John Nichols for College Station City Council

Larry Stewart was a former member of the John Birch Society and a very conservative former naval officer. Not exactly the back ground of someone I would be expected to support for City Council. But I did support Larry. I considered him a friend and I was deeply saddened by his passing last June.

Larry came to council on a wave of resentment against a single proposed development (Weingarten.) Those council members who had voted for the development, or ran with them, were swept out of office in an election that saw almost 50% more voter turnout than was the norm. Unfortunately, most of those voters, with their neighborhood no longer threatened by a supper Wal-Mart went back to sleep and we have since elected candidates who are willing to encourage and support any and all new development.

One of the results of this change in Council is that we recently lost two excellent Planning and Zoning commissioners who the new Council replaced with much more sprawl friendly commissioners. We lost a biologist and academic landscape architect both of whom brought a world of professional knowledge and a commitment to long range planning for the benefit of all of our residence rather than short term planning that seeks to maximize short range business revenue and profit.

Chairman of the Commission, John Nichols, did not seek reappointment and is now running for City Council to fill Larry Stewart’s unexpired term. John was an excellent Chairman of the Planning Zoning Commission and has served the city in many other capacities. His only agenda is following the will of the people especially as spelled out in our many guiding documents, particularly the comprehensive plan.

While I, at times, voted differently than John, I never doubted his integrity or commitment to what is best for all of the people of College Station. He is being opposed by someone that I expect will be well funded by the development community. I hope that just as Larry Stewart was supported as a candidate of all the citizens of College Station, so too will John be recognized as that sort of candidate.

Following is John’s position which will continue to be defined through the election season.

August 30, 2010

John P. Nichols

Place 5, College Station City Council

John Nichols has filed for Place 5, College Station City Council. Nichols and his family have lived in the community since 1968 and continuously in College Station since 1974. He is employed at Texas A&M University as Professor and Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics.
Dr. Nichols has experience, leadership and given service to the community in many roles:

· College Station Planning and Zoning Commission, 2004 – 2010, Chair 2006-2010

· College Station Parks and Recreation Board, 1998-2004 including two terms as Chair

· College Station Community Appearance Committee, Chair, 1995-1998

· College Station Lions Club since 1969, term as President and Deputy District Governor

· College Station Soccer Club, organizing member and officer, President 1970s

· Brazos Valley Symphony Society, Board member, President 1985-86

· Arts Council of Brazos Valley, Board member, President 1992-93

Nichols and his wife reside in the Bee Creek Neighborhood and have three children.

“I believe it is important to serve the community in whatever way we can. My demonstrated commitment to serving the City of College Station and its citizens is the cornerstone of my campaign. I have been involved in numerous public meetings and hearings and believe my record shows an ability to listen, study the issues, and act thoughtfully on behalf of College Station and its residents”, Nichols said. “During my terms on the Planning and Zoning Commission the City adopted a completely updated Comprehensive Plan. Core services relating to public safety and infrastructure development are integral to the implementation of this plan. If elected, I am dedicated to carrying through on this visionary document within the constraints of our current tight economic conditions.”