, and he believed, even though his circumstance was dire.

I think about this phrase, and realize how important this phrase...

- good Samaritan (n) a person who voluntarily offers help or sympathy in times of trouble

Since I have been mayor, I have found the true meaning of this phrase.  I am in my eighth year being mayor.  I look back at the goodness that has bestowed us all as...

2011 is a year that many of us would like to forget due to the serious nature of the international economic woes that affected us all.  Your city, the City of Leander, was impacted, but not as much as some of our sister cities in the region.  Our building permits were... Read More

Leander really did not have much to brag about in the year 2000.  A Golden Chick and a Sonic were our claim to fame back then, but our story has changed, and changed dramatically...

Nine years ago, a small group of Leander residents decided to turn Leander in a new direction.  This “course correction” was a very difficult one.  We had 11 city managers in 13 years and our financial position was bleak. We were at near junk bond status... 8 points... Read More

Everyone seems to talk about Central Texas' transportation issues. In downtown Austin, many solutions have been offered: trolley cars, parking garages, rubber tires and/or steel wheels and the like. We treat traffic congestion like the weather; we act as if we have no control over it. I offer the following approach to solve our regional transportation issues... Read More

When people consider the quality of life in a community the things they look for are good schools, a diversity of commerce and livability.  Key livability components include recreation opportunities and alternative means of transportation.  When looking to relocate, Fortune 500 companies... Read More

It has been a fun, joyous and very interesting being Mayor of our city. I wish thank you all for allowing me the experience.  Since taking office in 2003, we have all made great strides in making this a truly great city.  Road projects, new parks, our new public library, public facilities such as the police and fire stations, new business coming into Leander, a AA+ bond rating, are all great achievements for us all and the future citizens of Leander...

We set goals then we tend to forget about them.  Simple as that.  Today, I am writing this letter because I made a promise to myself, and I kept it.  Last year was an extremely tough year for all of us, and now more than ever, goal setting can get us through these tough times.  I set a goal January 1, 2011; I made a promise to myself that I would begin to work out at the gym.  I was over-weight, my clothes didn’t fit me well, I started snoring, and felt like I was always tired.  The bottom line; I was overweight by 50 pounds!  I ballooned from a size 34 to a size 38 in the waist.  I had to lose weight.  The French fries and the soft drinks... Read More

Have you seen what is going on at City Park over on Bagdad Road? Heavy equipment is moving dirt, and completion is set for late summer.   Or maybe you have ventured over to Mason Creek North’s new park.  Your city turned an old drainage facility into a wonderful park for all citizens.  How about venturing down to the golf course to see the new clubhouse being built.  The clubhouse will be finished in April along with a well lighted parking lot.  What about Devine Lake... Read More

The City of Leander is truly a wonderful place to live.  Our tight knit community is extremely fortunate; with the continued downward turn in the national economy, we here in Leander, and the State of Texas for that matter were not hit as hard as some parts of the country.   We have in our Leander toolbox the right and necessary tools to insure continued forward momentum.  Development opportunities present themselves weekly.  Scott & White’s arrival... Read More

... A Constitutional conservatism based on first principles provides the framework for a consistent and meaningful policy agenda.

• It applies the principle of limited government based on the rule of law to every proposal.
• It honors the central place of individual liberty in American politics and life.
• It encourages free enterprise, the individual entrepreneur, and
  economic reforms grounded in market solutions.
• It supports America’s national interest in advancing freedom
  and opposing tyranny in the world and prudently considers what we can and should do to that end.
• It informs conservatism’s firm defense of family, neighborhood,
  community, and faith.

In this time of moral and political crises, it is the responsibility of every American to affirm certain eternal truths.

We, as Williamson County conservatives, believe: ... 

Read more by downloading Williamson_County_Statement_by_John_D_Cowman_PDF_Format.pdf

I recently spoke to a LISD third grade class.  This is an annual effort undertaken by my office.  It has been very gratifying and occasionally quite humorous; especially when the class thinks I am the President.

All the kids are sitting in front of me on the floor with their legs crossed.  I speak initially then I encourage each student to stand tall, state their name...

There are two things I really enjoy; one is going to Lowe’s, and the other is... Read More

... I want to personally thank Wes and the entire golf course staff for such a quick and very meaningful response.  Not only do we appreciate what you do to make our golf course better, but we appreciate you going above and beyond what you duty calls for.  I think I will take a lesson from Wes, how about you? Read More

This has been a real tough year for many of us, and now more than ever goal setting can get us through these tough times.  I set a goal January 1, 2011 that I would begin to work out at Gold’s Gym.  My goal was simple…to lose weight.  Today, I am proud... Read More

It makes my blood boil every time I read that Leander Mayor John... Read More

A letter to Chief Todd Radford - August 2nd, 2010 

Read more by downloading:

Lakeway Incident 2010