One thing is certain about the race for Highland Village City Council Place 3. After the May 9 election, a woman realtor will serve in that position. Brian Fiorenza has served the maximum terms according to the city charter and will not seek re-election and the two people running for that spot are women realtors. Charlotte Wilcox is one of those candidates; she wants to serve in that capacity because of her passion for Highland Village. “My vision is for Highland Village to be a city where people choose to live, raise their families, work, play and eventually retire and where their children’s children will want to do the same,” Wilcox said.

      The 14 year resident of Highland Village is living out that very scenario as she and her husband of almost 30 years, Terry, have raised their children there. Now those two grown children still live in the area and are raising her grandchildren here as well.  Charlotte is a realtor with Re/Max Cross Country, and has been selling homes in Highland Village for about 10 years. Now that her children are grown, Charlotte said she feels it is time to step up to the plate where civic duty is concerned. “My parents raised me to believe in God, family and civic involvement. My dad served on boards and commissions, was an active member of the Rotary Club and was once named Man of the Year by the Bowie Chamber of Commerce. They moved to Highland Village in 2004,” she said.

      Her father, C. J. “Shorty” Howard Jr., age 78 and a resident of Highland Village passed away on March 31. Charlotte was unable to attend the Denton County Republican Men’s Forum for candidates because it was the same evening as his viewing. She is looking forward to speaking at a Candidate’s Debate sponsored by The News Connection on April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Highland Village City Hall. Wilcox is serving her second term on the Highland Village Planning and Zoning Commission and is also a member of the Greater Lewisville Board of Realtors, First Baptist Church of Lewisville and the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce. “Honesty, integrity, consistency and dedication are what I can offer you on the City Council. I believe in these values; I was raised on them and I practice them every day. I know this community and have solid roots here,” Wilcox said.

      The candidate acknowledges that we are living in uncertain times and several factors will be key issues for Highland Village to face in the very near future, including the fact that sales tax revenue is down because of the economy. “We have senior citizens on fixed incomes, I have neighbors losing their jobs, and people are purchasing homes and can’t afford to furnish them. With everyone in the same boat, we really have to have responsible spending,” she stated. Charlotte said she would like to see a geographically diverse council with equal representation throughout the community.  “I think there needs to be a voice from all areas of the city,” she stated. Another area Charlotte thinks is very important is security. “I am pro fire and police department,” she said. “We can never jeopardize security! Without the exceptional police and fire departments that have made us the safest community in North Texas for the past six years, we will have nothing.” Her husband is a Lewisville Firefighter with 35 years of service in that city, and she said that has definitely shaped her perspective on the issue.

      Another thing Wilcox believes the city will deal with in the near future will be the development of the remaining areas of Highland Village and the support of current businesses and encouragement of responsible growth.  Charlotte has the endorsement of Brian Fiorenza, the current Place 3 councilman. For more information about her, visit charlottewilcox.com.