Mayor Pro Tem Elam announces run for Heath Mayor in May election

(HEATH, TX – Jan. 16, 2018) Kelson Elam, current Mayor Pro Tem of Heath, announces he will seek the position of Mayor in the May city election. The present Mayor, Brian Berry, has said he will retire to pursue business endeavors.

Elam, a local business owner, was elected to the City Council in 2016 and named as Mayor Pro Tem by the council in his first term. He also serves on the Heath Economic Development Corporation board and is part of the team working to expand the volunteer CERT (Citizens Emergency Recovery Team) program from Rockwall.

Elam advocates a balanced approach to growth in Heath, with City policies that expand services and amenities but also maintain the rural charm of the community.

“I believe I have both the vision and leadership skills to make this happen.,” says Elam. “As an example, I worked closely with our new grocery store development to ensure we build a pedestrian friendly downtown that will connect to future parks and restaurants.”

“Heath has a unique character that we can maintain by encouraging mercantile location in our downtown and City Hall area, leaving large retail to our neighbors. We also need to be more vigilant on our ‘one acre, one home’ concept to preserve Heath’s attractive, rural setting.”

Elam supports a financial approach to City debt that encourages a “pay as you go” policy over incurring debt with municipal bonds. He advocates an approach to property taxes that addresses tax relief without sacrificing future revenues needed to maintain and provide city services .

“Working with several council members we designed a plan to provide senior and disabled tax relief without overburdening the remaining taxpayer base. A permanent tax freeze just is not a responsible, long range solution, in my opinion.”

Elam and his wife Brenda have lived in Heath for 18 years. Three members of his extended family– his father, sister and daughter—also own and maintain households in Heath. He came to the Rockwall area in the 70’s.

“There wasn’t much in Heath back then but it had its own charm” laughs Elam. “I will continue working to maintain that small town culture.”

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